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Associated Press News	2025-05-04 04:06:57+00:00	[ "United States government", "North Carolina", "United States", "Politics", "Activism", "Donald Trump", "Palestinian territories government", "Education", "Colleges and universities", "United States Congress", "Immigration", "Schools" ]	# International students in the US skip travel amid visa crackdown By Makiya Seminera May 4th, 2025, 04:06 AM --- On summer break from a Ph.D. program, an international student at University of California, San Diego, was planning a trip with a few friends to Hawaii. But after seeing international students across the United States stripped of their legal status, the student decided against it. Any travel, even inside the U.S., just didn't seem worth the risk. "I probably am going to skip that to ... have as few interactions with governments as possible," said the student, who spoke on condition of anonymity out of fear of being targeted. International students weighing travel to see family, take a vacation or conduct research are thinking twice because of the Trump administration's crackdown, which has added to a sense of vulnerability. Even before students suddenly began losing permission to study in the U.S., some colleges were encouraging international students and faculty to postpone travel, citing government efforts to deport students involved in pro-Palestinian activism. As the scale of the status terminations emerged in recent weeks, more schools have cautioned against non-essential travel abroad for international students. University of California, Berkeley, for one, issued an advisory last week saying upcoming international travel was risky due to "strict vetting and enforcement." At least 1,220 students at 187 colleges, universities and university systems have had their visas revoked or legal status terminated since late March, according to an Associated Press review of university statements, correspondence with school officials and court records. The number of affected students appears far higher, though. At least 4,736 international students' visa records were terminated in a government database that maintains their legal status, according to an April 10 Immigration and Customs Enforcement response to inquiries from Congress. Suddenly at risk for deportation, some students went into hiding while others left the country on their own. Many of the students said they had only minor infractions on their records or didn't know why their records were removed. After federal judges raised due process concerns in several students' cases, the U.S. government reversed the terminations but then issued new guidance expanding the reasons international students can lose their legal status in the future. Under the new policy, valid reasons for status termination include the revocation of the visas students used to enter the U.S. In the past, if a student's visa was revoked, they generally could stay in the U.S. to finish school. They simply would not be able to reenter if they left the country. The fast-evolving situation has left colleges struggling to advise students. A Michigan college employee who helps international students navigate the visa process said they are inquiring more than ever about summer travel. The employee, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media, said he often has been unable to give sufficient answers. Last year, the U.S. hosted around 1.1 million international students, a source of essential tuition revenue at many schools. Advocates say that number is likely to shrink as the crackdown hurts America's appeal. Over the past few weeks, Rishi Oza's immigration law firm in North Carolina has received calls about travel risks almost daily from people of varied immigration status, including international students. "You kind of shake your head and say, 'Is this the character of the country we want?'" Oza said. "It just seems that it's a bit out of whack that people are fearful of leaving and whether they'll be able to come back." Students in the U.S. with a visa need to decide if their travels are critical, Oza said. When attempting reentry after leaving the country, they should bring immigration documents, school transcripts and even court documents if they were charged with a crime and the court dismissed the case. Ultimately, lawyers can't foretell what will happen at the airport, he said. The unpredictability has put one international student at the University of Illinois in distress. The student, who requested anonymity to avoid being targeted, has laid low since one of his classmates left the country after their legal status was terminated. The student's plan to travel to his home country in Asia this summer causes feelings of panic, but he has nowhere else to stay. He bought his plane ticket and is committed to the trip. His anxiety over what could happen when he returns, however, is still there. "Right now," he said, "I'm afraid I might not be able to come back." ___ Associated Press reporter Christopher L. Keller contributed from Albuquerque, New Mexico. ___ The Associated Press' education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
Associated Press News	2025-05-14 23:01:31+00:00	[ "Louisiana", "Russia", "U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement", "Immigration", "Climate and environment", "Prisons", "Indictments", "Education", "Criminal punishment", "Zoology", "Leon Peshkin", "Climate" ]	# Harvard researcher charged with trying to smuggle frog embryos into United States By Michael Casey May 14th, 2025, 11:01 PM --- BOSTON (AP) — A Russian-born scientist and Harvard University researcher, who was already facing deportation back to Russia, was charged Wednesday with trying to smuggle frog embryos into the country. Kseniia Petrova, 30, was sent to a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Louisiana after her February arrest. She continues to await a judge's decision on whether she will be deported to Russia, where she fears she will be imprisoned or worse. A hearing on her case was held Wednesday in Vermont. But in the case's latest twist, federal prosecutors charged her with one count of smuggling goods into the United States. It says she was taken into custody Wednesday. If convicted, Petrova faces a sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. A lawyer for Petrova could not be reached for comment. It is unclear if she is being moved from the ICE facility. Petrova had been vacationing in France, where she stopped at a lab specializing in splicing superfine sections of frog embryos and obtained a package of samples to be used for research. As she passed through a U.S. Customs and Border Protection checkpoint in Boston Logan International Airport, Petrova was questioned about the samples. Petrova told The Associated Press in an interview last month that she didn't realize the items needed to be declared and was not trying to sneak in anything. After an interrogation, Petrova was told her visa was being cancelled. "The truth is on my side," said Petrova, who spoke with the AP in a video call from the Louisiana ICE detention center in Monroe. The Department of Homeland Security said in a statement on the social platform X that Petrova was detained after "lying to federal officers about carrying substances into the country." They allege messages on her phone "revealed she planned to smuggle the materials through customs without declaring them." Federal prosecutors said Petrova was stopped by Customs and Border Protection agents after a law enforcement canine alerted them to her checked duffle bag. Upon inspection, the frog embryos were discovered in a foam box. She initially denied carrying any biological material in her checked baggage, prosecutors said, but later acknowledged it. Petrova's boss and mentor, Leon Peshkin, said in an interview last month that the samples were not in any way dangerous or biohazardous. "I don't think she did anything wrong," Peshkin told the AP. "But even if she did, at most she should have gotten a warning or maybe a fine of up to $500." Harvard said in a statement that the university "continues to monitor the situation." Petrova told the AP that she left her country to avoid conflict or possible political repression. She fled after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, marking the start of a bloody three-year war. "If I go back, I am afraid I will be imprisoned because of my political position and my position against war," Petrova said. Petrova's case is being closely watched by the scientific community, with some fearing it could impact recruiting and retaining foreign scientists at U.S. universities. "I think that there is a wrong perception that foreign scientists are somehow privileged to be in the United States. I feel it's the opposite," Peshkin said. "Foreign scientists come here with gifts ... they are highly skilled experts who are in demand. They enrich the American scientific community."
