Reuters: Russian soldiers have dug trenches and laid mines around the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant

In recent weeks, Russian forces have strengthened their defensive positions inside and around the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant, as a Ukrainian counteroffensive is expected in the region, reports Reuters, according to News.ro.

Villagers evacuated as wildfire ravages woodlands in western Spain

Emergency crews evacuated around 600 villagers in western Spain overnight as a wildfire blamed on arsonists ravaged up to 8,000 hectares (19,800 acres) near the border with Portugal, officials said, Reuters reports.

Ambassador of Ukraine in Chisinau: "Only a few officials in Ukraine know about the launch of a counter-offensive by the Ukrainian army to recover the territories occupied by the Russians"

Only a few officials in Ukraine know about the launch of a counter-offensive by the Ukrainian army to recover the territories occupied by the Russians, said the ambassador of Ukraine in Chisinau, Marco Shevchenko, during a show on Jurnal TV.

Zelenskyy makes surprise appearance at Arab League summit

The surprise appearance of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Arab League summit in Jeddah on Friday has taken attention from the return of Syria's President Bashar Al Assad to the group after a 12-year exile, AFP reports.

Ukraine could join ranks of ‘frozen’ conflicts, U.S. officials say

U.S. officials are planning for the growing possibility that the Russia-Ukraine war will turn into a frozen conflict that lasts many years — perhaps decades — and joins the ranks of similar lengthy face-offs in the Korean peninsula, South Asia and beyond, writes Politico.

Parliamentary elections in Greece: Young people no longer trust the political system

Greeks will go to the polls on May 21 to elect their Parliament. For the first time, Greek citizens living abroad will also be able to vote, on May 20, without having to return home, reports Euronews. Experts believe it is unlikely that one party will win a majority in the first round.

The G7 leaders are holding their annual meeting in Hiroshima, Japan

The G7 summit hosted by this year's Japanese G7 presidency takes place in Hiroshima City, Japan, reads a press release of the Council of the European Union.

New Caledonia lifts tsunami warning triggered by Pacific Ocean earthquake

New Caledonia has lifted a tsunami warning triggered after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Friday in the Pacific Ocean southwest of the island, AFP reports.

UK to ban Russian diamonds at G7

The G7 countries are poised to use the summit to announce tightened sanctions on Russia and debate strategy on a more than year-long conflict that shows no sign of easing, Reuters reports.

New night air alerts in Kiev and other cities

The anti-aircraft defense had to work again at dawn on Friday in Kiev and other cities in Ukraine, targets in the last days of intense bombardment by the Russian forces, informs Hotnews.ro.

Register of damage caused by Russian invasion of Ukraine signed at Iceland summit

The US, Japan, Canada and almost all European countries in the Council of Europe signed a register of damage caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine on Wednesday (17 May), paving the way for claims for reparations and criminal prosecutions against Moscow, the Council of Europe announced at a meeting of heads of state in Iceland.

Erdogan: Agreement on Ukrainian grain exports on the Black Sea has been extended

The agreement on the export of Ukrainian grain on the Black Sea has been extended by two months, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced Wednesday, AFP reports, cited by Agerpres.