Heavy rains caused flooding in parts of Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands overnight into Saturday, swamping streets and buildings and sparking evacuations. Meanwhile the Moselle area in France's northeast was placed on flood alert as water levels rose in rivers following heavy rains. sr/ach

A divisive mobilization law in Ukraine became effective on Saturday. Kyiv is facing challenges in increasing troop numbers following Russia's initiation of a new offensive. There are concerns that the offensive could encroach upon Ukraine's second-largest city. The legislation has been revised from its initial draft to simplify the process of identifying all conscripts in the country.

The man who assaulted a police station in Malaysia and murdered two officers was a loner and is thought to have acted independently despite potential connections to the Jemaah Islamiyah extremist organization, according to the home minister of the country on Saturday. The man entered the police station in the southern Johor state close to Singapore during the early hours of Friday carrying a machete.

The US Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration, under President Joe Biden, conducted a subcritical nuclear test in Nevada. The Nimble series experiment at the Principal Underground Laboratory for Subcritical Experimentation (PULSE) facility ensured the safety and effectiveness of nuclear warheads without underground nuclear explosive testing, in compliance with the zero-yield standard of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.

One more person was killed Saturday and two injured in France's Pacific territory of New Caledonia as security personnel tried to restore order after a fifth night of riots and looting that has now claimed six lives. The incident occurred in the archipelago's northern Kaala-Gomen area, General Nicolas Mattheos said.

At least 50 people are dead following a fresh bout of heavy rain and flooding in central Afghanistan. Mawlawi Abdul Hai Zaem, the head of the information department for the central Ghor province, told that there was no information about how many people were injured in the rain spell that began on Friday.

Nearly 10,000 people have been forced to leave their homes in Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region since a ground attack launched by Russian forces on May 10, the regional governor said. They were fleeing Russian soldiers who managed to advance between five to 10 kilometres (three to six miles) along the northeastern border before being stopped by Ukrainian forces.

China has been a critical diplomatic and economic support for Russia. Moscow has been importing electronics, industrial equipment, and cars from China, while exporting oil and gas, even at discounted rates compared to European sales. In 2023, bilateral trade between the two countries hit a record $240 billion. More importantly, Russia values having a powerful ally that shares its goal of challenging the US-led international order and limiting Washington's influence in their respective spheres.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. aims to qualify for debates against Biden and Trump, facing challenges in securing ballot spots, meeting polling criteria, navigating the debate schedule, and receiving financial support from his vice presidential nominee Nicole Shanahan for ballot access.

Donald Trump falsely claimed victory in the 2020 presidential election in Minnesota, challenging Joe Biden's win. He faces an uphill battle in the state, hinting at a new missile defense system and a potential vice-presidential running mate. Trump made profane remarks about Biden and discussed potential campaign strategies regarding future endeavors.

The European Union banned Voice of Europe, RIA Novosti, Izvestia, and Rossiyskaya Gazeta for spreading propaganda about the invasion of Ukraine and disinformation ahead of parliamentary elections in the 27-nation bloc.

A vessel in the Red Sea sustains damage near Yemen's Hodeidah due to Houthi militants' attacks, raising regional security concerns.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stresses the critical need to strengthen air defences in Kyiv against Russia's advancing offensive in the northeast, seeking international support for enhancing Ukraine's defense capabilities. He doubled down on pleas to allies to send more air defence and fighter jets to combat Russia's air superiority as the war grinds through its third year.

A prison-like watchtower casts a pall over an otherwise idyllic tropical beach in the Dominican Republic's extreme southwest. As Dominicans cast their ballots in the presidential election on Sunday, the wall -- a flagship project of incumbent Luis Abinader -- stands as a symbol of his tough, and popular, stance on migration.

Friday said his army needed more men to boost the forces' morale, a rare acknowledgement from the Ukrainian leader. Then their morale will be improved, Zelensky told AFP. It is a matter of their physical strength and justice.