Associated Press News	2025-05-16 18:50:05+00:00	[ "Israel", "Donald Trump", "Gaza Strip", "Benjamin Netanyahu", "2024-2025 Mideast Wars", "Israel-Hamas war", "Israel government", "Middle East", "Hamas", "War and unrest", "International agreements", "Hostage situations", "Prisoner exchange", "Humanitarian crises", "Religion", "Military and defense", "Health", "Famine" ]	# The crisis is Gaza is only growing. Here's what to know By Julia Frankel May 16th, 2025, 06:50 PM --- JERUSALEM (AP) — The war in the Gaza Strip has reached one of its darkest periods. Israel cut off all food and supplies to the territory nearly three months ago. The military has launched another major offensive against Hamas, including "extensive" ground operations. Hundreds of people in the Palestinian territory have been killed in recent days. Experts have warned of a looming famine. Doctors say overwhelmed hospitals are running out of medicine to treat even routine conditions. Israel on Sunday said it would allow a "basic" amount of food into Gaza so a hunger crisis wouldn't jeopardize its new military operation. There were no immediate details. The military is preparing for a new organization with U.S. backing to take over aid delivery, despite alarms raised by humanitarian groups that say the plans won't meet the massive need and could weaponize food assistance. It's unclear when operations would begin or who would fund them. Talks continue in Qatar on a new ceasefire and exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners, but the sides still seem far apart. Hamas demands an end to the war. Israel vows to keep fighting even after the hostages are freed — until Hamas has been destroyed or disarmed and sent into exile. Here's what to know about the more than 19-month war. ## Casualties soar in Gaza Israel ended a six-week ceasefire in mid-March and resumed its attacks in Gaza, saying military pressure is needed to get Hamas to free hostages abducted in the Oct. 7, 2023 attack by militants on southern Israel that ignited the war. On Sunday alone, Israeli strikes killed more than 100 people, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which doesn't distinguish between civilians and combatants. The strikes forced the closure of the Indonesian Hospital, the main health facility serving northern Gaza. The strikes — often at night, as people sleep in their tents — have targeted hospitals, schools, medical clinics, mosques and a Thai restaurant-turned shelter. The European Hospital, the only remaining facility providing cancer treatment in Gaza, was put out of service last week. Israel says it targets only militants and accuses Hamas of using civilians as human shields. The U.N. children's agency estimates that an average of 100 children were killed or maimed by Israeli airstrikes every day in the last 10 days of March. Almost 3,000 of the more than 53,000 dead since the start of the war have been killed since Israel broke the ceasefire on March 18, the Health Ministry said. ## Supplies blocked since March Israel has blocked all supplies, including food, fuel and medicine, from reaching Gaza since the beginning of March. Its military campaign, which has destroyed vast areas and driven around 90% of the population from their homes, has left the territory almost entirely reliant on international aid. Most community kitchens have shut down. The main food providers inside Gaza — the U.N.'s World Food Program and World Central Kitchen — say they are out of food. Vegetables and meat are inaccessible or unaffordable. Crowds line up for hours for a small scoop of rice. Food security experts said last week that Gaza would likely fall into famine if Israel doesn't lift its blockade and stop its military campaign. Nearly 500,000 Palestinians face possible starvation — living in "catastrophic" levels of hunger — and 1 million others can barely get enough food, according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, a leading international authority on the severity of hunger crises. Satellite photos obtained by The Associated Press show what appear to be Israeli preparations for the new aid distribution program. The photos from May 10 show four bases in southern Gaza. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation — made up of American security contractors, former government officials, ex-military officers and humanitarian officials — says it would initially set up four distribution sites, guarded by private security firms. Each would serve 300,000 people, covering only about half of Gaza's population. The proposal said subcontractors will use armored vehicles to transport supplies from the Gaza border to distribution sites, where they will also provide security. It said the aim is to deter criminal gangs or militants from redirecting aid. ## New offensive endangers hostages, families and protesters say Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to use even greater force to achieve the two main war aims of returning all the hostages and dismantling Hamas. Hamas abducted 251 hostages in the 2023 attack and killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians. The militant group is still holding 58 hostages, around a third believed to be alive, after releasing most of the rest in ceasefire agreements or other deals. Hamas has refused to release the remaining hostages without a deal that ensures a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. It has also demanded the release of more Palestinian prisoners. Families of many of the hostages, and their supporters, have held mass protests for months demanding a deal to return their loved ones, and fear that the renewed offensive puts them in grave danger. Hamas is believed to be holding the hostages — its only bargaining chip — in different locations, including tunnels, and has said it will kill them if Israeli forces try to rescue them. ## No sign of Trump pressuring Israel Despite skipping Israel on his Middle East tour last week, U.S. President Donald Trump's administration has voiced full support for Israel's actions in Gaza and he has shown no public sign of pressuring Netanyahu's government over the aid cutoff or the deaths of civilians. Hamas released an Israeli-American soldier before Trump's visit to Gulf Arab countries last week in what it said was a goodwill gesture aimed at getting the long-stalled ceasefire talks back on track. Trump has said that he wants to get the the rest of the hostages out, but hasn't called on Israel to end the war. Instead, he has proposed resettling much of Gaza's population of around 2 million Palestinians in other countries and redeveloping the territory for others. Israel has embraced the proposal, which has been condemned by Palestinians, Arab countries and much of the international community. Experts say it would likely violate international law. ___ Sam Mednick contributed to this report from Tel Aviv, Israel.
