Germany will continue its military support to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Thursday.

Speaking at a joint news conference in Berlin with Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala, Scholz said the two countries will expand their defense cooperation, and supply Soviet-made heavy weapons to Ukraine.
- We agree with my counterpart that we must now fully support Ukraine, and our assistance should also include supplying weapons to help the country defend itself against Russian aggression - he said.
Scholz said as part of a "ring exchange" mechanism, Czech Republic will deliver Soviet-made weapons to Ukraine, which can be quickly deployed by the Ukrainian military, without the need for special training.
In return, Germany will supply weapons to Czech Republic in order to fill the gap, he added.
The German chancellor declined to give any details about the planned arms deliveries to Ukraine, and said talks are ongoing between defense ministries of the two countries.

Chancellor Scholz says Germany and Czech Republic will cooperate to supply Soviet-made weapons to Ukraine

Germany pledges more weapons to Ukraine

The Turkish president and UN chief discussed the latest developments in the Russia-Ukraine war over the phone on Saturday.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres briefed Recep Tayyip Erdogan about his Moscow and Kyiv contacts, according to a statement by Turkiye's Communications Directorate.
Turkiye is ready to provide support to UN-led work on Humanitarian Contact Group, evacuations, and humanitarian, Erdogan told the UN chief, the statement added.
Turkiye will continue to encourage both Ukraine and Russia to act with constraint and based on reconciliation, Erdogan noted, saying Ankara will continue with determination and sincerity its efforts for the crisis to be overcome and peace to be restored.
Erdogan also congratulated Guterres on his birthday, the statement also said.
At least 2,899 civilians have been killed and 3,235 others injured in Ukraine since the war started on Feb. 24, according to UN estimates. The true toll is feared to be much higher.
More than 5.3 million people have fled to other countries, with some 7.7 million people internally displaced, data from the UN refugee agency shows.

Turkiye ready to provide support to UN-led work on Humanitarian Contact Group, evacuations, humanitarian aid, Erdogan tells UN chief

Antonio Guterres and Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Turkish president, UN chief discuss latest developments on Russia-Ukraine war

Angry workers Sunday forced South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa from delivering his Labor Day speech in the northwestern Rustenburg city.

Striking mineworkers from the Sibanye Still-Water gold mines, who were demanding a pay rise of 1,000 South African rands ($63) stormed the podium where Ramaphosa was due to address workers disrupting the event.

- You want your 1,000 rands, I understand that. You want the employers to give you 1,000 rands. We have heard that message and we will be dealing with that matter - Ramaphosa told the workers who seemed unsatisfied with his explanation.
The workers then became rowdy, booing and shouting: "Ramaphosa must go."They have been expecting Ramaphosa and his Cabinet to intervene in their strike that has been ongoing for weeks.
The presidential guards were later seen whisking Ramaphosa away from the Royal Bafokeng Stadium.
Earlier, trade unions and opposition parties said there was little to celebrate Labor Day as retrenchments and unemployment is now at a staggering level of 35%.

The main opposition party, Democratic Alliance, called on the government to create a conducive environment that allows job creation because millions are unemployed.

- As South Africa celebrates Workers Day today to honor workers across our country, there will be no celebrations for the tens of millions of South Africans that do not have a job - the party said on its website.
It also said entire communities are moving closer to or below the poverty line as jobs are shed and local economies shrink.
The government said it has created a conducive environment for job creation, such as incentives to businesses, but the pandemic and sluggish economic growth are responsible for slowing job creation.

Workers, demanding pay rises, booed South African leader, stopping him from delivering his speech

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa

South African president whisked away from rowdy workers on Labor Day

Russia on Sunday said it destroyed weapons supplied to Ukraine by the US and European countries and a runway at a military airfield near Odessa.

High-precision Onyx missiles were used to strike the airfield, according to a Russian Defense Ministry statement.
Two Ukrainian Su-24M bomber jets were downed in the Kharkov region, while two S-300 air defense systems were wrecked near Zaporizhzhia and Artemovsk, the statement said.
Two Ukrainian Tochka-U ballistic missiles and 12 unmanned aerial vehicles were also shot down in different areas, it said.
Seven Ukrainian military assets were hit overnight, including four areas of manpower and military equipment concentration, as well as three missile and artillery weapons and ammunition depots, the ministry said.

- In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, 145 aircraft, 112 helicopters, 672 unmanned aerial vehicles, 281 air defense systems, 2,703 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 312 multiple rocket launchers, 1,203 field artillery and mortar guns, as well as 2,514 units of special military vehicles have been destroyed - read the statement.

