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Australia wants 'eyes on Antarctica' with funding boost
Australia on Tuesday announced plans to boost its presence and surveillance operations on Antarctica, unveiling a US$575 million package designed to match China's growing interest in the pole.
US cautious on whether Russian troops to Donbass equals invasion
The United States took a wait-and-see attitude Monday to President Vladimir Putin's order for Russian troops to deploy in separatist areas of Ukraine, saying that talks remain possible "until the tanks roll."
Defying West, Putin orders troops to Ukraine rebel regions
President Vladimir Putin ordered Russian troops into two Moscow-backed rebel regions of Ukraine on Monday, defying Western threats of sanctions in a move that could set off a potentially catastrophic war with Kyiv.
Defying West, Russia's Putin recognises Ukraine rebel regions
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday recognised two Moscow-backed rebel regions of Ukraine as independent, in a move that could set off a potentially catastrophic war with Kyiv's Western-backed government.
Riot police clash with New Zealand anti-vax protesters
Police with riot shields clashed with anti-vaccine demonstrators outside New Zealand's parliament early Tuesday, with one protester unsuccessfully attempting to drive a car into a group of officers.
Russia to recognise Ukraine rebel regions as Putin defies West
The Kremlin said Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin was planning to recognise two rebel regions of Ukraine as independent, a move that could set off a potentially catastrophic conflict with Kyiv's Western-backed government.
Kremlin top brass urge Putin to recognise Ukraine rebels
President Vladimir Putin sat behind a table in the Kremlin Monday as his top officials one by one made empassioned speeches urging him to recognise the independence of east Ukraine's rebel republics.
Bags packed, Ukrainians at frontline brace for Russian invasion
Only a fraction of the apartments in Anna Velichko's shell-scarred high-rise are fit for habitation after years of a war in Ukraine that could yet turn more brutal still should Russia invade.
Putin to decide 'today' on recognising Ukraine rebel regions
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday he would decide by the end of the day whether to recognise two rebel regions of Ukraine as independent, a move that could set off a potentially catastrophic conflict with Kyiv's Western-backed government.
Odebrecht graft trial starts for Peru ex-president Humala
Ollanta Humala on Monday became the first ex-president of Peru to go on trial in a vast corruption case involving Brazilian construction group Odebrecht and bribes paid to politicians.
Thousands rally in Sudan against military coup
Thousands of Sudanese protesters on Monday marched against the October military coup which has led to scores of arrests, as authorities released some of those held, witnesses and lawyers said.
Putin accuses West of threatening Russia through Ukraine
President Vladimir Putin warned Monday that Western powers were using Moscow's feud with Ukraine to threaten Russia's own security and said he was considering recognising the independence of two breakaway Russian-backed regions.
Gaza construction workers find 31 Roman-era tombs
Construction workers at a building site in northern Gaza have uncovered 31 Roman-era tombs dating from the first century AD, the Palestinian territory's Islamist rulers Hamas said Monday.
Iran hails nuclear talk 'progress' but Raisi insists US sanctions end
Iran on Monday signalled "significant progress" in talks on reviving a stalled accord on its nuclear programme but President Ebrahim Raisi, on his first visit to a Gulf state, again insisted that the United States must lift its crippling sanctions.
Taliban aiming to create 'grand army' for Afghanistan
The Taliban are creating a "grand army" for Afghanistan that will include officers and troops who served the old regime, the official tasked with overseeing the military's transformation said Monday.
Kremlin rebuffs Ukraine peace summit plan
The Kremlin warned Monday there are no concrete plans for a summit between the Russian and US leaders, as diplomats scrambled to head off the threat of a Russian invasion of Ukraine.
UK's Johnson to scrap Covid curbs despite criticism
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set Monday to announce an end to all pandemic legal curbs in England, insisting it is time to move on despite political opposition and unease from the UN's health agency.
Information war rages ahead of feared Russian invasion
The Russian TV reporter stands in a flak jacket and helmet near some army barracks on a crisp and sunny afternoon.
Indian conjoined twins vote in dark glasses for confidentiality
A pair of conjoined twins wore dark glasses so they could not see who the other voted for as they cast ballots for the first time in northern India.
