Ukraine tensions: US defends evacuating embassy as Ukraine urges calm
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said the "imminent" threat of Russian military action in Ukraine justifies evacuating the US embassy in Kyiv.
His words came after Ukraine's president urged calm, saying the biggest enemy was panic.
More than a dozen countries have urged their citizens to leave Ukraine.
Moscow, with more than 100,000 troops near the border, has denied it plans to invade.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said the "imminent" threat of Russian military action in Ukraine justifies evacuating the US embassy in Kyiv.
His words came after Ukraine's president urged calm, saying the biggest enemy was panic.
More than a dozen countries have urged their citizens to leave Ukraine.
Moscow, with more than 100,000 troops near the border, has denied it plans to invade.
Ukraine-Russia tensions: Russia pulls some troops back from border
Russia says it is pulling back some of its troops from near Ukraine after a build-up raised fears of an invasion.
The defence ministry said that large-scale drills continued but that some units were returning to their bases.
There has been no independent confirmation of the withdrawal and international powers have reacted cautiously to the announcement.
More than 100,000 Russian troops have massed at Ukraine's border. Russia has always denied it is planning an attack.
Russia says it is pulling back some of its troops from near Ukraine after a build-up raised fears of an invasion.
The defence ministry said that large-scale drills continued but that some units were returning to their bases.
There has been no independent confirmation of the withdrawal and international powers have reacted cautiously to the announcement.
More than 100,000 Russian troops have massed at Ukraine's border. Russia has always denied it is planning an attack.
Kenya minister wants gay students to be day scholars
Kenya's education minister says gay students infringing on the rights of other learners should not be allowed to attend boarding schools.
Prof George Magoha advised instead that the gay students "moving from one bed to another" should be admitted to day schools.
He said that while he had nothing against gay students, having them in day schools would allow closer supervision by their parents.
It comes after a male student was reportedly sodomised at a boarding high school in the capital Nairobi.
Kenya's education minister says gay students infringing on the rights of other learners should not be allowed to attend boarding schools.
Prof George Magoha advised instead that the gay students "moving from one bed to another" should be admitted to day schools.
He said that while he had nothing against gay students, having them in day schools would allow closer supervision by their parents.
It comes after a male student was reportedly sodomised at a boarding high school in the capital Nairobi.
Apple boss Tim Cook faces backlash to £73m pay package
Investors are being urged to vote against a $99m (£73m) pay package awarded to Apple boss Tim Cook last year.
Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) said it has "significant concerns" over the size of the award, up from $14.8m the year before.
Mr Cook, whose net worth is reportedly more than £1bn, received the pay in shares, salary, and for other costs.
Investors are being urged to vote against a $99m (£73m) pay package awarded to Apple boss Tim Cook last year.
Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) said it has "significant concerns" over the size of the award, up from $14.8m the year before.
Mr Cook, whose net worth is reportedly more than £1bn, received the pay in shares, salary, and for other costs.
Ahmedabad 2008 blasts: India court sentences 38 to death
A court in India has sentenced 38 people to death for their role in a series of bomb blasts in 2008 in the western state of Gujarat.
Fifty-seven people were killed and hundreds injured in the bombings, which took place in Ahmedabad, the commercial capital of Gujarat.
The court in Ahmedabad also sentenced 11 other convicts to life in prison until death.
The accused can challenge their sentences in a higher court.
A court in India has sentenced 38 people to death for their role in a series of bomb blasts in 2008 in the western state of Gujarat.
Fifty-seven people were killed and hundreds injured in the bombings, which took place in Ahmedabad, the commercial capital of Gujarat.
The court in Ahmedabad also sentenced 11 other convicts to life in prison until death.
The accused can challenge their sentences in a higher court.
Ukraine crisis: Russia keeps troops in Belarus amid Ukraine fears
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his ally Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko have extended military drills which were due to end on Sunday.
Belarus cited the "deterioration of the situation" in east Ukraine as one reason for keeping an estimated 30,000 Russian troops on its territory.
The move will add to fears that Russia plans an invasion of Ukraine, which shares a long border with Belarus.
Western leaders have accused Moscow of seeking a pretext to send in troops.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his ally Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko have extended military drills which were due to end on Sunday.
