Ukraine says Russia launched the biggest overnight drone bombardment of the war

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The Ukrainian air force says Russia launched 479 drones at the country in the war’s biggest overnight drone bombardment. It also said 20 missiles of various types were fired at different parts of Ukraine. The attacks usually start late in the evening and end in the morning because drones are harder to see in the dark. Russia has targeted civilian areas of Ukraine with Shahed drones since the start of the war. The U.N. says the attacks have killed more than 12,000 Ukrainian civilians. A recent escalation in aerial attacks has coincided with a renewed Russian battlefield push along eastern and northeastern parts of the roughly 620-mile front line.

Gaza-bound aid boat with Greta Thunberg on board arrives at an Israeli port after its seizure

JERUSALEM (AP) — A Gaza-bound aid boat carrying Greta Thunberg and other activists has arrived at an Israeli port after Israeli forces stopped and detained them. Israel was enforcing a longstanding blockade of the Palestinian territory that has been tightened during the Israel-Hamas war. The boat was accompanied by the Israeli navy. It arrived in the port of Ashdod on Monday evening. That’s according to Israel’s Foreign Ministry. A legal rights group representing the activists says they are expected to be held at a detention facility before being deported. The activists were protesting Israel’s military offensive and its restrictions on aid into Gaza.

Carney: Canada plans to hit NATO spending target early and reduce reliance on US defense

TORONTO (AP) — Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada will meet NATO’s military spending guideline by early next year. Carney also said Monday that Canada would diversify defense spending away from the United States. The announcement means Canada will achieve NATO’s spending target of 2% of gross domestic product five years earlier than previously planned. The prime minister says Canada’s military equipment has aged and only one of four submarines is seaworthy. NATO figures show that Canada was estimated to be spending 1.33% of GDP on its military budget in 2023.

Italy’s referendum on citizenship and job protections fails because of low turnout

ROME (AP) — Italy’s referendums aimed at relaxing citizenship laws and improving job protections failed on Monday because of low turnout. But organizers said that it contributed to restarting the public debate in the country over high-stakes issues. The result was a clear defeat for the center-left opposition and a victory for Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her ruling right-wing coalition, which openly supported abstention. Final data showed that turnout stood at 30.6% of eligible voters after two days of polling, well below the 50% plus one required to make the vote valid.