At least 2,899 civilians have been killed and 3,235 others injured in Ukraine since the war with Russia began on Feb. 24, according to UN estimates. The true toll is feared to be much higher.
More than 5.4 million people have fled to other countries, with some 7.7 million people internally displaced, data from the UN refugee agency shows.

2 Su-24M bomber jets downed in Ukraine's Kharkov region, according to Russian Defense Ministry

High-precision Onyx missiles were used to strike the airfield

Russia claims: US, European weapons hit in Odessa strikes

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday held talks with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan as part of his visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Sharif arrived in Abu Dhabi on Saturday on his maiden visit to the UAE, the second leg of his Gulf tour, which took him to Saudi Arabia.
The two leaders, who met at the Qasr Al Shati' Palace, "discussed advancing the longstanding relations between the two nations, and the prospects of propelling cooperation on various fronts as well as reviewed a number of regional and international issues of common concern," according to the state-run Emirates News Agency (WAM).
Sheikh Mohamed wished the newly elected premier "success in leading Pakistan towards further progress and prosperity over the coming period."
The crown prince hailed "historical relations" between the two nations and the "valuable contributions" made by the Pakistani community in the UAE.
The Pakistani prime minister thanked Sheikh Mohamed for the warm reception, commended the UAE's "great support" for his country in the development field, and stressed his keenness to strengthen bilateral relations in various fields.
Sharif was elected Pakistan’s prime minister on April 11, succeeding Imran Khan, who was ousted in a parliament no-confidence vote.

Shehbaz Sharif, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan discuss bilateral ties, regional, international developments

Pakistani PM meets Abu Dhabi crown prince during UAE visit

Turkish security forces have "neutralized" 56 terrorists in the recently launched Operation Claw-Lock in northern Iraq, the country’s National Defense Ministry said.

- Our operation continues as planned with great success. We wish God's mercy upon our martyrs - said National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar at a meeting via video link with the unit commanders of the operation on Sunday.
Akar added that the first phase of the operation has completed successfully.
Stating that a new phase started in the fight against terrorism on July 24, 2015, Akar said a total of 34,259 terrorists have been neutralized in Turkiye, and northern Iraq and Syria so far.
Since the beginning of this year, the number of terrorists neutralized has reached 991, he added.&nbsp;Turkiye launched Operation Claw-Lock earlier this week to target PKK hideouts in Iraq’s Metina, Zap and Avasin-Basyan areas.That was preceded by Operations Claw-Tiger and Claw-Eagle, which were launched in 2020 to root out terrorists who hide in northern Iraq and plot cross-border attacks in Turkiye.
In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Turkiye, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkiye, the US, and European Union -- has been responsible for the deaths of at least 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.
In a related development, Turkiye's Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Guler met with his Albanian counterpart Maj. Gen. Bajram Begaj in the Turkish capital Ankara on Monday.
They discussed bilateral relations in the military field as well as the latest developments in the region during the meeting.

Operation Claw-Lock continues successfully as planned, says National Defense Ministry

Akar added that the first phase of the operation has completed successfully

Turkiye "neutralizes" 56 terrorists in latest northern Iraq operation

At least 215 children have been killed and 391 others injured in Russia’s ongoing war on Ukraine, authorities said on Monday.

Some 1,500 educational institutions have been damaged in Russian attacks, including 102 which were completely destroyed, according to the Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office.
In a separate update, the Ukrainian military claimed the number of Russian soldiers killed during the war has risen to at least 21,900.
Ukrainian troops have destroyed 884 Russian tanks, 2,258 armored personnel vehicles, 411 artillery systems, 149 multiple launch rocket systems and eight boats, read a military statement.
Ukrainian forces have also downed 181 aircraft,154 helicopters and 201 UAVs, it added.​​​​​​​

391 children wounded since war began on Feb. 24, according to Ukrainian authority

Some 1,500 educational institutions have been damaged in Russian attacks

Ukraine: At least 215 children killed so far in Russian attacks

The death toll after the disappearance of a tour boat in Japan increased to 11 on Monday, while rescuers continue efforts to find 15 more missing passengers.

The Japan Coast Guard confirmed the death of a 3-year-old girl, who was found at a location where she had "likely drifted due to the wind and tide," Kyodo News reported.
The boat carrying 26 passengers, including two children and a two-member crew, went missing in rough waters on Saturday.
It left the port of Shari on Japan’s northernmost Hokkaido island around 10 a.m. (0100GMT) to cruise along the peninsula, which was classified as a World Natural Heritage site in 2005 and&nbsp;is home to several rare animal and plant species.On Sunday, seven men and three women were confirmed dead.&nbsp;Japanese authorities have launched a probe into the accident and dispatched aircraft and vessels for the rescue mission.Local fishing boats and tourist vessels have also joined the search.
Noriyuki Toyoda, 54, captain of the ill-fated vessel, was "warned" not to set sail due to rough weather on Saturday, according to the Kyodo report.

