The Palestinian death toll in Gaza’s war passes 50,000 as Israel expands new airstrikes
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — More than 50,000 Palestinians have now been killed in the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. That’s according to the territory’s Health Ministry. New Israeli airstrikes killed at least 26 Palestinians overnight into Sunday, including a Hamas political leader and several women and children. Israel’s military also sent ground troops into part of the southern city of Rafah. Thousands of Palestinians fled after new evacuation orders. Israel ended the latest ceasefire last week with a surprise wave of strikes that killed hundreds. It also has launched ground incursions in northern Gaza. Israel says it is targeting militants.
Pope Francis is back home after a 5-week hospital stay for life-threatening double pneumonia
VATICAN CITY (AP) — A weak and frail Pope Francis has returned home to the Vatican from the hospital after a five-week, life-threatening bout of pneumonia. The motorcade carrying the 88-year-old pope entered the Perugino gate entrance to Vatican City, and Francis was seen wearing nasal tubes for supplemental oxygen. During the trip home from Gemelli hospital, Francis took a slight detour to the St. Mary Major basilica, where his favorite icon of the Madonna is located and where he always goes to pray after a foreign visit. His return home brought relief after fears that his illness could be fatal or lead to another papal resignation.
At least 7 killed in Ukraine after Moscow launches drone attack ahead of ceasefire talks
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — At least seven people were killed when Russia launched a barrage of drones across Ukraine overnight, according to local Ukrainian officials and emergency services. Sunday’s attacks occurred ahead of ceasefire negotiations in Saudi Arabia in which Ukraine and Russia are expected to hold indirect U.S.-mediated talks. Extended sounds of explosions were heard in the early hours of the night across Kyiv as the air raid blared for over five hours. Russian drones and debris from shot-down drones, which were flying at lower altitudes to evade air defenses, fell on residential buildings across the Ukrainian capital
America’s European allies are trying to pry their unspent money back from USAID
Three European allies have been pressing the Trump administration to get back money they sent to the United States to help low-income countries. Government officials from Sweden, Norway and the Netherlands tell The Associated Press that a combined $15 million they contributed for joint development work overseas has been parked at the U.S. Agency for International Development for weeks. The Trump administration and Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency have cut USAID’s funding and the bulk of the agency’s programs. The Europeans have asked whether their money would be funneled to projects as expected or whether it should be refunded. They’ve gotten no response so far.
2 months into Trump’s second administration, the news industry faces challenges from all directions
NEW YORK (AP) — During the first Trump administration, many journalists worried most about being called “fake news.” They now face a more assertive President Donald Trump in his second term as a blitz of action by his new administration has journalists on their heels. Media outlets are facing lawsuits and investigations, and threats to their business. Supporters of the president suggest an overdue correction is in order to reflect new ways that Americans get information. Tension between presidents and the Fourth Estate is nothing new. And despite the atmosphere, the Republican president talks to reporters much more often than many predecessors, including Democrat Joe Biden.
AOC tries to broaden her appeal within a Democratic base spoiling for a fight
DENVER (AP) — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is working to broaden her appeal beyond her progressive, anti-establishment roots. The Democratic congresswoman from New York has been on the road with Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders for his “Fighting Oligarchy” rallies. She’s trying to reframe the divide in the Democratic Party not as progressive versus moderate but as those going after Republican President Donald Trump and those being more cautious. Her instinct to brawl is well-matched to the restlessness of the Democratic base, much of which sees top party officials like New York Sen. Chuck Schumer as not confrontational enough. But that instinct also irritates some elected Democrats.
Canadian Prime Minister and opponent kick off election campaigns against backdrop of a trade war
TORONTO (AP) — New Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and his Conservative opponent have kicked off their election campaigns against the backdrop of a trade war and annexation threats from U.S. President Donald Trump. Carney announced Sunday there will be a five-week election campaign before the vote on April 28. The governing Liberals had appeared poised for a historic election defeat this year until Trump declared a trade war. Trump has repeatedly said that Canada should become the 51st U.S. state and he acknowledged Friday that he has upended Canadian politics. Trump’s almost daily attacks on Canada’s sovereignty have infuriated Canadians and led to a surge in Canadian nationalism that has bolstered Liberal poll numbers.
Turkish court orders key Erdogan rival jailed pending trial on corruption charges
ISTANBUL (AP) — A court has formally arrested the mayor of Istanbul and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s key rival and ordered him jailed pending trial on corruption charges. Ekrem Imamoglu was detained following a raid on his residence earlier this week, sparking the largest wave of street demonstrations in Turkey in more than a decade. His imprisonment is widely regarded as a political move to remove a major contender from the next presidential race, currently scheduled for 2028. The prosecutor’s office said Sunday the court decided to jail Imamoglu on suspicion of running a criminal organization, accepting bribes, extortion, illegally recording personal data and bid-rigging.
Gerard Depardieu sexual assault trial marks a cultural reckoning for post-#MeToo France
PARIS (AP) — When French actor Gérard Depardieu walks into a Paris courtroom on Monday, he won’t just be facing two women who accuse him of sexual assault — he’ll also be confronting a nation long criticized for dragging its feet in confronting sexual violence, particularly when committed by the powerful. Depardieu, 76, a leading figure of French cinema for decades, is accused of sexually assaulting a set dresser and an assistant director during the 2021 filming of “Les Volets Verts” (“The Green Shutters”). While Depardieu has been publicly accused of sexual misconduct by around 20 women, this marks the first time he will stand trial. Depardieu has denied all allegations.
Greenlanders embrace pre-Christian Inuit traditions as a way to proudly reclaim ancestral roots
NUUK, Greenland (AP) — Greenlanders in recent years have been embracing pre-Christian Inuit traditions like drum dancing or getting Inuit tattoos. For some, it’s a way to proudly reclaim their ancestral roots. But it’s also a way to publicly reject the legacy of Christian missionaries from Europe who colonized Greenland in the 18th century and suppressed their traditions. The Inuit have survived and thrived for generations in one of most remote, vast and rugged places on Earth, hunting for seals, whales and polar bears. Their traditional religion is animist. They believe that every animal and being has a spirit and needs to be respected.
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