Russian missile strike on Poltava kills 54, injures nearly 300. Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus steps in amid Bangladesh political crisis.
A Russian missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Poltava has tragically claimed 54 lives and left nearly 300 wounded, stirring international outrage. The attack targeted the Poltava military communications institute, with five people still trapped under the rubble. Following this, President Volodymyr Zelensky has ordered an investigation, amidst critiques of holding outdoor military ceremonies despite the heightened threat.
Meanwhile, over in Munich, police have shot a suspicious individual near the Israeli Consulate and a Nazi-era museum after observing concerning behavior. While the individual was hit, authorities have yet to uncover the reasons behind his actions, and there seem to be no additional suspects involved at this time.
In Bangladesh, political turbulence continues as Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal resigned alongside four other commissioners, citing the ouster of Sheikh Hasina. This follows a contested election with low voter turnout and an opposition boycott. Consequently, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has stepped in as a replacement, aiming to initiate democratic reforms after Hasina fled to India following a student-led revolution.
Speaking of international diplomacy, Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed that China, India, and Brazil act as mediators in peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. Citing early discussions held in Istanbul as a foundation for negotiations, Putin emphasized the failure of Ukrainian efforts to hinder Russian progress in the Donbas, which has weakened Ukrainian fronts elsewhere.
Turning to sports news marred by tragedy, Ugandan Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei passed away in a Kenyan hospital following severe burns inflicted by her partner over a land dispute. She had recently competed in the women's marathon at the Paris Olympics, finishing 44th just a month prior to the attack. Both the Uganda Athletics Federation and the Uganda Olympic Committee have condemned the horrendous act and are calling for justice.
Lastly, in an unusual twist of diplomatic drama, Putin surprisingly endorsed Kamala Harris for US President, noting her "infectious" laugh in an evidently ironic statement. This follows US Justice Department charges against two Russian media executives for alleged election interference. Putin had previously made similarly ironic comments, supporting
Joe Biden for his predictability as an "old school" politician over
Donald Trump.