Death toll in Lebanon crosses 3,000 in the 13-month Israel-Hezbollah war

BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon’s Health Ministry says more than 3,000 people have been killed during 13 months of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. That’s more than double the number of people killed since their last major war two decades ago. The war shows no signs of ending, as Israel said it was carrying out new operations targeting Hezbollah infrastructure across Lebanon and in parts of Syria while Hezbollah continued to launch dozens of rockets into northern Israel. Hezbollah began firing rockets into northern Israel the day after Hamas’ surprise attack into Israel on Oct. 7, 2023 ignited the war in Gaza. Hezbollah and Hamas are both allied with Iran.

Moldova’s diaspora tipped the scales in a pivotal election

CHISINAU, Moldova (AP) — Moldovans living abroad voted in record numbers in a presidential runoff that secured victory for pro-Western President Maia Sandu, in a pivotal race that pitted her against a Russia-friendly opponent amid ongoing claims of Russian interference, voter fraud, and intimidation. However, her opponents claim her victory relied too much on Moldovans living outside the country — which has a population of about 2.5 million, excluding expatriates — to be considered legitimate. While Sandu won the overall vote, Alexandr Stoianoglo won the popular vote inside Moldova. Sandu’s win, on a campaign promise to advance Moldova’s candidacy for European Union membership, was a major boon for the pro-Western government, which strongly backed her candidacy.

At least 36 dead after an overcrowded bus falls into a gorge in northern India

LUCKNOW, India (AP) — At least 36 people have been killed when a poorly maintained and overcrowded bus veered off the road and plunged into a deep gorge in northern India. Monday’s accident took place in the remote Almora district in the mountainous state of Uttarakhand. The bus was carrying around 60 people, and more than 20 have been injured. Authorities earlier said they believed there were 42 passengers, which was how many the bus could accommodate. Teams of rescue and relief workers have been deployed to the site and authorities say the death toll may rise, with some in critical condition. and fire services rushed to clear roads as traffic built up.

Japan successfully launches a defense satellite carried by a new flagship H3 rocket

TOKYO (AP) — Japan has successfully launched a defense satellite designed for speedier communication and military operations on a new flagship H3 rocket, as the country seeks to build up its military capability amid growing tension in the region. The H3 No. 4 rocket lifted off Monday from the Tanegashima Space Center on a southwestern Japanese island. Its payload was separated about half an hour after liftoff and was put into a targeted orbit, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency said in a livestream. The launch came after four postponements due to a technical glitch and bad weather.