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Putin and the West: From curiosity to cataclysm
Russian President Vladimir Putin's two decades of relations with the West, initially marked by fascination over what the ex-KGB agent stood for and then bursts of cooperation, have now reached a point of no return with his invasion of neighbouring Ukraine.
Russian troops ordered to advance in Ukraine
Russia on Saturday ordered its troops to advance in Ukraine "from all directions" as the Ukrainian capital Kyiv imposed a blanket curfew and officials reported 198 civilian deaths.
Russia's war on Ukraine: Day three situation
Russian forces have made thrusts into Kyiv before falling back to the outskirts, facing tough resistance from Ukrainian troops on day three of the invasion ordered by President Vladimir Putin on February 24.
Invasion of Ukraine places question mark over Gazprom's UEFA contract
Russian gas giant Gazprom's contract with UEFA is in the balance after Russia's invasion of Ukraine with European football to make a decision next week, a source told AFP on Saturday.
Fighting in Kyiv as Ukraine says 198 civilians killed
Ukrainian forces repulsed a Russian attack on Kyiv but "sabotage groups" infiltrated the capital, officials said Saturday, as Ukraine reported 198 civilians deaths, including children, following Russia's invasion.
Kyiv civilians huddle in cellars as Russian forces attack
As a street battle with invading Russian forces raged overhead, Kyiv resident Yulia Snitko spent the night cowering in the basement of her apartment block praying for her unborn baby.
'We cannot go home': First Ukrainian refugees arrive in Germany
Svetlana Z. knew it was time to flee when she noticed that planes were no longer taking off or landing at the airport near their house in the north-eastern Ukrainian town of Kharkiv.
Poland refuses to play 2022 World Cup play-off against Russia
Poland will not play their 2022 World Cup play-off with Russia in Moscow on March 24 due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine the president of the Polish football federation said on Saturday.
US or Russia? Ukraine crisis poses dilemma for wealthy Gulf
Choosing sides in Ukraine's crisis would have once been easy for Gulf states long protected by the US, but growing ties with Moscow are forcing them to strike a balance.
Pakistan-Afghan border still closed two days after deadly clash
Hundreds of people were stranded Saturday at a key border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan, days after fighting between security forces left at least three dead.
Ukrainian and Russian troops fight on streets of capital Kyiv
Ukrainian soldiers repulsed a Russian attack in the capital, the military said Saturday after a defiant President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed his pro-Western country would not be bowed by Moscow.
Rights groups condemn Texas governor order on transgender youth medical care
"Unethical," "scary" and "maddening" -- human rights groups have reacted with fury to a Texas order that a state agency should investigate cases of transgender children receiving gender-affirming medical care as child abuse.
Ukrainian and Russian forces fight over capital Kyiv
Ukrainian soldiers repulsed a Russian attack in the capital, the military said early Saturday, only hours after President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Moscow would attempt to take Kyiv before dawn.
China vows cooperation with North Korea under 'new situation': KCNA
China's President Xi Jinping emphasised the importance of cooperation between Beijing and Pyongyang in an unspecified "new situation", North Korea's state media reported Saturday.
Kyiv's ragtag volunteer force fights stealth invader
Ukrainian historian Yuriy Korchemniy has never fired an assault rifle in his life.
Ukraine warns Russia to 'storm' Kyiv as West sanctions Putin
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky warned Saturday that Russian troops would attempt to take the capital Kyiv before dawn, as Western nations announced personal sanctions targeting Vladimir Putin.
Russia vetoes UN resolution deploring 'aggression' in Ukraine
Russia, as expected, vetoed a UN Security Council resolution on Friday that "deplores in the strongest terms" the country's "aggression" against Ukraine and demanded the immediate withdrawal of its troops.
Ukraine resists Russian troops in Kyiv as West sanctions Putin
Ukrainian forces fought off Russian troops in the capital Kyiv on Friday as the United States, European Union and Britain announced personal sanctions against Russia's President Vladimir Putin.
West urges Libyans to keep oil firm out of politics
Five Western nations urged Libyans on Friday not to drag the National Oil Corporation into political disputes that could threaten the country's fragile peace.
