Ukraine claims it has sunk another Russian warship in the Black Sea

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine claims it has sunk another Russian warship in the Black Sea using high-tech sea drones as Kyiv’s forces take aim at targets well behind the war’s front line. Russian authorities did not confirm the claim. The Ukrainian military intelligence agency said a special operations unit destroyed the large patrol ship Sergey Kotov overnight with Magura V5 uncrewed vessels. They are designed and built in Ukraine and laden with explosives. Ukraine said the patrol ship was hit near the Kerch Strait and reportedly could carry cruise missiles and around 60 crew.

In South Africa, where the buffaloes roam is sometimes a problem

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — Where the buffaloes roam can be a problem in South Africa. Two buffaloes were spotted walking down the middle of a major highway Saturday on the outskirts of the country’s biggest city, Johannesburg. Some startled motorists took pictures and videos on their phones. Now the buffaloes have been found, and a local veterinarian says the toughest work lies ahead. The plan is to dart them with a mild tranquilizer so a team can guide the drowsy animals to a truck with cattle prods. Each buffalo weighs up to 1,760 pounds and they are notorious as fairly grumpy and unpredictable.

EU plans to boost defense industry and move away from US dependency

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union has outlined ambitious plans to boost its defense industry as the bloc responds to the threat posed by Russia’s war on Ukraine. It also seeks to wean the member nations off an over-dependence on the U.S. defense industry. The plans by the EU Commission center on streamlining the procurement of arms by the 27 EU states and to increasingly produce them within the bloc in a multi-billion-dollar pivot away from the United States. The need for strategic independence underscores a sense of political estrangement from Washington, which has been reinforced by the strong showing of former President Donald Trump in the U.S. presidential campaign and his barbed comments on European defense spending.

Venezuela sets presidential election for July 28

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela’s top electoral official has announced that the country’s highly anticipated presidential election will take place July 28. The leading opposition candidate remains barred from the ballot. National Electoral Council President Elvis Amoroso announced the date three days after lawmakers proposed more than 20 possible dates, ranging from as soon as mid-April to as late as December. In picking a date after June 30, the council allows the government to comply with part of an agreement it entered with a faction of the opposition last year that called for the vote to take place in the second half of 2024.