WORLD IN BRIEF: Shark attack kills Australian diver, Ebola claims Red Cross volunteers, Moody’s upgrades South Africa and other stories
Russia launched one of its largest aerial assaults on Ukraine overnight, firing hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles in coordinated strikes that killed at least four people and injured around 100 others.
Russia launched one of its largest aerial assaults on Ukraine overnight, firing hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles in coordinated strikes that killed at least four people and injured around 100 others.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv was the main target, though attacks also struck other regions. Residential buildings, a school, an opera house and a museum were damaged in the capital and surrounding areas.
Russia’s defence ministry said the strikes involved the Oreshnik hypersonic missile and were retaliation for what Moscow described as Ukrainian attacks on civilian infrastructure — an allegation Kyiv denies.
The latest bombardment drew condemnation from European leaders and heightened fears of further escalation in the war launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2022.
At least 20 people were killed and 70 injured after an explosion struck a train carrying military personnel in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province.
The blast occurred near Chaman Phatak station in Quetta, derailing several coaches and overturning two carriages. The train was transporting service members and their families returning home for Eid celebrations. The separatist Balochistan Liberation Army claimed responsibility, describing the attack as a suicide bombing, though Pakistani authorities have yet to confirm the claim.
Images from the scene showed burnt-out train carriages and damaged nearby vehicles as rescue operations continued.
Donald Trump, the United States President says a long-term agreement with Iran has been “largely negotiated”, adding that the deal would include reopening the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
Trump said discussions involving Gulf leaders, including officials from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, were progressing towards a broader peace framework.
Iranian officials acknowledged some convergence in negotiations but cautioned that major disagreements remained unresolved.
The talks follow months of tensions and a ceasefire reached earlier this year after the US-Israel conflict with Iran threatened regional energy supplies and global oil markets.
At least one person has died and dozens are feared trapped after a nine-storey building under construction collapsed near the Philippine capital Manila.
The structure in Angeles City gave way early Sunday morning, sending scaffolding and concrete crashing onto nearby streets and buildings.
Rescue teams have pulled more than two dozen survivors from the debris, while several others remain trapped beneath large slabs of concrete.
Authorities identified the deceased as a 65-year-old Malaysian man staying in a nearby hotel struck by falling debris. Officials have launched an investigation into the cause of the collapse.
A 39-year-old man has died after being attacked by a shark while spearfishing off the coast of Queensland in northeastern Australia.
Police said the victim suffered critical head injuries near Kennedy Shoal, about 45 kilometres offshore, before companions pulled him from the water and brought him ashore.
The incident marks Australia’s second fatal shark attack in as many weeks following another deadly attack near Perth earlier this month.
Authorities said a report would be prepared for the coroner.
