Ukraine capital girds for Russian assault
Russian forces claim to have captured an airfield northwest of the Ukrainian capital Kyiv as the city's mayor says it "has gone into a defensive phase".
International News
NZ records five COVID deaths, 12,011 cases
New Zealand's COVID-19 outbreak has doubled overnight, with 12,011 new cases on Friday and five deaths.
Ukraine’s president vows to stay put
Missiles have hit the Ukrainian capital Kyiv as Russian forces press on with a full-scale invasion.
Putin escapes new US Russia sanctions
Russian President Vladimir Putin is an aggressor with a "sinister vision of the world" and a misguided dream of recreating the Soviet Union, Joe Biden says.
NZ cases hit 6137, begins new virus plan
New Zealand has reported a record 6137 community COVID-19 cases and one death, as hospitalisations top 200 for the first time.
Iceland, Poland end curbs as HK tightens
Prime Minister Mario Draghi says Italy's COVID-19 state of emergency will end on March 31 as authorities in Iceland announce the end of all restrictions.
Russia in full-scale invasion of Ukraine
Russia has launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, targeting the nation's military as world leaders condemn the attack and vow harsh sanctions.
West punishes Russia with new sanctions
Western nations have begun issuing sanctions against Russia over its actions towards Ukraine, with more to come.
Germany halts pipeline, UK sanctions banks
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has blocked the Nord Stream 2 pipeline while five Russian banks have been sanctioned by the UK as tensions rise over Ukraine.
Putin sends ‘peacekeepers’ to Ukraine
It is not immediately clear what the size of the force that Vladimir Putin is dispatching to Ukraine is, or exactly what their mission will be.
Biden agrees to Ukraine summit with Putin
US President Joe Biden has agreed "in principle" to meet with Russia's President Vladimir Putin as long as Russia holds off on an imminent assault on Ukraine.
Queen Elizabeth catches COVID: palace
Queen Elizabeth is experiencing mild symptoms after testing positive for COVID but expects to continue light duties this week, Buckingham Palace says.
Russia, Belarus to extend military drills
Belarus says it is extending military drills with Russia as Western leaders continue to warn of an imminent Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Putin to oversee Russian nuclear drills
Russian president Vladimir Putin will oversee nuclear drills involving the launch of ballistic and cruise missiles, in what analysts say is a show of strength.
Russia trying to provoke attack, Kyiv says
Russia is trying to provoke Ukraine into war, but the government there says they are determined to continue peace talks.
Russia prepared to invade Ukraine: Biden
President Joe Biden has accused Russia of readying a false-flag operation in Ukraine's east as renewed shelling prompted renewed fears of an imminent invasion.
Ukraine, rebels trade shelling accusations
Reports of shelling across the ceasefire line in eastern Ukraine have raised alarm at a time when Western countries have warned of a Russian invasion any day.
Prince Charles investigated by police
Police have launched an investigation into the Prince of Wales and his former valet over an alleged cash-for-honours scandal.
Russian pullout meets Western scepticism
Russian announcements that it is withdrawing more of its troops and equipment from around Ukraine have been met with scepticism by the the US and the UK.
Prince Andrew settles ahead of sex trial
The Duke of York will make a "substantial donation" to Virginia Giuffre's charity following their out-of-court settlement in her civil sex claim against him.
Russia says some troops return to base
Following days of US and British warnings that Russia might invade Ukraine, Moscow says some of its military units are returning to their bases.
Still no end to NZ anti-vaccine protest
Speaker Trevor Mallard has been criticised by police for his tactics to move on a week-long protest on New Zealand's parliamentary lawns.
Russia may create pretext to attack: US
The US says Russia might create a surprise pretext for an attack on Ukraine that could happen any time.
Diplomacy open to end Ukraine standoff: US
The US has repeated calls on Moscow to de-escalate Ukraine tensions amid warnings more than 100,000 Russian troops at its borders could invade at any moment.
US denies sub operations in Russian waters
Russia says its anti-submarine ship had to use "corresponding means" to get a US submarine to leave its waters, but the US denies carrying out operations there.
Biden, Putin to talk as Ukraine fears rise
President Joe Biden is set to talk to Moscow counterpart Vladimir Putin as the US escalates dire warnings of a possibly imminent Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Belgium nightclubs open, France masks fall
Authorities in Belgium, France, the Netherlands and Luxembourg have announced a relaxation of coronavirus pandemic restrictions.
Russia may strike Ukraine any day now: US
The White House's national security adviser says any American still in Ukraine should leave in the next 24-48 hours, as a Russian attack is imminent.
Spain drops masks, Africa cases optimism
Spain has lifted a requirement to wear masks outdoors as COVID-19 infections dip while a WHO official says there is "light at the end of the tunnel" for Africa.
US says more Russian troops near Ukraine
The US says Russia is massing more troops near the Ukraine border and an invasion could come before the end of the Winter Olympics.
Sweden ends testing, UK to scrap iso rules
People will no longer be required to isolate in England if they test positive for COVID-19 within weeks as Swedish authorities move away from mass testing.