Plane crashes while flying tourists to Kenya’s Maasai Mara, killing 11 people

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — A small plane carrying 10 foreign tourists has crashed in Kenya, killing them and the pilot. Authorities are investigating the cause of Tuesday’s crash shortly after its departure from the Indian Ocean coast toward the Maasai Mara National Reserve in heavy rain. Mombasa Air Safari said eight Hungarian and two German passengers were on board along with the local pilot. The airline says the pilot failed to communicate after takeoff. Residents tell The Associated Press they heard a loud bang and found unrecognizable human remains at the scene. Hungary’s prime minister says “What a tragedy!”

Lawmakers move to extend Russia’s compulsory military draft to year-round

(AP) — Russian lawmakers have endorsed a bill mandating year-round military conscription, rather than just in the spring and fall, as authorities seek to fill the ranks as fighting in Ukraine grinds through a fourth year. The legislation, which was approved by the lower house, the State Duma, in a third and final reading of the measure, turns conscription into a permanent process. Once the bill is vetted by the upper house and signed into law by President Vladimir Putin, it would allow conscription offices to summon draftees for medical exams and other procedures at any time of the year. The bill’s authors say the measure is intended to ease pressure on military conscription offices.

Gaza ceasefire tested as Israel and Hamas exchange fire and blame

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the army to carry out “powerful strikes” in Gaza. This decision comes after an Israeli official reported that Hamas fired on Israeli forces in southern Gaza. Hamas has delayed handing over another hostage’s body in response to Israel’s planned strikes. On Monday, the Palestinian militant group handed over body parts that Israel identified as the remains of a hostage recovered earlier in the war, which Netanyahu called a violation of the ceasefire. The ceasefire, which began on October 10, has been fragile, with previous flare-ups. The situation remains tense, with ongoing challenges to the ceasefire. Associated Press reporters heard tank fire and saw explosions in various parts of Gaza, including in Gaza City and Deir al-Balah

Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro appeals his 27-year prison sentence

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Lawyers for Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro have filed an appeal to reduce his prison sentence for attempting a coup after his 2022 electoral defeat. Judges convicted Bolsonaro in September, sentencing him to over 27 years in jail. He has been under house arrest since August. In an 85-page document sent to the Supreme Court, lawyers argued the conviction involved “profound injustices.” They claimed ambiguities and contradictions in the court’s decision. Bolsonaro has denied wrongdoing. Legal experts say this type of appeal is unlikely to reduce his sentence. Bolsonaro will only serve time once appeals are exhausted.