Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy  welcomed the passage of $60 billion in aid for Ukraine by the US House of Representatives but urged Washington to quickly turn the bill into law and proceed with the actual transfer of weapons. For many soldiers on the front line, the aid cannot arrive soon enough, with Ukrainian forces facing a critical shortage of munitions.

Kharkiv

Russian forces have invaded Ukraine from land, air and sea with strikes causing widespread damage. Global leaders have condemned the move and imposed sanctions.

Ukraine Invasion

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has expressed his gratitude towards the US House of Representatives for passing a $60 billion aid package for Ukraine. He emphasized the importance of swiftly converting the bill into law to facilitate the rapid transfer of essential military support. The urgency of this assistance is underlined by the dire need for munitions among Ukrainian forces, particularly those stationed on the front lines.

Soldiers positioned in the Kharkiv region have relayed their critical need for ammunition and air defenses, amidst facing a significant shortfall in resources. The recent vote by the US House of Representatives, which paves the way for US military aid to Ukraine, has been met with optimism by these forces. Expressing a desperate need for artillery shells, one soldier highlighted the catastrophic shortage they are currently experiencing. The provision of ammunition is seen as crucial for their continued resistance against the enemy.

The proposed US aid package aims to allocate nearly $14 billion towards training, equipping, and financing the Ukrainian military, which has encountered a series of setbacks in recent times. These challenges have been exacerbated by hostile actions targeting Ukrainian defenses, notably in the Kharkiv region. Such aggressions have inflicted considerable damage on the area's energy infrastructure, resulting in widespread power outages that affect nearly 200,000 residents in Kharkiv—Ukraine's second-largest city—and have left half of the region's population without electricity. Analysts have suggested that the intensity of these assaults could indicate the possibility of a larger offensive.



U.S. military aid eagerly awaited on Ukraine’s front lines

Ukrainian forces are facing a critical shortage of munitions on the ground, as well as a lack of air defences. Soldiers in the Kharkiv region expressed relief at Saturday's vote in the US House of Representatives that clears the way for deliveries of US military aid. This is good news, there'll be weapons, there'll be ammunition, there'll be shells. We have a catastrophic shortage of shells right now. If we get help, everything will be fine. It's not only artillery that needs ammunition, we all need ammunition to use against the enemy. So in my opinion, we 100% need the help. It's hard, but we're holding on." The US aid package would provide Ukraine with nearly $14 billion to train, equip and finance the needs of the Ukrainian army, which has been suffering a string of defeats. Ukrainian forces have been exploiting shortages in Ukrainian defences with a targeted offensive on the Kharkiv region. That has led to severe damage to energy infrastructure, including to the city of Kharkiv itself, the country's second largest, where nearly 200,000 people are without power. Fifty percent of the region's population have power outages. Analysts argue a larger offensive cannot be ruled out given the intensity of recent assaults.

Russia has launched more than 70 missiles and drones in one of its largest barrages against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
The attacks were directed at facilities in Kyiv and six other cities. Moscow continues to target Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in the hope of denting industry and public appetite for fighting back against its invasion.

Kyiv

Russia targets Ukraine energy infrastructure in barrage of attacks

President Joe Biden decided to hold back delivery of high payload munitions to Israel because Washington believes a possible Israeli offensive in the Gaza city of Rafah could put civilians at risk, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said.

Washington

Israel-Gaza War

U.S. paused Israel weapons shipment over Rafah

Five asylum seekers have been detained after arriving on Saibai Island, just off the northern tip of Australia in the Torres Strait, originating from West Africa. Traveling approximately 14,000km using forged documents, their journey included stops in Indonesia and PNG.

Cape York

Asylum seekers arrive on boat from PNG

April was the eleventh consecutive month to break its own heat record, the European Union climate monitor Copernicus said, while ocean temperatures have been off the charts for even longer.

Brussels

Climate Crisis

Hottest April on record extends global temperature streak

The death toll continues to rise in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande Do Sul, in the wake of torrential rains and floods. At least 138 people have died and thousands lack water and electricity as floodwaters inundate entire towns.

State of Rio Grande do Sul

‘Desperate’ rescues under way as Brazil floods kill hundreds

The grief-stricken parents of murdered Perth brothers Jake and Callum Robinson have spoken for the first time since the pair were killed in Mexico. In an emotional statement on a San Diego beach, Debra and Martin Robinson confirmed they had identified their sons bodies, and are now planning to bring them home.

