GERMANY: A German government spokesperson on Friday rejected the notion that comments by Chancellor Olaf Scholz criticising climate activists might have prompted raids against them this week.

Police searched more than a dozen properties on Wednesday across Germany linked to the group Last Generation, seizing assets as part of a probe into its finances. 

Prosecutors in Munich said they are investigating whether the group constitutes a criminal organisation after its repeated road blockades and other protests drew numerous complaints from the public.

RUSSIA: The Kremlin is ready to supply Somalia’s army with military equipment in its war against terrorism, Russia’s foreign minister said on Friday.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov made the offer after talks with his Somali counterpart Abshir Omar Jama in Moscow.

Mr Lavrov said Moscow reaffirmed its readiness to meet the material needs of the Somalian army in its fight against extremists including al-Shabaab and al-Qaida.

GREECE: Three people have died and up to 12 others are missing after a dinghy carrying migrants overturned near the Greek resort island of Mykonos on Friday in the Aegean Sea, officials said.

The search was launched after two men, a Palestinian and a Syrian, swam to rocks near the shore and were spotted by authorities.

UNITED STATES: Governor Tim Walz on Thursday vetoed a Bill that would have mandated higher pay and job security for Lyft and Uber drivers in Minnesota, saying the legislation was not ready to become law.

Governor Walz said: “I am committed to finding solutions that balance the interests of all parties, including drivers and riders. This is not the right Bill to achieve these goals.”