*) Ukraine's Zelenskyy accuses Russia of 'genocide' in Donbass

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Moscow of carrying out a "genocide" in the eastern region of Donbass.

In a televised address, Zelenskyy said Moscow's bombardment could leave the entire region "uninhabited".

Pro-Moscow separatist groups have since 2014 controlled parts of Donbass, but Russia now appears set on taking the whole region.

*) Palestine: Israeli troops deliberately killed Al Jazeera reporter

Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was killed by a bullet fired directly at her by an Israeli sniper, Palestinian attorney general Akram Al-Khatib has said.

Al-Khatib shared the details based on the Public Prosecution’s report in Ramallah city. He said an Israeli sniper fired the bullet at Abu Akleh’s head while she was trying to escape.

Fifty-one-year-old Abu Akleh was shot and killed on May 11 while she was covering an Israeli military raid near the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank.

*) Blinken says US doesn't seek 'conflict or new Cold War' with China

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called for vigorous competition with China to preserve the existing global order, but said his country doesn't seek a "new Cold War".

Blinken also said that Beijing posed "the most serious long-term challenge to the international order" despite months of US focus on Russia's assault on Ukraine.

The long-awaited speech on Thursday is being seen as the most comprehensive statement to date on China by President Joe Biden's administration.

*) Türkiye: Military ops on southern border necessary for national security

The Turkish National Security Council has said operations across Türkiye's southern borders do not target neighbours' territorial integrity, but are necessary for its national security.

In a statement after a meeting on Thursday, the council also urged countries violating international law by supporting terrorism to "put an end to this attitude".

On Monday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his country would take steps to complete the remainder of a 30-kilometre safe zone along its southern border.

And, finally...

*) 'Goodfellas' actor Ray Liotta dead at 67

Actor Ray Liotta, who starred in Martin Scorsese's gangster classic "Goodfellas," has died in the Dominican Republic at the age of 67.

Liotta, whose portrayal of mobster Henry Hill in Scorsese's crime masterpiece won universal admiration, was shooting a new film in the country when he died.

Police said emergency services were called early on Thursday morning to a hotel in Santo Domingo where they found Liotta already dead.

*) Zelenskyy rebukes West, seeks more weapons

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused the West of not doing enough to help Kiev.

In an address to the nation, Zelenskyy sought more weapons to fight off Russia's forces, calling for help without exceptions or limits.

The Ukrainian president also blasted those in the West suggesting that Ukraine might have to sacrifice some territory to end the conflict.

*) Pakistan ex-PM Khan demands new elections be set in 6 days

Former Prime Minister Imran Khan has warned Pakistan's government to set new elections in the next six days or he will again march on the capital.

Khan spoke at a rally of thousands of demonstrators in Islamabad aiming to bring down the government and force early elections.

The government earlier summoned troops to guard important buildings, including the parliament and offices of the president and Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

*) UK's Johnson blasted for 'Partygate' culture

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson presided over a cult
ure of lockdown-breaking parties that featured drunken fighting among staff, according to a long-awaited inquiry.

Johnson is among dozens of people in Downing Street who have received police fines for breaching Covid regulations since 2020.
"I take full responsibility for everything that took place on my watch," he told MPs in response to the report.

Johnson said he was absent from most of the events and once again rejected calls to resign.

*) Texas gunman warned he was going to shoot up school

The gunman who massacred 19 children and two teachers at an elementary school in Texas warned about the attack in online messages.

Eighteen-year-old Salvador Ramos first wrote that he was going to shoot his grandmother and then posted that he had shot her.
In the last note, he said he was going to shoot up an e
lementary school but did not specify which school, authorities said.

The bloodshed at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde has renewed calls for tighter restrictions on firearms in the US.
And, finally...

*) Salah staying at Liverpool next season 'for sure'

Mohamed Salah has confirmed he will see out his contract at Liverpool next season, but remains non-committal on his future at Anfield beyond 2023.

The Egyptian forward’s contract expires at the end of next season and talks over a new deal have dragged on for months.

Ahead of Saturday's Champions League final against Real Madrid, Salah said his full focus is on winning the biggest prize in European football.

Salah said: "I don't want to talk about the contract. I'm staying next season for sure, let's see after that."

*) Biden says 'we have to act' after Texas school shooting

US President Joe Biden has delivered an urgent call for new restrictions on firearms after a gunman shot and killed at least 19 children at a Texas elementary school.

Biden spoke Tuesday night from the White House barely an hour after returning from a five-day trip to Asia that was bracketed by mass shootings in the US.

He pleaded for action to address gun violence after years of failure - and bitterly blamed firearm manufacturers and their supporters for blocking legislation in Washington.

*) Zelenskyy: Situation in Donbass is very difficult

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Russia is using everything at its disposal in the fight for four cities in the eastern Donbass region.

"The situation in the Donbass now is very difficult," Zelenskyy said in his address to the nation. "Practically the full might of the Russian army, whatever they have left, is being thrown at the offensive there,” he said.

Zelenskyy said the Ukrainian army is fighting back, but "it will take time and a lot more effort by our people to overcome their advantage in the amount of equipment and weapons."

