Israel is in talks to possibly resettle Palestinians from Gaza in South Sudan

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel is in talks with South Sudan about the possibility of resettling Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to the war-torn East African country. It appears to be part of a wider effort by Israel to facilitate mass emigration from the territory left in ruins by Israel’s 22-month offensive against Hamas. Six people familiar with the matter confirmed the talks to The Associated Press. It’s unclear how far the talks have advanced, but the plans, if implemented, would amount to transferring people from one war-ravaged land at risk of famine to another, and raise human rights concerns. Israel has floated similar resettlement proposals with other African nations, including Sudan and Somalia.

Zelenskyy says Putin wants the rest of Ukraine’s Donetsk region as part of a ceasefire

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says that Russian President Vladimir Putin wants Ukraine to withdraw from the remaining 30% of the Donetsk region that Ukraine controls as part of a ceasefire deal. Zelenskyy reiterated that Ukraine would not withdraw from territories it controls because it was unconstitutional and would only serve as a springboard for a future Russian invasion. Zelenskyy said Putin wants the remaining 3,500 square miles of Donetsk under Kyiv’s control, where the war’s toughest battles are grinding on, as part of a ceasefire plan. Doing so would hand Russia almost the entirety of the Donbas, a region comprising Ukraine’s eastern industrial heartland that Putin has long coveted.

South Korean court orders arrest of wife of jailed ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A South Korean court has ordered the arrest of the wife of jailed former President Yoon Suk Yeol as investigators seek to charge her over various suspected crimes, including bribery, stock manipulation and meddling in the selection of a political candidate. Investigators said the Seoul Central District Court issued an arrest warrant for Kim Keon Hee late Tuesday. The investigation into Kim is one of three special prosecutor probes launched under Seoul’s new liberal government targeting the presidency of Yoon, a conservative who was removed from office in April and rearrested last month over his brief imposition of martial law in December.

Lithuania to teach thousands, including schoolchildren, how to build and pilot drones

VILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) — Lithuania’s government plans to open nine drone training centers to teach thousands of people, including schoolchildren, skills in flying and building drones. Drones have become common in everyday life and warfare. The defense and education ministries aim to strengthen public abilities in drone control and engineering and expand civil resistance training. Lithuania, a NATO member, is aware of possible security threats. The first three centers are due to open in September, with the rest by 2028. The program will be adapted for different age groups, with a total investment of over 3.3 million euros.