 | War in Ukraine could last "for years," warns NATO chiefRussian forces have directed their firepower at the east and south of Ukraine in recent weeks since failing in their bid to take the capital Kyiv after the lightning February 24 invasion. |
| Russia plans evacuations from chemical plant in battleground Ukraine cityThe industrial hub is under intense bombardment as Russia focuses its offensive on the eastern Donbas region in an effort to seize a swathe of Ukraine. |
 | Pope blasts Russian 'cruelty', lauds Ukrainian 'heroism'While sharply criticizing Russia’s invasion, Francis also insisted there weren’t “good guys and bad guys” and that Russia was in some ways provoked by NATO’s expansion east. |
 | NATO chief: Turkey has 'legitimate concerns' over terrorismTurkey has accused Finland and Sweden of supporting Kurdish militants and says it will not back the two Nordic nations joining NATO until they change their policies. |
 | Japan, NATO step up ties amid Russia's invasion of UkrainePrime Minister Fumio Kishida has been invited to the NATO summit later this month and is reportedly considering attending the meeting, which would make him the first Japanese leader to do so. |
 | NATO chief speaks with Erdogan about Finland, Sweden joiningThe NATO chief’s diplomatic efforts came before a gathering of senior officials from Sweden, Finland and Turkey next week in Brussels to discuss Turkey’s opposition to the applications. |
 | Denmark votes in referendum on EU defence amid Ukraine warVoters to decide whether to abandon their country's 30-year-old opt-out from the European Union's common defence policy. |
 | Turkish leader writes on 'risks' of Sweden, Finland in NATOTurkey's president has caused a stir by throwing a wrench in Sweden and Finland's historic bid to join the NATO alliance. |
 | Delegations from Sweden and Finland in Turkey for NATO talksSweden and Finland submitted their written applications to join NATO last week. The move represents one of the biggest geopolitical ramifications of Russia’s war in Ukraine. |
| NATO chief says trade ties with authoritarian regimes have vulnerabilities; clubs China with RussiaNATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said NATO is committed to continue supporting Ukraine but ruled out its direct involvement in the war by sending NATO troops there. |
 | Climate as key theme, top of the agenda amid key speeches at DavosTuesday’s agenda in Davos is packed with sessions on one of the meeting’s key themes — climate change. US climate envoy John Kerry is due to make an appearance. |
 | IPL Playoffs: Super Over could determine winner in case of disruptionsIf not even an over a side is possible, the league standing will take precedence and will decide the winner, according to an IPL briefing note. This will also apply to Qualifiers 1, 2 and Eliminator. |
 | Russia cuts off gas exports to Finland in symbolic moveAfter decades of energy cooperation that was seen beneficial for both Helsinki and Moscow, Finland’s energy ties with Russia are now all but gone. |
 | Battle for Mariupol draws toward close after surrender of steel plantIn a sign of normalcy returning to Kyiv, the US Embassy reopened on Wednesday, one month after Russian forces abandoned their bid to seize the capital. |
 | Will Turkey upend NATO expansion? US officials seek clarityErdogan, who has grown increasingly authoritarian over the years, is known to be an unpredictable leader and has been at clear odds with what Turkish diplomats in his government have said. |
