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Our top stories. A Russian military plane crashed in the Belgrade region near the border with Ukraine,

killing at least 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war,

according to the Russian Ministry of Defence.

Ria Novosti, a state-owned news agency, said that nine other people were on board, including six crew.

The plane was reportedly transporting the passengers for a prisoner exchange.

Russia accused Ukraine of shooting down the plane but did not present any evidence. Ukraine did not comment.

Israel attacked a UN training centre sheltering 800 people in the southern city of Han Eunice in Gaza.

A UN official said nine people had been killed and 75 injured when two tank rounds hit the building on Wednesday.

Quote, we deplored the attack, a spokesperson for America's State Department said in a rare rebuke.

Earlier Israel ruled out a ceasefire in Gaza.

America's services and manufacturing sectors expanded in January, according to a survey by

S&P Global.

The Purchasing Managers Index rose to 50.3 up from 47.9 in December.

Anything below 50 marks a contraction.

It was the highest reading since October 2022.

The strong figures may curb expectations that the Central Bank will begin to cut rate soon.

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