*) Russian parliament okays foreign companies bill

The Russian parliament has given preliminary approval to a bill that would allow the government to appoint new management of foreign companies that pulled out of Russia after its assault on Ukraine.

The new law would transfer control over companies that left Russia not for economic reasons but because of "anti-Russian sentiment in Europe and the US.

State news agency T-A-S-S said foreign owners would still be able to resume operations in Russia or sell their shares.

*) World Bank says no new financing for Sri Lanka without policy framework

The World Bank has said it is not planning to provide any new financing to cash-strapped Sri Lanka until an adequate economic policy framework has been put in place.

In a statement, the multilateral development bank said it was repurposing resources from previously approved projects to help the Sri Lankan government pay for essential medicines, temporary cash transfers for vulnerable households and other support.

It said recent media reports had inaccurately stated that the World Bank planned to provide Sri Lanka with a new bridge loan or other loan commitments.

*) Premier League approves Chelsea takeover by Boehly group

The Premier League board has announced it had approved Todd Boehly's proposed takeover of Chelsea from Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich who was sanctioned by the British government.

A Premier League statement said on Tuesday: "The Premier League Board has today approved the proposed takeover of Chelsea Football Club by the Todd Boehly/Clearlake Consortium."

*) Russia presses Donbass offensive as fighting enters fourth month

Russian forces have stepped up their offensive on the last pocket of resistance around Luhansk in Ukraine's eastern Donbass region, as the conflict enters its fourth month.

In his nightly address on Monday, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that the coming weeks will be challenging.

He added "the most difficult fighting situation today is in Donbass", which is currently the focus of Russia’s offensive.

The governor of Luhansk has said Russia has sent thousands of troops to capture his entire region.

*) Ukraine jails Russian soldier for life at 'war crimes' trial

A court in Kiev has sentenced a 21-year-old Russian soldier to life in prison for killing a Ukrainian civilian.

The court found Vadim Shishimarin, a Russian sergeant, guilty of killing 62-year-old Oleksandr Shelipov in north-east Ukraine in the first days of Moscow's offensive.

It was the first guilty conviction for what Ukrainian authorities describe as “war crimes” by Moscow's forces. Shishimarin's lawyer said he will appeal the verdict.

*) Kishida: Quad plans $50B infrastructure investment in Asia-Pacific

The United States, Japan, India and Australia plan to invest at least $50 billion into infrastructure projects in the Asia-Pacific, Japanese Prime Minister Kishida has said.

Leaders of the four countries have met in Tokyo for a summit of the Quad grouping. It looks to counter China's growing military and economic influence in the region.

After the summit, Kishida said that Russia's offensive against Ukraine is shaking the fundamental principles of the international order.

Unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force will never be tolerated anywhere, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region, Kishida added.

*) Sri Lanka increases fuel prices to address economic crisis

Cash-strapped Sri Lanka has sharply hiked fuel prices to a record high, causing further pain to the country's 22 million people in its worst crisis since independence.

Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said a newly appointed "economic war cabinet" has approved the new rates to stem huge losses at the state-run Ceylon Petroleum Corp.

Diesel prices have increased 230 percent and petrol has gone up 137 percent in the past six months. Economists say fuel and transport price increases will inevitably flow through to food and other goods.

*) Osaka says she may skip Wimbledon over ranking points row

Former world number one Naomi Osaka has said she may skip Wimbledon over the decision to strip the Grand Slam tournament of ranking points.

The four-time major winner said that she was "leaning more towards not playing given the current circumstances".

The ATP and WTA tours have removed ranking points from Wimbledon after the All England Club banned Russian and Belarusian players in response to the Ukraine crisis.

Osaka crashed out of the French Open in a first-round loss on Monday. This came a year after her withdrawal from the clay court Grand Slam amid mental health issues.

*) Biden launches Asia trade initiative, reinforces Japan ties

President Joe Biden has said that the US would intervene militarily if China were to invade Taiwan, warning China against what he called "flirting with danger".

In Tokyo, Biden also announced the launch of a new Asia-Pacific trading network with 13 countries, including India and Japan.

Ahead of the unveiling of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, Biden met Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

He praised Japan as a "key global leader" for joining US-led pressure on Russia over its Ukraine offensive.

*) UN: More than 100 million people forcibly displaced

Russia's assault on Ukraine and other deadly conflicts have pushed the number of forcibly displaced people around the world above 100 million for the first time ever.

UN refugee agency UNHCR said the "alarming" figure must shake the world into ending the conflicts.

Since Russia attacked Ukraine on February 24, over eight million people have been displaced within the country, while more than six million have fled across the borders.

*) First 'war crimes' verdict looms in Russia-Ukraine conflict

A panel of judges in Kiev will determine the fate of Russian Sergeant Vadim Shishimarin, who has admitted to killing a 62-year-old civilian.

The verdict expected on Monday will be the first in a case involving what Ukrainian authorities describe as Russia's war crimes.

