Russian drone and missile attack on Ukraine kills at least six people
A widespread Russian drone and missile assault across Ukraine killed at least six people on Wednesday, including a mother and her two daughters, according to AP News.
The overnight strikes hit multiple cities and villages, including a kindergarten in Kharkiv while children were in the building.
The attacks come as diplomatic efforts to end the war falter, with President Donald Trump’s peace initiative stalling amid tensions with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on Western allies to increase sanctions and military aid, saying only sustained pressure could bring Russia to a negotiation.
Democratic-led cities challenge National Guard deployments
President Donald Trump’s efforts to deploy National Guard troops in several Democratic-led cities such as Chicago, Portland, Los Angeles, Memphis and Washington D.C. have sparked a wave of legal challenges across the country, according to the AP News.
In Chicago, a federal judge temporarily halted the deployment for two weeks and is weighing whether to extend that order, even as the Trump administration asks the U.S. Supreme Court to override the block deployment.
Democratic officials in Memphis sued Republican Gov. Bill Lee, arguing he violated the state constitution by authorizing troops at Trump’s request without legislative approval.
In Oregon, U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut, a Trump appointee, issued restraining orders barring Trump from activating or sending National Guard troops to Portland while the legal dispute continues.
Sanae Takaichi becomes Japan’s first female prime minister
Japan made history on Tuesday as lawmakers elected Sanae Takaichi as the country’s first female prime minister following major election losses for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, according to AP News.
Takaichi, a staunch conservative and ally of the late Shinzo Abe, pledged to strengthen Japan’s defense and reaffirm ties with the United States ahead of President Donald Trump’s visit next week.
Takaichi has faced criticism for not promoting diversity or gender equality by opposing same-sex marriage and gender equality reforms.
Her new coalition government lacks a majority and faces an uphill battle to maintain stability and pass legislation.
The Louvre reopens three days after museum heist
The Louvre reopened Wednesday to a crowd of visitors, just three days after the $100 million heist of France’s Crown Jewels, according to AP News.
Thieves broke into the museum early Sunday morning, stealing eight pieces from the Apollo Gallery near the Mona Lisa before escaping through central Paris.
Authorities admitted security failures, and Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin said the incident projected a negative image of France as investigators hunt for the suspects.
The heist sparked scrutiny of the museum’s staffing and security systems, coming months after employees went on strike against overcrowding and inadequate protection for the museum’s vast collection.
