Russia, Ukraine say new POW exchange completed

KYIV: Russia and Ukraine said Thursday that they had completed another exchange of captured soldiers, part of a deal reached earlier in June at peace talks in Istanbul. During the talks, the first direct negotiations between the sides in three years, both countries agreed to free more than 1,000 prisoners of war from each side…

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Gaza rescuers say 25 killed by Israeli fire

GAZA CITY: Gaza’s civil defence agency said Israeli fire killed at least 25 people on Thursday, including 15 who had gathered near an aid distribution site. Civil defence official Mohammad al-Mughayyir told AFP that 15 people were killed and 60 wounded, while waiting for aid in central Gaza’s Netzarim corridor, where thousands of people have…

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Iran-Israel war: latest developments

JERUSALEM: Israel and Iran exchanged fire again on Thursday, the seventh day of the war between the longtime enemies. Here are the latest developments: Hospital strike A hospital in southern Israel was hit as Iran fired a barrage of “dozens” of missiles, officials said, with impacts also reported in two Israeli towns close to commercial…

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Sweden parties back govt’s defence spending hike

STOCKHOLM: Sweden’s government said Thursday it had gained the support of all parties in parliament for a massive boost in defence spending, as the United States pressures Europe take more responsibility for security. The 300 billion kronor ($31 billion) boost over the next decade, first announced in March and due to be finalised in forthcoming…

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Israel’s Netanyahu says Iran will ‘pay heavy price’ after hospital hit

JERUSALEM: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran would “pay a heavy price” after a hospital in southern Israel was hit during an Iranian missile attack on Thursday, while his defence minister said Iran’s supreme leader would be “held accountable”. “This morning, Iran’s terrorist dictators fired missiles at Soroka Hospital… and at civilians in the centre…

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