Leaders Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin framed their nations' ties as a stabilising force in a chaotic world as they met Thursday in Beijing, where the Russian president is seeking greater Chinese support for his war effort in Ukraine. It is Putin's first trip abroad since his March re-election and the second in just over six months to China, an economic lifeline for Russia after the West hit it with unprecedented sanctions over its military offensive in Ukraine. Putin was greeted by Xi at a grand welcoming ceremony outside Beijing's Great Hall of the People, footage by state broadcaster CCTV showed. In a meeting, Xi then told his «old friend» Putin that China-Russia relations were «conducive to peace». «China is ready to work with Russia to... uphold fairness and justice in the world,» Xi added. Putin, in turn, told Xi the two countries' relations were «stabilising factors in the international arena». «Relations between Russia and China are not opportunistic and not directed against anyone,» Putin said, according to a Kremlin readout. «Together, we uphold the principles of justice and a democratic world order that reflects multipolar realities and is based on international law,» he added. Following closed-door meetings, the two leaders then signed a joint statement on deepening their countries' «comprehensive strategic partnership», state news agency Xinhua said. - No 'further escalation' - The Russian leader's arrival came hours after he hailed his country's troops for advancing on «all fronts» on the battlefield in Ukraine, following a major new ground assault. And the Kremlin said Russia and China had agreed to oppose «further escalation» of the conflict in Ukraine on Thursday. «The parties note the need to stop any steps that contribute to the prolongation of hostilities,» the Kremlin's readout of their joint statement said. China has dismissed claims it is aiding Russia's war in Ukraine and insisted that the West is exacerbating the conflict by sending arms to Ukraine. Xi has also rebuffed Western criticism of his country's close ties with Moscow. But their economic partnership has come under close scrutiny from the West in recent months. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned China's support for Russia's «brutal war of aggression» in Ukraine had helped Russia ramp up production of rockets, drones and tanks -- while stopping short of direct arms exports. China claims to be a neutral party in the Ukraine conflict, which it has never condemned and in which it has sought to frame itself as a mediator. And in a statement to media following talks with Putin, Xi said the two sides agreed on the need for a «political solution» to resolving the war. «China's position on this issue has always been clear,» Xi said in footage broadcast by Russian TV. That position included «respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries» as well as «respecting the reasonable security concerns of all sides», the Chinese leader added. The remarks echo a paper issued by Beijing last year, which Western countries said could enable Russia to hold much of the territory it has seized in Ukraine. China also «looks forward to the early restoration of peace and stability on the European continent», Xi said, promising Beijing would «continue to play a constructive role to that end». Putin in response said he was «grateful» to Beijing for its efforts to help resolve the conflict. He also referenced Beijing's complaints about growing security cooperation between the United States and its allies in Asia, warning of «harmful» military alliances in the region. On Thursday afternoon, the Russian leader met Premier Li Qiang -- China's number two official -- who said Beijing was willing to «continue to deepen cooperation in various fields». Putin and Xi then attended a ceremony celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations between Moscow and Beijing, Xinhua said. - Transactions slow - China-Russia trade has boomed since the Ukraine invasion and hit $240 billion in 2023, according to Chinese customs figures. But after Washington vowed to go after financial institutions that facilitate Moscow, Chinese exports to Russia dipped in March and April, down from a surge early in the year. An executive order by President Joe Biden in December permits secondary sanctions on foreign banks that deal with Russia's war machine, allowing the US Treasury to cut them out of the dollar-led global financial system. That, coupled with recent efforts to rebuild fractured ties with the United States, may make Beijing reluctant to openly push more cooperation with Russia -- despite what Moscow may want, analysts say. Putin's post-election trip to Beijing echoes Xi's own visit to Russia after his re-anointing as leader last year. The Russian leader is due to travel to the northeastern city of Harbin for a trade and investment expo on Friday. © Agence France-Presse

