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US declares Russia's prized Nord Stream 2 pipeline 'dead'

The United States declared the Kremlin's prize geopolitical energy project, Nord Stream 2, "dead" on Wednesday after the latest sanctions imposed in retaliation for what the West says is Russia's start to an invasion of Ukraine.

East Ukraine rebels ask Putin for military backing against Kyiv

Rebel leaders in eastern Ukraine have asked Moscow for military help against Kyiv, the Kremlin announced late Wednesday, in a move that opens the door for massed Russian troops to move in.

On Ukraine border, Russian soldiers await orders

In a roadside cafe a few dozen kilometres from the border between Russia and rebel-held areas in Ukraine, some Russian soldiers were eating as they rested, the smell of frying in the air.

UN warns of dire global impact of a Russian invasion of Ukraine

A United Nations meeting on Ukraine Wednesday heard that a full-scale Russian invasion of the country would have a devastating global impact that would likely spark a new "refugee crisis."

UN chief, Ukraine FM warn of dire global impact of a Russian invasion

The UN chief and Ukraine's foreign minister told the General Assembly in New York Wednesday that a full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia would have a devastating global impact.

Belarus independence 'under threat' by Russian troops: opposition

The presence of tens of thousands of Russian troops inside Belarus, which the West fears could be used to invade Ukraine, represents a threat to Belarusian independence, the country's exiled opposition leader said Wednesday.

War fears mount as Ukraine mobilises, Russia evacuates diplomats

Ukraine mobilised its military reserves and Russia evacuated its Kyiv embassy on Wednesday as fears reached fever pitch of a full-scale conflict breaking out in eastern Europe.

Stocks recover on Russia sanctions impact

Stock markets mostly rose and oil prices held relatively steady Wednesday as economic sanctions imposed on Moscow over the Russia-Ukraine crisis were deemed less harsh than expected.

UK defence minister says Putin has 'gone full tonto'

Russian President Vladimir Putin has "gone full tonto" by ordering his troops into two rebel-held areas of eastern Ukraine, Britain's defence secretary said Wednesday in unguarded comments to military officials.

Disbelieving but fretful, Kyiv hears nearing drumbeats of war

Every hour, from dawn til dusk, Ukraine's soulful national anthem echoes across Kyiv's expansive Maidan Square, just as it did in 2014.

Iran says nuclear talks at 'critical' stage

Negotiations to revive the Iran nuclear deal have entered a "critical" stage during which some key issues still need to be resolved, Tehran's top diplomat said on Wednesday.

EU looks to end data hoarding by companies

With companies reaping increasing amounts of data from consumers and firms, the EU is looking at wrestling back access to that digital information under a Data Act proposed Wednesday by the European Commission.

Lebanon says thwarts IS bomb plot targeting Hezbollah bastion

Lebanon has thwarted a plan by the Islamic State group to carry out three suicide bombings targeting Shiite religious compounds in Beirut's southern suburbs, the interior ministry said Wednesday.

Stocks recover, oil drops on Russia sanctions impact

Stock markets mostly rose and oil prices fell Wednesday as economic sanctions imposed on Moscow over the Russia-Ukraine crisis were deemed less harsh than expected.

France's Macron to kick off re-election bid in March

President Emmanuel Macron will launch his re-election bid on March 5 at an inaugural campaign rally in Marseille, sources in his party said Wednesday.

China says Ukraine crisis completely different from Taiwan claims

China on Wednesday dismissed comparisons between the Ukraine crisis and its own claim over Taiwan, after the self-ruled island's president said evidence of Russian aggression was being used to hurt Taiwanese morale.

Ukraine mobilises reserves as Moscow doubles down on demands

Ukraine mobilised its military reserve Wednesday and urged its citizens to leave Russian territory as Moscow sharpened its demands, increasing fears of all-out war.

Author who fled Uganda 'relieved' to be in Germany

An award-winning Ugandan author who fled the country after being charged with insulting President Yoweri Museveni and his son told AFP Wednesday that he was "relieved" to be in Germany for medical treatment after being "tortured" in jail.

Markets rise, oil flat after Russia sanctions but traders on edge

Equities mostly rose Wednesday and oil prices stabilised as investors tracked developments in the Russia-Ukraine crisis after world powers imposed less harsh sanctions on Moscow than feared.

Putin says Russia's interests 'non-negotiable' amid Ukraine crisis

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday the country's interests were non-negotiable, as Moscow massed more than 150,000 troops on the borders with Ukraine and the West punished Russia with new sanctions.

