Ukrainian troops have little hope for peace as Trump’s deadline for Russia arrives

DNIPROPETROVSK REGION, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian soldiers are expressing little hope for a diplomatic solution to the war with Russia as U.S. President Donald Trump’s deadline arrives for the Kremlin to stop the killing. It was unclear Friday what steps Trump intends to take. He is eyeing a possible summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the conflict. His efforts to pressure Putin have delivered no progress so far. Russia’s army is advancing deeper into Ukraine and it is bombarding cities. In eastern Ukraine, a commander says Moscow isn’t interested in peace. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán says Europe should lead efforts to end the conflict.

Israel’s plan to take over Gaza City stirs fears for civilians and hostages

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel says it plans to take over Gaza City. The decision to escalate its 22-month war with Hamas drew a dismissal from the militant group, renewed international calls to end the conflict and stirred fears for hostages still in Gaza. Israel’s air and ground war has already killed tens of thousands of people in Gaza, destroyed vast areas and pushed the territory toward famine. The timing of another major ground operation remains unclear but will almost certainly exacerbate the humanitarian catastrophe. Meanwhile, two Arab officials told the Associated Press that mediators from Egypt and Qatar are working on a new framework that will include the release of all hostages in one go in return for an end of the war in Gaza and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the strip.

Flash floods kill at least 10 people and leave 33 missing in northwestern China

BEIJING (AP) — Chinese state media reports flash floods have left at least 10 people dead and 33 missing in Yuzhong County in China’s northwestern Gansu province. Heavy rains since Thursday have triggered flash floods and at least one landslide in mountainous areas near Lanzhou. The downpour has knocked out power and telecommunications services, leaving more than 4,000 people across four villages stranded. Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged all-out rescue and flood prevention efforts in the area.

A bus carrying mourners from a funeral overturns in Kenya, killing 21 people

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — A bus carrying mourners from a funeral in southwestern Kenya has overturned and plunged into a ditch, killing at least 21 people. Authorities say the driver lost control at a roundabout while speeding on Friday evening. An official said that the victims include 10 women, 10 men, and a 10-year-old girl. Road accidents are common in Kenya and the wider East African region, where roads are often narrow and in poor condition. Police often blame speeding drivers for these accidents.