Associated Press News	2025-05-12 21:35:32+00:00	[ "Sarah Jessica Parker", "Michelle Obama", "Kate Middleton", "Nonfiction", "Cindi Leive", "Fashion", "Children", "Books and literature", "New York", "Asia", "Asia Pacific", "New York City Wire", "Design", "Race and ethnicity", "Nepal", "Donna Karan", "Cynthia Rowley", "Entertainment", "Lifestyle", "Bill Blass", "Prabal Gurung", "George Floyd", "Bibhu Mohapatra", "Race and Ethnicity" ]	# Prabal Gurung reflects on resilience and runway success in new memoir By Brooke Lefferts May 12th, 2025, 09:35 PM --- NEW YORK (AP) — Designer Prabal Gurung has always been a storyteller. First, it was through the colorful, Nepal-inspired designs that helped him find early success in the cutthroat fashion world. Now, he's sharing his life story in words with his bold new memoir, "Walk Like A Girl." The book, out Tuesday from Penguin Random House, traces his South Asian roots — born in Singapore, he grew up in Nepal and spent time in India — and difficult childhood. He would eventually move to New York to study at the Parsons School of Design, interning for Donna Karan and later working for Cynthia Rowley and Bill Blass. He started his own label in 2009, and has dressed celebrities including Michelle Obama, Kate Middleton, Zoe Saldaña and Sarah Jessica Parker. Gurung, 46, says processing his childhood experiences with an abusive father at home and bullies and predators at school in order to write and record the book was the hardest thing he's ever done. "I really hadn't told too many people, not even my close friends. To relive that part and to write it down … it was harrowing, I won't lie," Gurung told The Associated Press. "It really brought back so many memories and … it's less of an anger. It's more like the injustice of the situation. More than anything else, I just wanted to go back to that kid and like, give him a hug … and just be like, 'You're gonna be OK,'" Gurung said, choking back tears. ## From Nepal to New York Despite being teased and struggling academically, Gurung always thought he was destined for a bigger life: "I don't know, I just had it in me. I think it was survival also a lot of times." One bright light that kept him going was the unwavering love and support of his mother, Durga Rana. She's the hero of the book, encouraging him to follow his passions and find joy wherever possible, even though his interest in fashion and experimentation with makeup and feminine clothing was highly unconventional in Nepal at the time. Surviving a marriage with an unfaithful, abusive husband, she essentially raised three young children on her own. Rana developed several successful businesses and eventually got into politics, telling her kids to use their platforms to make an impact. "She's a blueprint of my strength. Watching her carry the weight of the world with such elegance, you know, was really inspiring," Gurung said. "The way she built the world around us, unbowed, unapologetic, was, I would say, my first lesson in resilience." ## A deep love of women The book's title and cover are a purposeful nod to the designer's love of women. "Walk Like a Girl" was something kids said to tease him at school. "I just didn't understand it as an insult in the beginning because I think 'Great, I'm like my mother, my sister, all these women.' 'Wonder Woman' was my favorite action hero, and 'Charlie's Angels,'" Gurung said. He decided to reclaim the phrase and chose his strength pose for the cover in honor of Rosie the Riveter and other "iconic, feminist women." Cindi Leive, the former editor-in-chief of Glamour and Self magazines, championed Gurung early on because of his authenticity on and off the runway. "It became clear to me that he was incredibly interested not just in fashion as fashion, but in the women who would wear the clothes," Leive told the AP. "I also noticed that every time I would have a conversation with him, he would end up talking about his mom." Gurung couldn't wait to get to the U.S.; he felt immediately at home in New York, a place he sees as the best culmination of people, cultures and creative freedom, he writes. But he was surprised and disappointed by the general lack of diversity on runways and at social events. "My recollection is he was one of the first to use models who more closely resembled the diversity of people that you actually see in America … in size, race and everything else," Leive said. Gurung's runway casting was only part of his commitment to inclusion. Now a Met Gala mainstay, Gurung uses his platform to speak out about injustice and women's rights issues, which, at the beginning of his career was not a popular stance, leaving him feeling "like a lone ranger." He recalled the emails and messages he used to get saying, "Oh, stay in your lane, you're a fashion designer ... not a politician." "He was very open about his support for issues that mattered to women, long before it was a thing. Eventually, I think, every designer had some, you know, slogan T-shirt proclaiming their support of women's causes. He did it before anybody, but it went way deeper than the T-shirt," Leive said. "I'll never forget when Cindi Leive at a dinner said to me — right after George Floyd's murder and all of that stuff that happened, the Black Lives Matter movement," Gurung said. "She pulled me aside, she said, 'How does it feel now … to see the world catching up to you? You've been at it for such a long time.' I didn't even think about it." ## Authenticity, on and off the runway Part of Gurung's story is being a proud immigrant, and his connection to his Nepali roots come through in his designs. Indian-born American designer Bibhu Mohapatra has been friends with Gurung since they were both starting out, bonding over their South Asian roots. He says Gurung is "naturally curious" and has always been a great storyteller. "Whether he's doing a jewelry collection, whether it's a piece of clothing or a whole collection, it's always sort of backed by receipts of his experiences that are his tools of telling a story … whether about craft, whether it's about color, whether it's about his heritage, or simply people in his life, the designer said. "You believe it because it comes from a very authentic place." Mohapatra also admires Gurung's "naturally rebellious streak" and his courage to speak out for causes he values. "He's brave to be the first one or join the force with people who are starting a movement," the designer said. Mohapatra also suggests Gurung's spiritual side and roots add to his work and his ability to empathize: "There is an aspect of slowing down, really attention to the core and looking back at the path and … there is a bit more spirituality woven into the daily lives of people of Nepal." Gurung says he hopes the book resonates with readers and encourages them to share their own stories. "I want people to really understand that their existence, their story is worthy of being told, that they don't have to hide themselves, they're no longer invisible," he said. "I know I'm on the cover, it's my name and my story, but it really is a story about, for, and of so many people."