Shishimarin's lawyer has argued for an acquittal, saying his 21-year-old client was carrying out what he perceived to be a direct order that he initially disobeyed.

Prosecutors, who have asked for a life sentence, said he was "well aware" he was executing a "criminal order".

*) Anthony Albanese sworn in as Australia's prime minister

Australia's new centre-left Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has taken office a few hours before flying out to attend an international summit in Tokyo.

The 59-year-old prime minister was sworn in at a brief ceremony in Government House, Canberra.

Albanese, who says Australia is willing to engage with the world on climate change, will join a summit on Tuesday with the US, Japanese and Indian leaders, known as the Quad.

And, finally...

*) Man City win Premier League title after epic fightback on final day

Manchester City have won the Premier League for the fourth time in five seasons after a close title race reached a dramatic conclusion.

Pep Guardiola's side were on the brink of blowing the title after falling 2-0 behind against Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

But the champions staged an incredible comeback to beat their opponents 3-2. City finished with 93 points, just one ahead of Liverpool.

And that’s your daily news brief from TRT World.

For more, head to trtworld.com

*) Zelenskyy: Donbass completely destroyed

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russian forces have completely destroyed the eastern Donbass region.

He also accused Moscow of carrying out senseless bombardments as it intensified its military offensive.

Zelenskyy claimed Russia was trying to exert even more pressure in the Donbass, saying “it is hell there - and that is not an exaggeration."

*) US Congress approves $40B for Ukraine

US Congress has approved a 40-billion dollar aid package for Ukraine, the latest share of assistance under President Joe Biden's promise of unwavering support for Kiev.

The bundle includes 6 billion dollars earmarked for Ukraine to boost its armoured vehicle inventory and air defence system.

Nearly 9 billion dollars is set aside to help with Ukrainian "continuity of government," among other items, including humanitarian aid.

The vote was an unusually bipartisan move for harshly divided Washington.

*) NATO addressing Türkiye’s concerns over Finland, Sweden bids

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg says the alliance is in close contact with Finland, Sweden, and Türkiye as they work to address Ankara’s security concerns.

Stoltenberg said when an important ally as Türkiye raises security concerns, the only way to address the issue is to find a common ground on how to move forward.

Türkiye has voiced objections to Finland and Sweden joining NATO, criticising the Nordic countries for supporting the terror group PKK and its Syrian offshoot YPG.

*) Biden, South Korea’s Yoon to meet amid worries about North Korea

US President Joe Biden has landed in South Korea to meet the country’s new President Yoon Suk-yeol.

North Korea is expected to be at the top of the agenda, with leader Kim Jong-un abandoning a freeze on intercontinental ballistic missile testing.

Pyongyang appears poised to resume testing of nuclear bombs, perhaps while Biden is in the region

And, finally...

*) Oscar-winning composer Vangelis passes away

Vangelis, the Greek electronic composer who wrote the unforgettable Academy Award-winning score for the film “Chariots of Fire”, has died at the age of 79.

According to several Greek media outlets, Vangelis died of the coronavirus in a French hospital, where he lived part-time.

The maestro influenced the development of different musical genres, and is considered a pioneer of electronic sound.

*) Russia uses laser weapons, alleges Ukraine

Russia has begun using the prototype of a new laser weapon in Ukraine that is capable of hitting a target 5 kilometres away.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov said the prototype of a new laser weapon was tested against a drone, incinerating it within five seconds.

Ukraine claimed that the Russians started to use the laser weapons systems due to a lack of missiles.

*) Ukraine ‘shells’ village in west Russia, killing one civilian

Russia says Ukrainian forces have shelled a border village in Russia's western region at dawn, killing at least one civilian and injuring others.

Shells hit an alcohol factory in a village and several other buildings, the regional governor wrote on the messaging app Telegram.

The governor said at least one civilian was killed, others were wounded and receiving medical attention.

*) Türkiye demands Sweden, Finland shun support for terror groups

Türkiye demands Sweden and Finland shun support for terror groups after the two Nordic countries submitted applications to join NATO.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Türkiye has legitimate security concerns that these governments have been supporting terrorist organisations.

He added that Ankara understands their security concerns, but Türkiye's security concerns should also be met.

Türkiye has criticised Finland and Sweden for supporting terror groups such as PKK and its Syrian offshoot YPG.

*) North Korea's suspected Covid-19 cases near two million

South Korea says North Korea's first confirmed Covid-19 outbreak has spreaded after April’s massive military parade in capital Pyongyang.

The report came as the country’s pandemic caseload neared 2 million.

North Korea acknowledged its first Covid-19 infections early in May.

The country’s leader Kim Jong-un has called the outbreak a “great upheaval,” berated officials for letting the virus spread and restricted the movement of people.

*) Eintracht Frankfurt beat Rangers in shootout to win Europa League final

Eintracht Frankfurt has won the Europa League final after holding their nerve to beat Rangers 5-4 in a clinical penalty shootout.

The German football team claimed their first European trophy in 42 years.

Frankfurt coach Oliver Glasner said they will celebrate the victory for the next few days.

The win also secures Frankfurt’s first appearance in the Champions League next season.