Conflict

He said the United States was trying to "weaken Russia in every possible way, limit its sovereignty and destroy its territorial integrity".

The deaths are the first the group's attacks on merchant vessels have caused.

They also said there was "convincing information" that hostages had been subjected to sexual violence.

Haiti's neighbours began shoring up their defences and recalling embassy staff as a gang conflict in the Caribbean nation escalated and thousands fled fresh fighting.

Mediators and Hamas have arrived in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, for talks on a new ceasefire, as Israel is reported to be demanding reassurances on the hostages' fate before attending.

It comes a day after the deaths of Palestinians queuing for aid threw a spotlight on an unfolding humanitarian catastrophe in the crowded coastal enclave.

Several countries have joined the UN in calling for an investigation into the deaths of more than 100 Palestinians during an aid delivery in Gaza.

Gaza authorities said the people were shot dead by Israeli forces as they waited, but Israel says many of the victims were run over by aid trucks.

The consequences of such a decision would be "tragic", Russia's president said in an annual speech.

Two years into Russia's invasion of Ukraine, New Zealanders fighting there are making a desperate appeal. They speak to RNZ's Charlotte Cook. Audio

Ukrainians and their supporters gathered in Wellington's Civic Square on Saturday to mark the second anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The US has imposed extensive sanctions on Russia, targeting more than 500 people and entities to mark the second anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine and the death of Alexei Navalny.

The Defence Force says nearly 100 personnel will be involved in specialised training in Europe by the middle of the year, under the government's extension of support to Ukraine.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has presented his first official "day after" plan for the Gaza Strip once the war ends.

The New Zealand Defence Force is hosting two events to commemorate Purple Poppy Day this morning.