Associated Press News	2025-05-09 16:12:14+00:00	[ "Nigeria", "Lagos", "Drownings", "AFRICA PULSE", "Children", "Vision impairment and blindness" ]	# A swimming coach in Nigeria provides inspiration and life lessons to disabled people By Pelumi Salako May 9th, 2025, 04:12 PM --- LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — About 20 children in shorts and vests gather at a swimming pool on a sweltering afternoon in Nigeria's economic hub of Lagos. A coach holds the hand of a boy who is blind as he demonstrates swimming motions and guides him through the pool while others take note. It was one of the sessions with students of the Pacelli School for the Blind and Partially Sighted, where Emeka Chuks Nnadi, the swimming coach, uses his Swim in 1 Day, or SID, nonprofit to teach swimming to disabled children. In a country where hundreds drown every year, often because of boat mishaps but sometimes as a result of domestic accidents, the initiative has so far taught at least 400 disabled people how to swim. It has also aided their personal development. "It (has) helped me a lot, especially in class," said 14-year-old Fikayo Adodo, one of Nnadi's trainees who is blind. "I am very confident now to speak with a crowd, with people. My brain is sharper, like very great." The World Health Organization considers drowning as one of the leading causes of death through unintentional injury globally, with at least 300,000 people dying from drowning every year. The most at risk are young children. Many of the deaths occur in African countries like Nigeria, with limited resources and training to avert such deaths. In Nigeria — a country of more than 200 million people, 35 million of whom the government says are disabled — the challenge is far worse for disabled people who have less access to limited opportunities and resources in addition to societal stigma. While the initiative is raising awareness among the children about drowning, it benefits wider society in different ways, Nnadi said, especially "if you want to have disabled people that are contributing to the economy and not just dependent on us as a society to take care of them." ## Changing a stereotype Nnadi recalled setting up the nonprofit after moving back to Nigeria from Spain in 2022 and seeing how disabled people are treated compared to others. It was a wide gap, he said, and thought that teaching them how to swim at a young age would be a great way to improve their lives. "There is a thing in Africa where parents are ashamed of their (disabled) kids," he said. "So (I am) trying to make people understand that your child that is blind could actually become a swimming superstar or a lawyer or doctor." "I find it rewarding (watching) them transform right under my eyes," Nnadi said of the results of such lessons. ## Lives are being transformed a stroke at a time Watching them take their lessons, some struggle to stay calm in the water and stroke their way through it, but Nnadi and the two volunteers working with him patiently guide them through the water, often leaving them excited to quickly try again. Some of them said that it gives them pleasure, while it is a lifesaving skill for some and it's therapy for others. Experts have also said that swimming can improve mental well-being, in addition to the physical benefits from exercising. "Swimming (has) taught me to face my fears, it has (given) me boldness, it has given me courage, it has made me overcome my fears," said 13-year-old Ikenna Goodluck, who is blind and among Nnadi's trainees. Ejiro Justina Obinwanne said that the initiative has helped her son Chinedu become more determined in life. "He is selfless and determined to make something out of the lives of children that the world has written off in a lot of ways," she said of Nnadi.
Associated Press News	2025-05-14 12:35:04+00:00	[ "Donald Trump", "Qatar", "United Arab Emirates", "Margo Martin", "Politics", "United States government", "Qatar government", "Saudi Arabia government" ]	# Trump gets another fighter jet escort as he visits Qatar on Mideast trip May 14th, 2025, 12:35 PM --- DOHA, Qatar (AP) — President Donald Trump's trip to Qatar is off to a flying start. Like Saudi Arabia a day earlier, Qatar didn't bother waiting for Trump to land before setting out to impress him with a fighter jet escort. As Trump flew in to Riyadh on Tuesday and then in to Doha on Wednesday as part of his Middle East trip, he received ceremonial escorts from each country's F-15 fighter jets, exceptionally rare sights. A White House official, Margo Martin, posted videos of the escorts online. "Saudi F-15's providing honorary escort for Air Force One!" she wrote on Tuesday. The Royal Saudi Air Force has the world's largest fleet of American-made F-15s after the U.S. Air Force. Then on Wednesday, Martin posted: "what a view flying into Qatar!!!" She even captured one of the Qatari aviators, sitting in the F-15's backseat, returning the favor by taking a picture of Air Force One. The fighter jets aren't the only planes Qatar has used to impress Trump, offering to gift him a luxury Boeing 747-8 that the U.S. could use as Air Force One while new versions of the plane are under construction by Boeing. Trump has defended the idea as a fiscally smart move for the United States. But his critics have questioned what would amount to a president accepting an astonishingly valuable gift from a foreign government, calling it "naked corruption" and "a grave national security threat." The Republican president is on a three-nation Middle East trip and visits the United Arab Emirates on Thursday.
Associated Press News	2025-05-16 10:34:19+00:00	[ "India government", "Myanmar", "Narendra Modi", "Asia", "Asia Pacific", "India", "International agreements", "Genocide", "Dilawar Hussain", "Tom Andrews", "Politics", "Immigration", "Christianity" ]	# UN agency, Rohingya refugees allege Indian authorities cast dozens of them into the sea near Myanmar By Sheikh Saaliq and Piyush Nagpal May 16th, 2025, 10:34 AM --- NEW DELHI (AP) — Indian authorities allegedly forced dozens of Rohingya refugees off a naval vessel into the sea near Myanmar last week after providing them with life jackets, a United Nations agency, family members of the refugees and their lawyer said. The Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, in a statement on Thursday, said at least 40 Rohingya refugees were detained in New Delhi and cast into the sea by the Indian navy near the maritime border with Myanmar. The refugees — including children, women and older people — swam ashore, but their whereabouts in Myanmar remain unknown, the agency said. Five Rohingya refugees on Friday confirmed to the Associated Press that their family members were part of the group that were detained by Indian authorities on May 6. The group, including 15 Christians, were flown in an aircraft and later cast into the sea by Indian navy authorities on May 8, they said. Dilawar Hussain, a lawyer representing the refugees, said the families have filed a petition in India's top court, urging the Indian government to bring them back to New Delhi. India's navy and foreign ministry declined to comment. In its statement Thursday, the rights office said it had appointed a U.N. expert to probe into what it called were "unconscionable, unacceptable acts." The U.N. agency urged the Indian government to refrain from "inhumane and life-threatening treatment of Rohingya refugees, including their repatriation into perilous conditions in Myanmar." Tom Andrews, U.N. Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, called the incident "blatant disregard for the lives and safety of those who require international protection" and "nothing short of outrageous." "Such cruel actions would be an affront to human decency and represent a serious violation of the principle of non-refoulment, a fundamental tenet of international law that prohibits states from returning individuals to a territory where they face threats to their lives or freedom," Andrews said in the statement. India does not have a national policy or a law to deal with refugees. It is also not party to the 1951 Refugee Convention or its 1967 Protocol. But hundreds of thousands of Muslim Rohingya refugees have fled persecution in Myanmar after suffering oppression in Myanmar's Rakhine state, where officials have been accused of genocide. According to Refugees International, of the estimated 40,000 Rohingya refugees living in India at least 22,500 are registered with the UNHCR. Many of them live in squalid camps in various Indian states. One of those refugees, who has not been identified by AP due to safety concerns, said his brother was among those returned. He said he received a call from his brother on May 8 after he managed to borrow a phone from a local fisherman after making landfall on an island in Myanmar. He told him Indian authorities removed their restraints and blindfolds, gave them life jackets and told them swim to an island in Myanmar territory. "My parents were taken from me and thrown into the waters," said the man, whose two brothers, parents and a sister-in-law were part of the group, according to his brother. "It would be enough if I am reunited with my parents. I just want my parents, nothing else." Thet Swe, a spokesman for Myanmar's military-led government, did not immediately respond to an email asking for comment. The refugee in India said most of those returned were registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in India and were detained by Indian authorities under the pretext of collecting their biometric data. He also shared with the AP pictures of his brother while he was detained by Indian authorities and taken in a police vehicle. AP also reviewed a recording of another phone call made by a refugee to his brother in New Delhi. The man who made the call is heard saying some people from the group were beaten by Indian navy authorities. It was not possible to independently verify these claims. In recent years, Rohingya refugees have faced persecution and attacks from India's Hindu nationalist groups, who have demanded their expulsion from India. Many of them have also been held in various detention centers across India and are viewed as illegal immigrants. Some have been deported to neighboring Bangladesh and Myanmar. Last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government implemented a controversial citizenship law that critics say discriminates against Muslim migrants, including Rohingyas. —— Associated Press writers Aijaz Hussain in Srinagar, India, Rajesh Roy in New Delhi and David Rising in Bangkok contributed to this report.
