April 18, 2022

*) Ukraine vows to fight till the end in Mariupol Ukraine has vowed to fight to the end in Mariupol after a Russian ultimatum expired for remaining forces to surrender in the Black Sea port city. Hours after Moscow's deadline passed on Sunday, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said the southern city had not fallen. Mariupol has become a symbol of Ukraine's unexpectedly fierce resistance. According to Ukrainian estimates, bombardment and fighting in Mariupol have killed at least 21,000 people. An estimated 100,000 people are feared trapped without food, water, heat or electricity. *) Israel government faces new split after Al Aqsa violence Israel's governing coalition has faced a new split as the Raam party "suspended" its membership. The declaration came after violence in and around the Al Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem wounded 170 people over the weekend. More than 20 people were wounded on Sunday, two days after over 150 people were injured at the site, sacred to both Muslims and Jews. *) New clashes over anti-Muslim rally in Sweden Three people have been wounded in Sweden as demonstrators protested plans by a far-right group to burn copies of the Quran. They appear to have been hit by ricochets after police fired warning shots on Sunday, a police statement said. They are being treated in a hospital. There have been similar clashes in recent days over plans by the anti-immigration and anti-Muslim group, Hard Line, to burn copies of the Muslim holy book in public. *) Türkiye launches operation against PKK in northern Iraq Türkiye has launched a fresh cross-border operation, using air and special forces against the PKK terror group's hideouts in northern Iraq. The military campaign, dubbed "Claw-Lock", targets the PKK terror group's hideouts in Metina, Zap, and Avasin-Basyan areas. Turkish pilots have hit shelters, ammunition depots and the terrorist organisation’s headquarters, according to Defence Minister Hulusi Akar. And, finally... *) Chelsea sink Palace to book FA Cup final