Belarus cited the "deterioration of the situation" in east Ukraine as one reason for keeping an estimated 30,000 Russian troops on its territory.
The move will add to fears that Russia plans an invasion of Ukraine, which shares a long border with Belarus.
Western leaders have accused Moscow of seeking a pretext to send in troops.
Missing dog Zoey reunited with owners after 12 years
A dog has been reunited with her owners in California after being missing for 12 years.
Zoey had been dumped from a vehicle at a rural property near Stockton and was found by someone who called police, saying she seemed old and ill.
An animal services officer scanned the dog's microchip and discovered she had been missing since 2010.
Officer Brandon Levin, who scanned Zoey, got her owner's contact details from the chip firm, and found she still had the same mobile number. He said: "She was in complete shock."
The dog was found about 60 miles from where she had gone missing in 2010, her family home in Lafayette.
A dog has been reunited with her owners in California after being missing for 12 years.
Zoey had been dumped from a vehicle at a rural property near Stockton and was found by someone who called police, saying she seemed old and ill.
An animal services officer scanned the dog's microchip and discovered she had been missing since 2010.
Officer Brandon Levin, who scanned Zoey, got her owner's contact details from the chip firm, and found she still had the same mobile number. He said: "She was in complete shock."
The dog was found about 60 miles from where she had gone missing in 2010, her family home in Lafayette.
Russia bans British airlines from its airspace
British airlines have been banned from landing at Russia's airports and from crossing its airspace, the Russian civil aviation regulator has said.
Russia said the move was a response to "the unfriendly decisions by the UK aviation authorities".
On Thursday, the UK banned Russia's national airline Aeroflot from landing in Britain.
The measure was part of sanctions introduced following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace told ITV: "I think that's their retaliation for us yesterday banning Aeroflot from using and landing in the United Kingdom. That's their tit for tat response."
British airlines have been banned from landing at Russia's airports and from crossing its airspace, the Russian civil aviation regulator has said.
Russia said the move was a response to "the unfriendly decisions by the UK aviation authorities".
On Thursday, the UK banned Russia's national airline Aeroflot from landing in Britain.
The measure was part of sanctions introduced following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace told ITV: "I think that's their retaliation for us yesterday banning Aeroflot from using and landing in the United Kingdom. That's their tit for tat response."
Chernobyl: Radiation spike at nuclear plant seized by Russian forces
A radiation spike has been recorded near Chernobyl's nuclear power plant which has been seized by Russian forces, monitoring data shows.
Invading Russian troops took control of the plant - the site of the world's worst nuclear disaster in 1986 - on Thursday, Ukraine said.
Radiation levels increased about 20-fold on Thursday, monitoring stations there reported.
But experts say another major nuclear disaster there is "extremely unlikely".
The rise was caused by heavy military vehicles stirring contaminated soil in the 4,000-sq-km (2,485 sq-mile) exclusion zone surrounding the abandoned plant, Ukraine's State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate reported .
The biggest spike was recorded close to the damaged reactor.
A radiation spike has been recorded near Chernobyl's nuclear power plant which has been seized by Russian forces, monitoring data shows.
Invading Russian troops took control of the plant - the site of the world's worst nuclear disaster in 1986 - on Thursday, Ukraine said.
Radiation levels increased about 20-fold on Thursday, monitoring stations there reported.
But experts say another major nuclear disaster there is "extremely unlikely".
The rise was caused by heavy military vehicles stirring contaminated soil in the 4,000-sq-km (2,485 sq-mile) exclusion zone surrounding the abandoned plant, Ukraine's State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate reported .
The biggest spike was recorded close to the damaged reactor.
Ukraine invasion: Russia restricts social media access
Russia has blocked Twitter and threatened to do the same with Facebook after a clash over "censorship".
Russia's communications regulator Roskomnadzor accused Facebook of violating "the rights and freedoms of Russian citizens".
Facebook said it had refused to stop fact-checking and labelling content from state-owned news organisations.
Internet connectivity watchers at NetBlocks say there is a total or near-total restriction on Twitter in Russia.
