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US, Philippines sign deal on sharing military information

US and Philippine defence chiefs signed an agreement Monday on sharing classified military information and technology, as the long-time treaty allies deepen cooperation in a bid to counter Chinese influence in the region.

Bangladeshi ex-ministers face 'massacre' charges in court

Thirteen Bangladeshi former top government officials arrested after the revolution in August appeared in court Monday accused of "enabling massacres", with prosecutors repeating extradition demands for exiled ex-leader Sheikh Hasina.

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Ukraine jails Russian soldier for life at war crimes trial

A Kyiv court on Monday found a 21-year-old Russian soldier who killed a civilian guilty of war crimes and handed him a life sentence, in the first verdict against Moscow's forces since their invasion.

Zelensky tells Davos: send us weapons, stop Russia trade

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky used the Davos summit Monday to appeal for more weapons and "maximum" sanctions against Russia, lamenting that tens of thousands of lives would have been saved had countries acted faster.

Kyiv court convicts Russian of war crimes as Zelensky woos Davos

A Ukrainian court found a young Russian soldier guilty of war crimes Monday for killing a civilian and handed him a life sentence, in the first verdict of its kind since Russia's invasion three months ago.

Kim Jong Un carries coffin at N. Korean military officer's funeral

A maskless Kim Jong Un was one of the pallbearers at the state funeral for a top military officer, North Korean state media reported Monday, days after Pyongyang claimed its Covid-19 outbreak was now under control.

Biden warns China against invading Taiwan, vows US military defence

President Joe Biden vowed Monday that US forces would defend Taiwan militarily if China attempted to take control of the self-ruled island by force, warning Beijing was already "flirting with danger".

Blessings counted after losing all on Ukrainian front

The willowy Ukrainian grandmother was praying for God to spare her life when a missile imploded her kitchen and cratered her vegetable garden.

Iran warns it will 'avenge' killing of Guards colonel

Iran will avenge the killing of a Revolutionary Guards colonel who was shot dead in Tehran, President Ebrahim Raisi warned on Monday.

Getting away with murder in Pakistan

When social media star Qandeel Baloch was strangled by her brother for unapologetically challenging Pakistan's attitudes towards women, activists fought for her murder to trigger a new era of justice over so-called "honour" killings.

US unveils Asia-Pacific trade framework, but questions remain

President Joe Biden launched a new Asia-Pacific trade initiative Monday in Tokyo, with 13 countries including India and Japan signing up, although questions about the pact's effectiveness remain.

Iran will 'avenge' killing of Guards colonel: president

Iran will avenge the killing of a Revolutionary Guards colonel who was shot dead in Tehran, President Ebrahim Raisi warned on Monday.

'This is an atrocity': fears grow that Russian blockade may unleash famine

Staring out over Ukraine's seemingly endless wheat fields near Odessa, Dmitriy Matulyak has a difficult time imagining that so many people may starve soon as another bountiful harvest nears.

War crimes verdict looms as Russian offensive intensifies

With a verdict due Monday in the conflict’s first war crimes trial, Moscow's offensive in eastern Ukraine is only intensifying, with the city of Severodonetsk under "round-the-clock" bombardment as Russian troops attempt its encirclement.

New Australian PM heads to Tokyo with climate message

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese took the oath of office Monday and immediately flew to a Tokyo summit with a "message to the world" that his country is ready to engage on climate change.

More than 100 million people forcibly displaced: UN

Russia's war in Ukraine has pushed the number of forcibly displaced people around the world above 100 million for the first time ever, the United Nations said Monday.

Global elites return to Davos under Ukraine storm

The Davos summit of global political and business elites returns Monday after a Covid-induced two-year break to face another momentous crisis: Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Australia's new PM heads to Tokyo with climate message

Australia's new prime minister Anthony Albanese took office Monday, hours before flying to a Tokyo summit with a "message to the world" that his country is ready to engage on climate change.

In Athens, refugees celebrate Ukrainian folk traditions in show of unity

Hundreds of refugees on Sunday celebrated Vyshyvanka Day, an annual celebration of Ukrainian folk traditions, by wearing embroidered shirts and parading through Athens, in a show of national unity in the face of Russia's invasion.

Iran says Guards colonel shot dead in Tehran attack

An Iranian Revolutionary Guards colonel was shot dead outside his Tehran home on Sunday, the Guards said, blaming his "assassination" on assailants linked to the United States and its allies.

Polish president offers full support for Ukraine EU bid

Poland's president on Sunday pledged full support for Ukraine's EU membership bid, saying those who "shed their blood" for Europe must be respected.