Ukraine warned on Thursday it faced a «very difficult» military situation in its northeast Kharkiv region, where Moscow has made its largest territorial gains in 18 months since launching a surprise offensive last week. As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv was sending yet more reinforcements to the area, the Ukrainian army said it had managed to partially halt Russia's advance. Kyiv also accused Russian troops of executing civilians in territory it had captured over the last week. The fresh Russian offensive has further stretched Ukraine's outgunned and outmanned forces. Moscow has seized 278 square kilometres (107 square miles) of Ukrainian territory between May 9 and 15, according to AFP calculations based on data from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) -- the largest territorial gain in a single operation since mid-December 2022. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday met military leaders in Kharkiv city, some 30 kilometres (18 miles) from the Russian border to assess Ukraine's defensive efforts. «The situation in the Kharkiv region is generally under control, and our soldiers are inflicting significant losses on the occupier,» he said in a post on Telegram. «However, the area remains extremely difficult. We are reinforcing our units. Ukraine's army said earlier it had managed to halt the advancing Russian forces in some places. »Our defence forces have partially stabilised the situation. The advance of the enemy in certain zones and localities has been halted,« army spokesman Nazar Voloshin said on state TV on Thursday. In a daily briefing, Ukraine's General Staff said its forces had »significantly reduced the activity of the Russian occupiers.« »But the enemy is still trying to create the conditions for further advances,« Voloshin warned. - 'Killed by Russians' - Ukraine on Thursday also accused Russia of capturing and killing civilians in the border town of Vovchansk. »According to operational information, the Russian military, trying to gain a foothold in the city, did not allow local residents to evacuate: they began abducting people and driving them to basements,« Interior Minister Igor Klymenko said on Telegram. There were also »reports of the first shootings of civilians by the Russian military,« he said, adding that a war crimes investigation had been opened. »One of the residents of Vovchansk tried to escape on foot, refused to follow the commands of the invaders, and was killed by the Russians.« AFP could not verify the claims. There was no immediate response from Moscow to the allegations. Ukraine has been forced to evacuate around 8,800 people since Russia launched the new assault, Kharkiv Governor Oleg Synegubov said. Some were still arriving at a humanitarian centre in Kharkiv on Thursday. Among them was 85-year-old Nadezhda Borodina, who had her dog Vasik on a leash and her frightened cat Lucas packed in a plastic bag. Ukrainian »soldiers arrived and shouted 'Let's go, let's go!' and we were gone in five minutes,« she said. - 'All fronts' - Most of Russia's recent gains are in the Kharkiv area, though they have also claimed fresh territory in the eastern Donetsk and southern Zaporizhzhia regions. Following months of stalemate on the sprawling front lines, Russia has seized the initiative on the battlefield, pushing on from the capture of industrial hub Avdiivka in February. Russia's defence ministry said Thursday the army had »advanced deep into the enemy's defences« in the Kharkiv region. A day earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin had said his troops were advancing on »all fronts«. Some military analysts say Moscow may be trying to force Ukraine to divert troops from other hot spots, such as around the strategic hilltop town of Chasiv Yar in the Donetsk region. Russia's defence ministry said Wednesday its forces had captured the symbolic village of Robotyne in the Zaporizhzhia region, some 300 kilometres (185 miles) south of Moscow's new offensive. The settlement was one of the few successes for Kyiv of an underwhelming Ukrainian counter-offensive last summer. The intensification of Russian attacks on multiple fronts has underscored the acute ammunition and manpower shortages crippling the Ukrainian military. In China for a two-day state visit on Thursday, Putin said he was »grateful« to Beijing for »the initiatives they are putting forward to resolve" the war. There are no indications Moscow and Kyiv are prepared to engage in direct talks, which Ukraine says would only be used by Russia to buy time to prepare for a new assault. © Agence France-Presse

[allAfrica] The rescue and recovery operation continues since the tragic building collapse incident at 75 Victoria Street in George, Western Cape. According to George Municipality, rescue workers and other individuals involved have been tirelessly working at the site for 235 «gruelling» hours.

It never rains but pour for South African government in the ongoing extradition case involving Prophet Shepherd Bushiri and wife, Mary, as the Chief Resident Magistrate Court has rejected their application to have the defense change the questioning techniques used in the cross examination. On Tuesday, during cross examining South Africa’s only witness, Sibongile Mnzinyathi […] The post South Africa suffers a fresh blow in Bushiri case as court reject protection of witness from being grilled appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

Amalawi ayamba kukolola zipatso za ulendo wa mtsogoleri wa dziko lino, Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, ku dziko la Belgium mchaka cha 2022 pamene makampani a ku dziko la Belgium tsopano ayamba kugwira ntchito zawo mdziko muno. Imodzi mwa makampani omwe Chakwera adakakumana nawo ku Belgium ndi Phillip Morris yomwe Lachinayi yatsimikizira Amalawi za kudzipereka kwake […] The post Amalawi ayamba kukolola zipatso za ulendo wa Chakwera ku Belgium appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

More than 230 events are planned within the framework of the initiative, while cultural events will be held in 51 Chinese cities and 38 cities in Russia

The parties also reaffirmed their commitment to «the goals, principles and structural framework of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change of May 9, 1992 and the Paris Agreement of December 12, 2015»

