The African Union is forging ahead with mediation talks in Ethiopia as the US warns of the potential far-reaching consequences of the conflict. But productive negotiations are still far from assured.

As Tigray fighters withdraw back to their home region of Tigray, fresh hopes for a ceasefire in Ethiopia emerge. But the obstacles for a lasting peace are huge.

Comedic actress Betty White, who capped a career of more than 80 years by becoming America's geriatric sweetheart after Emmy-winning roles on television sitcoms "The Golden Girls" and "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," died on Friday, less than three weeks shy of her 100th birthday.

Chad's transitional authorities on Tuesday (January 18) released the first of some 250 members of armed groups it has promised to free from prison under an amnesty aimed at fostering dialogue after the battlefield death of President Idriss Deby last April. Justice Minister Ahmat Mahamat Alhabo led a short ceremony at Klessoum prison near the capital N'Djamena, granting the immediate release of 22 detainees convicted of taking up arms against the central government in the past 10 years.

For the past 65 years, the Danish Church has brought together Danes of all generations in the French capital. It's a haven of peace located a few steps from the Champs-Élysées. Frederikskirken is part of the Lutheran Evangelical Church of Denmark. For Pastor Malene, the sense of community this institution offers is important. It's also a place for Danes to introduce Parisians to their culture and broaden their horizons. Our team reports.

Russian billionaire businessman Roman Abramovich, who owns Premier League soccer club Chelsea, has accepted a Ukrainian request to help negotiate an end to the conflict in Ukraine, his spokeswoman said on Monday. Word of Abramovich's involvement in talks on the conflict, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, first came from the Jewish News, which said Kyiv had reached out through Jewish contacts to seek his help.

On his first tour of Israel as German chancellor, Olaf Scholz spoke alongside Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. The trip comes as Europe's largest ground war in generations rages between Russia and Ukraine.

Negotiators are to sit down later on Monday as fighting continues. Previous talks agreed on humanitarian corridors to allow for the evacuation of civilians, but plans have so far collapsed.

Khatia Buniatishvili was born in Georgia and has become one of the best-known pianists in the world. This week she led a concert in Paris with other artists in solidarity with Ukraine. She speaks to Eve Jackson about the conflict, why she stopped performing in Russia in 2008 after the country launched a ground assault against Georgia, and shares her thoughts about the world's boycott of Russian artists.

While Western leaders hope China will play a more active role in mediating between Russia and Ukraine, experts say it's unlikely that Beijing will jeopardize its warming ties with Moscow.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida pushed for India to take a tougher line or Russia while meeting Narendra Modi in New Delhi. India has not directly condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

In Bamenda, Cameroon an organization uses sport to demobilize and bring separatist fighters back into society.