In a push evocative of the Soviet Union's efforts to bring Africa into its sphere of influence, the Kremlin has stepped up its presence across the African continent in recent years. From military campaigns to involvement in domestic politics, few African nations have been spared Moscow's interest.

South Africa rejects accusations by the United States that it's providing weapons to Russia. Also, the search for missing people continues in eastern DR Congo after last week's devastating floods. And Tunisia's Jewish community is still in shock, two days after an attack at the Ghriba synagogue on the island of Djerba, in which five people were killed.

As sanctions cut off major Russian banks from much of the West's payment systems, finding ways to pay for the crude India imports from Russia has become a challenge.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said Monday that the country's non-aligned position did not favor Russia over other states and reiterated its call for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine.

The US envoy to South Africa accused Pretoria of sending arms to Russia to support its war in Ukraine, saying he's betting "his life" on the accuracy of the allegations. President Ramaphosa's office called for evidence.

EU member states are discussing a new sanctions package against Russia over its war in Ukraine. The latest measures will be focused on tackling the issue of "third" countries circumventing existing sanctions. For the first time, they could include measures targeted at firms from other countries, including China and Iran. We also get the latest in the stalled talks over the US debt ceiling. Plus we look at how Tesla is taking advantage of electric car subsidies in France.

President Vladimir Putin told Russians the world was at a key turning point and they were engaged in a patriotic struggle for the future of their country.

In an eleventh round of sanctions on Russia, Brussels is hoping to crack down on the evasion of existing trade restrictions, particularly when it comes to the re-exportation of sensitive technology that can be used on the battlefield in Ukraine. On Monday, the European Commission proposed curbing exports to nations it accuses of helping Moscow get around trade sanctions, as well as blacklisting several Chinese companies that sell equipment that can be used in weapons.

Two women, a director and a playwright, face charges of justifying terrorism over a play about Russian women recruited to marry radical Islamists in Syria. The charges sparked outrage amid a Russian crackdown on dissent.

We take a look at papers' hopes for the upcoming presidential elections in Turkey. We also discuss cartoonists' takes on the coronation of King Charles III, as well as a "bitter pill to swallow" in Syria, and how the growing use of artificial intelligence is already hurting people in Kenya. Le Monde dives into fake protests orchestrated by Russian intelligence agencies.

Ukrainians living in the occupied east are being forced to take Russian citizenship — otherwise they face deportation. Kyiv is sending mixed signals about what its citizens should do.

Moscow said it was tightening security after two drones exploded over the Kremlin days before the annual World War II Victory Day parade. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy made a highly symbolic visit to The Hague.