Briefly

MIDDLE EAST

Israeli airstrike kills family of six: Medics

An Israeli airstrike on Tuesday killed a man, his wife and their four children in Gaza City, while setting their home ablaze, health officials said, in the latest deadly attack since a US-backed ceasefire was agreed more than nine months ago. Medics said the Israeli strike on the family house in the Sabra neighborhood killed the man, Firas Al-Masri, his wife, Salsabeel, and their three daughters and son. The Israeli military confirmed the strike, saying its target was a Hamas militant and it was still looking into the result of the attack. On Tuesday, the United Nations condemned the recent attacks in Gaza, saying at least 57 Palestinians have been killed in the past week. The ceasefire agreed last October remains in place between Israel and Hamas, but it has not halted the violence in Gaza.

RUSSIA

Putin signs decree to extend visa-free entry

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on Monday extending visa-free entry for Chinese citizens through Dec 31,2027. China announced in May that it would extend visa-free entry for Russian citizens through Dec 31, 2027, as part of efforts to facilitate people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

UNITED STATES

Army veteran held in NY for igniting fire

Authorities said a man protesting against Immigration and Customs Enforcement was taken into custody on Monday after he ignited a fire and fired a pellet gun on the steps of the building that houses the agency's office in Lower Manhattan. Officials identified the suspect as Andrew Arrabaca, a 43-year-old US Army veteran living in New York's Harlem neighborhood. On Monday morning, a man appeared to pour gasoline from a bucket onto the stairs of 26 Federal Plaza, an office tower that also houses the FBI's New York field office, then set it on fire, according to authorities and local news videos. The suspect, who brought anti-ICE literature, also ignited fireworks, authorities said. The Department of Homeland Security said on X that a Federal Protective Service officer who detained the man, described by DHS as "an anti-ICE rioter", sustained minor injuries.

AGENCIES-XINHUA