Nepal PM Prachanda to seek vote of confidence on May 20 after coalition partner withdrawal. Belongs to Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre). Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal withdrew support, leading to resignation as deputy PM.

Nato allies, including the US, consider sending troops to Ukraine for training amidst a critical manpower shortage and worsening battlefield position due to Russia's advances. General Charles Brown Jr believes a Nato deployment of trainers is inevitable, with involvement from leaders like Emmanuel Macron and countries like Estonia and Lithuania.

Slovak PM Robert Fico undergoes another operation after being shot in serious condition at University F D Roosevelt hospital. Robert Kaliniak, the defence minister, mentioned the removal of dead tissues during surgery

IMF warned Maldives of high debt distress risk, China discusses debt relief with Male. Chinese ambassador Wang Lixin says debt restructuring may hinder further financial aid from Beijing. China prioritises grants and free aid to prevent Maldives' debt increase. India extends $50 million treasury bill rollover as goodwill gesture to Male govt after special request.

Japanese lawmakers enacted legislation for joint custody after divorce to address concerns of domestic violence, child abuse, and frustrations of non-custodial parents. The UN committee recommended shared custody for foreign parents in 2019. No official tallies exist for minors cut off from a parent in Japan.

The Vatican sharpened its rules for investigating supernatural events such as visions of Christ or the Virgin Mary, acknowledging Friday that overactive imaginations and outright lying risked harming the faithful. Believers could be misled by events attributed to a divine cause that might in fact be merely the product of someone's imagination or those who have an inclination toward lying.

Residents of Brixham, a town in Devon, are dealing with a stomach illness that has impacted many people. As of Wednesday, 22 cases of cryptosporidiosis have been confirmed by medical experts, with over 100 individuals seeking medical help for symptoms in the past week. Health authorities in Devon are looking into an outbreak of cryptosporidium.

Pro-Palestine student protesters at Columbia University faced injuries during arrests, contradicting statements by New York Mayor Eric Adams and police officials. The incident highlighted concerns about police brutality and fueled the ongoing student protest movement, sparking debates on anti-Israel protests and campus violence.

Eight EU states urge re-evaluation in Syria for voluntary return of refugees. Cyprus sees influx from Lebanon. EU announces 1 billion euro aid for Lebanon to curb asylum seeker flow to Cyprus and Italy.

Kenyan lawyers block Kenya's police deployment to Haiti following a court ruling. President Ruto signed a security deal with Haiti to address objections. Opposition party leaders challenge government actions, citing contempt of court potential. International support for the deployment includes civilian contractors and pledges from various countries.

The United States has expressed its disapproval of China's stance on the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. As Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing for a state visit, Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed his willingness to collaborate with the Russian leader in guiding the future direction of bilateral relations between the two countries.

A Sri Lankan court has remanded till May 30 the five suspects, including a retired Major General, arrested in connection with a human smuggling operation to send former military personnel to serve in the Russian and Ukrainian forces amidst their ongoing war.

A university student lost his life but killed two suspected muggers in a gun battle near New Sabzi Mandi in Karachi on Superhighway in the early hours of Wednesday.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott pardons Daniel Perry, a former US Army sergeant convicted of murder for shooting armed demonstrator Garrett Foster during 2020 protests, as recommended by the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles. Travis County DA Jose Garza criticizes the decision, citing the 'Stand Your Ground' law and pressure from Tucker Carlson.

The White House halted the release of President Joe Biden's interview audio regarding classified documents handling, claiming Republicans intended to politicize the recordings. This dispute drives Republican attempts to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt and hinder Biden's reelection bid in the closing months of a fiercely contested campaign.

Slovak politicians have urged for peace in the Central European nation. This comes after Prime Minister Robert Fico was attacked multiple times by a potential assassin on Wednesday. The incident, a rare case of political violence, was surprising given the intense political divide. As per a hospital official, Fico's condition was serious but stable on Thursday.