3-year-old girl found dead, search underway for 15 more missing people

The boat carrying 26 passengers, including two children and a two-member crew, went missing in rough waters on Saturday

Death toll from missing tourist boat in Japan rises to 11

Russia knows the CIA agents that allegedly recommended that Ukrainian saboteurs kill Russian journalists, President Vladimir Putin said on Monday.

- We know by name the curators of the Ukrainian Nazis from Western services, primarily the US CIA, who give such advice as the murder of (Russian) journalists - Putin said, speaking at an expanded meeting of the Prosecutor General’s Office Board in Moscow.
He said the West is using its information space monopoly to fight Russia but with little success and so it started resorting to "open terrorism."
- This morning, the (Russian) Federal Security Service suppressed the activities of a terrorist group that planned to kill a famous Russian TV journalist. Of course, now they will disown this, but the facts, the evidence are irrefutable - he claimed.

In recent decades Russia itself has been accused of killing a score of journalists, along with opposition figures and anyone seen to threaten Putin's rule.

Putin then expressed surprise over a statement by European diplomats calling on Ukraine to win the war with Russia on the battlefield.
- To our surprise, high-ranking diplomatic workers in Europe and the United States are calling on their Ukrainian satellites to use all their capabilities to win on the battlefield. What a strange diplomacy of our partners in the US and in Europe - he said.
- But as they realize that this is impossible, another task comes to the fore – to split Russian society, to destroy Russia from the inside. But even here there is a hitch – it won’t work.Putin instructed the Prosecutor General’s Office to fight against "extremism," "decisively stop any actions aimed at interfering in Russia's internal affairs from outside," directed at such goals as the destabilization of society, incitement of xenophobia, or militant nationalism.

Putin also called for an immediate response to the spread of "radical ideology" on the Internet, fakes, and provocations of public order and the preparation of illegal actions, which according to him are "often organized from abroad, either the information comes from there, or the money."

- The blatant provocations against our armed forces, including using the resources of foreign media and social networks, also require a thorough investigation - he urged.
With Russia itself facing many accusations of war crimes in Ukraine, Putin also ordered a probe of "mass facts of gross violations of the norms of international law by neo-Nazi formations of Ukraine (and) foreign mercenaries."
- We’re talking about the killing of civilians, the use of people, including children as human shields, and other crimes - he explained.
At least 2,435 civilians have been killed and 2,946 injured in Ukraine since the war began Feb. 24, according to UN estimates, with the true figure believed to be much higher.
More than 5.1 million Ukrainians have fled to other countries, with over 7.7 million more internally displaced, said the UN refugee agency.

Russian president says CIA agents who recommended Ukrainian saboteurs kill Russian journalists are known by name

Putin accuses CIA of inciting Ukraine to killing Russian journalists

Ukrainian officials said Russian missile strikes on the western city of Lviv on Monday killed at least six people and wounded several more.

Mayor Andriy Sadovyi said five missiles were fired at the city in the morning, placing the toll at six dead and 11 wounded, including a child.
Maksym Kozytskyy, Lviv’s regional governor, said three missiles hit military facilities and another destroyed a tire shop. He said six people had died and eight more were hurt, with a child among the victims.

Mikhail Podolyak, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said five missiles targeted “civilian infrastructure of the old European Lviv.”

- The Russians continue barbarically attacking Ukrainian cities from the air, cynically declaring to the whole world their ‘right’ to… kill Ukrainians - he wrote on Twitter.
According to the latest update from the Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office, 205 children have been killed and 362 injured in Russian attacks since the start of the war.
More than 1,000 academic institutes have been damaged and 95 completely destroyed, it added.

Mayor Andriy Sadovyi said five missiles were fired at the city in the morning, placing the toll at six dead and 11 wounded, including a child

Maksym Kozytskyy, Lviv’s regional governor, said three missiles hit military facilities and another destroyed a tire shop

Ukrainian officials: At least 6 killed in multiple Russian missile strikes on Lviv

The Russian Foreign Ministry on Monday said it summoned Bulgarian Ambassador Atanas Krastin and handed him a note about the expulsion of Bulgarian diplomats from Moscow.