San Diego

Parents of Australian brothers open up on heartbreak

A 39-year-old woman has been stabbed in the carpark of the Crunch Fitness gym in Alexandria, Sydney's inner-south. Witnesses say the woman ran into the gym bleeding from her face. Police say it is a suspected domestic violence incident.

Alexandria

Manhunt underway after woman stabbed in Sydney gym carpark

As Israeli tanks roll through the southern Gaza city of Rafah after rejecting Hamas's ceasefire offer, the country's leaders are facing increasing pressure from both inside and out to reach a deal to stop the fighting.

Rafah

Israel rejects Hamas truce offer, takes control of Rafah crossing

Adult film star Stormy Daniels took the stand in Donald Trump’s hush money trial, outlining the salacious details of her alleged sexual encounter with the former U.S. president and the payments she says she received for her silence.

New York

Stormy Daniels delivers explosive testimony in Trump hush money trial

Millions of people have cast their ballots in India’s third of a seven-phase general election. It took place in eleven states and union territories. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking a third term, cast his vote in Ahmedabad.

Gujarat

Millions vote in third phase of India's national elections

Ukraine says it thwarted a Russian plot to assassinate senior Ukrainian political and military figures, including President Volodymyr Zelensky. Two Ukrainian security officials were arrested for their links to Russia's Federal Security Service, which had aimed to carry out high-profile killings ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin's inauguration.

Ukraine says it foiled Russian attempt to assassinate Zelenskyy

A spokesperson for the Chinese Communist Party has deflected blame for an altercation between a Chinese military jet and an Australian Seahawk Helicopter in waters off South Korea, claiming the helicopter was flying 'too close' to Chinese territorial waters.

Beijing

China blames Australia for mid-air military incident

President Vladimir Putin was sworn in for a new six-year term on Tuesday (May 7) at a Kremlin ceremony, boycotted by the U.S. and other Western countries, at which he said he was potentially open to nuclear talks with the West.

Moscow

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The Israeli military said it had taken operational control of the Palestinian side of Gaza's southern Rafah Crossing, which borders Egypt, and that special forces were scanning the area.

Israel claims control of Rafah crossing

President Vladimir Putin has ordered the Russian military to hold nuclear weapons drills involving the navy and troops based near Ukraine, the defence ministry said Monday.

Putin orders nuclear drills near Ukraine

Australian and Chinese relations are strained following an incident involving military forces from both countries. During a routine operation in the Yellow Sea, within international waters, an Australian helicopter faced an aggressive manoeuver by a Chinese military jet.

Council of the City of Sydney

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Baja California

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Seoul

Chinese fighter jet detonates flares near Australian helicopter

Israel's military has carried out airstrikes in Rafah, residents said, hours after Israel told Palestinians to evacuate parts of the southern Gaza city where more than a million people uprooted by the war have been sheltering.

Jerusalem

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Chinese President Xi Jinping awoke in Paris on Monday on his first visit to the region in five years, with trade and Russia's war with Ukraine on the agenda in talks with France's Emmanuel Macron and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen.

Paris

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Israel has ordered civilians in Rafah to move towards Khan Younis, in the clearest sign yet that a military operation is imminent. A ceasefire in Gaza looks as distant as ever with Hamas refusing to lay down arms unless there is a complete cessation of the war. Meanwhile, Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would go it alone if necessary, even in the face of criticism from its Western allies.

Israeli army orders Palestinians to evacuate parts of Rafah

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Penrith

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The death toll from heavy rains that have caused flooding in Brazil's southern state of Rio Grande do Sul has risen to at least 78, local authorities said, with more than 115,000 people displaced.

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China's President Xi Jinping has arrived in France for a rare visit with President Emmanuel Macron. They are set to discuss trade, amid growing tension between Europe and China over an imbalance between China's exports and European imports.

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While several pro-Palestinian campus protests in the U.S. were dismantled over the weekend, others became more disruptive and interrupted at least one graduation ceremony.

Chicago

Protests disrupt graduation ceremonies at U.S. universities

Prospects for a Gaza ceasefire appeared slim as Hamas reiterated its demand for an end to the war in exchange for the freeing of hostages, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu flatly ruled that out.

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Ukraine Invasion