QtrendsUkraine strikes Russian navy base near St. Petersburg after Putin rejects talks
Ukraine launched a massive drone attack targeting a Russian navy base near St. Petersburg, striking the city for a second consecutive day after President Putin rejected President Zelenskyy's offer for direct negotiations. Russia described the attack as 'unprecedented' in scale. In response, Putin announced plans to bolster Russia's air defense systems. The escalation comes just days after Kyiv unleashed hundreds of drones on Russian territory.
Israeli soldiers opened fire on a car in the occupied West Bank, killing a seven-month-old Palestinian baby and wounding the parents, according to Palestinian health officials. Multiple news outlets including CNN, AP News, and The Guardian reported the incident, which has drawn widespread condemnation. The NYT described the killing as an infant shot dead by Israeli military fire on a vehicle. The parents were also hurt in the shooting.
Pope Leo XIV made his first papal visit to Spain in 15 years, using the trip to urge political and social leaders to stop fanning the flames of polarization. He praised Spain's opposition to war and its support for migrants during the visit. Topics ranging from divisions and migration to pop culture figure Bad Bunny framed the discussion around the Pope's priorities. The Guardian noted his call for leaders to reject divisive rhetoric as he began his Spanish tour.
Analysts suggest Nicaragua could become the next front in the US-China influence battle, drawing parallels to the Panama situation. Meanwhile, Beijing has deployed new missiles opposite Taiwan that match Patriot systems, according to SCMP reporting. China Daily struck a more conciliatory tone, arguing that Sino-US cooperation could benefit from a wider scope.