Namibia, Netherlands to remove virus curbs
The Dutch government says it will drop its last remaining COVID-19 restrictions next week and Namibian authorities say masks are no longer required in public.
International News
Peace talks more ‘realistic’: Zelenskiy
"The meetings continue, and, I am informed, the positions during the negotiations already sound more realistic," says Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
French, Russia curbs fall amid China spike
China has banned most people from leaving a coronavirus-hit northeastern province as pandemic restrictions ease in the UK, France and Russia.
Assange blocked from appealing extradition
The top court in the United Kingdom has refused WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange permission to appeal against a decision to extradite him to the US.
European leaders to see Zelenskiy in Kyiv
Two people died when an apartment building in Kyiv was struck by Russian shelling as three European leaders headed to the city to meet the president.
Ukraine diplomacy efforts stepped up
Ukrainian and Russian negotiators are set to talk again after both sides cited progress, even after Russia attacked a base near the Polish border.
Russian attack on Ukraine base kills 35
Russian forces have expanded their Ukraine assault to the west, with missiles fired at a military range close to the border with Poland.
Zelenskiy says some Ukraine towns are gone
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is again rallying his country's resistance as Russian forces lay siege to major cities, and draw nearer to Kyiv.
Russian forces shelled mosque: Ukraine
A mosque sheltering 80 adults and children in the southern port city of Mariupol has been shelled by Russian forces, Ukraine's foreign ministry says.
US, UK, Europe intensify squeeze on Russia
Western allies have mounted a fourth round of sanctions against Russia over its Ukraine invasion, with moves aimed at the Russian economy and its elite.
Evacuation plea as fighting nears Kyiv
Ukraine has pleaded for Russia to observe a ceasefire to allow civilian evacuation from besieged cities, as fighting rages northwest of the capital Kyiv.
French cases rise as China locks down city
Record COVID-19 infections numbers have risen in France while Chinese authorities ordered a lockdown in the city of Changchun.
Russia keeps pressure on Ukrainian cities
Hundreds of thousands of people remained trapped in Ukrainian cities after talks between Ukraine and Russia's foreign ministers failed to bring respite.
Rio Tinto slashes ties with Russia
Rio Tinto is cutting all ties with Russian businesses, as it becomes the first major mining company toto annouce it
Russia ‘won’t guarantee’ aid access
Ukraine's foreign minister says he has been unable to secure a promise from his counterpart in Russia to halt firing so aid can reach civilians.
Ukraine bids to deny Russian victory claim
A senior Ukrainian official says his country must hold off Russia's attack for the next seven to 10 days to deny Moscow any sort of victory.
Russia warns on oil import ban
Russia says it could stop gas flow through pipelines from Russia to Germany in response to Berlin's decision to halt the opening of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.
Ukraine and Russia face off at World Court
Ukraine's case against Russia lodged at the World Court centres on the interpretation of a 1948 treaty on the prevention of genocide.
Avoiding WWIII: Why NATO refuses to enforce a no-fly zone over Ukraine
Russia’s enormous nuclear arsenal and the risks of a wider war are effectively deterring Nato countries from any military involvement beyond providing equipment. Nuclear deterrence is working – it is deterring Nato, as western leaders are unsure about the rationality of Russia’s leadership.
Global COVID-19 death toll nears 6 million
The world is on the verge of recording its six millionth official death linked to the coronavirus.
Kyiv cries foul over Russian evac ‘stunt’
Kyiv says Russia's announcement of "humanitarian corridors" to allow Ukrainians to flee to Russia or Belarus an "immoral stunt".
Second ceasefire agreed at Ukrainian city
Some 400,000 residents are trapped in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol after a ceasefire to allow evacuations was abandoned.
Ukraine refugee numbers pass 1.5 million
The number of refugees that have fled Ukraine since Russia's invasion has surpassed 1.5 million and that figure is expected to swell.
Russia offers 5-hour ‘evacuation corridor’
Civilians in Ukraine's southeastern city of Mariupol will have a five-hour window in which to evacuate under a partial Russian ceasefire in the region.
North Korea fires missile into sea
North Korea has fired a suspected ballistic missile into the sea, its ninth weapons test this year, as it tries to put pressure on the US over sanctions.
Belgium, Nepal to end virus restrictions
Belgium will scrap the need to show a COVID-19 pass for indoor venues while Nepal will end all curbs in the Kathmandu valley as US mask requirements ease.
Russia declares partial Ukraine ceasefire
Russia's defence ministry says it has declared a partial ceasefire to allow humanitarian corridors out of the Ukrainian cities of Mariupol and Volnovakha.
Russia attacks Ukraine nuclear power plant
The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine, the largest of its kind in Europe, is on fire after an attack by Russian troops, the nearby town's mayor says.
Japan opens, France drops virus passport
Health authorities in Sweden say coronavirus cases are falling sharply as Japanese officials announce more students will be allowed to enter the country.
Use of force can’t happen in Pacific: Quad
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison says the Quad group has agreed the use of force like in Ukraine should not be allowed in the Indo-Pacific region.
Fire near Ukraine nuclear plant put out
There is no indication of elevated radiation levels at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, after a fire broke out in a training building nearby.