In turn, Chinese leader Xi Jinping said that Beijing and Moscow intend to deepen political mutual trust, adhering to the non-alignment principle

According to Kremlin Aide Yury Ushakov, the leaders will first have a one-on-one meeting, walk in the park near the palace and drink tea

According to the latest data from the Gaza Health Ministry, more than 35,200 Palestinians were killed and more than 79,100 injured during the Israeli military operation in the enclave

The man who attacked Slovakian PM Robert Fico was a critic of the latter’s decision to stop sending arms to Ukraine, Matuss Sutaj Estok says Read Full Article at RT.com

Political tensions in Slovakia pose the threat of armed conflict, Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok has warned Read Full Article at RT.com

The culprit allegedly doused a mosque in Kano State, Nigeria with gasoline, setting it on fire and trapping worshippers inside Read Full Article at RT.com

Shoppers may find themselves doing a double take in the olive oil section of their local grocery stores these days as industry analysts say prices have reached a record high.

Amandeep Singh, the fourth man charged in connection with the killing of prominent Sikh-Canadian activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, was already caught up in the Canadian justice system at the time of Nijjar's death, CBC News has learned.

Police east of Toronto are set to provide details Thursday of a 16-month investigation that led to charges against Ontario's self-proclaimed 'Crypto King.'

Some retailers are beefing up anti-theft measures, such as locking the wheels on shopping carts, that have raised the ire of shoppers. Loblaw and an industry group says retailers are fighting a rise in organized crime.

MADINAH: French traveler Mohamed Boulabiar spent eight months walking through 13 countries to perform Umrah, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday. In an interview with the SPA shortly after arriving in Madinah on Wednesday, Boulabiar said he trained for two years for the 8,000-km walk. He started in Paris on Aug. 27, 2023, and walked through Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia, Greece, Turkiye and Jordan before eventually reaching Saudi Arabia.

RIYADH: The Kingdom and Iraq have signed an agreement to counter money laundering and terrorism, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday. The pact was signed between the General Directorate of Financial Investigation at the Presidency of State Security and the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Office of the Republic of Iraq. The agreement was inked on the sidelines of the Arab Forum of Anti-Corruption Agencies and Financial Intelligence Units in Riyadh.

Dolow (HOL) - At least two people were killed and five others wounded after a civilian vehicle hit a landmine on the road between Baled Hawo and Dolow districts in the Gedo region on Thursday afternoon.

May 20 is Victoria Day. If you're going across the border this long weekend, follow these tips for a smoother trip.

Opponents accuse South Africa’s leader of trying to buy votes by enacting the National Health Insurance Act ahead of elections on May 29 Read Full Article at RT.com

Dozens of Hindus from Pakistan who are now settled in India are receiving citizenship certificates Read Full Article at RT.com

France has deployed troops to New Caledonia after four people were killed in unrest sparked by a controversial constitutional reform Read Full Article at RT.com

Chinese President Xi Jinping has identified “Cold War mentality” and “one-sided hegemony” as the major threats to global security Read Full Article at RT.com

Robert Fico was gravely injured in what is believed to have been a politically motivated assassination attempt Read Full Article at RT.com

Hitting out at the INDIA alliance for not announcing its PM candidate, home minister Amit Shah on Thursday said «the country needs a strong PM, not one on yearly-basis». The home minister was addressing an election rally in Bihar's Madhubani. The home minister also hit out at the alliance leaders for its recent remarks on Pakistan.

The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Union of India to deport 17 foreigners languishing in a Assam detention centre, noting there is no offence registered against them. A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan noted a report submitted by the State Legal Services Authority which stated that there are 17 declared foreigners detained in the detention centre in Assam. «We are of the view that Union of India must take immediate steps for deporting these 17 foreigners as there is no offence registered against them,» the bench said.

NIA attaches properties of Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist Sartaj Ahmed Mantoo in Kashmir under UA (P) Act, 1967, arrested in 2020 with arms, facing trial for terror activities, linked to JeM led by Maulana Masood Azhar, part of NIA crackdown in Jammu and Kashmir.

Omar Bin Omran vanished during the decade-long Algerian civil war of 1998, leading his family to assume that he was killed in the conflict.

Robbie Williams has sold his Los Angeles mansion for £51.6 million ($65M) - making a handsome £12.3million in just over two years.

Tthe Love Island host, 29, greeted King Charles, 75, and Queen Camilla , 76, and reminisced about her previous work - and awkward faux pas - with the monarch's charity, the Prince's Trust.