US-Russian journalist gets 6 1/2 years in prison, court says

(AP) — A Russian court says it has convicted Alsu Kurmasheva, a Russian-American journalist for the U.S. government-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, of spreading false information about the Russian military and sentenced her to 6½ years in prison following a secret trial. Court records and officials said Monday the conviction came Friday in the city of Kazan after a two-day trial. That’s the same day a court in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg convicted Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich of espionage and sentenced him to 16 years in prison in a case that the U.S. called politically motivated. Kurmasheva’s case was classified as secret. RFE/RL President and CEO Stephen Capus called the trial and conviction of Kurmasheva “a mockery of justice.”

A gunman has killed 6 people at a nursing home in Croatia, officials say

DARUVAR, Croatia (AP) — Croatian police say a gunman entered a nursing home in a quiet Croatian town on Monday and opened fire, killing six people including his mother. Croatia’s prime minister says the victims were mostly in their 80s and 90s. Five of the dead were residents and one was an employee. Police say the suspect fled but was caught in a nearby cafe. Croatia’s president is calling for “even more rigorous control of gun ownership.” Local reports say the suspect was born in 1973 and was a former policeman who took part in the 1991-95 war in Croatia.

Rescuers search for dozens missing after flooding and a bridge collapse in China kill at least 25

BEIJING (AP) — Rescuers are searching for dozens missing after heavy rains caused flash flooding and a bridge collapse in different parts of China, killing at least 25 people. Flash flooding tore through a village in Sichuan province Saturday, and rescuers said 10 people died and they were searching for 29 missing. Days of rain swelled the river that runs through the village, and 40 houses were swept away. In Shaanxi province, vehicles fell into a river when part of a highway bridge collapsed Friday. State media reported at least 15 deaths. The collapse raised more questions about the safety of China’s road and bridge infrastructure, which was built rapidly in recent decades.

Brazil’s Lula urges Venezuela’s Maduro to respect vote results

BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) — Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva says his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolás Maduro should respect the results of the elections scheduled for Sunday. Lula also says he is frightened by Maduro’s reference to a possible bloodbath. In recent weeks, Maduro and allies have increased their references to post-election violence. Lula will send a top diplomat to neighboring Venezuela as an observer of the vote. Maduro has governed Venezuela since 2013 after the death of predecessor and mentor Hugo Chávez. The 61-year-old has won elections that his adversaries deemed not to be free and fair.