Russia warns Kyiv residents to flee homes

Russia warned Kyiv residents to flee their homes on Tuesday and rained rockets down on Kharkiv, as Russian commanders who have failed to achieve a quick victory shifted their tactics to intensify the bombardment of Ukrainian cities.

HK residents empty supermarkets ahead of city-wide lockdown

Hong Kong residents braced for a city-wide lockdown, emptying supermarkets and pharmacies, even as leader Carrie Lam called for calm on Tuesday and appealed for the public not to worry over a compulsory mass COVID-19 testing plan.

US delegation arrives in Taiwan as China denounces visit

A delegation of former senior U.S. defence and security officials sent by President Joe Biden arrived in Taipei on Tuesday on a visit denounced by China and happening in the midst of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Iran says key issues remain unresolved in Vienna nuclear talks

Iran said on Monday efforts to revive a 2015 nuclear deal could succeed if the United States took a political decision to meet Tehran’s demands, as months of negotiations enter what one Iranian diplomat called a “now or never” stage.

Ukraine-Russia ceasefire talks begin

Ceasefire talks between Russian and Ukrainian officials began on the Belarusian border, Monday as Russia faced deepening economic isolation 4 days after invading Ukraine.

China urges calm after Putin puts nuclear deterrent on high alert

China on Monday said all sides involved in the Ukraine issue should remain calm after Russian President Vladimir Putin put his country’s nuclear deterrent on high alert, but reiterated its opposition to the use of what it calls illegal and unilateral sanctions following the move by western countries to block some Russians banks from the SWIFT international payments system.

India’s Modi offers help in peace efforts over Ukraine crisis

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday offered to help in peace efforts in the Ukraine crisis, during a phone call with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

Russian forces enter Ukraine’s second city, gas pipelines explode

Russian soldiers and armoured vehicles entered the northeastern city of Kharkiv on Sunday on the fourth day of an invasion that has shaken Europe’s long-standing security architecture.

Google halts monetization of Russian state media across its platforms

Google on Saturday became the latest US tech giant to prevent Russian state media from earning money on its platforms in response to Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

Battle underway for airbase on Kyiv outskirts

Russian and Ukrainian forces are battling for control of an airbase on the northern outskirts of Kyiv, a senior Ukrainian officer said Thursday, as dozens of attack helicopters swooped on the area.

Russia invades Ukraine, dozens killed

Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Thursday, killing dozens and forcing hundreds to flee for their livesr.

Oil tops $105 after Russia attacks Ukraine

Oil prices jumped on Thursday, with Brent rising above $105 a barrel for the first time since 2014, after Russia’s attack on Ukraine exacerbated concerns about disruptions to global energy supply.

U.S. and allies unveil more sanctions on Russia

The United States and its allies unveiled more sanctions against Russia,Wednesday over its recognition of 2 separatist areas in eastern Ukraine, while making clear they were keeping tougher measures in reserve in case of a full-scale invasion by Moscow.

UK loses £15bn to Covid loan fraud

At least £15 billion ($20.39 billion) of taxpayers’ money has been lost through fraud and error in the government’s Covid emergency loan schemes, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) claimed in a report published on Wednesday.

Iran says nuclear talks reach ‘sensitive and important point’

Talks in Vienna on reviving a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers have reached a sensitive point and Western countries should take a realistic approach to settle remaining matters, Iran’s foreign minister said on Wednesday.

Germany blocks opening of pipeline as West responds to Russian moves in Ukraine

Germany froze a new gas pipeline and Britain hit Russian banks with sanctions on Tuesday, as the West responded to Moscow’s recognition of two separatist regions in Ukraine and a speech by President Vladimir Putin suggesting more belligerent aims.

Women workers must cover up ‘even with a blanket’:Taliban

Women working in Afghan government departments must cover up -even with a blanket if necessary - or they may lose their jobs, the Taliban’s religious police said Tuesday.

Queen cancels virtual meeting as mild COVID symptoms persist

Queen Elizabeth will miss a planned virtual engagement on Tuesday because she is still experiencing mild cold-like symptoms after testing positive for COVID-19, a spokesman for Buckingham Palace said.

Biden and Putin accept Macron’s proposal for summit

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his American counterpart Joe Biden have agreed in “principle” to hold a meeting to halt escalation of conflict in Ukraine, the Elysee Palace said in a statement on Sunday night.

After weeks-long protest Canada’s capital cleaned up

Canadian police on Sunday secured the downtown core of the capital with fencing as city workers cleaned up trash and snow plows cleared streets after two days of tense standoffs and 191 arrests ended a three-week occupation of Ottawa.

Nepal police fire tear gas, water cannon to disperse protest over US ‘gift’

Police in Kathmandu fired teargas and water cannon to disperse protesters opposed to a U.S.-funded infrastructure programme that was presented in parliament for ratification on Sunday, witnesses and officials in Nepal’s capital said.

Russia and Belarus extend large military drills near Ukraine

Russia and Belarus are extending military drills that were due to end on Sunday, the Belarus defence minister said, in a step that further intensifies pressure on Ukraine as Western leaders warn of an imminent Russian invasion.

Israel sees Iran nuclear deal ‘shortly,’ warns it will be weak

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said Sunday that Iran may “shortly” agree a new nuclear deal with major powers but warned it will be weaker than the original 2015 agreement. Bennett was speaking ahead of a cabinet meeting following indications that the outline of a deal was taking shape at talks in Vienna.

Queen Elizabeth catches ‘mild’ Covid: Palace

Britain’s 95-year-old Queen Elizabeth II tested positive for Covid-19 on Sunday but her symptoms are “mild” and she intends to continue with light duties at her Windsor Castle residence, aides said.

Putin to oversee nuclear war drills

Russian President Vladimir Putin will take direct command of scheduled ballistic missile training on Saturday, which will see the country’s military test its nuclear capabilities, Moscow has confirmed.

Canadian police start arresting protesters to end blockade

Canadian police on Friday started arresting protesters as part of an operation to end a three-week blockade of Ottawa by hundreds of truck drivers that crippled the capital and prompted Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to assume emergency powers.

Fires rages on in Argentine, important wetlands burned

Wildfires in Argentina’s north have continued to spread through the province of Corrientes, burning more than 600,000 hectares, scarring farmlands and killing protected animals and plants in the major Ibera National Park, an important wetland area.

Putin makes inroads in pressure campaign against West, Ukraine

Russian leader Vladimir Putin has secured some wins in his confrontation with the West over Ukraine, but it’s too early to discern an end to a crisis that could yet morph into a new Cold War even if conflict is averted, Kremlin watchers said.

India protests Singapore PM’s remark on MPs with criminal cases

ndia on Thursday protested against Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s remarks that almost half the members of the Lok Sabha have criminal charges pending against them, describing the comments as “uncalled for”.

India reports outbreak of H5N1 bird flu - OIE

India reported an outbreak of the highly contagious H5N1 bird flu virus on a poultry research farm in the northeastern state of Bihar, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) said on Wednesday.