Slovakia&s Prime Minister Robert Fico underwent a two-hour operation yesterday that has increased hopes for his recovery, the deputy prime minister said, following an assassination attempt this week that sent shockwaves through Europe.

Israeli forces retrieved the bodies of three hostages from the Gaza Strip on Thursday night, chief military spokesperson Daniel Hagari said yesterday.

Russian president Vladimir Putin said yesterday during a visit to China that Moscow&s offensive in Ukraine&s north-eastern Kharkiv region aims to create a buffer zone but that there are no plans to capture the city.

French police shot dead a knife-wielding Algerian man who set fire to a synagogue and threatened police in the city of Rouen on Friday in the latest antisemitic attack, officials said.