Europe

Macron was expected to win 28.1-29.5% of votes while Le Pen was projected to get 23.3-24.4% of voter support in the first round that was concluded on Sunday.

The 53-year-old Le Pen is now a more polished, formidable and savvy political foe as she makes her third attempt to become France’s first woman president.

"No one wants to negotiate with a person or people who tortured this nation. It’s all understandable. And as a man, as a father, I understand this very well," says Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. But "we don't want to lose opportunities, if we have them, for a diplomatic solution."

Civilians continue to flee eastern Ukraine before an expected onslaught by Russian troops. Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits Kyiv a day after Britain pledges an additional 100 million pounds in high-grade military equipment to Ukraine. Ukraine and Russia carry out prisoner exchange.

At least some of these Russian forces will be transferred to eastern Ukraine to fight in the Donbas region, according to the British Ministry of Defense. Kremlin laments its mounting troop losses as a "tragedy." Ukrainian government urges citizens to flee eastern cities immediately or risk death.

The resolution adopted by the 193-member General Assembly draft expresses "grave concern at the ongoing human rights and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine," particularly at reports of rights abuses by Russia.

Ukrainians urged to leave country's industrial heartland while they still can after Russia withdraws from the outskirts of Kyiv to regroup for an offensive in the east. Russia accuses Ukraine of backtracking on ceasefire proposals.

Ukraine urges residents of the Donbas region to leave while they still can as Russia prepares offensive on country's east. Mariupol says 5,000 civilians, including 210 children, killed during weeks of Russian bombardment and fighting.

Decrying war crimes in Ukraine, Washington announces fresh sanctions on banks and officials, stops debt payments from frozen reserves. International creditors face stringent capital controls as Russia's credit default swaps rise sharply.

Ukraine proposes that as an alternative to NATO membership, something Russia insists it cannot accept, individual countries like Germany, Turkey or China could offer guarantees with a similar effect.