Ukraine war: US will never recognise Russia's annexation attempts, Biden vows
The US will "never, never, never" recognise Russia's attempt to annex territory in Ukraine, President Joe Biden has said.
He was speaking ahead of a speech on Friday from Vladimir Putin, who is expected to declare that four Ukrainian regions are joining Russia.
The Kremlin says Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson voted to join Russia in recent referendums.
But Ukraine and the West have dismissed the votes as a sham.
The US will impose new sanctions on Russia as a result of the annexation. read more
The US will "never, never, never" recognise Russia's attempt to annex territory in Ukraine, President Joe Biden has said.
He was speaking ahead of a speech on Friday from Vladimir Putin, who is expected to declare that four Ukrainian regions are joining Russia.
The Kremlin says Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson voted to join Russia in recent referendums.
But Ukraine and the West have dismissed the votes as a sham.
The US will impose new sanctions on Russia as a result of the annexation. read more
- President Putin has announced the illegal seizure of four areas of Ukraine - saying they are now Russian territory
- In an angry speech decrying the West, he claimed people living in the regions had made their choice - but "referendums" held there have been labelled shams
- The territory being seized is in Russian-held Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions
- Ukraine has responded by asking Nato to speed up giving it membership of the US-led defence alliance
- In his response, President Zelensky vowed to oust the Russians from all of Ukraine
- Ukrainian soldiers are reportedly making progress in re-taking Lyman, a key city in the east
- Earlier, many civilians were killed and wounded in a Russian strike on a civilian convoy in Zaporizhzhia
- Putin's latest move echoes Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014, which also followed a discredited referendum
- In an angry speech decrying the West, he claimed people living in the regions had made their choice - but "referendums" held there have been labelled shams
- The territory being seized is in Russian-held Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions
- Ukraine has responded by asking Nato to speed up giving it membership of the US-led defence alliance
- In his response, President Zelensky vowed to oust the Russians from all of Ukraine
- Ukrainian soldiers are reportedly making progress in re-taking Lyman, a key city in the east
- Earlier, many civilians were killed and wounded in a Russian strike on a civilian convoy in Zaporizhzhia
- Putin's latest move echoes Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014, which also followed a discredited referendum
Ukraine war: Biden says US will not be intimidated by reckless Putin
President Joe Biden has warned Russia that the United States will not be intimidated by reckless threats after Vladimir Putin annexed four occupied regions of Ukraine.
Mr Putin appeared to make a veiled threat to use nuclear weapons to defend the new annexed territories.
He declared that the regions would "forever" be part of Russia.
Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg called the annexation "the most serious escalation since the start of the war".
In a speech, the Russian leader claimed citizens in Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Luhansk and Donetsk had voted to be "with their people, their motherland". read more
President Joe Biden has warned Russia that the United States will not be intimidated by reckless threats after Vladimir Putin annexed four occupied regions of Ukraine.
Mr Putin appeared to make a veiled threat to use nuclear weapons to defend the new annexed territories.
He declared that the regions would "forever" be part of Russia.
Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg called the annexation "the most serious escalation since the start of the war".
In a speech, the Russian leader claimed citizens in Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Luhansk and Donetsk had voted to be "with their people, their motherland". read more
Indonesia: More than 120 dead in football stampede
At least 129 people have died in a stampede at an Indonesian football match, officials say, in one of the world's worst stadium disasters.
The stampede happened after police tear-gassed rioting supporters.
About 180 were injured in the crush after Arema FC lost to bitter rivals Persebaya Surabaya in East Java.
The country's chief security minister said that the number of spectators exceeded the stadium's capacity by around 4,000 people.
President Joko Widodo has ordered that all matches in Indonesia's top league must be stopped until an investigation has been concluded. read more
At least 129 people have died in a stampede at an Indonesian football match, officials say, in one of the world's worst stadium disasters.
The stampede happened after police tear-gassed rioting supporters.
About 180 were injured in the crush after Arema FC lost to bitter rivals Persebaya Surabaya in East Java.
The country's chief security minister said that the number of spectators exceeded the stadium's capacity by around 4,000 people.
