41 people have been killed by a Russian strike on central Ukraine, says President Volodymyr Zelensky. The attack hit a military educational facility in the city of Poltava, where Ukraine’s defence ministry says rescuers are still working to save people trapped under the rubble.
Jerusalem (AFP) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he is seeking forgiveness for failing to save six hostages whose bodies were recovered from a Gaza tunnel at the weekend. He said that Hamas militants “executed” the hostages, shooting them “in the back of the head”.
Fort Lauderdale (United States) (AFP) – The United States has seized Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s plane in the Dominican Republic and flown it to Florida, a move condemned by the South American leader but which Washington said was necessary due to sanction violations.
Kyiv (Ukraine) (AFP) – Firefighters work at a smouldering academic building in Kyiv after the latest barrage from Russia. Authorities say around 30 missiles were launched at the country, with 22 shot down by air defences. The attack came just hours before Ukrainian children were due to start their third school year in the shadow of Russia’s invasion.
Ernstbrunn (Austria) (AFP) – Following their disappearance in the 19th century, wolves have returned across Europe, with growing populations coming – some people say – too close for comfort. In the continent’s centre, Austria hosts the convergence of three isolated wolf populations and a reported increase in attacks on livestock has led several regions to approve a controversial killing of the protected species.
Mornington (Australia) (AFP) – Huge waves crash onto Mornington Pier, south of Melbourne, as wild storms lash Australia’s southeast. Winds of more than 110 kilometres (68 miles) per hour have hit the region, leaving about 150,000 people without power and resulting in at least one death.
Beijing (AFP) – Beijing says it was defending its “territorial sovereignty” in the South China Sea after the Philippines released footage appearing to show a Chinese Coast Guard vessel ramming one of its ships during an at-sea confrontation. The Chinese Foreign Ministry says its “maritime rights and interests” in the region are “legal and legitimate.”
Erfurt (Germany) (AFP) – Germany’s far-right AfD has secured victory in a regional election in the former East German state of Thuringia, where the anti-migrant party is now the leading political force. The party also saw success in the state of Saxony, coming a close second place, just behind Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s conservative CDU party. The landmark results come just a year ahead of national elections in Germany.
Petah Tikva (Israel) (AFP) – Israel’s main union orders a nationwide general strike after soldiers recovered the bodies of six killed hostages from the Gaza Strip where the military is battling Palestinian militants.
Venice (AFP) – George Clooney and his wife Amal walk the red carpet at the Venice International Film Festival for the premiere of “Wolfs”. The comedy is written and directed by Jon Watts and sees Clooney reunited with Brad Pitt.
