The Economist

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Marco Rubio, America's Secretary of State, said that the next few days will show whether Vladimir Putin, Russia's president, is serious about peace in Ukraine.

Mr. Rubio confirmed that he would meet Sergei Lov, his Russian counterpart, in Saudi Arabia this week.

Worried by America's recent flurry of diplomacy with Russia, European leaders

are meeting in Paris on Monday. Volodymy Zelensky rejected the Trump administration's suggestion

that America is owed the rights to half of Ukraine's rare earth minerals for its support in the war.

The extraordinary demand was made by Scott Besant, America's Treasury Secretary,

who visited Kiev on Wednesday.

The Ukrainian president said any deal would need to include security guarantees.

Marco Rubio met Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Sunday.

Afterwards, Israel's Prime Minister praised Mr. Trump's bold vision for

Gaza, which involves America taking over the territory, and said that the two leaders are working

in full cooperation and coordination. Mr. Rubio called for Hamas to be eradicated, saying

the militant group cannot continue as a military or governing force.

M23 soldiers marched into the centre of Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu and the second largest

city in eastern Congo. It is unclear whether the rebel group, which is backed by neighbouring Rwanda,

controls the whole city. In January, it took Goma,

the largest city in North Kivu, an adjacent province. The United Nations Refugee Agency

claims that the insurgency has displaced 350,000 people. At least 18 people died in a crush

at New Delhi train station as thousands tried to

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