Associated Press News	2025-05-13 15:26:05+00:00	[ "Syria", "Donald Trump", "Bashar Assad", "Saudi Arabia", "Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud", "Ahmad al-Sharaa", "Recep Tayyip Erdogan", "Syria government", "Politics", "Al-Qaida", "Rebellions and uprisings", "Bill Clinton", "Sanctions and embargoes", "Ibrahim Hamidi", "Saudi Arabia government", "Abu Mohammad al-Golani" ]	# Trump to ease sanctions on Syria, restore relations with new leader By Zeke Miller, Bassem Mroue, and Aamer Madhani May 13th, 2025, 03:26 PM --- RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he will ease sanctions on Syria and move to normalize relations with its new government to give the country "a chance at peace." Trump made the announcement shortly before he was set to meet Wednesday in Saudi Arabia with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, the onetime insurgent who last year led the overthrow of longtime leader Bashar Assad. Trump said the effort at rapprochement came at the urging of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi de facto ruler, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. "There is a new government that will hopefully succeed," Trump said of Syria, adding, "I say, good luck, Syria. Show us something special." The developments were a major boost for the Syrian president, who had been imprisoned in Iraq for his role in the insurgency following the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of the Arab country. Al-Sharaa was named president of Syria in January, a month after a stunning offensive by insurgent groups led by al-Sharaa's Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, that stormed Damascus, ending the 54-year rule of the Assad family. The U.S. has been weighing how to handle al-Sharaa since he took power in December. Gulf leaders have rallied behind the new government in Damascus and want Trump to follow, believing it is a bulwark against Iran's return to influence in Syria, where it had helped prop up Assad's government during a decadelong civil war. Then-President Joe Biden left the decision to Trump, whose administration has yet to formally recognize the new Syrian government. Sanctions imposed on Damascus under Assad also remain in place. Before Trump spoke, the White House said he had "agreed to say hello" to the Syrian president while in Saudi Arabia. The comments marked a striking change in tone from Trump and put him at odds with longtime U.S. ally Israel, which has been deeply skeptical of al-Sharaa's extremist past and cautioned against swift recognition of the new government. Formerly known by the nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Golani, al-Sharaa joined the ranks of al-Qaida insurgents battling U.S. forces in Iraq after the U.S.-led invasion and still faces a warrant for his arrest on terrorism charges in Iraq. The U.S. once offered $10 million for information about his whereabouts because of his links to al-Qaida. Al-Sharaa came back to his home country after the conflict began in 2011 and led al-Qaida's branch that used to be known as the Nusra Front. He later changed the name of his group to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and cut links with al-Qaida. He is set to become the first Syrian leader to meet an American president since Hafez Assad met Bill Clinton in Geneva in 2000. Syria has historically had fraught relations with Washington since the days of the Cold War, when Damascus had close links with the Soviet Union and later when Syria became Iran's closest ally in the Arab world. The removal of the Assad family could change the track. Ibrahim Hamidi, a London-based Syrian analyst, said Trump's planned meeting with al-Sharaa marks a "strategic shift" for the country. "The Syrian-American meetings in Riyadh open the gate for the two sides to start discussing issues of disagreement between them in a positive atmosphere," said Hamidi, editor-in-chief of the Arab magazine Al Majalla. "This is important."
Associated Press News	2025-05-15 20:40:08+00:00	[ "Michigan", "Mariah Dodds", "Criminal punishment", "Detroit" ]	# Michigan drunken driver sentenced to 25 years for birthday party crash that killed 2 kids May 15th, 2025, 08:40 PM --- MONROE, Mich. (AP) — A drunken driver who crashed her SUV into a birthday party at a Michigan boat club, killing two children, was sentenced Thursday to at least 25 years in prison for second-degree murder. Marshella Chidester sat just a few feet away as the parents of 8-year-old Alanah Phillips and her 4-year-old brother Zayn Phillips described the impact of the devastating loss last year at what was supposed to be a celebration. "That grief has been unbearable. ... She took everything in my life and destroyed it," Mariah Dodds said through tears. Security video showed an SUV zipping along a dusty, pitted road at 44 mph (71 kph) before crashing into the side of the Swan Boat Club, near Lake Erie, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) south of Detroit. Chidester, 67, was found guilty of second-degree murder and other charges after a four-day trial in March in Monroe County. Her blood-alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit to drive, according to evidence. Chidester's trial lawyer suggested a leg problem could have caused her to press hard on the gas pedal, a claim the jury rejected. Because of her age, Chidester could die in prison before she becomes eligible for parole in 25 years. "I've asked the Lord to forgive me," Chidester said in court, "and I ask you to at least look into your heart and at some point if you can possibly forgive me, I would appreciate that so much." Chidester lived close to the boat club and had many personal connections to it, her lawyer said. Her father started it, she was a former commodore and she held her wedding reception there, her lawyer said.
