UPDATE //Turkey elections // 51 percent of votes counted, Erdogan leads with 52 percent of the vote, Kilicdaroglu - 42.1 percent

The first results of the vote count in Turkey's presidential election race show a considerable lead for incumbent President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has led the country for 20 years, while his challenger is credited with far fewer votes, although it was expected to be an extremely close race, News.ro reports.

Elections in Turkey // Polling stations closed. The vote will decide who will lead the country

Polling stations in Turkey closed at 17:00. Turks voted today in the most important election in their modern history to decide whether Recep Tayyip Erdogan remains president after 20 years in power.

Turkey - Citizens vote for the next president and the composition of the legislature

Turks go to the polls on Sunday in the most important election in their modern history to decide whether Recep Tayyip Erdoğan remains president after 20 years in power, BBC reports.

Germany approves new €2.7 billion arms package for Ukraine

Berlin extends support for Ukraine as the government in Kiev prepares for an anticipated counteroffensive against Russia's invasion of the country. The German government has approved a new €2.7 billion arms package for Ukraine, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said on Saturday, as quoted by Politico.

Tornadoes strike Oklahoma

The National Weather Service in Norman issued a tornado warning at 9:26 p.m. for west-central Seminole County and southwestern Pottawatomie County involving a storm located over Wanette, moving northeast at 25 mph.

Ukraine's Zelenskiy expected to meet pope on Saturday

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is expected to meet Pope Francis in the Vatican on Saturday, diplomatic sources said on Thursday, days after the pope said the Holy See was involved in a peace mission to try to end the war between Russia and Ukraine, Reuters reports.

Russian Black Sea Fleet commander boosts protection of ships and Sevastopol base amid fears of drone attacks

The Commander of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, Vice-Admiral Viktor Sokolov, announced that he has increased the measures to protect the ships and their base in Sevastopol against drone attacks, reports the TASS agency, quoted by news.ro

The Swedish EU presidency wants to put Wagner on the list of terrorist organizations

Sweden, which holds the presidency of the Council of the European Union, said Thursday that it is ready to add the Russian paramilitary group Wagner, accused of human rights violations in Ukraine and Africa, to the EU's list of terrorist organizations, according to Digi24.

Major fire breaks out after van explodes in central Milan

A large fire has broken out in Milan city centre following the explosion of a van parked on the street, emergency services confirmed, AFP reports.

Georgian President reacts to Russia's decision to cancel visa regime for Georgians

Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has reacted to Russian President Vladimir Putin's decree to lift visa and flight restrictions for Georgian citizens, calling it "a provocation".

Britain plans to send Ukraine 300-kilometre-range missiles

The Biden administration announces it will not give Ukraine long-range weapons after the British government expressed its intention to send Kiev 300-kilometre-range missiles. However, the United States continues to train large numbers of Ukrainian soldiers at its training ground in Germany. At the same time, European Union countries will hold a first discussion today on new sanctions to be imposed in connection with Russian aggression.

Ursula von der Leyen after visit to Kiev: There were detailed discussions on Ukraine's accession to the EU

European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen, on her way back to Brussels on Tuesday evening from Kiev, gave a positive assessment of her visit, saying that there had been detailed discussions on Ukraine's EU membership but that more work was needed, dpa and Agerpres report.