April 1, 2022

*) Ukraine president warns Russian forces regrouping to attack south Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that Russia is preparing "powerful strikes" in the country's south, including besieged Mariupol. In peace talks, Russia has said it will scale back attacks on the capital Kiev and the city of Chernihiv. But Ukrainian and Western officials dismiss the pledge, saying Moscow's troops are regrouping. "This is part of their tactics," Zelenskyy has said. He has warned that the situation in the country's south is "very difficult". *) Ukraine: Russian forces block buses leaving Mariupol Ukraine has accused Russian forces of blocking a convoy of 45 buses attempting to evacuate people trapped in Mariupol. Only 631 people were able to get out of the city in private cars, according to Kiev. Russian forces have also seized 14 tonnes of food and medical supplies in a dozen buses, Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk has said. The humanitarian operation was initiated after the Russian military agreed to a limited ceasefire in the area. *) Pakistan's Imran Khan accuses US of conspiracy Prime Minister Imran Khan has accused the United States of meddling in Pakistan's politics. Washington has conspired with the Pakistani opposition to oust him, according to Khan. Washington denies the charge. State Department spokesperson Ned Price has said there is "no truth" to the allegations. Khan is fighting for his political life and faces a no-confidence motion in parliament. *) Security forces deployed in Colombo after night of violence Security forces have been deployed in Sri Lanka's capital after protesters tried to storm the president's house to protest a deepening economic crisis. Police in Colombo have said they arrested 45 people after the unrest, in which one man was critically injured. Hundreds marched on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's house on Thursday night, demanding his resignation. The South Asian nation of 22 million people is facing widespread shortages of essential goods, sharp pric