Russian strike on Kyiv kills at least 12 in biggest attack since last summer

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia has attacked Kyiv with an hourslong barrage of missiles and drones, killing at least 12 people and wounding around 90. It was Russia’s deadliest assault on the Ukrainian capital since last July, and it occurred just as peace efforts are coming to a head. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the attack was one of Russia’s “most outrageous” as he cut short his official trip to South Africa to return home. The attack drew a rare rebuke of Russian President Vladimir Putin from U.S. President Donald Trump, who said he was “not happy” about it and that Putin should “STOP.”

South Korean truth commission halts probe into adoption fraud

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The South Korean government’s fact-finding commission has suspended its groundbreaking investigation into the extensive fraud and abuse that tainted the nation’s historic foreign adoption program, stemming from internal disputes among commissioners about which cases warranted recognition. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission confirmed human rights violations in just 56 of the 367 complaints filed by adoptees before suspending its investigation Wednesday night, just one month before its deadline for investigative activities. The fate of the remaining 311 cases now hinges on whether lawmakers will establish a new truth commission through legislation in Seoul’s next government, which takes office after the presidential by-election on June 3.

India and Pakistan ramp up tit-for-tat spat as tensions mount over Kashmir attack

SRINAGAR, India (AP) — India and Pakistan have canceled visas for their nationals to each other’s countries as tensions rise between the nuclear-armed neighbors. The measures came after India blamed Pakistan for a deadly attack by gunmen that killed 26 people, mostly tourists, in disputed Kashmir. Indian authorities said all visas issued to Pakistani nationals will be revoked with effect from Sunday. In return, Pakistan closed its airspace for all Indian owned or Indian operated airlines, and suspended all trade with India including to and from any third country. Tuesday’s attack was the worst assault in years targeting civilians in the restive region that has seen an anti-India rebellion for more than three decades.

China denies any suggestion it is currently in talks with the US over tariffs

BANGKOK (AP) — China has denied any suggestion that it is in active negotiations with the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump over tariffs, saying that any notion of progress in the matter is as groundless as “trying to catch the wind.” China’s comments come after Trump said Tuesday that things are going fine with China and that the final tariff rate on China’s exports would come down “substantially” from the current 145%. Ministry of Commerce spokesman He Yadong said Thursday that China’s position is consistent and it’s open to consultations and dialogues but any form of negotiations must be conducted on the basis of mutual respect and in an equal manner.