Latest - Pell set to spend first night behind bars
Disgraced Australian Catholic Cardinal George Pell is set to spend his first night behind bars tonight after he withdrew a last-ditch application for bail.
There were angry scenes outside the Victorian County Court in Melbourne when the 77-year-old arrived for a pre-sentencing hearing after his convictions on child sexual abuse were made public yesterday.
Cardinal George Pell. Photo: AFP
Prosecutor Mark Gibson told the hearing that Pell's offending warranted immediate imprisonment.
Pell is due to be sentenced on 13 March and could face more than ten years in prison.
He continues to maintain his innocence and has launched an appeal.
- ABC
Tensions ramp up between India and Pakistan
Pakistan has warned it will respond "at the time and place of its choosing" after India launched strikes against militants in Pakistani territory.
The strikes were the first across the de-facto border which divides Indian-administered Kashmir from Pakistan-administered Kashmir, since a 1971 war between the two countries.
Tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours have escalated following an attack on Indian troops in the region earlier this month which was claimed by Pakistani militants.
India said it had killed a large number of militants in the air strikes, but Pakistan said there has been no damage or injuries.
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- BBC
Hanoi primed for high stakes summit
The spotlight is on the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi where the second high-stakes summit between the US President Donald Trump and North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un will get underway in earnest later today.
It follows last year's historic meeting between the pair in Singapore - the first between a sitting US president and a North Korean leader.
This time around Donald Trump will likely be looking for more than just warm words from Mr Kim on denuclearisation.
North Korea has agreed to work towards giving up its nuclear weapons but wants harsh sanctions removed, in return.
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- BBC
Dozens missing after illegal mine collapse
A rescue effort is underway on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi with up to 60 people feared buried by the collapse of an illegal mine.
The Indonesian disaster agency said one person has been found dead and 13 have been rescued at the mine in the Bolaang Mongondow area.
It said dozens of people were mining for gold when beams and supporting boards suddenly broke.
The Indonesian government has banned such small-scale gold mining, but regional authorities often turn a blind eye in more remote areas.
- Reuters
May raises prospect of delay vote on Brexit
British Prime Minister Theresa May has raised the prospect of delaying the UK's departure from the European Union, or ruling out a no-deal Brexit, if MPs reject her deal next month.
Mrs May made a statement to MPs about Brexit on Tuesday, amid the threat of a revolt by ministers who support remaining in the EU.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn accused the prime minister of another "grotesquely reckless" Brexit delay.
Mrs May has promised MPs a meaningful vote on her Brexit deal by 12 March.
- BBC
Nigerian President Buhari heads for second term
Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari is headed for a second term at the helm of Africa's largest economy and top oil producer, according to a tally by Reuters based on electoral commission results showed.
Mr Buhari had a commanding lead of 56 percent compared to 40 percent for Atiku, before the final district was announced.
A message posted on Mr Buhari's Twitter feed late on Tuesday showed him smiling and surrounded by applauding staff at his campaign office.
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- Reuters