'Business as usual' with Russia impossible: Polish president

Poland's president on Sunday said "business as usual" with Russia was impossible after the alleged mass killings of Ukrainian civilians and war crimes blamed on Moscow's forces.

Hundreds protest return of Spain ex-king Juan Carlos

Hundreds of protesters demonstrated in Madrid on Sunday against tarnished former king Juan Carlos I, whose visit to Spain after almost two years of self-imposed exile in the UAE has sparked criticism.

UN praises 'potential' of Syria prisoner amnesty

UN special envoy Geir Pedersen on Sunday welcomed a general amnesty aimed at freeing thousands of Syrians convicted on terrorism charges.

Russia presses Donbas as Ukraine takes centre stage at Davos

Russian forces pursued their bombardment of frontline Ukrainian cities Sunday, seeking to gain military momentum as Kyiv's diplomatic counter-offensive targeted the world's business and political elite gathering in Davos.

Cannes favourite returns to show horror of 'human animals'

One of eastern Europe's most acclaimed film-makers, Romania's Cristian Mungiu, is back at the Cannes Film Festival with a dark tale about how little it takes for people to turn on their neighbours.

Biden arrives in Japan with no response on outreach to North Korea

President Joe Biden arrived Sunday in Japan for the second leg of an Asia trip underlining US commitment to the region but overshadowed by concern that North Korea will test a nuclear weapon after ignoring Washington's attempt at outreach.

PM-elect Albanese vows to repair Australia's image overseas

Incoming prime minister Anthony Albanese vowed to end Australia's reputation as a climate laggard and reset relations with the rest of the world Sunday, as he raced to form a government in time for a key Tokyo summit.

Biden greets Kim, but says US 'prepared' for North Korea weapons test

Before President Joe Biden left South Korea for Japan Sunday, he offered a brief message to Kim Jong Un, whose nuclear sabre-rattling has risked overshadowing the US leader's first Asia trip: "Hello. Period."

Ukraine war tests Bulgarians' pro-Russia sentiment

"Russians are our Slavic brothers" is a common slogan in Bulgaria, but the Ukraine war is putting widespread Russophile sentiment to the test.

'Nothing left': Mariupol picks up pieces after ferocious fighting

The carcasses of charred buildings stand amid the lush greenery in what remains of the once bustling Ukrainian port city of Mariupol.

Biden says 'hi' to North Korea's Kim, despite weapons test fears

President Joe Biden had a short message for North Korea's Kim Jong Un: "Hello. Period." he told reporters Sunday in Seoul, before heading to Japan for the second leg of his Asia trip which has been overshadowed by fears of a nuclear test by Pyongyang.

Rich Lebanese buy 'island passports' as crisis bites

Fearing visa hassles could cost him his job in Dubai while an economic collapse had dashed any homecoming options, Lebanese executive Jad splurged around $135,000 on a new citizenship for himself and his wife.

For Iraqis back from Syria, life on hold in 'rehabilitation' camp

Awatef Massud is longing to reunite with her Iraqi family after years spent in Syria, but first she must do time in a vetting camp to ensure she has no links to jihadists.

Bangkok votes for new governor for first time in decade

Bangkok went to the polls Sunday in its first governor election in almost a decade, with the ballot viewed as an indicator for a national vote expected within a year

China's Xinjiang crackdown under scrutiny ahead of UN rights chief visit

China's crackdown on Muslim minorities in the remote region of Xinjiang will return to the spotlight next week when Beijing hosts the United Nations human rights chief for the first time in nearly two decades.

Biden heads to Japan after warning on North Korea threat

President Joe Biden flies Sunday to Japan for the second leg of a trip intended to reinforce US leadership across Asia in the face of a rising China and dangerously unpredictable, nuclear-armed North Korea.

Kharkiv digs in against a new Russian assault

New trenches, concrete blocks, sandbags and numerous checkpoints appear to be everywhere around Kharkiv, which has pushed back one Russian assault on Ukraine's second city, and is preparing to defend against another.

Court ruling leaves migrants in limbo at Mexican-US border

Asylum seekers in the dusty, violence-plagued Mexican border city of Reynosa were back to playing an uncertain waiting game Saturday, their dreams of entering the United States frustrated anew by a health rule imposed during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Albanese claims victory as Australian right falls to climate backlash

Centre-left leader Anthony Albanese claimed victory in Australia's general election Saturday, as voters angered by climate inaction pulled the plug on a decade of conservative rule.

Turkey's Erdogan conditions support for Nordic nations' NATO bids

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday said Turkey would not look "positively" on Sweden and Finland's NATO bids unless its terror-related concerns were addressed, despite broad support from other allies including the United States.

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