DR Congo and Rwanda vow to agree peace plan within days
Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo have agreed to respect each other’s sovereignty and draft a peace deal by 2 May. The agreement was signed by their foreign ministers in Washington, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio present, BBC reported.
The move follows months of conflict in eastern DR Congo, where Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have seized mineral-rich areas, displacing hundreds of thousands. After losing territory, Kinshasa requested US assistance in exchange for mineral access.
Despite the breakthrough, fighting reportedly continued on Friday in North Kivu. The agreement also anticipates major investments supported by the US government and private sector, according to BBC.
Trump Envoy meets Putin over Ukraine peace plan
US President Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Friday to discuss an envisioned strategy to end the Ukraine war, raising concerns among Kyiv and European allies over conditions perceived to be too advantageous to Moscow, Reuters reported.
The encounter, Witkoff's third with Putin, comes amid rising suspicion in Ukraine and Europe. Kremlin footage showed a formal sit-down with top Russian officials.
A day earlier, Trump condemned a deadly Russian strike on Kyiv but claimed progress in peace talks, warning both sides that if negotiations stalled, the US would withdraw.
UN Calls for Restraint After Pahalgam Carnage
The United Nations has called for “maximum restraint” from India and Pakistan following the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, that claimed 26 lives on April 22.
As stated by Hindustan Times, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric condemned the attack and emphasized the need for peaceful resolution of disputes through “meaningful mutual engagement.”
“We appeal to both governments to ensure the situation does not deteriorate further,” Dujarric said during a press briefing.
The Pahalgam incident marks one of the deadliest attacks in the region since the 2019 Pulwama bombing, further escalating tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
Zelensky cuts short South Africa visit after Russian attack on Kyiv
Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukraine's capital Kyiv kill at least nine people and injure another 63.
Russia also attacks additional regions of the country, with Ukraine claiming the attacks included 11 ballistic missiles, 55 cruise missiles, and 145 drones, according to the BBC.
While Ukrainian president Volodimir Zelensky still intends to meet with South Africa's president Ramaphosa to widen the country's foreign partnerships, he says other activities in the country will be canceled because he is returning to Ukraine early following a Russian strike on the capital that killed nine people, BBC reported.
Earlier, US President Trump criticised Zelensky's approach to peace talks.
