MOSCOW -- Russia's Pacific Fleet announced on Thursday that it has begun large-scale exercises in the central part of the Pacific Ocean.

As many as 20 surface warships, submarines and support vessels are involved in the exercises, including the fleet's flagship the Varyag missile cruiser, the Marshal Shaposhnikov frigate and the Admiral Panteleev large anti-submarine ship. (Russia-Pacific drills)

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TRIPOLI -- Libyan Minister of Justice Halima Abdul-Rahman met with European Union officials here on Wednesday and the two sides discussed European support for the Libyan government.

During the meeting, head of EU civilian missions Francisco Esteban Perez and EU Ambassador to Libya Jose Sabadell expressed their satisfaction with the cooperation between the Libyan ministry and the EU, especially with the European Union Border Assistance Mission, said a statement by the Ministry of Justice. (Libya-EU-Support)

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ISTANBUL -- Turkey on Thursday widened its COVID-19 vaccination drive, with those aged 45 and over now included in the ongoing nationwide inoculation program.

Speaking after a Coronavirus Scientific Advisory Committee meeting on the previous day, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said people aged 40 and over would also be allowed to take their shots on June 14. (Turkey-Vaccination-COVID-19)

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ULAN BATOR -- Mongolia's presidential candidate from the ruling Mongolian People's Party (MPP) Ukhnaa Khurelsukh won Wednesday's presidential election, the country's General Election Commission (GEC) said Thursday.

"A total of 1,216,246 people cast their votes in the election, or 59.35 percent of all eligible voters. The candidate from the MPP, Khurelsukh, obtained 67.76 percent of the votes," Purevee Delgernaran, head of the GEC, said at a press conference. (Mongolia-President-Election)