Drones strike ship carrying aid to Gaza, organizers say

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Drones attacked a vessel carrying aid to Gaza in international waters off Malta. That’s according to the group organizing the shipment said. It was the latest confrontation over efforts to send assistance to the Palestinian territory devastated by nearly 19 months of war. A nearby tugboat responded to a distress call from the Conscience, which authorities said experienced a fire that was brought under control. The vessel was carrying 12 crew members and four civilians. The Maltese government said those aboard refused to leave the ship. The group was safe and no injuries were reported. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition accused Israel of attacking its ship.

Israeli military strikes near Syria’s presidential palace after warning over sectarian attacks

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Israel’s air force has struck near Syria’s presidential palace hours after warning Syrian authorities not to march toward villages inhabited by members of a minority sect in southern Syria. The strike on Friday came after days of clashes near the capital between pro-Syrian government gunmen and fighters who belong to the Druze minority sect. The clashes left dozens of people dead or wounded. The Israeli army said in a statement that fighter jets struck adjacent to the area of the Palace of President Hussein al-Sharaa in Damascus. It gave no further details. Pro-government Syrian media outlets said the strike hit close to the People’s Palace on a hill overlooking the city.

A US-led effort to end the war in Ukraine looks favorable to Russia, but mixed signals emerge

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — What’s emerged from the Washington-led effort to end the war in Ukraine suggests a deal that seems likely to be favorable to Russia. President Donald Trump has sharply rebuked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, echoed Kremlin talking points, and indicated Kyiv would have to surrender territory and forego NATO membership. What’s more, he has engaged in a rapprochement with Moscow that was unthinkable months ago. More recently, Trump has offered mixed signals – social media posts that perhaps Russian President Vladimir Putin is stringing him along – and a deal has yet to materialize. While the optics so far have been in the Kremlin’s favor, no proposals that were put forth have been cemented.

Prince Harry says he’s devastated to lose his bid to restore his UK government-funded security

LONDON (AP) — Prince Harry has lost his bid to restore the police protection detail that was withdrawn when he stepped away from royal family duties and moved to the U.S. The Duke of Sussex said Friday he was devastated to lose the court case and said it was a source of friction with his father, King Charles III. The Court of Appeal ruled unanimously that a committee hadn’t treated Harry unfairly when it decided to review his protection on a case-by-case basis each time he visits the U.K. Harry says the ruling means it would be impossible to safely bring his family back to visit his homeland.