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Russian Drone Strike Kills Nine in Ukraine Hours After Peace Talks
A Russian drone strike on a civilian bus in Ukraine’s northeastern Sumy region has left nine people dead and four others injured, in what Ukrainian officials are calling a deliberate attack on non-combatants.
The assault took place early Saturday in the town of Bilopillia, located roughly 10 kilometers from the Russian border. According to regional authorities, the drone hit a passenger bus, killing mostly elderly civilians. Three of the four wounded are reported to be in serious condition and are receiving treatment at a hospital in Sumy city.
The Sumy Regional Administration condemned the strike in a statement on Telegram, calling it “another war crime by Russia — a deliberate strike on civilian transport that posed no threat.”
The attack came just hours after Ukrainian and Russian delegations held face-to-face discussions in Turkey — the first direct peace talks in several years. While seen as a potential diplomatic breakthrough, the negotiations ended without a ceasefire agreement.
Photos released by Ukraine’s national police showed the charred remains of the bus and the surrounding area littered with debris, highlighting the devastating impact of the strike. Authorities are working to identify the deceased, many of whom are believed to be elderly women traveling within the region.
In response to the tragedy, local officials in Bilopillia declared a period of mourning until Monday. Yurii Zarko, head of the local community, described the day of the strike as “Black Saturday,” reflecting the grief and anger felt throughout the region.
The drone attack is part of a broader pattern of strikes on civilian infrastructure across Ukraine, as fighting continues along the front lines in the east and south of the country. Kyiv has repeatedly accused Moscow of targeting non-military sites in violation of international law — accusations the Kremlin denies.
The incident underscores the fragility of the current diplomatic efforts and the escalating toll on civilians as the war stretches into its third year. Despite renewed international calls for de-escalation, both sides remain deeply entrenched, with little sign of a breakthrough on the horizon.
News
Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
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White House Unveils “Media Hall of Shame” Portal as Attacks on Press Intensify
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Russia Launches Massive Overnight Barrage on Ukraine as Peace Talks With U.S. Continue
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