Associated Press News	2025-05-04 11:37:11+00:00	[ "Donald Trump", "Barack Obama", "Courts", "Vietnam", "Constitutional law", "International agreements", "John Adams", "United States Senate", "Government programs", "U.S. Republican Party", "James Madison", "Legal proceedings", "United States government", "Executive orders", "Andrew Johnson", "Henry Cabot Lodge", "Politics", "United States Congress", "William Marbury", "Franklin D. Roosevelt", "George Washington", "Democracy", "Andrew Jackson", "Roger Taney", "John Marshall", "Alexander Hamilton", "Abraham Lincoln", "John F. Kennedy", "John Carey", "Military and defense" ]	# A history of U.S. Democratic 'checks and balances' system Trump is testing By Bill Barrow May 4th, 2025, 11:37 AM --- ATLANTA (AP) — It's what one historian calls an "elaborate, clunky machine," one that's been fundamental to American democracy for more than two centuries. The principle of "checks and balances" is rooted in the Constitution's design of a national government with three distinct, coequal branches. President Donald Trump in his first 100 days tested that system like rarely before, signing dozens of executive orders, closing or sharply reducing government agencies funded by Congress, and denigrating judges who have issued dozens of rulings against him. "The framers were acutely aware of competing interests, and they had great distrust of concentrated authority," said Dartmouth College professor John Carey, an expert on American democracy. "That's where the idea came from." Their road map has mostly prevented control from falling into "one person's hands," Carey said. But he warned that the system depends on "people operating in good faith ... and not necessarily exercising power to the fullest extent imaginable." Here's a look at checks and balances and previous tests across U.S. history. ## A fight over Jefferson ignoring Adams' appointments The foundational checks-and-balances fight: President John Adams' made last-minute appointments before he left office in 1801. His successor, Thomas Jefferson, and Secretary of State James Madison ignored them. William Marbury, an Adams justice of the peace appointee, asked the Supreme Court to compel Jefferson and Madison to honor Adams' decisions. Chief Justice John Marshall concluded in 1803 that the commissions became legitimate with Adams' signature and, thus, Madison acted illegally by shelving them. Marshall, however, stopped short of ordering anything. Marbury had sued under a 1789 law that made the Supreme Court the trial court in the dispute. Marshall's opinion voided that law because it gave justices – who almost exclusively hear appeals – more power than the Constitution afforded them. The split decision asserted the court's role in interpreting congressional acts -– and striking them down –- while also adjudicating executive branch actions. ## Hamilton, Jackson and national banks Congress and President George Washington chartered the First Bank of the United States in 1791. Federalists, led by Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton, favored a strong central government and wanted a national bank that could lend the government money. Anti-Federalists, led by Jefferson and Madison, wanted less centralized power and argued Congress had no authority to charter a bank. But they did not ask the courts to step in. Andrew Jackson, the first populist president, loathed the bank, believing it to be a sop to the rich. Congress voted in 1832 to extend the charter, with provisions to mollify Jackson. The president vetoed the measure anyway, and Congress failed to muster the two-thirds majorities required by the Constitution to override him. In 1836, the Philadelphia-based bank became a private state bank. ## Lincoln and due process During the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln suspended habeas corpus — a legal process that allows individuals to challenge their detention. That allowed federal authorities to arrest and hold people without granting due process. Lincoln said his maneuver might not be "strictly legal" but was a "public necessity" to protect the Union. The Supreme Court's Roger Taney, sitting as a circuit judge, declared the suspension illegal but noted he did not have the power to enforce the opinion. Congress ultimately sided with Lincoln through retroactive statutes. And the Supreme Court, in a separate 1862 case challenging other Lincoln actions, endorsed the president's argument that the office comes with inherent wartime powers not expressly allowed via the Constitution or congressional act. ## Reconstruction: Johnson vs. Congress After the Civil War and Lincoln's assassination, "Radical Republicans" in Congress wanted penalties on states that had seceded and on the Confederacy's leaders and combatants. They also advocated Reconstruction programs that enfranchised and elevated formerly enslaved people (the men, at least). President Andrew Johnson, a Tennessean, was more lenient on Confederates and harsher to formerly enslaved people. Congress, with appropriations power, established the Freedmen's Bureau to assist newly freed Black Americans. Johnson, with pardon power, repatriated former Confederates. He also limited Freedmen's Bureau authority to seize Confederates' assets. ## Spoils system vs. civil service For a century, nearly all federal jobs were executive branch political appointments: revolving doors after every presidential transition. In 1883, Congress stepped in with the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act. Changes started with some posts being filled through examinations rather than political favor. Congress added to the law over generations, developing the civil service system that Trump is now seeking to dismantle by reclassifying tens of thousands of government employees. His aim is to turn civil servants into political appointees or other at-will workers who are more easily dismissed from their jobs. ## Wilson's League of Nations After World War I, the Treaty of Versailles called for an international body to bring countries together to discuss global affairs and prevent war. President Woodrow Wilson advocated for the League of Nations. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman, Republican Henry Cabot Lodge of Massachusetts, brought the treaty to the Senate in 1919 with amendments to limit the League of Nation's influence. Wilson opposed the caveats, and the Senate fell short of the two-thirds majority needed to ratify the treaty and join the League. After World War II, the U.S. took a lead role, with Senate support, in establishing the United Nations and the NATO alliance. ## FDR and court packing Franklin D. Roosevelt met the Great Depression with large federal programs and aggressive regulatory actions, much of it approved by Democratic majorities in Congress. A conservative Supreme Court struck down some of the New Deal legislation as beyond the scope of congressional power. Roosevelt answered by proposing to expand the nine-seat court and pressuring aging justices to retire. The president's critics dubbed it "a court-packing scheme." He disputed the charge. But not even the Democratic Congress seriously entertained his idea. ## Presidential term limits Roosevelt ignored the unwritten rule, established by Washington, that a president serves no more than two terms. He won third and fourth terms during World War II, rankling even some of his allies. Soon after his death, a bipartisan coalition pushed the 22nd Amendment that limits presidents to being elected twice. Trump has talked about seeking a third term despite this constitutional prohibition. ## Nixon and Watergate The Washington Post and other media exposed ties between President Richard Nixon's associates and a break-in at Democratic Party headquarters at the Watergate Hotel during the 1972 campaign. By summer 1974, the story ballooned into congressional hearings, court fights and plans for impeachment proceedings. The Supreme Court ruled unanimously against Nixon in his assertion that executive privilege allowed him not to turn over potential evidence of his and top aides' roles in the cover-up — including recordings of private Oval Office conversations. Nixon resigned after a delegation of his fellow Republicans told him that Congress was poised to remove him from office. ## Leaving Vietnam Presidents from John F. Kennedy through Nixon ratcheted up U.S. involvement in Southeast Asia during the Cold War. But Congress never declared war in Vietnam. A 1973 deal, under Nixon, ended official American military involvement. But complete U.S. withdrawal didn't occur until more than two years later – a period during which Congress reduced funding for South Vietnam's democratic government. Congress did not cut off all money for Saigon, as some conservatives later claimed. But lawmakers refused to rubber-stamp larger administration requests, asserting a congressional check on the president's military and foreign policy agenda. ## The Affordable Care Act A Democratic-controlled Congress overhauled the nation's health insurance system in 2010. The Affordable Care Act, in part, tried to require states to expand the Medicaid program that covers millions of children, disabled people and some low-income adults. But the Supreme Court ruled in 2012 that Congress and President Barack Obama could not compel states to expand the program by threatening to withhold other federal money already obligated to the states under previous federal law. The court on multiple occasions has upheld other portions of the law. Republicans, even when they have controlled the White House and Capitol Hill, have been unable to repeal the act.