China denies Australia's ship laser 'intimidation' claim
Beijing on Monday denied Australian allegations that a Chinese naval vessel shone a laser at one of the country's surveillance aircraft in an incident that Prime Minister Scott Morrison termed an "act of intimidation".
Kremlin pours cold water on Ukraine peace summit plan
The Kremlin warned Monday there are no concrete plans for a summit between the Russian and US leaders, as diplomats scambled to head off the threat of a Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Asian markets mixed, oil drops on Biden-Putin hope
Equities were mixed Monday while oil prices eased after presidents Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin agreed in principle to hold a summit to try to find a way out of the Ukraine crisis.
Russia has lists of Ukrainians 'to be killed or sent to camps', US warns UN
The United States has warned the United Nations it has information that Russia has lists of Ukrainians "to be killed or sent to camps" in the event of an invasion, according to a letter sent to the UN rights chief and obtained by AFP Sunday.
Myanmar to contest ICJ Rohingya case, without Suu Kyi
Myanmar's junta is set to replace Aung San Suu Kyi at the UN's top court Monday as it seeks to dismiss a case over the alleged genocide of Rohingya Muslims.
Algeria's 60 years of complex relations with former occupier France
In the 60 years since Algeria won independence from France, it has gone through multiple crises with its former occupier, often fuelled by domestic politics.
Putin, Biden agree in principle to summit as Ukraine tensions soar
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Joe Biden have agreed to a summit -- to be held only if Moscow does not invade Ukraine, France announced Monday following a frantic new round of diplomacy to avert an all-out war.
Asian markets pare losses, oil drops on Biden-Putin hope
Equities pared losses and oil prices sank Monday after presidents Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin agreed in principle to hold a summit to try to find a way out of the Ukraine crisis.
The shadowy messengers delivering threats to Hong Kong civil society
Covert meetings, whispered threats, and mysterious phone calls –- warnings of reprisals by authorities from shadowy messengers are hounding Hong Kong's civil society as China flattens a pro-democracy movement.
Images show new Russian troop deployments near Ukraine: US company
Satellite images show new deployments of Russian troops and military equipment near the Ukrainian border, a US company said Sunday evening.
Trump's new social media app plans slow rollout starting Monday
Donald Trump's new social media platform "Truth Social" is planning a gradual rollout this week and should be "fully operational" by late March, potentially raising the former president's profile more than a year after he was banned by major social media.
Sudanese man killed in crackdown on anti-coup protests as UN expert arrives
A Sudanese man was shot dead Sunday as security forces cracked down on rallies against last year's military coup, medics said, as a UN rights expert arrived in the country.
Police reclaim Canada capital after trucker siege ends
The last big rigs were being towed Sunday out of Canada's capital, where the streets were quiet for the first time in three weeks after a massive police operation ended a drawn-out siege over Covid health rules.
Moscow, Kyiv call for talks amid intense shellfire
Ukraine and Russia both called Sunday for intensified diplomatic efforts to avert all-out war, but blamed each other for a sharp escalation in shelling on the frontline separating Kyiv's forces from Moscow-backed separatists.
Moscow and Kyiv call for talks amid intense shellfire
Ukraine and Russia both called Sunday for intensified diplomatic efforts to avert all-out war, but blamed each other for a sharp escalation in shelling on Kyiv's frontline with Moscow-backed separatists.
UAE drone conference warns of rising threat
The UAE and its allies warned Sunday of the rising threat of drone attacks, as Middle East militants rapidly acquire a taste for the cheap and easily accessible unmanned systems.
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.
Russian forces to stay in Belarus as Ukraine braced for war
Russian military exercises in Belarus will continue, Minsk announced Sunday, leaving Moscow with a large force near the northern Ukraine border as Western powers warn of an imminent invasion.
Israel sees Iran nuclear deal 'shortly,' warns it will be weaker
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.
Last-ditch push to head off Russian attack on Ukraine
Last-ditch diplomatic efforts were underway on Sunday to prevent what Western powers warn could be the imminent Russian invasion of Ukraine and a catastrophic European war.