Russian drone incursion in Poland prompts NATO leaders to take stock of bigger threats

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — European leaders have expressed alarm over growing Russian hostility threatening their countries as Moscow’s forces pursue their invasion of Ukraine, concerns exacerbated after multiple Russian drones struck Polish soil. Wednesday’s incursion into Poland, which came during unrelenting Russian strikes on neighboring Ukraine, deepened longstanding fears that the three-year war between Poland’s neighbors could precipitate a wider conflict. U.S.-led efforts to steer Moscow and Kyiv toward a peace settlement have so far failed to get traction. NATO’s supreme commander in Europe said on Thursday that the alliance is uncertain about the number of drones involved. The Kremlin has denied targeting Poland.

UK fires ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson over his links to Jeffrey Epstein

LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has fired the U.K’s ambassador to the United States, Peter Mandelson, over his links to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In a statement in the House of Commons on Thursday, Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty said the decision came after the publication this week of emails Mandelson sent to Epstein. On Wednesday, The Sun newspaper published emails that it said showed Mandelson telling Epstein to “fight for early release” shortly before Epstein was sentenced to 18 months in prison.

Quatar PM: Netanyahu ‘killed any hope’ of Gaza hostages release with strike on Doha

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Qatar’s prime minister has accused his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, of destroying hopes for the release of Hamas-held hostages in Gaza. This follows an Israeli attack on Hamas leaders in Doha. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani’s comments on Thursday reflect growing anger among Gulf Arab countries. The Israeli attack on Qatari soil killed at least six people and intensified Israel’s global isolation. Meanwhile, thousands of Palestinians are fleeing Gaza City ahead of an Israeli offensive. Many are struggling to leave due to lack of resources. The Israel-Hamas war has already claimed over 64,700 Palestinian lives.

Health agency: Ebola cases in Congo rise as authorities race to contain spread of outbreak

KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — Africa’s top public health agency said Thursday that suspected Ebola cases in Congo’s southern Kasai province have more than doubled since last week. The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said suspected cases have increased from 28 to 68 in the province, and have spread from two to four districts. The death toll currently stands at 16. It comes as local authorities race to contain the spread of the disease amid growing concerns from residents. The latest outbreak is the 16th in the country and the 7th in the Kasai area. A previous outbreak between 2018 and 2020 in eastern Congo killed more than 1,000 people.