Zelensky: Russia's Kharkiv Oblast offensive advances as far as 10 km,

Russian troops were able to advance as far as 10 kilometers (6 miles) deep during their offensive in Kharkiv Oblast, but the front in the region has been stabilized, President Volodymyr Zelensky told journalists on May 16, The Kyiv Independent reports.

Italy hit by severe flooding after heavy rain

Storms and heavy rainfall have left many parts of northern Italy under water, with the cities of Padua and Vicenza particularly affected, BBC reports.

Slovakia PM Robert Fico in stable but serious condition

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is in a stable but serious condition after being shot several times on Wednesday, according to doctors, BBC reports. The hospital director said he was currently in an intensive care unit after five hours in surgery.

Lithuania transfers ammunition, anti-drone systems, UAVs to Ukraine

Lithuania has transferred ammunition, anti-drone systems, UAVs, generators and folding beds to the Ukrainian army as part of uninterrupted military support for Ukraine, Ukcrinform reports.

Chisinau denounces new intentions to destabilize the situation in the Security Zone

The delegation of the Republic of Moldova in the Joint Control Commission (JCC) denounces new intentions to destabilize the situation in the Security Zone. The authorities in Chisinau announce that they were informed on the evening of May 16, just a few hours after the end of the JCC meeting, that the Russian "peacekeeping" forces intend to carry out "movement verification maneuvers of the capabilities of the armored vehicles stationed at the peace keeping posts", between May 17 and June 17. Chisinau condemns the "initiative", calling it "inopportune" and "abusive".

Zelensky signs law allowing some convicts to serve in military

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on May 17 signed into law a bill permitting citizens convicted under certain charges to serve in the military, The Kyiv Independent reports.

The Republic of Moldova will condemn Russia for the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children

The Republic of Moldova will condemn the Russian Federation for the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children. The Chisinau Parliament is preparing a statement in this regard, Speaker Igor Grosu announced on May 17. The official claims that the document will be adopted "in the near future".

Four deaths confirmed from severe storm that ravaged Houston

A severe storm packing hurricane-force winds pummeled Houston on Thursday, killing at least four people, blowing windows out of high-rise buildings and leaving some 800,000 homes without power as much of the city was plunged into darkness, Reuters reports.

Political representatives in the Transnistrian settlement process meet in Tighina

The political representatives in the negotiation process for the Transnistrian settlement met in Tighina, at the headquarters of the OSCE Mission from the Republic of Moldova. According to the Reintegration Policy Bureau, Deputy Prime Minister Oleg Serebrian presented, in his message at the beginning of the meeting, the problems faced by the farmers in the Dubăsari district and the Romanian-language educational institutions in the Transnistrian region.

Georgia's president says she will veto the final reading of the law on foreign agents

President Salome Zurabishvili warned that Georgia's survival as a state is in danger after parliament approved a contentious "foreign agent" law despite weeks of popular protests and warnings from the West that the move endangers Georgia's Euro-Atlantic aspirations, DW reports.

Ukraine and Poland immediately start preparing security agreement

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk agreed in a telephone conversation on 16 May to immediately begin preparing a bilateral security agreement, European Pravda writes.

The main natural gas supplier in Romania, Romgaz, opens a branch in Chisinau

The largest producer and main supplier of natural gas in Romania, Romgaz, in which the state is the main shareholder, has opened a branch in Chisinau, the company announced in a statement.