Israel strikes high-rise building and threatens to hit more in Gaza City offensive

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israel struck a high-rise building in Gaza City on Friday after an evacuation warning, as the military stepped up operations aimed at seizing control of the famine-stricken city of some 1 million Palestinians. Strikes elsewhere in Gaza City killed at least 27 people, health officials said. The military accused Hamas militants of using high-rises in the city for surveillance and planned ambushes, and said it would carry out “precise, targeted strikes” on militant infrastructure in the coming days. Israel has begun mobilizing tens of thousands of reservists and is repeating evacuation warnings as part of its plan to widen its offensive, which has sparked opposition domestically and condemnation abroad.

Starmer overhauls his government after his deputy prime minister resigns over a tax error

LONDON (AP) — U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has shaken up his Cabinet after Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner resigned over a tax error. Foreign Secretary David Lammy has replaced Rayner, while Yvette Cooper has become foreign secretary. Shabana Mahmood is now home secretary. These changes mean the top three government positions below the prime minister are held by women for the first time. Rayner’s resignation followed an inquiry into her failure to pay the right amount of tax on a recent property purchase. An ethics watchdog found that despite acting in good faith, she breached the ministers’ code. Rayner will remain a lawmaker, but her departure leaves a significant gap in the Labour government.

Putin says foreign troops deployed to Ukraine would be legitimate targets

(AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin says that any foreign troops deployed to Ukraine, particularly while its invasion is still ongoing, would be considered “legitimate targets” by Moscow’s forces. Putin’s comments on Friday came hours after European leaders repledged their commitment to a potential peacekeeping force. Putin said that “we assume that they will be legitimate targets” if any foreign troops are deployed to Ukraine “especially now while fighting is ongoing.” Putin made the remarks at an economic forum in the far eastern Russian city of Vladivostok. Putin also dismissed the idea of peacekeeping forces in Ukraine after any final peace deal.

Veteran politician Anutin Charnvirakul elected Thai prime minister in parliamentary vote

BANGKOK (AP) — Veteran Thai politician Anutin Charnvirakul has been elected prime minister in a parliamentary vote. The leader of the Bhumjaithai party secured 311 votes, surpassing the required majority. He and his government are expected to take office after a formal appointment from King Maha Vajiralongkorn. Anutin succeeds Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who was dismissed last week for ethics violations. Anutin had served in Paetongtarn’s cabinet but resigned after a controversial leaked phone call. His party has promised to dissolve Parliament within four months in exchange for support from the main opposition People’s Party.