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Russian Attack Cuts Power to Hundreds of Thousands in Northern Ukraine 

A worker climbs a utility pole while repairing power lines damaged in a Russian attack, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, in Shostka, Ukraine. (AP)
A worker climbs a utility pole while repairing power lines damaged in a Russian attack, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, in Shostka, Ukraine. (AP)
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Russian Attack Cuts Power to Hundreds of Thousands in Northern Ukraine 

A worker climbs a utility pole while repairing power lines damaged in a Russian attack, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, in Shostka, Ukraine. (AP)
A worker climbs a utility pole while repairing power lines damaged in a Russian attack, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, in Shostka, Ukraine. (AP)

A Russian bombardment of energy infrastructure cut power to hundreds of thousands of people in northern Ukraine's Chernihiv region on Tuesday, with repairs unable to start due to the lingering threat of drone strikes, Ukraine's energy ministry said.

It said that the regional capital, which had a pre-war population of about 280,000, and the northern part of the region had totally lost power.

Chernihiv has been hammered by Russian drone and missile attacks on its power infrastructure in recent weeks, causing regular blackouts and disrupting daily life.

"Emergency crews in Chernihiv region are unable to begin work on restoring power supply due to continuous attacks by Russian drones," the ministry said in a statement on Telegram.

It accused Russia of launching drones to circle above damaged facilities to make it impossible to carry out repairs and "deliberately prolong the humanitarian crisis".

Chernihiv's acting mayor Oleksandr Lomako said Moscow was seeking to deprive local residents of power and heat ahead of the cold winter.

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World

Italian PM Says Suspends Defense Agreement with Israel

Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni speaks at the lower house of Parliament to report on her government’s actions and is expected to speak on the latest developments in Iran, in Rome, Italy, April 9, 2026. (Reuters)
Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni speaks at the lower house of Parliament to report on her government’s actions and is expected to speak on the latest developments in Iran, in Rome, Italy, April 9, 2026. (Reuters)
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Italian PM Says Suspends Defense Agreement with Israel

Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni speaks at the lower house of Parliament to report on her government’s actions and is expected to speak on the latest developments in Iran, in Rome, Italy, April 9, 2026. (Reuters)
Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni speaks at the lower house of Parliament to report on her government’s actions and is expected to speak on the latest developments in Iran, in Rome, Italy, April 9, 2026. (Reuters)

Italy has suspended its defense agreement with Israel, which involves the exchange of military equipment and technology research, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and diplomatic sources said Tuesday. 

"In view of the current situation, the government has decided to suspend the automatic renewal of the defense agreement with Israel," Meloni said on the sidelines of an event in Verona, according to Italian news agencies ANSA and AGI. 

An Italian diplomatic source confirmed to AFP that the agreement had been suspended, saying: "It would have been politically difficult to keep it going." 

Approved by Israel in 2006, the agreement is reviewed every five years. 

It calls for cooperation across defense industries, education and training of military personnel, research and development and information technology, among others. 

Tensions between the two countries have risen over the past week after the Italian government accused Israeli forces of firing warning shots at a convoy of Italian UN peacekeepers in Lebanon. 

Italy summoned Israel's ambassador in protest over the incident that damaged at least one vehicle but caused no injuries. 

On Monday, Israel summoned Italy's ambassador following comments by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani that condemned "unacceptable attacks" on Lebanese civilians by Israeli forces. 

Tajani, who is deputy prime minister, was in Beirut Monday for talks with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi. 

He later wrote on X that he was there to "convey Italy's solidarity following Israel's unacceptable attacks against the civilian population". 

World

France, UK to Host Hormuz Talks Friday

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks during Ministerial Statement on the Middle East at the House of Commons in London, Britain, April 13, 2026. (House of Commons/Handout via Reuters)
Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks during Ministerial Statement on the Middle East at the House of Commons in London, Britain, April 13, 2026. (House of Commons/Handout via Reuters)
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France, UK to Host Hormuz Talks Friday

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks during Ministerial Statement on the Middle East at the House of Commons in London, Britain, April 13, 2026. (House of Commons/Handout via Reuters)
Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks during Ministerial Statement on the Middle East at the House of Commons in London, Britain, April 13, 2026. (House of Commons/Handout via Reuters)

France and Britain will co-host a video conference Friday of countries ready to contribute to a "purely defensive mission" to secure the Strait of Hormuz, the French president's office said.

President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will co-chair the meeting to discuss a plan to "restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz when security conditions allow", it said on Tuesday.

A spokesman for the British prime minister's office said: "The summit will advance work towards a coordinated, independent, multinational plan to safeguard international shipping once the conflict ends."

US-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February sparked a region-wide war and brought traffic through the Strait of Hormuz to a near standstill, blocking a key route for global oil and gas shipments.

Iran and the United States last week agreed to a two-week cessation of hostilities, but ceasefire talks between the warring sides in Pakistan over the weekend ended in failure.

US President Donald Trump responded by ordering his navy to carry out a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz starting Monday.

World

School Shooting in Türkiye Leaves 16 Wounded, Attacker Dead

Police forensic officers inspect a scene near the Israeli consulate in Istanbul on April 7, 2026, following a shootout between gunmen and police. (Photo by Yasin AKGUL / AFP)
Police forensic officers inspect a scene near the Israeli consulate in Istanbul on April 7, 2026, following a shootout between gunmen and police. (Photo by Yasin AKGUL / AFP)
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School Shooting in Türkiye Leaves 16 Wounded, Attacker Dead

Police forensic officers inspect a scene near the Israeli consulate in Istanbul on April 7, 2026, following a shootout between gunmen and police. (Photo by Yasin AKGUL / AFP)
Police forensic officers inspect a scene near the Israeli consulate in Istanbul on April 7, 2026, following a shootout between gunmen and police. (Photo by Yasin AKGUL / AFP)

An ex-student opened fire at his former high school Tuesday in Türkiye, where school shootings are rare, wounding 16 people including students before killing himself, officials said.

Special security forces were deployed to the school in southeastern Türkiye 's Sanliurfa province, where students were evacuated, the local governor, Hasan Sildak, told reporters.

Television footage showed ambulances standing by outside the school in the Siverek district as students fled the building in panic.

Sildak identified the attacker as a former student at the school, born in 2007.

"He took his own life when cornered by police," the governor said.

"We have evacuated the school and will carry out a thorough investigation into this tragic incident," he added.

Local media reported that most of the wounded were students.