Israeli airstrikes hit UN school and homes in Gaza and kill at least 34, hospitals say

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hospital officials say Israeli airstrikes across Gaza have killed at least 34 people, including 19 women and children. The strikes hit a U.N. school sheltering displaced Palestinian families as well as two homes. The Israeli military says it targeted the school in central Gaza because Hamas militants were planning attacks from there. The claim could not be independently confirmed. Israel has also carried out new raids in the occupied West Bank, saying it was targeting militant groups. The war in Gaza is now into its 11th month, with tens of thousands of people dead.

Top US and UK diplomats pledge almost $1.5B in additional aid for Ukraine

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The United States and Britain have pledged nearly $1.5 billion in additional aid to Ukraine during a visit to Kyiv by their top diplomats. Ukrainian officials used the occasion to renew their pleas to use Western-provided missiles against targets deeper inside Russia. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced more than $700 million in humanitarian aid, while British Foreign Secretary David Lammy confirmed that his country would provide another $782 million in assistance and loan guarantees. Much of the effort was aimed at bolstering the energy grid that Russia has repeatedly pounded ahead of an expected difficult winter.

Kosovo prosecutors charge 45 people over a deadly incursion by Serb gunmen

PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) — Kosovo prosecutors have filed charges against 45 people over a gunfight following an incursion by heavily armed Serb gunmen last year. A Kosovo policeman and three Serb gunmen were killed in the shootout in the village of Banjska in September. Kosovo has accused Serbia of involvement, but Belgrade denied it while tensions have risen between Serbia and its former breakaway province. Among those charged in absentia is Milan Radoicic, a politician and wealthy businessman with ties to Serbia’s ruling populist party and President Aleksandar Vucic. Last year Serbia briefly detained Radoicic.

Malaysia’s police rescue 402 children after sex abuse allegations

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysia’s national police chief says 402 children have been rescued and 171 suspects arrested after raids on 20 welfare homes linked to an Islamic business group, in which children were allegedly exploited and sexually abused. Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain said the raids were conducted Wednesday following investigations into allegations of child, abandonment, deviant teachings and sexual assault at the homes, run by the Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings. He said the arrested suspects included religious teachers and caretakers. In a statement, the group denied that it exploited children, but made no mention of allegations of sexual abuse against them.