KIEV -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Saturday in Munich, Germany that Ukraine is ready for an agreement that will bring real peace, the Ukrinform news agency reported.
"Ukraine is ready for an agreement that will bring real peace to us, to Ukraine, to Europe," he said during a speech at the Munich Security Conference, adding that the crisis can be ended, first of all, with dignity. "This is the most important thing for us," Zelensky said.
According to him, Europe is practically not present at the negotiating table, which is a "big mistake." Ukrainians are trying to fully engage Europe in the negotiating process so that "the interests of Europe and the voice of Europe are taken into account." (Ukraine-Russia-Crisis)
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KHARTOUM -- At least 12 people went missing on Saturday after a boat carrying 16 passengers capsized in the Wad Al-Zaki area in central Sudan's White Nile State, according to volunteers and eyewitnesses.
"A ferry carrying 16 people, including women, sank in Wad Al-Zaki. Four passengers were rescued, while search operations are still underway," the Sudan Doctors Network, a volunteer group, said in a statement.
An eyewitness told Xinhua that the boat sank while crossing between the village of Wad Al-Jatra on the western bank of the White Nile and Wad Al-Zaki on the eastern bank to attend a wedding, with 12 people reported missing. (Sudan-Boat-Accident)
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ADDIS ABABA -- United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Saturday that Africa is navigating some of the world's "hardest challenges" with determination, creativity and resilience.
Addressing the media on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, the UN chief acknowledged sustained efforts by African countries to address development challenges.
Highlighting the "enduring power and promise of Africa," he stressed the "stronger than ever" UN-AU partnership, with particular emphasis on three priorities, namely peace and security, financial justice, and climate action. (UN-Africa-Partnership)
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YAOUNDE -- Militants from Boko Haram, a terror group, raided four communities in Cameroon's Far North Region late Friday, killing two people and abducting 19 others, security sources said Saturday.
The attackers struck villages in the Blangoua district while residents were asleep, opening fire indiscriminately, a regional security official told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
"The terrorists attacked villagers using guns, machetes, knives and clubs. Those who tried to flee were caught and killed on the spot," the official said. (Cameroon-Boko Haram)
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DHAKA -- A bomb explosion and a clash claimed three lives in Bangladesh on Friday and Saturday following the country's national parliament election on Thursday, said the police.
At least two people were killed and three others injured in an explosion that occurred early Saturday morning in Bangladesh's Chapainawabganj district, some 302 km northwest of the capital Dhaka.
Md Nure Alam, a local police official, told journalists that the blast happened around 5 a.m. local time while crude bombs, locally known as "cocktails," were being made at a village house. (Banglades-Violence) ■