President Joko Widodo has ordered that all matches in Indonesia's top league must be stopped until an investigation has been concluded. read more
Brazil election: Lula and Bolsonaro to face run-off
Brazil's election is going into a second round in which left-winger Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will face far-right incumbent Jair Bolsonaro.
With almost all the votes counted, Lula had won 48% against Bolsonaro's 43% - a much closer result than opinion polls had suggested.
But Lula fell short of the more than 50% of valid votes needed to prevent a run-off.
Voters now have four weeks to decide which of the two should lead Brazil.
Winning outright in the first round was always going to be a tall order for any candidate - the last time it happened was 24 years ago. read more
Brazil's election is going into a second round in which left-winger Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will face far-right incumbent Jair Bolsonaro.
With almost all the votes counted, Lula had won 48% against Bolsonaro's 43% - a much closer result than opinion polls had suggested.
But Lula fell short of the more than 50% of valid votes needed to prevent a run-off.
Voters now have four weeks to decide which of the two should lead Brazil.
Winning outright in the first round was always going to be a tall order for any candidate - the last time it happened was 24 years ago. read more
North Korea fires ballistic missile over Japan
North Korea has fired a suspected missile over Japan, in what appears to be a deliberate escalation to get the attention of Tokyo and Washington.
The ballistic missile travelled about 4,500km (2,800 miles) before falling into the Pacific Ocean - far enough to hit the US island of Guam if it took another trajectory.
It is the first North Korean missile launch over Japan since 2017.
The launch saw Japan issue a rare alert to some citizens to take cover.
The UN prohibits North Korea from testing ballistic and nuclear weapons. Flying missiles towards or over other countries without any pre-warning or consultation also contravenes international norms. read more
North Korea has fired a suspected missile over Japan, in what appears to be a deliberate escalation to get the attention of Tokyo and Washington.
The ballistic missile travelled about 4,500km (2,800 miles) before falling into the Pacific Ocean - far enough to hit the US island of Guam if it took another trajectory.
It is the first North Korean missile launch over Japan since 2017.
The launch saw Japan issue a rare alert to some citizens to take cover.
The UN prohibits North Korea from testing ballistic and nuclear weapons. Flying missiles towards or over other countries without any pre-warning or consultation also contravenes international norms. read more
Ukraine regains Kherson villages from Russians
Ukrainian forces have liberated a key village in the southern region of Kherson, hastening another Russian military retreat.
The defence ministry in Kyiv posted a video showing the 35th marine brigade hoisting a Ukrainian flag above Davydiv Brid, amid reports of several other nearby villages being recaptured.
Russian forces have already been forced to retreat in Ukraine's north-east.
They are now being pushed back in the south as well.
Their latest setbacks came as President Vladimir Putin was due to sign into force decrees annexing four Ukrainian regions, while war was raging in all four. read more
Ukrainian forces have liberated a key village in the southern region of Kherson, hastening another Russian military retreat.
The defence ministry in Kyiv posted a video showing the 35th marine brigade hoisting a Ukrainian flag above Davydiv Brid, amid reports of several other nearby villages being recaptured.
Russian forces have already been forced to retreat in Ukraine's north-east.
They are now being pushed back in the south as well.
Their latest setbacks came as President Vladimir Putin was due to sign into force decrees annexing four Ukrainian regions, while war was raging in all four. read more
Ukraine war: Putin signs Ukraine annexation laws amid military setbacks
Russia's President Vladimir Putin has signed the final papers to annex four regions of Ukraine - even as his military suffered further setbacks.
The Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions are "accepted into the Russian Federation" the documents say.
But in two of those areas - Luhansk and Kherson - Ukraine said it has been retaking more villages.
Mr Putin also signed a decree to formalise Russia's seizure of the nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhia.
Last Friday, the Russian leader held a grand ceremony in the Kremlin, where he signed agreements with the Moscow-installed leaders of the four regions. read more
Russia's President Vladimir Putin has signed the final papers to annex four regions of Ukraine - even as his military suffered further setbacks.
The Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions are "accepted into the Russian Federation" the documents say.
But in two of those areas - Luhansk and Kherson - Ukraine said it has been retaking more villages.
