Contemporary history

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will visit eastern Ukraine on Thursday to assess the situation in the region following a rise in tension with Russia over a long-running conflict.

Romania is still in a "very difficult" moment of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the continuous efforts of the medical staff must be recognized, appreciated and supported by everyone, Minister Vlad Voiculescu said on Wednesday, in a message on World Health Day. "Today is the World Health Day. And today, as every day, we are grateful to those who care for our health.

Maribor – Some 150 protesters gathered in the Maribor city centre on Saturday to protest against anti-coronavirus measures. The rally was organised through social networks. The protesters did not wear face masks and did not keep a safety distance.

Security forces in central Myanmar opened fire on anti-coup protesters on April 3, killing at least two people according to local media. A human rights group said mounting violence since the Feb. 1 military takeover has killed at least 550 civilians.

Turkey on April 3 strongly condemned deadly terror attacks in Somalia.

"We are saddened to receive the news that many soldiers and civilians lost their lives in Somalia today [April 3] in the terrorist attacks targeting the Somali National Army troops and innocent civilians," the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Turkey will continue anti-terror operations with getting them "intensified," the nation's defense minister said on April 3.

"Until when? Until the last terrorist is neutralized. Thus, we will save our noble nation from the terror scourge that has been going on for many years and we will ensure security," Hulusi Akar said.

Italy has entered a strict three-day lockdown to try to prevent a surge in Covid-19 cases over Easter.

All regions are now in the "red zone" - the highest tier of restrictions - as the country battles a third wave, with about 20,000 new cases a day.

Non-essential movement is banned, but people are allowed to share an Easter meal at home with two other adults.

Prime Minister Florin Citu said on Wednesday that he is not considering a relaxation of the current restrictions imposed in the context of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, as he waits for the results of the measures, adding that "Romania still keeps the most relaxed measures in the European Union". "At the moment we want to see the results of these measures that we have taken.

Several thousand Romanians took to the streets of Bucharest and other cities for the third night in a row to protest against government COVID-19-related restrictions they consider abusive, arbitrary and harmful for the economy and freedom.

Dozens of people were killed in an attack on the northern Mozambique town of Palma this week, a spokesman for the country's defense and security forces said, including seven people when a convoy of cars was ambushed in an escape attempt.