Moscow residents brace for Western sanctions
Having lived through numerous financial cataclysms since the fall of the Soviet Union, Moscow's residents seemed resigned Friday in the face of Western sanctions over Russia's invasion of Ukraine, knowing they will have to bear the costs.
UN calls for 'safe, unimpeded access' to Ukraine for aid operations
The UN's emergency relief coordinator called on Friday for "safe, unimpeded access" for aid workers to carry out humanitarian operations in Ukraine, after the Russian invasion.
Tech sanctions on Russia a double-edged sword
Sanctions to limit Russia's access to tech components like semiconductors may temporarily hobble its defence industry, but analysts said they risk boomeranging on the West if Russia withholds key raw materials.
Russia attack conjures up fears of new Europe 'iron curtain'
Russia's attack on Ukraine could herald a Cold War revival in Europe with two blocs armed to the teeth pointing nuclear weapons at each other across an iron curtain, politicians and experts say.
Russia counts sporting cost of Ukraine invasion
Russia's invasion of Ukraine resulted in serious sporting consequences on Friday as UEFA stripped Saint-Petersburg of hosting the Champions League final and Formula One cancelled the Russian Grand Prix.
US: Russian forces lose momentum to stiff Ukraine resistance
Russia's drive to seize control of Ukraine quickly has lost momentum amid resistance from Ukrainian fighters on the ground and in the air, a senior US defense official said Friday.
Ukraine warns of radiation after Chernobyl seized by Russians
Ukrainian authorities warned Friday that radiation levels had increased in the Chernobyl exclusion zone since it was seized by invading Russian troops, however the UN's nuclear watchdog said it currently "posed no danger".
Swamped by state media, Russians near Ukraine toe the line
As the Kremlin's forces unleash devastating firepower in Ukraine, some Russians living near the frontier are buying the government's line portraying the invasion as righteous and necessary.
Fighting in Kyiv as Putin calls for Ukraine coup
Ukrainian forces fought off Russian troops in the capital Kyiv on Friday on the second day of a conflict that has claimed dozens of lives, as Russian President Vladimir Putin called on the Ukrainian army to remove the country's leadership.
Biden joins emergency NATO session on Russia's Ukraine invasion
President Joe Biden joined an emergency NATO summit Friday to strengthen the frantic Western response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and fears for the security of Europe.
Biden picks Ketanji Brown Jackson as first Black woman on Supreme Court
President Joe Biden picked Ketanji Brown Jackson on Friday to be the first Black woman in US history to serve on the nation's highest court.
IOC urges all federations to cancel events in Russia and Belarus
The International Olympic Committee, angry at the Russian invasion of Ukraine breaching the 'Olympic Truce', on Friday urged all international sports federations to cancel their forthcoming events in Russia.
Stocks rebound, oil slips as traders weigh Russia sanctions
Global stocks rebounded Friday, one day after slumping as Russia invaded Ukraine, while oil declined from 2014 peaks.
Aircraft lead January boom in big-ticket US manufactured goods
US manufactured goods orders increased far more than expected in January, according to government data released Friday, driven by a big increase in aircraft sales.
Ukraine sees radiation spike in Chernobyl after Russia attack
Ukrainian authorities said Friday that radiation levels had increased in the Chernobyl exclusion zone and warned the seizure of the nuclear plant by invading Russian troops could have "terrible consequences."
Ukraine soldiers battle Russian troops in capital
Ukrainian forces fought off Russian troops in the streets of the capital Kyiv on Friday as President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Moscow of targeting civilians and called for more international sanctions.
BA re-routes jets after Russia flights ban
British Airways has suspended flights to Moscow and re-routed planes flying over Russia after Moscow banned UK carriers due to the Ukraine crisis, parent group IAG said Friday.
Somalia extends election deadline to next month
Somalia on Friday extended its deadline to finish voting for the lower house of parliament, the latest in a series of election delays that risk starving the country of budget funds.
Qatar urged to drop charges against assaulted World Cup worker
Rights groups are urging Qatar to drop a case against a Mexican World Cup employee who could be sentenced to jail and a flogging after she reported an assault and was then charged with unmarried sex.
Fierce street battle as first Russian troops hit Kyiv
A dead man in civilian clothes lay sprawled on the sidewalk of a residential neighbourhood in northern Kyiv on Friday, as Ukrainian soldiers took up positions under the cover of a two-story building.