Associated Press News	2025-05-13 04:08:48+00:00	[ "Donald Trump", "Arizona", "U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement", "John Jairo Lugo", "Ryan Smith", "New Haven", "Phoenix", "Immigration", "Connecticut", "Protests and demonstrations", "National", "Politics", "Business", "Race and ethnicity", "Tom Cartwright", "Justin Elicker", "Andrew Levy", "The Boeing Co.", "Labor unions", "Border security", "Race and Ethnicity" ]	# Avelo Airlines carries out deportation flights for ICE By Jacques Billeaud May 13th, 2025, 04:08 AM --- PHOENIX (AP) — A budget airline that serves mostly small U.S. cities began federal deportation flights Monday out of Arizona, a move that's inspired an online boycott petition and sharp criticism from the union representing the carrier's flight attendants. Avelo Airlines announced in April it had signed an agreement with the Department of Homeland Security to make charter deportation flights from Mesa Gateway Airport outside Phoenix. It said it will use three Boeing 737-800 planes for the flights. The Houston-based airline is among a host of companies seeking to cash in on President Donald Trump's campaign for mass deportations. Congressional deliberations began last month on a tax bill with a goal of funding, in part, the removal of 1 million immigrants annually and housing 100,000 people in U.S. detention centers. The GOP plan calls for hiring 10,000 more U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and investigators. ## Details of Avelo agreement with ICE not disclosed Avelo was launched in 2021 as COVID-19 still raged and billions of taxpayer dollars were propping up big airlines. It saves money mainly by flying older Boeing 737 jets that can be bought at relatively low prices. And it operates out of less-crowded and less-costly secondary airports, flying routes that are ignored by the big airlines. It said it had its first profitable quarter in late 2023. Andrew Levy, Avelo's founder and chief executive, said in announcing the agreement last month that the airline's work for ICE would help the company expand and protect jobs. "We realize this is a sensitive and complicated topic," said Levy, an airline industry veteran with previous stints as a senior executive at United and Allegiant airlines. Avelo did not grant an interview request from The Associated Press. Financial and other details of the Avelo agreement — including destinations of the deportation flights — haven't publicly surfaced. The AP asked Avelo and ICE for a copy of the agreement, but neither provided the document. The airline said it wasn't authorized to release the contract. Several consumer brands have shunned being associated with deportations, a highly volatile issue that could drive away customers. During Trump's first term, authorities housed migrant children in hotels, prompting some hotel chains to say that they wouldn't participate. ## Union cites safety concerns Many companies in the deportation business, such as detention center providers The Geo Group and Core Civic, rely little on consumer branding. Not Avelo, whose move inspired the boycott petition on change.org and drew criticism from the carrier's flight attendants union, which cited the difficulty of evacuating deportees from an aircraft in an emergency within the federal standard of 90 seconds or less. "Having an entire flight of people handcuffed and shackled would hinder any evacuation and risk injury or death," the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA said in a statement. "It also impedes our ability to respond to a medical emergency, fire on board, decompression, etc. We cannot do our jobs in these conditions." In New Haven, Connecticut, where Avelo flies out of Tweed New Haven Airport, Democratic Mayor Justin Elicker urged Avelo's CEO to reconsider. "For a company that champions themselves as 'New Haven's hometown airline,' this business decision is antithetical to New Haven's values," Elicker said in a statement. Protests were held outside airports in Arizona and Connecticut on Monday. In Mesa, over 30 protesters gathered on a road leading up to the airport, holding signs that denounced Trump's deportation efforts. In Connecticut, about 150 people assembled outside Tweed New Haven Airport, calling on travelers to boycott Avelo. John Jairo Lugo, co-founder and community organizing director of Unidad Latina en Acción in New Haven, said protesters hope to create a financial incentive for Avelo to back out of its work for the federal government. "We need to cause some economical damage to the company to really convince them that they should be on the side with the people and not with the government," Lugo said. ## Mesa is one of five hubs for ICE airline deportation operations Mesa, a Phoenix suburb with about 500,000 people, is one of five hubs for ICE Air, the immigration agency's air transport operation for deportations. ICE Air operated nearly 8,000 flights in a 12-month period through April, according to the advocacy group Witness at the Border. ICE contracts with an air broker, CSI Aviation, that hires two charter carriers -- GlobalX and Eastern Air Express -- to do most of the flights, said Tom Cartwright, who tracks flight data for Witness at the Border. Cartwright said it was unusual in recent years for commercial passenger carriers to carry out deportation flights. "It's always been with an air broker who then hires the carriers, and the carriers have not been regular commercial carriers, or what I call retail carriers, who are selling their own tickets," Cartwright said. "At least since I have been involved (in tracking ICE flights), they've all been charter companies." Avelo will be a sub-carrier under a contract held by New Mexico-based CSI Aviation, which didn't respond to questions about how much money Avelo would make under the agreement. Avelo provides passenger service to more than 50 cities in the U.S., as well as locations in Jamaica, Mexico and the Dominican Republic. Avelo does not operate regular commercial passenger service out of Mesa Gateway Airport, said airport spokesman Ryan Smith. In February 2024, Avelo said it had its first profitable quarter, though it didn't provide details. In an interview two months later with the AP, Levy declined to provide numbers, saying the airline was a private company and had no need to provide that information publicly. ___ Associated Press writer Susan Haigh in Hartford, Connecticut, contributed to this report.
