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Kyiv (Ukraine) (AFP) – A Kyiv court detains a powerful former aide of President Volodymyr Zelensky — Andriy Yermak — on allegations of corruption in a high-profile graft probe that has roiled Ukraine. The court ruled to place Yermak in pre-trial detention for a period of 60 days, unless he posts bail of 140 million hryvnia (around $3.2 million). “I reject any accusations against me,” Yermak tells the court, adding, “I have nothing to hide.”

Riga (AFP) – Latvia’s Prime Minister Evika Silina resigns after a key party in her coalition withdrew support in a row over Ukrainian drones that strayed into the Baltic nation. Silina sacked her defence minister Andris Spruds over the affair, which prompted nine of his allies to quit her ruling coalition. “Right now, what people need most is a sense of security,” she says.

Beijing (AFP) – Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with US President Donald Trump outside of the Great Hall of the People in Beijing ahead of talks that are set to tackle thorny issues, including Iran, trade and Taiwan. IMAGES

Beijing (AFP) – Donald Trump’s motorcade passes by as the US President heads towards the Great Hall of People in Beijing to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping for talks that are set to tackle thorny issues dividing the two superpowers. IMAGES

Brussels (Belgium) (AFP) – The European Union urges its members to “ban conversion practices” targeting LGBTQ people, after over a million people signed a petition last May calling on the bloc to prohibit such methods. So-called conversion “therapies” involve methods that seek to change the sexual orientation or gender identity or expression of members of gay, lesbian, queer and trans people. The EU executive says it will issue a recommendation next year for member states to adopt national-level bans, but it would not be binding.

Beijing (AFP) – Chinese share their views on the relationship between their country and the United States, ahead of talks between the two leaders Xi Jinping and Donald Trump in the capital Beijing. Trump has landed in Beijing for a high-stakes summit, the first visit to China by a US president in nearly a decade.

Tucson (AFP) – In the Arizona desert, the city of Tucson is preparing to host the Iranian football team for the World Cup. Despite the war launched by the United States and Israel against Iran on February 28, plans remain for Iran to take part in the football World Cup this summer, with its group stage games scheduled for Los Angeles and Seattle.

Bucharest (AFP) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urges US President Donald Trump to discuss ending Russia’s invasion of Ukraine during meetings with leader Xi Jinping this week on a visit to China. Delivering a speech at the Bucharest Nine Summit in Romania, Zelensky says “we expect the issue of ending Russia’s war against Ukraine to be raised now as well while the president of the United States is in China.”

Cannes (France) (AFP) – As the Cannes Film Festival gets underway, devoted film fans armed with stepladders and boundless enthusiasm gather in front of the Palais des Festivals to secure viewing spots to see stars. “Every year it’s magic, ” says retiree Jo Morpelli, setting up his position.

Seoul (AFP) – UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk says North Korea’s women football team’s expected participation in a match in South Korea is “encouraging” — but there are still “urgent steps” left to solve. North Korea’s Naegohyang Women’s FC will play the South’s Suwon FC Women on May 20 in the Asian Champions League, which will mark the first time that a North Korean sports team has played in the South since 2018.

Tristan da Cunha (United Kingdom) (AFP) – British military personnel carry out an airborne operation to deliver urgent medical support for a suspected hantavirus patient on a South Atlantic island, defence ministry footage shows. The army specialist team parachute onto the island of Tristan da Cunha, Britain’s most remote overseas territory, after the hantavirus-hit MV Hondius cruise liner docked there in April.

Sanur (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) – Seated at a table draped in a floral plastic cover inside his prefabricated home, Israeli Meir Goldmintz says he is finally fulfilling a dream he has carried for two decades: “returning to Sa-Nur,” referring to a tiny settlement perched above Palestinian villages in the northern Israeli-occupied West Bank. The re-establishment of Sa-Nur —- dismantled in 2005 as part of an agreement with Palestinian authorities — is part of major settlement expansions undertaken by Israel’s current right-wing government.