A student with an anti-war slogan. A vocational school founder who doesn't want to recruit for the military: some people in Russia are still demonstrating opposition to the war in Ukraine. They're taking huge risks in doing so.

Moscow

Russian forces have invaded Ukraine from land, air and sea with strikes causing widespread damage. Global leaders have condemned the move and imposed sanctions.

Ukraine Invasion

Russia's silent protest against war

20-year-old Andrei Kotsenko had plans to become a journalist. He says he was among the best students at his university in St. Petersburg until a year ago. He earned good grades, praise from the teachers, and the respect of his fellow students. That promising career ended abruptly in March of last year, when Andrei sided with a lecturer who condemned the war. He also posted anti-war photos on his private Instagram account. Hello, I'm Andrei Kotsenko. I was expelled because of my political statements, my online posts, and stories. One was no to war, others were end the ban on speaking out, and stick your bombs where the sun doesn't shine. And suddenly, Andrei says, his academic success was over. The university took every excuse to harass him, and finally they expelled him, even though his grades were good, and to prove it, he shows us his transcript. I was miserable because they robbed me of my dream. My life seemed over. I felt like screaming. That's how upset I was. The university administration rejected Andrei's complaint, and they replied to our inquiry with a written statement, saying he'd been ex-matriculated because of bad grades, but they refused our request for an interview on camera. Andrei sued the university for a refund of his tuition, plus damages. The case went to court. The legal dispute took place in a system where more and more critics of the war are silenced, and more and more soldiers are being recruited, especially in regions far from Moscow, like here in Novosibirsk. Billboards call on young men to take up arms. Videos on TV and the Internet praise the Wagner private army, as well as the regular military forces. From now on, university students are to be targeted for recruiting, like at this private vocational school. The authorities suggested to its founder, Sergei Chernyshev, that he post the defense ministry's flyers on his school's website. You'd have to be completely nuts to post recruiting posters like these on a vocational school site. As I see it, it's utter nonsense because people who want to study at technical and vocational colleges are exempted from military service. And now they're the ones who are supposed to give everything up and join the military? What idiots are they appealing to? Besides, it contradicts our values. Chernyshev refuses to advertise for the military, even though he knows his refusal can have unpleasant consequences. As a critically minded person, he sees no alternative. You can't act as if nothing were happening all around you. You can't just ignore the fact that tragedies are occurring on both sides of the border, in both Russian and Ukrainian families. People are dying on both sides. The infrastructure and economy are suffering. Just pretending that nothing's going on would be absurd. Back to Andrey Katsenka, the former student from St. Petersburg. His court case took an unexpected turn. The court decided partly in his favor, he says, and he sent us the ruling. The university has to refund the tuition Andrey has already paid and compensate him for damages the equivalent of over 11,000 euros in all. But he's not optimistic about his plans for a career in journalism. I can't make any big plans for the future. I don't know what I'll be doing in half a year, one year, or in ten years. What's happening to me is symbolic. Just half a year ago, I thought I'd be finishing university and starting on my professional career. Just like before February 24th last year, people thought they'd be living in peace. Andrey Katsenka has left St. Petersburg, but not Russia, his homeland. He can't imagine taking that step, no matter how uncertain his future there may be.

Social media giant X has been directed by the eSafety Commissioner of Australia to remove certain posts related to the stabbing of a Sydney bishop. However Elon Musk and X have publicly defied these demands, critiquing the requests as censorship.

Canberra

Elon Musk slams request by Australian Government

Explosions echoed over an Iranian city in what sources said was an Israeli attack, but Tehran played down the incident and indicated it had no plans for retaliation - a response that appeared gauged towards averting region-wide war.

Washington

Israel-Gaza War

Iran signals 'no retaliation' for Israeli strikes

A man has died and multiple people are injured after a bus and car crashed, following a police pursuit outside Dubbo, Central West NSW.

Dubbo

Driver dead, multiple injuries following police pursuit

The U.S. House of Representatives advanced a $95 billion legislative package to provide aid to Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific in a broad bipartisan vote, overcoming hardline Republican opposition that had held it up for months.

Major military aid deal for Ukraine one step closer

Wait times for elective surgery and emergency treatment are at dangerous new highs according to figures from the Australian Medical Association. The revelation coincides with a meeting of the nation's health ministers to negotiate a new hospitals funding agreement.

Elective surgery wait times longest on record

Russian night-time strikes killed eight people, including two children, and injured 18 in Ukraine's central Dnipropetrovsk region, the interior ministry said.

Dnipro

Ukraine says eight killed in Russian strikes

Israeli media cited foreign reports of an Israeli strike on Iran in the absence of official public comment, while Iranian television reports played down the attack - many not even mentioning the "Zionist entity," Iran's term for Israel. Muted responses suggested neither side wanted to escalate the conflict.

Tehran

Israel, Iran both muted in response to Isfahan attack

At least 69 people across Pakistan died in the past week after heavy rainfall caused severe flooding, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). Apart from those killed, dozens have suffered injuries from lightning strikes and buildings collapsing, local media reported.

Chaman

Dozens killed in Pakistan as heavy rain causes flooding

South Korea's government has announced a compromise in its medical reform plans in a bid to end a two-month walkout by doctors, and also said President Yoon Suk Yeol would meet the opposition leader for the first time after two years in office.

