International Desk
Ukraine marks ‘Day of Unity’ as Russian may yet attack
A defiant Ukrainian leader urged citizens to celebrate a "Day of Unity" on Wednesday, as Washington warned once again that Russia remains poised to launch a devastating assault.
Russia announces end of Crimea military drills
Russia on Wednesday said military drills in Moscow-annexed Crimea had ended and that soldiers were returning to their garrisons, a day after it announced a first troop pullback from Ukraine's borders.
Vietnam to lift restrictions over international flights
Vietnam will lift coronavirus restrictions on international flights for fully vaccinated passengers from Tuesday, said the country’s aviation authority in a statement.
Ukraine attack would bring Russia’s severe costs: Biden
Efforts to defuse the crisis in Ukraine via a frenzy of telephone diplomacy failed to ease tensions Saturday, with US President Joe Biden warning that Russia faces "swift and severe costs" if its troops carry out an invasion.
Ready for compromise after talks with Macron: Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin said he was ready for compromise and would look at proposals put forward by French leader Emmanuel Macron during talks on Monday, while still blaming the West for raising tensions over Ukraine.
US death toll from Covid-19 surpasses 900,000
The US death toll from the Covid-19 pandemic surpassed 900,000 on Friday, according to the Johns Hopkins University coronavirus tracker.
Omicron sub-variant found in 57 countries: WHO
A sub-variant of the highly contagious Omicron coronavirus strain, which some studies indicate could be even more infectious than the original version, has been detected in 57 countries, the WHO said Tuesday.
US, Europe declare 'unity' against Russia
President Joe Biden declared ‘total’ unity among Western powers Monday after crisis talks with European leaders on deterring Russia from an attack against Ukraine, while the Pentagon said 8,500 US troops were put on standby for possible deployment to boost NATO.
US, Russia promise to work to ease Ukraine tensions
Washington and Moscow's top diplomats on Friday agreed to keep working to ease tensions over Ukraine, with the United States promising a written response to Russian security requirements next week and not ruling out a presidential meeting.
US clears transfer of weapons amid Russian invasion fears
The US State Department has cleared Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia to send US-made missiles and other weapons to Ukraine, three sources familiar with the decision said, as US President Joe Biden predicted Russia would move on Ukraine.
Covid pandemic 'nowhere near over': WHO
The Covid-19 pandemic is far from over, the World Health Organization chief said Tuesday, cautioning against a narrative that the fast-spreading Omicron variant is risk-free.
Afghanistan quakes kill 22 in poorest areas
At least 22 people have been killed so far after back-to-back earthquakes struck the west of Afghanistan on Monday, officials said.
Images reveal devastation in tsunami-hit Tonga
A volcano that exploded on the Pacific island nation of Tonga has almost disappeared from view, new images revealed Tuesday, with swathes of the island nation smothered in grey ash and dust or damaged by a tsunami.
Texas hostage-taker named as British citizen
The man who held four people hostage at a Texas synagogue was identified by US authorities as a British citizen Sunday while UK police later arrested two teens over an attack that President Joe Biden called an "act of terror."
Covax delivers one billionth Covid-19 vaccine dose
The Covax scheme aimed at equitable global access to Covid-19 vaccines hit a “key milestone” Saturday when it delivered its one billionth dose, one of its key backers said.