Mr Putin also signed a decree to formalise Russia's seizure of the nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhia.
Last Friday, the Russian leader held a grand ceremony in the Kremlin, where he signed agreements with the Moscow-installed leaders of the four regions. read more
Ukraine war: Biden says nuclear risk highest since 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis
US President Joe Biden has said the risk of a nuclear "Armageddon" is at its highest level since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.
Mr Biden said Russia's President Vladimir Putin was "not joking" when he spoke of using tactical nuclear weapons after suffering setbacks in Ukraine.
The US was trying to discern Mr Putin's way out of the war, Mr Biden added.
The US and the EU have previously said Putin's nuclear sabre-rattling should be taken seriously.
However, the US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan last week said that despite Moscow's nuclear hints, the US had seen no signs that Russia was imminently preparing to use a nuclear weapon. read more
US President Joe Biden has said the risk of a nuclear "Armageddon" is at its highest level since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.
Mr Biden said Russia's President Vladimir Putin was "not joking" when he spoke of using tactical nuclear weapons after suffering setbacks in Ukraine.
The US was trying to discern Mr Putin's way out of the war, Mr Biden added.
The US and the EU have previously said Putin's nuclear sabre-rattling should be taken seriously.
However, the US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan last week said that despite Moscow's nuclear hints, the US had seen no signs that Russia was imminently preparing to use a nuclear weapon. read more
Ukraine war: Vladimir Putin gets a tractor for his 70th birthday
A tractor is one of the odder gifts for Vladimir Putin, as Russia's president, a pariah in the West since his invasion of Ukraine, turns 70.
It was given him by his Belarusian ally, Alexander Lukashenko, whose country boasts a tractor works.
Mr Lukashenko confirmed the news as he visited his fellow strongman's home city, St Petersburg, for talks.
Mr Putin was hosting other leaders of ex-Soviet states as the war fanned by his invasion raged. read more
A tractor is one of the odder gifts for Vladimir Putin, as Russia's president, a pariah in the West since his invasion of Ukraine, turns 70.
It was given him by his Belarusian ally, Alexander Lukashenko, whose country boasts a tractor works.
Mr Lukashenko confirmed the news as he visited his fellow strongman's home city, St Petersburg, for talks.
Mr Putin was hosting other leaders of ex-Soviet states as the war fanned by his invasion raged. read more
Crimea bridge: Putin accuses Ukraine of 'terrorism'
Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused Ukraine of attacking the bridge to Russian-annexed Crimea, saying that it was an "act of terrorism".
President Putin said Ukraine's intelligence forces had aimed to destroy a critically important piece of Russia's civil infrastructure.
He was speaking at a meeting with the head of the Investigative Committee of Russia, Alexander Bastrykin.
Officials say three people were killed in the blast on the bridge. read more
Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused Ukraine of attacking the bridge to Russian-annexed Crimea, saying that it was an "act of terrorism".
President Putin said Ukraine's intelligence forces had aimed to destroy a critically important piece of Russia's civil infrastructure.
He was speaking at a meeting with the head of the Investigative Committee of Russia, Alexander Bastrykin.
Officials say three people were killed in the blast on the bridge. read more
Iran protests: Mahsa Amini's family receiving death threats, cousin says
The family of Mahsa Amini - the 22-year-old Kurdish woman whose death in police custody three weeks ago sparked protests across Iran - say they have received death threats and have been warned not to get involved in the demonstrations.
Mahsa became a symbol of Iranian repression after her arrest by the morality police, who accused her of wearing her hijab improperly. Her face, and her story, are now known around the world.
"Our family have been under immense pressure from the Islamic Republic's officials, so we don't talk to human rights organisations or channels outside of Iran and inform anyone from the outside world about her passing," her cousin Erfan Mortezai tells me when we meet across the border in Iraq's Kurdistan Region. read more
The family of Mahsa Amini - the 22-year-old Kurdish woman whose death in police custody three weeks ago sparked protests across Iran - say they have received death threats and have been warned not to get involved in the demonstrations.
Mahsa became a symbol of Iranian repression after her arrest by the morality police, who accused her of wearing her hijab improperly. Her face, and her story, are now known around the world.
