Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour

French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday is to host Chinese leader Xi Jinping at one of his beloved childhood haunts in the Pyrenees mountains, seeking to press a message to Beijing not to support Russia's war against Ukraine and to accept fairer trade.

Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi cast his ballot Tuesday in India's ongoing general election after giving several inflammatory campaign speeches accused of targeting minority Muslims.

Georgia's parliament voted on Wednesday to approve the second reading of a bill on "foreign agents" that has been criticised as Kremlin-inspired, as thousands of protesters opposed to the draft demonstrated on the street outside.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is due to make a state visit to France on May 6 and 7, Paris announced on Monday, with wars in Ukraine and the Middle East expected to be high on the agenda.

The visit to France, which will be followed by trips to Serbia and Hungary, marks the Chinese leader's first European tour since the coronavirus pandemic.

As the conflict in Ukraine continues to unfold, President Volodymyr Zelensky has once again appealed to international partners for military support, emphasizing the critical need for weapons to counter Russian advances.

Spain's defence minister said on Friday Madrid would deliver Patriot anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine, following pressure from NATO and European Union allies to send more military aid to Kyiv.

Russia was able to take the initiative on the battlefield while Ukraine waited for the United States to approve new military assistance, Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday.

Recent developments in the Ukraine-Russia conflict have heightened concerns about the potential for further escalation and the devastating impact on both nations and the broader international community. The conflict, marked by ongoing military operations and diplomatic maneuvering, has garnered significant attention from global leaders, analysts, and the public alike.

French President Emmanuel Macron issued a stark warning to Europe, urging the continent to confront the challenges of a rapidly changing world. In a keynote speech delivered at the Sorbonne, Macron emphasized the existential threat facing Europe, cautioning that "our Europe today is mortal and may die," as reported by AFP.

The US Senate has overwhelmingly approved a substantial aid package totaling 95 billion USD, aimed at supporting key American allies, including Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. The largest portion of the package, 61 billion USD, is earmarked for Ukraine, while Israel will receive 26 billion USD, with 9 billion USD designated for humanitarian aid in Gaza.