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International Briefs

Israeli defense minister warns of Gaza City’s destruction

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — The Israeli defense minister is warning that Gaza’s largest city could be destroyed unless Hamas yields to his country’s terms. Israel Katz spoke Friday, the same day that the world’s leading authority on food crises declared that Gaza City is gripped by famine from fighting and an Israeli blockade. A day earlier, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would authorize the military to mount a major operation to seize Gaza City. Katz restated Israel’s ceasefire demands for the release of all hostages and Hamas’ complete disarmament. Hamas has said it would release captives in exchange for ending the war, but the militant group rejects disarmament without the creation of a Palestinian state.

Russia’s chief diplomat says no Putin-Zelenskyy meeting is planned

(AP) — Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says there are no plans for a meeting between President Putin and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. This comes after U.S. President Donald Trump claimed he had begun arrangements for such a meeting. Lavrov mentioned Friday that Putin is open to discussions but only after key issues are resolved by senior officials. Meanwhile, Ukraine has targeted Russian infrastructure, including the Druzhba oil pipeline, in retaliation. European officials warn against conceding land to Russia, calling it a trap. Trump has emphasized the need for security guarantees for Ukraine to break the deadlock with Russia.

Former Sri Lankan President Wickremesinghe arrested on allegations of misusing state funds

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sri Lankan police have arrested former president Ranil Wickremesinghe over allegations of misusing public funds. Wickremesinghe, who served as president from 2022 to 2024, is accused of using public money to attend his wife’s graduation in London after a U.S. visit. He is the first former head of state to be arrested in Sri Lanka. This comes under President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s government, which promised to tackle corruption. Dissanayake’s party won elections last year, defeating an old guard blamed for an economic crisis. Wickremesinghe is credited with stabilizing the economy but faced criticism for austerity measures.

Court orders stray dogs in New Delhi released, easing its order to move them all to shelters

NEW DELHI (AP) — India’s Supreme Court has ordered the release of all stray dogs that were removed from New Delhi streets after sterilization and immunization following an increase in the number of people who were bitten by dogs. The court’s ruling Friday modified its earlier judgment by ordering the dogs to be released to the same localities they were removed from. The order also calls for designated feeding spaces across the capital. The order does not apply to dogs infected with rabies or exhibiting aggressive behavior. Animal lovers and activists filed an appeal against the Aug. 11 ruling ordering permanent relocation to shelters. Estimates put the number of New Delhi’s strays between 500,000 and 1 million.

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