Brovary (Ukraine) (AFP) – When Olga Slyshyk’s husband Mykhailo failed to call her on her birthday, she knew something was wrong. The next day she found out he was dead, killed whilst defending Soledar from Russian forces in the eastern Donetsk region. More than a year after the invasion began, Slyshyk is among a growing number of Ukrainian women left widowed by war.
Tehran (AFP) – Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanani expresses his hopes that Iran and Saudi Arabia will reopen their respective diplomatic missions by May 9, after reaching an agreement to mend ties last month. The annual hajj pilgrimage to holy sites in Saudi Arabia, one of the pillars of Islam, is expected to begin in late June.
Khartoum (AFP) – Fierce fighting raged in Sudan’s capital despite a pause Sunday to help those caught up in the violence, on the second day of battles between the powerful armed forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The death toll has risen to at least 97, with scores of other people wounded, the doctors’ union said early Monday.
Beijing (AFP) – The streets around Beijing’s Workers’ Stadium are a sea of lime green as tens of thousands of football fans turn out for the post-Covid return of the Chinese Super League. After almost three years of pandemic restrictions, including games in secure “bubbles” and limits on attendances, normality is beginning to return to sport in China, and anticipation is high.
Ankara (AFP) – Survivors of Turkey’s deadly earthquake fear that they will be unable to vote in the upcoming May 14 general elections. Some three million people were displaced by the disaster, which left over 50,000 dead. They now face difficult prospect of heading back to their ruined cities to have their say over the future of their country and President Erdogan.
Jerusalem (AFP) – Thousands of Christians throng Jerusalem for the traditional Holy Fire rite ahead of the Orthodox Easter, despite a security clampdown in the holy city.
Vatican City (AFP) – Pope Francis says he is following the events in Sudan with ‘concern’ as fighting rages for a second day. Speaking from St Peter’s Square, the pontiff urged ‘dialogue’ and the abandonment of weapons in the troubled African nation where battles between rival generals, who seized power in a 2021 coup, have left over 50 civilians including three UN staff dead and sparked international alarm.
Washington (AFP) – Hundreds of abortion rights activists protest in Washington after a ruling by a federal judge in Texas aimed at curtailing nationwide access to a widespread abortion drug.
Kenya’s first operational satellite is launched into orbit by a SpaceX rocket that took off from California, USA, according to images from the US space company. Designed and developed by a team of Kenyan researchers, the satellite is intended to provide data for agriculture and environmental monitoring in Kenya, much needed in the East African country which is currently experiencing a historic drought.
Beijing (AFP) – Brazil’s president says that the United States should stop “encouraging war” in Ukraine, as he wrapped a state visit to China in which he has strengthened economic ties with his country’s main trading partner.
Munich (Germany) (AFP) – Hundreds gather in Munich as Germany prepares to switch off its last three nuclear reactors, exiting atomic power even as it seeks to wean itself off fossil fuels and manage an energy crisis caused by the war in Ukraine.
Indianapolis (AFP) – Guests inspect firearms while attending the 152nd National Rifle Association Convention at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis.