Russia has blocked Twitter and threatened to do the same with Facebook after a clash over "censorship".
Russia's communications regulator Roskomnadzor accused Facebook of violating "the rights and freedoms of Russian citizens".
Facebook said it had refused to stop fact-checking and labelling content from state-owned news organisations.
Internet connectivity watchers at NetBlocks say there is a total or near-total restriction on Twitter in Russia.
West to cut some Russian banks off from Swift
The EU, US and their allies have agreed to cut off a number of Russian banks from the main international payment system, Swift.
The assets of Russia's central bank will also be frozen, limiting Russia's ability to access its overseas reserves.
The intention is to "further isolate Russia from the international financial system", a joint statement said.
Russia is heavily reliant on the Swift system for its key oil and gas exports.
The EU, US and their allies have agreed to cut off a number of Russian banks from the main international payment system, Swift.
The assets of Russia's central bank will also be frozen, limiting Russia's ability to access its overseas reserves.
The intention is to "further isolate Russia from the international financial system", a joint statement said.
Russia is heavily reliant on the Swift system for its key oil and gas exports.
Ukraine invasion: Russian planes face near-total airspace ban to west
Russian airlines face a near-total airspace blockade to the country's west after an EU official said most European countries are set to impose flight bans.
A formal decision is expected on the measure later on Sunday.
One by one, European countries said they were closing their airspace, including Germany for three months.
With airspace curbs over Ukraine, Russian flights now have few route options for westbound journeys.
Departure boards at Moscow's Domodedovo and Sheremetyevo airports showed dozens of cancellations on Sunday, including flights to Paris, Vienna and Kaliningrad.
Russia's S7 Airlines said on Facebook it would cancel flights to many of its European destinations until at least 13 March.
Aeroflot, Russia's biggest airline, said it would cancel its services to Latvia and Romania until at least 26 March, and its Prague and Warsaw routes until 28 March.
Russian airlines face a near-total airspace blockade to the country's west after an EU official said most European countries are set to impose flight bans.
A formal decision is expected on the measure later on Sunday.
One by one, European countries said they were closing their airspace, including Germany for three months.
With airspace curbs over Ukraine, Russian flights now have few route options for westbound journeys.
Departure boards at Moscow's Domodedovo and Sheremetyevo airports showed dozens of cancellations on Sunday, including flights to Paris, Vienna and Kaliningrad.
Russia's S7 Airlines said on Facebook it would cancel flights to many of its European destinations until at least 13 March.
Aeroflot, Russia's biggest airline, said it would cancel its services to Latvia and Romania until at least 26 March, and its Prague and Warsaw routes until 28 March.
Ukraine invasion: Would Putin press the nuclear button?
Let me begin with an admission. So many times, I've thought: "Putin would never do this." Then he goes and does it.
"He'd never annex Crimea, surely?" He did.
"He'd never start a war in the Donbas." He did.
"He'd never launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine." He has.
I've concluded that the phrase "would never do" doesn't apply to Vladimir Putin.
And that raises an uncomfortable question:
"He'd never press the nuclear button first. Would he?"
Let me begin with an admission. So many times, I've thought: "Putin would never do this." Then he goes and does it.
"He'd never annex Crimea, surely?" He did.
"He'd never start a war in the Donbas." He did.
"He'd never launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine." He has.
I've concluded that the phrase "would never do" doesn't apply to Vladimir Putin.
And that raises an uncomfortable question:
"He'd never press the nuclear button first. Would he?"
Ukraine conflict: Russia blames Liz Truss and others for nuclear alert
Vladimir Putin put Russia's nuclear forces on high alert after comments by UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and others, the Kremlin has said.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said "unacceptable" remarks were made about possible "clashes" between Nato and Moscow over Russia's attack on Ukraine.
It is unclear precisely which comments by Ms Truss Russia objects to.
On Sunday, she said if Russia was not stopped, other states may be threatened and it could end in conflict with Nato.
A Foreign and Commonwealth Office source told the BBC: "I don't think anything Liz has said warrants that sort of rhetoric or escalation."
They said the foreign secretary had always spoken about Nato as a "defensive alliance" and that the UK needed to support Ukraine.
