by President of Russia Vladimir Putin

Citizens of Russia, friends;

My address concerns the events in Ukraine and why this is so important for us, for Russia. Of course, my message is also addressed to our compatriots in Ukraine.

The matter is very serious and needs to be discussed in depth.

The situation in Donbass has reached a critical, acute stage. I am speaking to you directly today not only to explain what is happening but also to inform you of the decisions being made as well as potential further steps.

Reuters

A single activist helped turn the tide against NSO Group, one of the world's most sophisticated spyware companies now facing a cascade of legal action and scrutiny in Washington over damaging new allegations that its software was used to hack government officials and dissidents around the world.

It all started with a software glitch on her iPhone.

By Paul Griffin, The University of Queensland

Queensland, Feb 3 (The Conversation) Cases of the SARS-CoV-2 variant Omicron have escalated globally over the past two months, with many countries experiencing peaks higher than previous variants.

Now we're seeing cases of a sub-variant of Omicron, known as BA.2, emerge in Australia and more than 50 countries.

Rather than a daughter of the Omicron variant BA.1 (or B.1.1.529), it's more helpful to think of BA.2 as Omicron's sister.

Remind me, what is a variant?

By Kathy Gannon

Kabul, Jan 16 (AP) Afghanistan's new Taliban rulers say they hope to be able to open all schools for girls across the country after late March, their spokesman told The Associated Press on Saturday, offering the first timeline for addressing a key demand of the international community.

by Iftikhar Gilani

The commitments held out by nations at the recently concluded UN Climate Change Conference, or COP26, are largely contingent on the return of peace and stability in Afghanistan, as the country's vast lithium reserves hold promise for global non-conventional energy requirements.

Analysts believe the focus will shift back to Afghanistan to tap the country's vast lithium reserves, which is used in batteries to power cell phones, laptops, and electric and hybrid vehicles.

by Elif Selin Calik

Rohingya refugees and victims are suing Facebook for $150 billion. They allege that Facebook played a key role in the brutal crackdown against Muslims in Myanmar by promoting anti-Rohingya posts. This online hate turned into real-world violence, according to the lawsuit.

by Usman Butt

On Monday, 29 November, 2021, delegates and diplomats from the US, China, the UK, France, Russia, Germany and Iran restarted negotiations on Tehran's nuclear programme in Vienna, Austria.

by Mansoor Adayfi

After 20 years of torture and indefinite and arbitrary detention, former Guantanamo detainee Abdulqadir Al-Madhfari was transferred to Yemen from his cell in a United Arab Emirates (UAE) prison. Despite being cleared of all charges, his freedom did not even last for a day. This article is in his honour.

by Motasem A Dalloul

The Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States (known as the Turkic Council) held its 8th summit on Friday in the Sea of Marmara's Democracy and Freedoms Island. The council announced several "breakthroughs", including a change of name to the Organisation of Turkic States.

by Saeed Al-Shehabi

Hunger strikes are a new-old phenomenon resorted to by those who lack any other means to claim their rights, express their opinion or defend themselves. They are often the last resort in the struggle for freedom.

by Jonathan Fenton-Harvey

The world watched as the Taliban swept across Afghanistan and seized the capital Kabul, and the faction announcement of an interim government on 7 September was further evidence of the United States' flawed military withdrawal.

Indeed, many US partners and allies who have traditionally relied on American military and security backing may feel unease and perceive that America's support is not always guaranteed.

By Paul Griffin, The University of Queensland

Brisbane, Sep 3 (The Conversation) This week the World Health Organization named a new variant of interest of the coronavirus, called the Mu variant. It was first found in Colombia in January 2021, and has been found in about 39 countries so far.

Mu has changes, called mutations, which mean it might be able to evade some of the protection we get from COVID vaccines.