Deadly Russian bombardment of Ukraine further dampens hopes for peace

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia struck Ukraine with a thunderous aerial bombardment overnight, further dampening hopes that the warring sides could reach a peace deal anytime soon. The attack Friday killed at least four people and injured about 50 others. It came days after Kyiv embarrassed the Kremlin with a surprising drone attack on military airfields deep inside Russia and just hours after U.S. President Donald Trump suggested the it might be better to let Ukraine and Russia “fight for a while” before pulling them apart and pursuing peace. Trump’s comments were a remarkable detour from his often-stated appeals to stop the war and signaled he may be giving up on recent peace efforts.

Gaza marks the start of Eid with outdoor prayers in the rubble

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — People across the war-ravaged Gaza Strip have marked the start of one of Islam’s most important holidays with prayers outside destroyed mosques and homes, with little hope the war with Israel will end soon. With much of Gaza in rubble, men and children were forced to hold the traditional Eid al-Adha prayers Friday in the open air, and with food supplies dwindling, families had to make do with what they could scrape together for the three-day feast. Meanwhile, hospital officials in southern Gaza say nine people were killed while seeking humanitarian aid and Israeli military officials said four soldiers had been killed.

Myanmar arrests 16 suspects over alleged links to assassination

BANGKOK (AP) — Security forces in military-ruled Myanmar have arrested a six-year-old girl along with 15 other people suspected of involvement in the assassination of a retired high-ranking army officer. The 16 suspects — 13 males and three females — are linked to the Golden Valley Warriors urban guerrilla group, the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper reported Friday. Those arrested include Lin Latt Shwe, the six-year-old daughter of the alleged assassin, Myo Ko Ko. The assassination of former Brig. Gen. Cho Tun Aung was the latest targeting of figures linked to the ruling military.

Interpol issues red notice for Ghana’s ex-finance minister over corruption claims

ACCRA, Ghana (AP) — Global police organization Interpol has placed Ghana’s former minister of finance Ken Ofori-Atta on its red notice list over corruption allegations. The notice follows a request from the West African country’s prosecutors who have declared Ofori-Atta a “fugitive” after he failed to appear before an investigative panel earlier this month, citing medical reasons. Ofori-Atta, who served as finance minister from 2017 to 2024, is accused of having been involved in several corruption cases. Interpol’s red notice — while not an arrest warrant — alerts law enforcement agencies to locate and detain Ofori-Atta pending extradition.