Markets rise, oil dips after Russia sanctions but traders on edge

Equities mostly rose Wednesday and oil prices eased as investors tracked developments in the Russia-Ukraine crisis after world powers imposed less harsh sanctions on Moscow than feared.

Baidoa: Crossroads of despair in drought-ravaged Somalia

Under the blazing sun, Salado Adan Mohamed puts the finishing touches to her makeshift shelter, cobbled together from branches and fragments of discarded cloth.

Taiwan condemns Russia over Ukraine

Taiwan's president on Wednesday condemned Russia for ordering troops into rebel-held regions in Ukraine, and claimed the crisis was being used to hurt morale on the island, which has long been under the threat of a Chinese invasion.

Brazil's Bolsonaro turns to Telegram as vote nears

Like millions of Brazilians, @mara, a fervent fan of far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, has turned to the messaging app Telegram as the country heads toward a deeply divisive election: "There's no censorship here," she says.

Two Venezuela military officers killed in helicopter crash

Two Venezuelan military personnel were killed and two others injured Tuesday when a Russian-made helicopter crashed in the South American nation, President Nicolas Maduro said.

Russia sanctions: warm-up round threatens limited impact

After weeks of threats, the West imposed Tuesday its first sanctions on Russia, but for the moment the actions will have limited impact on both the Russian and Western economies.

US stocks fall amid Ukraine crisis, oil flirts with $100/barrel

Wall Street stocks fell Tuesday after President Joe Biden unveiled fresh sanctions on Moscow, while a surge in oil prices was limited by expectations the measures would not impact Russia's crude production.

Moscow must fully comply with UN charter: Guterres

UN chief Antonio Guterres on Tuesday urged Russia to fully comply with the global body's charter, condemning Moscow's recognition of the "independence" of two breakaway Ukrainian regions.

US sanctions Russia for 'beginning' invasion of Ukraine

US President Joe Biden on Tuesday announced tough new sanctions on Russia for "beginning" an invasion of Ukraine but said there was still time to avoid war, even as Vladimir Putin signaled plans to send troops beyond Russia's borders.

Biden announces 'first' sanctions on Russia over Ukraine

US President Joe Biden on Tuesday announced sanctions against Russian banks and the country's wealthy elite after what he said was Moscow's launching of an invasion against Ukraine.

US restricts import of Afghan cultural items to prevent 'pillage'

The United States has restricted the import of cultural and historical items from Afghanistan, hoping to prevent "terrorists" from profiting, the State Department said Tuesday, but experts voiced fears about the unintended consequences.

Russian lawmakers give Putin green light for troops to Ukraine

Russian lawmakers on Tuesday gave Vladimir Putin the green light to deploy forces abroad, paving the way for the Russian leader to send troops into Ukraine despite a fierce global backlash.

'We are expecting war', say Ukraine frontline residents

Ninety-year-old Raisa Simanovna still sleeps in her flat on the frontline in eastern Ukraine but goes down into the cellar in the daytime to shelter from the ever more intense shelling and mortar fire.

Russian lawmakers lavish Putin with praise after rebel recognition

Russian lawmakers lined up Tuesday to lavish President Vladimir Putin with praise for recognising east Ukraine's rebel territories, in a show of loyalty as they unanimously voted to ratify the Kremlin's deals with the separatists.

Ukraine running out of options as Putin orders in troops

Ukraine and its leader Volodymyr Zelensky are running out of options as they try to withstand Russian military advances that could shrink their country for the second time since 2014.

Russia faces sanctions blitz as Putin orders troops into east Ukraine

Russia faced a furious global diplomatic and economic backlash Tuesday after President Vladimir Putin ordered his forces into Ukraine to secure two breakaway regions.

UK unveils sanctions on Russian banks and oligarchs

Britain on Tuesday slapped sanctions on five Russian banks and three billionaires, in what Prime Minister Boris Johnson called "the first barrage" of measures in response to the Kremlin's actions in Ukraine.

UAE invests in drones, robots as unmanned warfare takes off

The United Arab Emirates is ploughing money into drones, robots and other unmanned weaponry as autonomous warfare becomes more and more widespread -- including in attacks on the Gulf country by Yemeni rebels.

Germany halts controversial Russian pipeline project

Germany on Tuesday put on ice the controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline in response to Moscow's recognition of two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine, finally halting the 10-billion-euro project that has long irked allies.

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