Pope Francis has called for a truce in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and for the sides to start meaningful talks. Delegations from both governments have already held several discussions – both in person and online – since Moscow attacked in February. However, they have been unable to find an agreement. “Put the weapons down! Let an Easter truce start,” the pope said during his Palm Sunday Mass... 

The US House has passed a resolution calling on President Barack Obama to send lethal weapons to Ukraine, despite the fragile truce in the eastern part of the country. The non-binding resolution was approved by an overwhelming majority of 348-48. Sending weapons to the Kiev government would not mean involvement in a new war for America, claimed US Rep. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.), a Democrat on the House... 

Renewed fighting between government troops and pro-Russia forces in the violence-scarred eastern regions of Ukraine has left a total of five civilians dead. Three people were killed and ten others were injured overnight Sunday in the Donetsk region, which is considered as a stronghold of pro-Moscow activists. Explosions and gunfire were also heard in the volatile region this morning, according to... 

This file photo shows an apartment building destroyed by fighting in the Lugansk city of Lysychansk. Ukraine and pro-Russians have “agreed in principle” on a truce in the country’s volatile eastern region of Lugansk, that will come into force on December 5, the pan-European security watchdog says. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) made the announcement in a statement... 

At least two civilians have been killed and three others wounded in renewed shelling in Ukraine’s restive east, despite a truce between the Kiev government forces and pro-Russians. Officials in eastern city of Donetsk said the deadly shell fire hit a residential neighborhood north of the city on Wednesday. According to the Donetsk city council, the two civilians were killed near a market located... 

The aftermath of an artillery shelling of Slavyansk by the Ukrainian military. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has decided to not prolong the ceasefire with Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, announcing an end to a fragile deal to deescalate tensions in the country’s eastern regions. “We will attack and will free our land,” Poroshenko said. The ceasefire officially ended at 19:00... 

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has announced truce and the start of direct talks with the opposition in a bid to end months of turmoil in the country. The president made the announcement on Wednesday after holding private talks with opposition leaders, including boxer and parliamentarian, Vitali Klitschko. “Based on the results of the meeting, the sides announced a truce and the start... 

A South Sudanese minister has threatened that the government will attack the main stronghold of rebel forces if they reject Juba’s offer for a ceasefire. On Saturday, South Sudan Information Minister Michael Makuei said the government troops are prepared to push the rebels out of Bentiu, the last state capital controlled by forces loyal to rebel leader Riek Machar. “We will flush (Machar) out... 

At least one Palestinian has been killed and seven others injured by Israeli fire in the southern Gaza Strip despite an Egypt-mediated ceasefire. Medical sources said a 21-year-old Palestinian lost his life on Friday as Israeli forces opened fire in the village of Khuzaa, east of Khan Yunis. The Palestinian emergency service identified the dead man as Abdelhadi Qdeih Anwar, a farmer who wanted to... 

The statement, aired on Hamas-controlled radio on early Saturday, said “There is no more truce with an enemy”. Hamas has called off its truce with Tel-Aviv as Israel and Palestine continue hostilities into a third day. The Gaza Strip has been targeted by the Israeli air force in overnight raids. ­“Aircraft targeted two terror tunnels and a weapons storage facility in the southern Gaza Strip,...