Russia urges more talks with West during Ukraine tensions

Russia’s top diplomat advised President Vladimir Putin to keep talking with the West to continue diplomatic efforts amid U.S. warnings of an imminent Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Ukraine's president asks for evidence on new Russia invasion warnings

Ukraine’s president is playing down intensified warnings of a possible Russian invasion within days, saying he had yet to see convincing evidence.

In call, Biden warns Putin of 'severe costs' of Ukraine invasion

President Joe Biden told Russia’s Vladimir Putin that invading Ukraine would cause “widespread human suffering” and that the West was committed to diplomacy to end the crisis but “equally prepared for other scenarios."

Koalas listed as endangered species in parts of Australia

Koalas inhabiting the states of New South Wales, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory will be listed as endangered, according to the Australian Government.

Winter Olympics: Doping hearing to decide Russian skater's Olympic fate

Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva’s right to compete in the women’s event at the Beijing Olympics will be decided at an urgent hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Prince Charles self-isolating after testing positive for COVID a second time

Prince Charles has tested positive for COVID-19 and is self-isolating, his office said Thursday. The heir to the throne previously contracted the virus in March 2020.

Retired pope asks for pardon in handling of abuse cases, admits no wrongdoing

Retired Pope Benedict XVI is asking forgiveness in his handling of clergy sex abuse cases. But he is not admitting to any personal or specific wrongdoing.

Disabled student couldn’t play with classmates, so teacher came up with an idea

Gean Sampaio de Melo, 26, didn’t want his 6-year-old disabled student to miss out on playing with the other students in Brazil. So he scooped the child into his arms and assisted him during a competition.

It 'would be wise' for Americans to leave Ukraine amid rising tension, Biden says

President Joe Biden said Monday “it would be wise” for Americans other than essential diplomats to leave Ukraine amid the Russian military threat.

Israeli, Palestinian representatives propose 2-state confederation to work towards peace efforts

Israeli and Palestinian public figures have drawn up a new proposal for a two-state confederation. They hope this will offer a way forward after a decade-long stalemate in peace efforts.

Peng Shuai says sex assault allegation was 'enormous misunderstanding'

Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai gave a controlled interview about her Weibo post of sex assault allegations, calling the situation “an enormous misunderstanding.”

Israel's PM talks with Biden about Islamic State, Iran

In a phone call with the president, Naftali Bennett told Biden that “the world is now a safer place thanks to the courageous operation of the U.S. forces,” his office said.

Ukraine invasion could come 'any day,' US aide says, as troops land in Poland

Commanding the elite U.S. troops that landed in Poland Sunday is Maj. Gen. Christopher Donahue, who on Aug. 30 was the last American soldier to leave Afghanistan.

Lata Mangeshkar, beloved Indian singer, dies at 92

Lata Mangeshkar’s songs, always filled with emotion, were often sad and mostly dealt with unrequited love.

Boy rescued from Moroccan well after 4 days has died

The boy, 5, fell into a well 105-feet deep Tuesday evening. Dozens stood by, watching as officials worked to reach him in the deep, narrow hole.

Photos: Winter Olympic Games 2022 opening ceremony in Beijing

The Winter Olympics opening ceremony had a fiery conclusion Friday, when the Olympic flame was placed inside a giant snowflake. Chinese President Xi Jinping earlier declared the Games open during a ceremony heavy on ice-blue tones and winter imagery.