Echoing comments by Defence Secretary Ben Wallace earlier, the source insisted the UK wanted to avoid "any sort of miscalculation".
Vladimir Putin put Russia's nuclear forces on high alert after comments by UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and others, the Kremlin has said.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said "unacceptable" remarks were made about possible "clashes" between Nato and Moscow over Russia's attack on Ukraine.
It is unclear precisely which comments by Ms Truss Russia objects to.
On Sunday, she said if Russia was not stopped, other states may be threatened and it could end in conflict with Nato.
A Foreign and Commonwealth Office source told the BBC: "I don't think anything Liz has said warrants that sort of rhetoric or escalation."
They said the foreign secretary had always spoken about Nato as a "defensive alliance" and that the UK needed to support Ukraine.
Echoing comments by Defence Secretary Ben Wallace earlier, the source insisted the UK wanted to avoid "any sort of miscalculation".
Snake Island: Ukraine says troops who swore at Russian warship are alive
Ukraine's navy says the 13 soldiers believed to have been killed defending Zmiinyi (Snake) Island on the first day of the Russian invasion are alive.
The border guards were given posthumous honours by the president after they were heard in audio recordings telling a Russian warship to "go to hell".
Russia said at the time that the troops on the island surrendered.
On Monday, the Ukrainian Naval Forces confirmed in a Facebook post that "our brothers-in-arms are alive and well".
The border guards and marines on the island "twice bravely repulsed the attacks of the Russian occupiers" but were unable to continue fighting because they ran out of ammunition, it said.
The Russians "completely destroyed the island's infrastructure", including lighthouses, towers, antennae, and severed communications with the mainland, it added.
Ukraine's navy says the 13 soldiers believed to have been killed defending Zmiinyi (Snake) Island on the first day of the Russian invasion are alive.
The border guards were given posthumous honours by the president after they were heard in audio recordings telling a Russian warship to "go to hell".
Russia said at the time that the troops on the island surrendered.
On Monday, the Ukrainian Naval Forces confirmed in a Facebook post that "our brothers-in-arms are alive and well".
The border guards and marines on the island "twice bravely repulsed the attacks of the Russian occupiers" but were unable to continue fighting because they ran out of ammunition, it said.
The Russians "completely destroyed the island's infrastructure", including lighthouses, towers, antennae, and severed communications with the mainland, it added.
Ukraine conflict: Disney, Warner, Sony halt release of films in Russia
Warner Bros, Disney and Sony have halted the release of films in Russian cinemas, after the invasion of Ukraine.
The announcements mean the releases of major movies The Batman, Turning Red and Morbius will now not go ahead as scheduled in the country.
They come as governments around the world have been ramping up their sanctions against Moscow.
In recent days global corporations, including car makers and energy giants, have cut business ties with Russia.
Warner Bros, Disney and Sony have halted the release of films in Russian cinemas, after the invasion of Ukraine.
The announcements mean the releases of major movies The Batman, Turning Red and Morbius will now not go ahead as scheduled in the country.
They come as governments around the world have been ramping up their sanctions against Moscow.
In recent days global corporations, including car makers and energy giants, have cut business ties with Russia.
Ukraine conflict: Russia bombs Kharkiv's Freedom Square and opera house
Russian missiles and rockets have hit the cultural heart of Ukraine's second largest city in what officials said was a deadly and "cruel" attack.
An opera house, concert hall and government offices were hit in Freedom Square, in the centre of the north-eastern city Kharkiv.
At least 10 people were killed and 35 more were injured, local authorities have said.
The attack came as Ukraine's president said Russia was committing war crimes.
"This is the price of freedom," President Volodymyr Zelensky said. "This is terror against Ukraine. There were no military targets in the square - nor are they in those residential districts of Kharkiv which come under rocket artillery fire," he added.
Russian missiles and rockets have hit the cultural heart of Ukraine's second largest city in what officials said was a deadly and "cruel" attack.
An opera house, concert hall and government offices were hit in Freedom Square, in the centre of the north-eastern city Kharkiv.
At least 10 people were killed and 35 more were injured, local authorities have said.
The attack came as Ukraine's president said Russia was committing war crimes.
