Ex-aide says Netanyahu tasked him with making a plan to evade responsibility for Oct. 7 attack

JERUSALEM (AP) — A former close aide to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that immediately following the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023, he was ordered to figure out how the premier could evade responsibility for the security breach. It was an explosive allegation from former spokesperson Eli Feldstein, made during an extensive interview with Israel’s Kan news channel Monday night. Netanyahu has been long accused of avoiding taking the blame for the deadliest attack in Israel’s history, one that kicked off the two-year war in Gaza. But little is known about Netanyahu’s behavior in the days immediately following the attack.

Major Russian drone and missile attack on Ukraine kills at least 3 and cuts power

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Officials say Russia fired more than 650 drones and three dozen missiles at Ukraine in a large-scale attack that began during the night and stretched into daylight hours Tuesday. At least three people were killed, including a 4-year-old child. The bombardment demonstrated Russian President Vladimir Putin’s intention of pursuing the invasion of Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a post on the Telegram messaging app. Ukrainian and European officials have complained that Putin is not sincerely engaging with U.S.-led peace efforts. U.S. President Donald Trump has for months been pressing for a peace agreement, but the negotiations have become entangled in the very different demands from Moscow and Kyiv.

Suspected militants ambush police vehicle in northwest Pakistan and kill 5 officers

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) — Suspected militants have opened fire on a police vehicle in northwest Pakistan, killing five officers before fleeing. The attack took place Tuesday in the Karak district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province while police were on routine patrol. Officials say the assailants torched the vehicle after the attack. A large police contingent has cordoned off the area and launched a search operation. Pakistan’s Interior Minister and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Chief Minister condemned the attack. No group has claimed responsibility, but suspicion may fall on the Pakistani Taliban. Pakistan has seen a rise in militant violence, straining relations with Afghanistan.

Yemen’s sides agree to release 2,900 detainees in war’s largest exchange

CAIRO (AP) — Yemen’s government and Iran-backed Houthi rebels have agreed to release 2,900 detainees in the largest swap during the 11-year civil war. Saudi Ambassador Mohamed AlJabir announced the deal, signed under U.N. and Red Cross supervision, allowing detainees to return to their families. The agreement includes freeing Yemenis, seven Saudis, and 23 Sudanese nationals. Yemen has been in conflict since 2014, causing over 150,000 deaths and a severe humanitarian crisis. The deal, reached in Oman, follows a 12-day meeting and aims to fulfill commitments under the 2018 Stockholm Agreement.