A group of 35 countries, including the United States, Germany and Australia, are demanding that Russian and Belarusian athletes are banned from the Paris Olympic Games after the IOC controversially approved their involvement. Ukraine is now leading a push to boycott the games over the IOC decision, harking back to the widespread boycott of the 1980 Moscow Games.

Paris

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

Threat to boycott Olympics if Russia competes

World championship and Olympic bronze medalists spending seven hours in the pool daily with one aim in mind, gold in Paris in 2024. If they get there, twin synchronised swimmers Vlada and Marina Alexeeva will do so against the odds. Displaced from their home in Kharkiv, their former training facility shelled to rubble, it is not just the destruction of war that stands in their way, but the politics of international sport. For us, it's of course not allowed Russian sportsmen, without Russian, anywhere. Because it's, first of all, sports, it's for peace. New guidelines from the World Olympics body could see athletes from Russia and Belarus competing as neutrals. If the International Olympic Committee does in fact allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete at next year's Olympic Games in Paris, well then it could cost many Ukrainians dear. The government here is threatening to ban its athletes from taking part if it means competing with the enemy. Ukrainian athletes have already paid the highest price. The war has claimed 262 of the country's brightest competitors and destroyed hundreds of sports facilities. The sisters are adamant their dream must not be jeopardised further. We will do everything in our power not to allow them into competition because this is an immoral position. Sport is about peace and there can be no peace with Russian and Belarusian athletes competing. Decathlete Volodymyr Androshchuk had a glittering career ahead of him. His best friend Dmitro, says Volodymyr, was widely tipped for Olympic success next year. It was, says Dmitro, his drive to win that led Volodymyr to join the army. All athletes are very strong people. If they don't have character and will, they will not last very long in sport and it is that which makes them go to war, to fight for family, loved ones and country. Volodymyr was killed in eastern Ukraine in January, another blow to the country's Olympic hopes, which his fellow competitors are determined to keep alive. Jonah Hull, Al Jazeera, Kyiv.

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.

Tehran

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.

Washington

Israel-Gaza War

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

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

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

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.

Jerusalem

Netanyahu says Israel will do 'everything necessary' for defense

Three Russian missiles have crashed into Ukraine's historic city of Chernigiv, killing 17 people, as officials pleaded for more air defense systems from allies.

Chernihiv

More than a dozen killed in Russian missile strike in Ukraine

Iran's president says his country's forces are ready to face any threat. Ebrahim Raisi says any further move by Israel will be met with another attack by Iran. He made the comments during Iran's National Army Day.

Iran’s Raisi reiterates warnings as Israel mulls response to attack

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned of further sanctions targeting Iran following its unprecedented weekend attack on Israel, saying she expects Washington will take added action "in the coming days." The EU is also weighing new sanctions against Iran according to foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.

U.S., E.U. weigh new sanctions targetting Iran

The first seven jurors for Donald Trump's hush money trial were seated after lawyers grilled the jury pool about their social media posts, political views and personal lives to decide who can sit in fair judgment of the former president. Eleven more people still must be sworn in before opening statements begin as early as next week in the first criminal trial of a former US president.

First seven jurors chosen for Trump's hush money trial

The U.K. has cleared its first hurdle in passing strict new anti-smoking legislation that would make it illegal to sell cigarettes to those born after January 2009 for the rest of their lives.

London

U.K. votes in favour of smoking ban for those under 15

He quickly became known as ‘The Bollard Man’ after bravely taking-on the attacker during Saturdays deadly stabbing rampage at Bondi Junction. Now, the French national has been offered permanent residency after the Prime Minster declared he can stay in Australia for as long as he likes.

Bondi stabbing hero offered permanent residency

Fire has ripped through Copenhagen's Old Stock Exchange, one of the Danish capital's best-known buildings, engulfing its spire which collapsed in a scene reminiscent of the 2019 blaze at Paris' Notre-Dame.

Copenhagen

Historic Copenhagen stock exchange goes up in flames

Australia's domestic spy agency ASIO believes a man alleged to have stabbed a bishop at a Sydney church last night was acting alone.

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Ukraine Invasion