"Our family have been under immense pressure from the Islamic Republic's officials, so we don't talk to human rights organisations or channels outside of Iran and inform anyone from the outside world about her passing," her cousin Erfan Mortezai tells me when we meet across the border in Iraq's Kurdistan Region. read more
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Ex-wife of Dubai royal pleads for help from UN in child custody battle
Lawyers for the former wife of a member of Dubai's ruling family have lodged a request to the UN Human Rights Council.
They want the council to intervene with authorities in the UAE to ensure Zeynab Javadli and her children's safety.
The request claims that Ms Javadli has faced abuse, harassment and intimidation by authorities during a bitter custody battle with Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
His lawyers have argued Ms Javadli is an unfit mother, which she has denied.
It's the latest case in Dubai to reveal rifts within the ruling family. read more
Lawyers for the former wife of a member of Dubai's ruling family have lodged a request to the UN Human Rights Council.
They want the council to intervene with authorities in the UAE to ensure Zeynab Javadli and her children's safety.
The request claims that Ms Javadli has faced abuse, harassment and intimidation by authorities during a bitter custody battle with Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
His lawyers have argued Ms Javadli is an unfit mother, which she has denied.
It's the latest case in Dubai to reveal rifts within the ruling family. read more
Tales of bloody Iran protest crackdown at border crossing
Soran raises two fingers to his left temple and motions firing a gun. "If you talk, they will put a bullet in your head," he tells me.
Around us, the Iranian mountains reach skywards. We're at a bus station in Penjwen, a town in Iraq's northern Kurdistan region that is close to the crossing post on the border with Iran. Cars sporadically pull in and discharge their occupants into the dusty courtyard. Some pause and drink tea, while others climb straight into the small minibuses that'll take them to the nearby Iraqi city of Sulaimaniya.
Soran uses his hands often when he talks. His feet too, as he kicks out to show me how he was beaten by Iranian security forces.
"It happened a few days ago when I was protesting," he says. "The regime beat me in the back, they kicked me and used truncheons to hit me. They shot my friend, and others too. All because I took part in the demonstrations." read more
Soran raises two fingers to his left temple and motions firing a gun. "If you talk, they will put a bullet in your head," he tells me.
Around us, the Iranian mountains reach skywards. We're at a bus station in Penjwen, a town in Iraq's northern Kurdistan region that is close to the crossing post on the border with Iran. Cars sporadically pull in and discharge their occupants into the dusty courtyard. Some pause and drink tea, while others climb straight into the small minibuses that'll take them to the nearby Iraqi city of Sulaimaniya.
Soran uses his hands often when he talks. His feet too, as he kicks out to show me how he was beaten by Iranian security forces.
"It happened a few days ago when I was protesting," he says. "The regime beat me in the back, they kicked me and used truncheons to hit me. They shot my friend, and others too. All because I took part in the demonstrations." read more
Nato countries to boost Ukraine's missile defence after massive Russian strikes
Ukraine's Nato-led allies have announced deliveries of advanced air defence weapons to Kyiv, after a spate of Russian missile strikes.
The weaponry promised by the UK, Canada, France and the Netherlands includes missiles and radars. The US earlier made a similar pledge. One high-tech system from Germany is already in Ukraine.
The pledges come as Ukraine's allies from 50 countries meet at Nato headquarters in Brussels.
Kyiv hailed the summit as "historic".
Hours later Russian shelling hit the southern city of Mykolaiv on Thursday morning, officials said. read more
Ukraine's Nato-led allies have announced deliveries of advanced air defence weapons to Kyiv, after a spate of Russian missile strikes.
The weaponry promised by the UK, Canada, France and the Netherlands includes missiles and radars. The US earlier made a similar pledge. One high-tech system from Germany is already in Ukraine.
The pledges come as Ukraine's allies from 50 countries meet at Nato headquarters in Brussels.
Kyiv hailed the summit as "historic".
Hours later Russian shelling hit the southern city of Mykolaiv on Thursday morning, officials said. read more
Ukraine war: UN General Assembly condemns Russia annexation
The United Nations General Assembly has voted overwhelmingly to condemn Russia's attempts to annex four regions of Ukraine.
