Russia

In a tense clash at the Toronto World Chess Championship Candidates Tournament, Nurgul Salimova faced off against China's Lei Tingjie in the ninth round, drawing with the black pieces. This hard-fought match added 4 points to Salimova's tally, solidifying her position in the tournament. Meanwhile, her rival, who recently vied for the world title, stands at 5.5 points.

Tragedy strikes as more than 30 lives are lost in Afghanistan due to devastating floods triggered by seasonal rains. The toll climbs further as reports indicate at least 27 individuals left injured in the wake of the relentless downpours within a span of just three days.

The EU's financing body has said it would open up lending to more technologies that can be used by militaries as Europe pushes to rearm in the face of Russia's war on Ukraine.

The European Union has been clambering to produce more weapons in a bid to continue the flow of arms and ammunition to Kiev and keep Europe's own stocks in good health.

Senior Turkish and American officials will meet in the Turkish capital to discuss joint efforts to improve bilateral ties and discuss regional issues, including the situation in Gaza and Russia's occupation of Ukraine.

Under Secretary of State Department John Bass will be in Ankara on April 15 and 16, the State Department has announced.

The Kremlin has proposed resurrecting the abandoned 2022 peace deal between Russia and Ukraine as a basis for new negotiations. However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov indicated that there has been no indication from Kyiv signaling readiness for such talks.

Sir Richard Barrons, former leader of the British army's joint command, has issued a stark warning, suggesting that Ukraine may be on the brink of defeat by the Russian army this year. Concerns over the potential for Ukrainian losses stem from critical shortages in ammunition, troops, and air defenses, compounded by Russia's preparation for a summer offensive.

China's top legislator and a senior North Korean official emphasised opening a "new chapter" of Beijing-Pyongyang relations, the North's state media said Saturday, as they met for one of the most high-level talks between the allies in years.

China has surged sales to Russia of machine tools, microelectronics and other technology that Moscow in turn is using to produce missiles, tanks, aircraft and other weaponry for use in its war against Ukraine, according to a U.S. assessment.

Calling themselves "stan countries," Central Asian countries are looking to boost their tourism industries. Kazakhstan, which welcomes tourists from Russia, China and India, is eyeing for Western travelers as well.

If you're looking for something different, uncustomary and lesser known countries in your travel plan for a holiday, have a go at Kazakhstan in Central Asia.

French President Emmanuel Macron has initiated confidential talks with US President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, advocating for a change in the West's approach to Russia's ongoing conflict in Ukraine.