6 Bulgarians convicted in UK of spying for Russia get prison terms

LONDON (AP) — Six Bulgarian nationals have been sentenced in a London court to up to nearly 11 years in prison for spying for Russia. A judge on Monday said that they had committed a very serious crime by putting the safety and interests of Britain at risk. Prosecutors say the group acted on orders on behalf of Russia to carry out surveillance against Kremlin opponents across Europe. The group carried out operations in the United Kingdom, Austria, Spain, Germany and Montenegro between 2020 and 2023 and targeted reporters, diplomats and Ukrainian troops.

Modi says India has only paused military action after it and Pakistan stop firing at each other

NEW DELHI (AP) — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi says India has only “paused its military action” and will “retaliate on its own terms” if there is any future terror attack on the country. They were his first public comments since Saturday’s understanding between India and Pakistan to stop all military actions in a U.S.-brokered ceasefire. Indian and Pakistani authorities said there was no firing reported overnight along the heavily militarized region between their countries. It was the first time in recent days they were not shooting at each other. The hostilities between the nuclear-armed rivals after a deadly attack on tourists in Kashmir had threatened regional peace.

Israeli-American hostage released by Hamas in goodwill gesture

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — An Israeli-American soldier held hostage for more than 19 months in the Gaza Strip has been released by Hamas in a goodwill gesture toward the Trump administration. The deal could lay the groundwork for a new ceasefire with Israel. The Israeli military confirmed that 21-year-old Edan Alexander was turned over to the Red Cross and then to Israeli forces. Alexander’s extended family gathered in Tel Aviv to watch the release. They cheered and chanted his name when the military said he was free. His release was the first since Israel shattered an eight-week ceasefire with Hamas in March, unleashing fierce strikes on Gaza that have killed hundreds.

An airstrike in central Myanmar kills up to 22 people at a bombed school, reports say

BANGKOK (AP) — Witnesses and independent media reports say that an airstrike by Myanmar’s military on a village in the country’s central Sagaing region has hit a school. Up to 20 students and two teachers have been killed. The reports said that the Monday morning attack on Ohe Htein Twin village also wounded dozens of students. State-run MRTV television denied the reports of the airstrike. The military has increasingly used airstrikes to counter a widespread armed struggle against its rule. The military seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021.