"This is the price of freedom," President Volodymyr Zelensky said. "This is terror against Ukraine. There were no military targets in the square - nor are they in those residential districts of Kharkiv which come under rocket artillery fire," he added.
Apple to halt sales and limit services in Russia
Apple is the latest firm to have halted all product sales in Russia, in a widening corporate backlash to the country's invasion of Ukraine.
The iPhone giant said it was "deeply concerned" about the Russian invasion and stands with those "suffering as a result of the violence".
Apple Pay and other services such as Apple Maps have also been limited.
Google has also removed Russian state-funded publishers such as RT from its features.
Mobile banking apps in Russian, such as Russia's VTB Bank's app, also may soon not function fully on devices using Apple's iOS operating system according to news agency RIA agency.
Apple is the latest firm to have halted all product sales in Russia, in a widening corporate backlash to the country's invasion of Ukraine.
The iPhone giant said it was "deeply concerned" about the Russian invasion and stands with those "suffering as a result of the violence".
Apple Pay and other services such as Apple Maps have also been limited.
Google has also removed Russian state-funded publishers such as RT from its features.
Mobile banking apps in Russian, such as Russia's VTB Bank's app, also may soon not function fully on devices using Apple's iOS operating system according to news agency RIA agency.
How many nuclear weapons does Russia have?
All figures for nuclear weapons are estimates but, according to the Federation of American Scientists, Russia has 5,977 nuclear warheads - the devices that trigger a nuclear explosion - though this includes about 1,500 that are retired and set to to be dismantled.
Of the remaining 4,500 or so, most are considered strategic nuclear weapons - ballistic missiles, or rockets, which can be targeted over long distances. These are the weapons usually associated with nuclear war.
All figures for nuclear weapons are estimates but, according to the Federation of American Scientists, Russia has 5,977 nuclear warheads - the devices that trigger a nuclear explosion - though this includes about 1,500 that are retired and set to to be dismantled.
Of the remaining 4,500 or so, most are considered strategic nuclear weapons - ballistic missiles, or rockets, which can be targeted over long distances. These are the weapons usually associated with nuclear war.
Chelsea: Roman Abramovich says he plans to sell club
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich says he is planning to sell the club.
In a statement on the Premier League club's website, businessman Abramovich said he had made "incredibly difficult decision" which "pains" him.
The Russian will not ask "for any loans to be repaid" and said proceeds of the sale would be donated to war victims.
Abramovich had said on Saturday he would give "stewardship and care" of Chelsea to its foundation trustees following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
That led to speculation Abramovich - who has loaned the club more than £1.5bn - would put Chelsea up for sale, and billionaire Hansjorg Wyss told Swiss newspaper Blick on Wednesday that he had been offered the chance to buy the club.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich says he is planning to sell the club.
In a statement on the Premier League club's website, businessman Abramovich said he had made "incredibly difficult decision" which "pains" him.
The Russian will not ask "for any loans to be repaid" and said proceeds of the sale would be donated to war victims.
Abramovich had said on Saturday he would give "stewardship and care" of Chelsea to its foundation trustees following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
That led to speculation Abramovich - who has loaned the club more than £1.5bn - would put Chelsea up for sale, and billionaire Hansjorg Wyss told Swiss newspaper Blick on Wednesday that he had been offered the chance to buy the club.
Ukraine: Russian troops take control of key city of Kherson - mayor
Russian forces have seized control of a key port city in southern Ukraine, the mayor says.
Kherson is the first major city to be taken by Russia, after heavy fighting, since it invaded a week ago.
Its mayor, Igor Kolykhaev, said Russian troops had forced their way into the city council building and imposed a curfew on residents.
Several cities have come under intense shelling, with Wednesday one of the most destructive days of the fighting.
Russian forces have seized control of a key port city in southern Ukraine, the mayor says.
Kherson is the first major city to be taken by Russia, after heavy fighting, since it invaded a week ago.
Its mayor, Igor Kolykhaev, said Russian troops had forced their way into the city council building and imposed a curfew on residents.
Several cities have come under intense shelling, with Wednesday one of the most destructive days of the fighting.