Russia’s top court lifts terror group designation on Afghanistan’s Taliban

MOSCOW (AP) — Russia’s Supreme Court has lifted a ban on Afghanistan’s Taliban, who were designated as a terrorist group more than two decades ago. The move on Thursday was a diplomatic victory for the Taliban, who were put on Russia’s list of terrorist organizations in 2003, making any contact with them punishable under Russian law. At the same time, Taliban delegations have attended various forums hosted by Russia as Moscow has sought to position itself as a regional power broker. The court’s ruling on a request by the Prosecutor General’s office followed last year’s adoption of a law stipulating that the official designation as a terrorist organization could be suspended by a court.

Aid groups: Thousands of children in Gaza are malnourished under Israel’s blockade

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Aid groups are raising new alarm over Israel’s blockade of the war-ravaged Gaza Strip, where it has barred entry of all food and other goods for more than six weeks. Thousands of children have become malnourished, and most people are barely eating one meal a day as stocks dwindle, the United Nations says. The humanitarian aid system in Gaza “is facing total collapse,” the heads of 12 independent aid organizations warned in a joint statement. They said many groups have shut down operations because Israel’s resumed bombardment the past month has made it too dangerous. Israeli strikes overnight into Thursday killed at least 23 people, including a family of 10.

Myanmar frees nearly 4,900 prisoners including some political detainees

BANGKOK (AP) — The head of Myanmar’s military government has granted amnesty to nearly 4,900 prisoners to mark the country’s traditional new year. An independent watchdog said they included at least 22 political detainees. At least 19 buses with prisoners aboard left Yangon’s Insein prison on Thursday and were welcomed outside the gate by excited family members and friends who had been waiting since early morning. Many political detainees have been held on a charge of incitement, a catch-all offense widely used to arrest critics of the government or military and punishable by up to three years in prison.

Russia strikes Ukrainian city of Dnipro as Kyiv seeks security pledges in Paris

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian officials say Russian forces launched a massive drone attack on the southeastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro, killing three people, including a child. Dozens were wounded in the attack late Wednesday. The strike was the latest in a string of Russian attacks that have caused civilian casualties and intensified in recent weeks as the United States continues efforts to negotiate a ceasefire between Moscow and Kyiv. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged allies to support the country with air defense weapons. Meanwhile, a Ukrainian team was in Paris on Thursday for talks with allies including France, Germany and the United Kingdom, as well as a U.S. delegation.