Putin accuses Ukraine of a ‘large-scale provocation’ with its raid

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin is describing a Ukrainian incursion into the country’s southwestern Kursk region as a “large-scale provocation” as his officials say they are fighting off cross-border raids for a second day. Ukrainian officials remained quiet about the scope of the operation. If confirmed, the cross-border foray would be among Ukraine’s largest since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, and unprecedented for its deployment of Ukrainian military units. Kyiv’s aim could be to draw Russian reserves to the area and potentially weaken Moscow’s offensive operations in several parts of Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region.

Thai court dissolves progressive Move Forward Party

BANGKOK (AP) — A court in Thailand has ordered the dissolution of the progressive Move Forward Party, which won national elections in 2023, saying it violated the constitution by proposing an amendment of a law against defaming the country’s royal family. The Constitutional Court said it voted unanimously to dissolve the party because its campaign to amend the law amounted to an attempt to overthrow the nation’s constitutional monarchy. The ruling Wednesday also imposed a 10-year ban on political activity on those who held the party’s executive positions while it campaigned for the proposed amendment. Among them are its charismatic former leader and its current chief.

Bangladesh’s incoming interim leader Muhammad Yunus appeals for calm

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — Bangladesh’s incoming interim leader Muhammad Yunus has appealed for calm and urged all parties to help the country rebuild after weeks of violence that killed hundreds of people and prompted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign and flee to India. Yunus, a Nobel peace laureate, was in Paris for the Olympics when he was named interim leader following talks among military officials and student activists who led the uprising against a prime minister seen as increasingly autocratic. Yunus on Wednesday boarded a plane to return home. Bangladesh’s military chief said that an interim government headed by Yunus would be sworn in Thursday night.

Yemen official says 30 people have been killed and hundreds displaced in flooding

SANAA, YEMEN (AP) — A Yemeni official says that 30 people have been killed and hundreds displaced in flooding in the southern city of Hodeidah following several days of heavy rains. Hodeidah Gov. Mugammad Qahim told Houthi-controlled Masirah TV that the floods displaced people from 500 houses. Five people also went missing. Hodeidah, the southwestern city of Taiz, and the northwestern city of Hajjah were all hit hard by floods this week amid Yemen’s ongoing seasonal rainfall. Authorities have not announced a confirmed overall death toll, or given the overall number of people injured or missing.