Live news: Ukraine says Russia pounding Donbas, failing to take targets

Live news updates: Russian Foreign Minister says lifting Western sanctions on Russia was part of peace talks.

8:43 AM

Singapore detects two cases of new Omicron subvariant

Singapore has confirmed two COVID-19 cases with the new Omicron subvariant BA.2.12.1 through active monitoring of the disease and genetic sequencing for surveillance, the Channel News Asia reported.

 

The two community cases were detected as part of the authorities' active monitoring of the COVID-19 situation and genetic sequencing for surveillance, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) in its daily update on Thursday (April 28) night.

 

All cases self-isolated after testing positive for COVID-19, it said.

8:43 AM

Sri Lankan inflation rises 29.8% in April

Sri Lanka's inflation, measured by a year-on-year change in the Colombo Consumer Price Index, increased by 29.8 per cent in April, the country's central bank said.

 

This increase was driven by the monthly increases in both food and non-food categories, according to the central bank on Friday.

 

Food inflation jumped by 46.6 per cent in April, while non-food inflation grew by 22 per cent in April, Xinhua news agency reported.

8:42 AM

Biden $33 bn aid package will benefit US shareholders more than Ukraine: Experts

The Biden administration's attempt to secure more than $30 billion in additional defense and economic aid for Ukraine will further enrich the stockholders of major US defense contractors while having a negligible effect on the battlefield, analysts told Sputnik.

 

On Thursday, President Joe Biden asked US Congress for $33 billion in emergency supplemental funding to support Ukraine, including $20 billion for military assistance. So far, the package appears to have won broad bipartisan support among US lawmakers.

 

The request comes on top of about $4 billion in military aid the Biden administration has already committed to Ukraine, $3.4 billion of which came after Russia launched its military operation in late February.

8:42 AM

Srinagar-Sharjah direct flights to resume soon

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has approved restoration of Srinagar-Sharjah direct flights to the extent of 5 flights per week, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Lt. Governor, Manoj Sinha said.

 

Sinha wrote on his Twitter page, "Ministry of Civil Aviation has approved Srinagar-Sharjah flights to the extent of 5 flights per week on a regular basis. My deepest gratitude to PM Narendra Modi."

 

"UT administration, Ministry of Civil Aviation, GoI & Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia taking necessary steps on priority to strengthen air connectivity to cater to growing tourism & industry sectors," he added.