In a statement, the ministry said that the step was taken in response to the expulsion of 10 Russian diplomats from Sofia.
On March 18, Bulgaria declared 10 Russian diplomats persona non grata, accusing them of "activities incompatible with diplomatic status."

Russian Foreign Ministry summons Bulgarian envoy to hand over note about expulsion of diplomats from Moscow

Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Moscow

Russia expels Bulgarian diplomats in retaliatory move

The US, Belize, Germany, Indonesia, and Senegal will co-host the second Global COVID-19 Summit on May 12, the nations announced on Monday.
- The Summit will redouble our collective efforts to end the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic and prepare for future health threats - the countries said in a joint statement.
The meeting follows the first summit in September.&nbsp;The second time around, the five countries are seeking to build on commitments already made, and "will place an emphasis on supporting locally-led solutions to both immediate and long-term challenges."That includes ensuring grater vaccine uptake, more robust sharing of tests and treatments, and creating more sustainable financial to help nations prepare for pandemics.
- We look forward to another successful Summit to continue the international effort in the fight against COVID-19 and to advance global pandemic preparedness - the countries said.
There have been over 504 million COVID-19 cases recorded worldwide, and over 6 million deaths. The US alone is nearing the grim milestone of 1 million people killed by the virus since it emerged in China in late 2019.

"The Summit will redouble our collective efforts to end the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic", countries say

The US, Belize, Germany, Indonesia, and Senegal will co-host the second Global COVID-19 Summit on May 12

US to co-host second global COVID-19 summit next month

The Russian Defense Ministry claimed on Monday that the Ukrainian special services are planning to shell Orthodox churches and temples on Easter night, Saturday.

As part of measures against possible provocations, over 70 mobile groups in vehicles equipped with mortars are formed in Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv, Odessa, Sumy, and Kharkiv regions, the ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said at a daily briefing in Moscow.

<h2>The artillery hit 315 objects of Ukraine's military infrastructure</h2>

Konashenkov added that the Russian army continued striking Ukraine's military infrastructure on Sunday night and hit 16 military objects with high-precision air-based missiles, in addition to five command points, one fuel storage, and three ammunition depots.

The Russian Aerospace Forces struck 108 areas of concentration of personnel and Ukrainian military equipment, including eight tanks and other armored vehicles, while an unmanned aerial vehicle of Ukraine was shot down by an air-to-air missile in the Buda area, he noted.
The Strategic Rocket Forces struck with high-precision ground-based Iskander missiles four ammunition and military equipment depots, as well as three areas of concentration of Ukrainian manpower, the spokesman added.
The artillery hit 315 objects of Ukraine's military infrastructure, including 18 control points, 22 artillery batteries, the OSA-AKM air defense system, as well as 275 strong points.

<h2>At least 1,982 civilians have been killed </h2>

The Russian air defense systems downed Ukraine's three fighter jets, two MiG-29, and one Su-25, as well as 11 unmanned aerial vehicles, and intercepted 10 large-caliber rockets fired by Ukrainian multiple rocket launchers, Konashenkov said.

- In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, 139 aircraft and 483 unmanned aerial vehicles have been destroyed, (along with) 250 air defense systems, 2,326 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 254 multiple rocket launchers, 1,004 field artillery and mortar guns, as well as 2,184 units of special military vehicles - the spokesman said.
At least 1,982 civilians have been killed and 2,651 injured in Ukraine so far in the war, according to UN estimates, with the true figure believed to be much higher.
More than 4.9 million Ukrainians have fled to other countries, with over 7 million more internally displaced, said the UN refugee agency.

Ministry says more objects of Ukraine's military infrastructure were hit Sunday night

Russian Defense Ministry's spokesman Igor Konashenkov

Russian Defense Ministry warns of provocations for Orthodox Easter in Ukraine

The flagship of Russia's Black Sea fleet was downed by two Ukrainian Neptune missiles, a senior Pentagon official said on Friday. 

Russia and Ukraine have offered varying accounts of how the Russian missile cruiser Moskva sunk in the Black Sea. Moscow claims a fire broke out on board, leading to the explosion of munitions that were being carried. Ukraine claims it struck the strategically valuable vessel in a missile attack.
But the Pentagon official threw his weight behind the Ukrainian narrative, saying Kyiv's forces used two Neptune anti-ship cruise missiles to take down the warship. No other details were provided.
Ukraine said about 510 sailors were on board the Moskva when it was struck.
Russia said the Moskva had sunk in a storm while it was being towed to port suffering damage to its hull from the fire and resulting explosions.
At least 1,982 civilians have been killed and 2,651 injured in Ukraine since the start of the war in late February, according to UN estimates, with the true figure feared to be much higher.
More than 4.6 million Ukrainians have fled to other countries, with over 7 million more internally displaced, said the UN refugee agency.