The resolution was supported by 143 countries, while 35 states - including China and India - abstained.
As well as Russia, four countries rejected the vote, namely Belarus, North Korea, Syria and Nicaragua.
Although symbolic, it was the highest number of votes against Russia since the invasion.
Last week, in a grand ceremony in the Kremlin, President Vladimir Putin signed documents to make the eastern Ukrainian regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson part of Russia. read more
The United Nations General Assembly has voted overwhelmingly to condemn Russia's attempts to annex four regions of Ukraine.
The resolution was supported by 143 countries, while 35 states - including China and India - abstained.
As well as Russia, four countries rejected the vote, namely Belarus, North Korea, Syria and Nicaragua.
Although symbolic, it was the highest number of votes against Russia since the invasion.
Last week, in a grand ceremony in the Kremlin, President Vladimir Putin signed documents to make the eastern Ukrainian regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson part of Russia. read more
Ukraine war: Putin says no more massive strikes - for now
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said there is no need for more massive strikes on Ukraine, days after the heaviest bombardment of the country since the war began.
He said most designated targets of the strikes had been hit, adding that it was not his aim to destroy Ukraine.
Moscow's goal of mobilising 300,000 men would be met within two weeks, he said.
Mr Putin's words come as Russian forces seem stalled and Ukraine advances, almost eight months since the invasion. read more
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said there is no need for more massive strikes on Ukraine, days after the heaviest bombardment of the country since the war began.
He said most designated targets of the strikes had been hit, adding that it was not his aim to destroy Ukraine.
Moscow's goal of mobilising 300,000 men would be met within two weeks, he said.
Mr Putin's words come as Russian forces seem stalled and Ukraine advances, almost eight months since the invasion. read more
Musk says SpaceX cannot keep funding Ukraine Starlink
Elon Musk has said his rocket firm SpaceX cannot continue indefinitely paying for Ukraine's Starlink internet service in his latest spat with Kyiv.
In February, the world's richest man activated his company's satellite internet system in Ukraine to keep its military and people online.
But last month the Tesla owner asked the Pentagon to fund the programme instead of him, according to US media.
He recently provoked Kyiv's ire by suggesting it cede territory.
"SpaceX is not asking to recoup past expenses, but also cannot fund the existing system indefinitely," Mr Musk tweeted on Friday, referring to his space company that makes the Starlink system. read more
Elon Musk has said his rocket firm SpaceX cannot continue indefinitely paying for Ukraine's Starlink internet service in his latest spat with Kyiv.
In February, the world's richest man activated his company's satellite internet system in Ukraine to keep its military and people online.
But last month the Tesla owner asked the Pentagon to fund the programme instead of him, according to US media.
He recently provoked Kyiv's ire by suggesting it cede territory.
"SpaceX is not asking to recoup past expenses, but also cannot fund the existing system indefinitely," Mr Musk tweeted on Friday, referring to his space company that makes the Starlink system. read more
Evin prison fire: Gun shots and sirens heard at Iran's notorious detention centre
A major fire has broken out at Iran's notorious Evin prison, known for housing political prisoners, journalists and foreign nationals.
Videos shared online show flames and smoke at the site in Tehran, and gunshots and explosions can be heard.
An official quoted by state media said the situation was under control, but video footage appeared to show the fire continuing after this.
Iran has been gripped for weeks by anti-government protests.
They first erupted last month after the death of 22-year-old Kurdish Iranian Mahsa Amini in police custody. Officials said she died of a heart attack, but her family disputed this, saying she was beaten by morality police. read more
A major fire has broken out at Iran's notorious Evin prison, known for housing political prisoners, journalists and foreign nationals.
Videos shared online show flames and smoke at the site in Tehran, and gunshots and explosions can be heard.
An official quoted by state media said the situation was under control, but video footage appeared to show the fire continuing after this.
Iran has been gripped for weeks by anti-government protests.
They first erupted last month after the death of 22-year-old Kurdish Iranian Mahsa Amini in police custody. Officials said she died of a heart attack, but her family disputed this, saying she was beaten by morality police. read more