Seoul

South Korea government to compromise on medical reforms

Ukraine says it has shot down a Russian strategic bomber 185 miles from its border on Friday (April 19) after the warplane took part in an airstrike that killed at least eight people in the central Dnipropetrovsk region.

Stavropol

Ukraine downs Russian strategic bomber after strike

Explosions echoed over an Iranian city in what sources described as an Israeli attack, but Tehran played down the incident and indicated it had no plans for retaliation - a response that appeared gauged towards averting region-wide war.

Iran signals no retaliation against Israel after drone attack

The United States voted against a Palestinian request to the United Nations Security Council for full UN membership, blocking the world body's recognition of a Palestinian state. The draft resolution received 12 votes in favour, two abstentions from the UK and Switzerland, and one vote against.

New York

U.S. vetoes Palestinian request for U.N. membership

Indonesian authorities closed an airport and residents left homes near an erupting volcano due to the dangers of spreading ash, falling rocks, hot volcanic clouds and the possibility of a tsunami.

Sulawesi

Tsunami warning after Indonesia volcano erupts

Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter said, as Iranian state media reported that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.

Israel strikes targets in Iran: Sources

Police have interviewed the sixteen-year-old accused of stabbing a Western Sydney Bishop during an alleged terror attack last Sunday. He's now facing terrorism charges that carry lengthy jail terms.

Council of the City of Sydney

Teen facing life behind bars after terror charges

Kenya's military chief, General Francis Ogolla, was among 10 people killed in a military helicopter crash shortly after take-off, President William Ruto announced. The helicopter was visiting troops combating cattle rustling when it crashed minutes after takeoff, Ruto said.

Nairobi

Kenya's military chief killed in helicopter crash

After a few setbacks, 12 jurors and one alternate have been selected for Donald Trump's hush-money trial. The former U.S. president is lashing out, calling the trial 'unfair' even after he was accused of violating a gag order.

12 jurors picked for Trump's hush money trial

Indonesian rescuers raced to evacuate thousands of people Thursday after a volcano erupted five times, forcing authorities to close a nearby airport and issue a warning that the crater collapsing into the sea could cause a tsunami.

North Sulawesi

Indonesian volcano's multiple eruptions prompt evacuations

The U.S. has reinstated oil sanctions against Venezuela's government, arguing it has not met conditions to hold fair and competitive elections as negotiated with U.S. envoys and the opposition last year. However, the U.S. oil company Chevron will be allowed to continue a joint venture with the Venezuelan state oil company.

Caracas

U.S. reimposes sanctions on Venezuela’s oil, gas sectors

Friday sees the start of the general election in India. Voting in the world's largest democracy will last nearly six weeks. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a third term. But the ruling BJP is criticized for promoting a Hindu nationalist agenda and cracking down on the opposition.

New Delhi

Voting set to begin in India's national election

The U.S. House of Representatives will have its long-awaited vote on aid for Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific as soon as Saturday, Republican Speaker Mike Johnson said, paving the way for its possible passage despite fierce objections from the right wing of his conference.

U.S. House to vote on Ukraine and Israel aid

The E.U. and U.S. have pledged to impose new sanctions on Iran following its attack on Israel. The E.U.'s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, says these further sanctions will be discussed by European leaders at their summit in Brussels, which is now under way.

Brussels

E.U., U.S. pledge to impose new sanctions on Iran

A Sydney bishop stabbed by a teenager in an alleged terrorism incident has spoken from hospital, saying he forgives his attacker.

Doonside

Bishop forgives attacker as rioters granted bail

An alleged ringleader behind a major drug importation syndicate has been arrested, after a number of 'cocaine bricks' washed up on Sydney and Central Coast beaches late last year.

Manly

Smuggler behind beach 'cocaine bricks' arrested

The Democratic-majority U.S. Senate dismissed impeachment charges against President Joe Biden's top border official, bringing a swift end to an effort that House of Representatives Republicans launched months ago.

U.S. Senate ends impeachment bid against Mayorkas

The owner of a wellness retreat near Ballarat has shared her 'deep sorrow and shock' following the death of a 53-year-old woman. It's understood Rachael Dixon consumed a drink made with mushrooms before she died.

Clunes

Wellness retreat 'shock' at mushroom death

The dry desert countries of Oman and the U.A.E. are dealing with the aftermath of deadly flash floods caused by more than one year's worth of rain falling in just 24 hours, which some are attributing to climate change.

Dubai

Climate Crisis

Record rainfall causes deadly floods in U.A.E., Oman

Germany has urged the European Union and NATO member states to bolster Ukraine's air defenses as quickly as possible as Russian missiles pounded Ukrainian cities and its president repeated urgent calls for support. The Netherlands, Czechia and Denmark quickly rallied behind the proposal.

NATO looks to bolster Ukraine air defenses

Bondi Junction shopping centre will reopen today for a community reflection day before resuming normal trading hours from Friday. Meanwhile, six victims from the stabbing attack remain in hospital, with two women in ICU.

Bondi

Shopping centre to reopen for community reflection

Israel will make its own decisions about how to defend itself, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, as Western countries pleaded for restraint in responding to a volley of attacks from Iran.

SEE THE FULL STORY

Ukraine Invasion