Ukrainian anti-ship Neptune missiles used to down flagship of Russia's Black Sea fleet, says official

Ukraine said about 510 sailors were on board the Moskva when it was struck

US says Russian warship sunk by 2 Ukrainian missiles

At least nine cholera cases have been reported in Zambia as the country scrambles to avert what could be its first outbreak in nearly four years. 

All the cases were detected in the capital Lusaka this month, according to officials.
- A rapid response has been launched in Lusaka, including active case searches, disinfection of houses and public areas, distribution of chlorine, water quality monitoring, and awareness drives - Health Minister Sylvia Masebo told reporters on Friday.
- We have also vaccinated 2,131 people with oral cholera vaccines in the identified hotspots - she added.
Cholera, an acute diarrheal infection caused by contaminated food or water, is a “global threat to public health and an indicator of inequity and lack of social development,” according to the World Health Organization.
It affects both children and adults and can kill a person within hours if untreated.
Zambia faced its last cholera outbreak between October 2017 and June 2018, when almost 4,400 cases and just under 100 deaths were recorded in several areas of the country.
The situation deteriorated to a point where the government restricted public movement and deployed the army in certain areas, including Lusaka.
Masebo did not say if similar measures are being considered at the moment but urged citizens to follow standard hygiene and prevention measures.
- We must work together to break the transmission chain - she said.

Rapid response measures launched in Lusaka to stop first outbreak in nearly 4 years

It affects both children and adults and can kill a person within hours if untreated

Zambia rushes to stave off cholera outbreak as cases rise in capital

The admission of Finland and Sweden to NATO will have negative consequences for peace and stability in northern Europe, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday.

In a statement, spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Finland and Sweden's international policy of military non-alignment served as a solid foundation in building mutually beneficial relations with Russia.
Zakharova argued that becoming part of the military alliance will not help Finland and Sweden in strengthening their security, but will bring them to the frontline.
The choice is up to the authorities of Sweden and Finland, but they should understand the consequences of such a step for relations with Russia and, in general, the European security architecture, which is now in a state of crisis, she added.
Finland and Sweden are said to have taking steps towards joining the 30-member alliance after Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Last week, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told Sky News that if Finland and Sweden joined NATO, Russia will look to "rebalance the situation" to "ensure our own security."

Germany pledges more weapons to Ukraine

Turkish president, UN chief discuss latest developments on Russia-Ukraine war

South African president whisked away from rowdy workers on Labor Day

Russia claims: US, European weapons hit in Odessa strikes

Pakistani PM meets Abu Dhabi crown prince during UAE visit

Turkiye "neutralizes" 56 terrorists in latest northern Iraq operation

Ukraine: At least 215 children killed so far in Russian attacks

Death toll from missing tourist boat in Japan rises to 11

Putin accuses CIA of inciting Ukraine to killing Russian journalists

Ukrainian officials: At least 6 killed in multiple Russian missile strikes on Lviv

Russia expels Bulgarian diplomats in retaliatory move

US to co-host second global COVID-19 summit next month

Russian Defense Ministry warns of provocations for Orthodox Easter in Ukraine

US says Russian warship sunk by 2 Ukrainian missiles

Zambia rushes to stave off cholera outbreak as cases rise in capital

Russia: Finland, Sweden's admission to NATO will harm peace, stability in Europe

World

Germany pledges more weapons to Ukraine

Turkish president, UN chief discuss latest developments on Russia-Ukraine war

South African president whisked away from rowdy workers on Labor Day

Russia claims: US, European weapons hit in Odessa strikes

Pakistani PM meets Abu Dhabi crown prince during UAE visit

Turkiye "neutralizes" 56 terrorists in latest northern Iraq operation

Ukraine: At least 215 children killed so far in Russian attacks

Death toll from missing tourist boat in Japan rises to 11

Putin accuses CIA of inciting Ukraine to killing Russian journalists

Ukrainian officials: At least 6 killed in multiple Russian missile strikes on Lviv

Russia expels Bulgarian diplomats in retaliatory move

US to co-host second global COVID-19 summit next month

Russian Defense Ministry warns of provocations for Orthodox Easter in Ukraine

US says Russian warship sunk by 2 Ukrainian missiles

Zambia rushes to stave off cholera outbreak as cases rise in capital

Russia: Finland, Sweden's admission to NATO will harm peace, stability in Europe