OSLO -- Norway will donate six F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, with plans to start delivering the aircraft this year, the Norwegian government announced in a statement on Wednesday.

Last year, the Norwegian government decided to donate several F-16s to Ukraine under a framework led by Denmark, the Netherlands, and the United States. (Norway-Ukraine-Aircraft)

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MANILA -- Philippine police clashed with suspected criminals in Cotabato province in the southern Philippines on Wednesday morning, with at least six people killed, including a police officer, and six other police officers injured, local police said.

Jennefer Amotan, police chief of the Aleosan town, said the firefight happened before 9 a.m. local time while policemen served a warrant to search a hideout believed to be hiding firearms and illegal drugs. A 33-year-old male police officer was killed and six others were wounded in the clash, she added. (Philippines-Clash-Police)

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JOHANNESBURG -- A total of 13 people, including 12 pupils and a driver, were killed and seven others injured in a minibus-truck collision Wednesday morning in the Merafong Local Municipality, Gauteng Province, South Africa, according to local authorities.

Matome Chiloane, member of the executive council for education, sport, arts, culture and recreation in Gauteng Province, said on Wednesday that a minibus carrying students was hit from behind by a pickup truck, causing it to overturn and catch fire at about 6:45 a.m. local time. (South Africa-Road Accident-Death)

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JERUSALEM -- Israel's military said on Wednesday that it dropped thousands of leaflets on Gaza City, urging all residents to leave immediately amid an intensified military offensive on the Palestinian enclave's main city.

The leaflets called on "all those in Gaza City" to leave and move quickly, saying the army enables "safe corridors" for residents to move to areas in Deir al-Balah and al-Zawaida, which, according to the military, have been designated as safe zones. (Israel-Gaza-Evacuation)

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BRUSSELS -- Belgium's King Philippe appointed Bart De Wever, president of the New Flemish Alliance (N-VA), to form the federal government on Wednesday.

De Wever, who was received at the Royal Palace Wednesday morning, submitted his final report as "preformateur" to the King. He has accepted the mission as "formateur" and will conduct negotiations with various political parties to form a new federal government, reporting back to the King on July 24. (Belgium-De Wever-Government) Enditem

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