Associated Press News	2025-05-08 09:44:26+00:00	[ "Greenland", "Denmark", "Donald Trump", "Denmark government", "Tulsi Gabbard", "United States government", "Marco Rubio", "International", "United States", "Politics", "Jennifer Hall", "Lars Lokke Rasmussen" ]	# Denmark summons US diplomat amid reports on US intel gathering in Greenland May 8th, 2025, 09:44 AM --- COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Denmark on Thursday summoned the top American diplomat in the country for an explanation following a Wall Street Journal report about the United States stepping up intelligence gathering on Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory coveted by U.S. President Donald Trump. Jennifer Hall Godfrey, acting head of the U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen, met with high-ranking Danish diplomat Jeppe Tranholm-Mikkelsen at the Danish Foreign Ministry over the Journal article published Tuesday, the ministry said in an email. It provided no further details. The embassy declined to comment. The Journal, citing two people familiar with the U.S. effort that it did not identify, reported that several high-ranking officials under the U.S. director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, had directed intelligence agency heads to learn more about Greenland's independence movement and sentiment about U.S. resource extraction there. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen told broadcaster DR outside a meeting Wednesday with colleagues in Poland that Denmark would summon the U.S. diplomat to seek a "rebuttal" or other explanation following the report. Rasmussen, who has previously scolded the Trump administration over its criticism of NATO ally Denmark and Greenland, said the information in the report was "very worrying" and "we don't spy between friends." "We are looking at this with quite a lot of seriousness," he added. In response to questions about the Journal's report, Gabbard's office released a statement noting that she had made three "criminal" referrals to the Justice Department over intelligence community leaks. Nearly a dozen more leak cases are being investigated, Gabbard said in the statement. "The Wall Street Journal should be ashamed of aiding deep state actors who seek to undermine the President by politicizing and leaking classified information," Gabbard wrote. "They are breaking the law and undermining our nation's security and democracy. Those who leak classified information will be found and held accountable to the fullest extent of the law." Greenland's prime minister said last month that U.S. statements about the mineral-rich Arctic island have been disrespectful and it "will never, ever be a piece of property that can be bought by just anyone." In a visit to the island last month, Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said, addressing the United States during a visit to Greenland, that "you cannot annex another country," even with the argument made by U.S. officials that international security is at stake. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said Washington will respect Greenland's self-determination and alleged that Greenlanders "don't want to be a part of Denmark." ___ Associated Press writer David Klepper contributed to this report from Washington.
Associated Press News	2025-05-15 14:57:11+00:00	[ "Israel", "Benjamin Netanyahu", "Gaza Strip", "2024-2025 Mideast Wars", "Israel government", "Elections", "Religion", "Noor Abu Mariam", "Hamas", "War and unrest", "Amjad Shawa", "Race and ethnicity" ]	# From 1948 to now, a Palestinian woman in Gaza recounts a life of displacement By Mohammad Jahjouh, Fatma Khaled, and Lee Keath May 15th, 2025, 02:57 PM --- KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — As a 4-year-old, Ghalia Abu Moteir was driven to live in a tent in Khan Younis after her family fled their home in what's now Israel, escaping advancing Israeli forces. Seventy-seven years later, she is now back in a tent under the bombardment of Israel's campaign in Gaza. On Thursday, Palestinians across the Middle East commemorated the anniversary of the "Nakba" -- Arabic for "the Catastrophe" -- when some 700,000 Palestinians were expelled by Israeli forces or fled their homes in what is now Israel before and during the 1948 war that surrounded its creation. Abu Moteir's life traces the arc of Palestinians' exile and displacement from that war to the current one. Israel's 19-month-old campaign has flattened much of Gaza, killed more than 53,000 people, driven almost the entire population of 2.3 million from their homes and threatens to push them into famine. "Today we're in a bigger Nakba than the Nakba that we saw before," the 81-year-old Abu Moteir said, speaking outside the tent where she lives with her surviving sons and daughters and 45 grandchildren. "Our whole life is terror, terror. Day and night, there's missiles and warplanes overhead. We're not living. If we were dead, it would be more merciful," she said. Palestinians fear that Israel's ultimate goal is to drive them from the Gaza Strip completely. Israel says its campaign aims to destroy Hamas after its Oct. 7, 2023, attack in which militants killed some 1,200 people in southern Israel and abducted around 250 others. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that after Israel defeats Hamas, it will continue to control Gaza and will encourage Palestinians to leave "voluntarily." ## From tent city to tent city The Gaza Strip was born out of the Nakba. Some 200,000 of the 1948 refugees were driven into the small coastal area, and more than 70% of Gaza's current population are their descendants. Gaza's borders were set in an armistice between Israel and Egypt, which along with other Arab countries had attacked after Israel declared its independence. Abu Moteir doesn't remember much from her home village, Wad Hunayn, a small hamlet thick with citrus groves just southeast of Tel Aviv. Her parents fled with her and her three brothers as the nascent forces of Israel moved into the area, fighting local Palestinian militias and expelling some communities. "We left only with the clothes we had on us, no ID, no nothing," Abu Moteir said. She remembers walking along the Mediterranean coast amid gunfire. Her father, she said, put the children behind him, trying to protect them. They walked 75 kilometers (45 miles) to Khan Younis, where they settled in a tent city that sprang up to house thousands of refugees. There, UNRWA, a new U.N. agency created to care for them – temporarily, it was thought at the time – provided food and supplies, while the Gaza Strip came under Egyptian rule. After two years in a tent, her family moved further south to Rafah and built a home. Abu Moteir's father died of illness in the early 1950s. When Israeli forces stormed through Gaza to invade Egypt's Sinai in 1956, the family fled again, to central Gaza, before returning to Rafah. In the years after the 1967 Mideast War, when Israel occupied Gaza and the West Bank, Abu Moteir's mother and brothers left for Jordan. Abu Moteir, by that time married with children, stayed behind. "I witnessed all the wars," she said. "But not one is like this war." A year ago, her family fled Rafah as Israeli troops invaded the city. They now live in the sprawling tent city of Muwasi on the coast outside Khan Younis. An airstrike killed one of her sons, leaving behind three daughters, a son and his pregnant wife, who has since given birth. Three of Abu Moteir's grandchildren have also been killed. Throughout the war, UNRWA has led a massive aid effort by humanitarian groups to keep Palestinians alive. But for the past 10 weeks, Israel has barred all food, fuel, medicines and other supplies from entering Gaza, saying it aims to force Hamas to release 58 remaining hostages, fewer than half believed alive. Israel also says Hamas has been siphoning off aid in large quantities, a claim the U.N. denies. Israel has banned UNRWA, saying it has been infiltrated by Hamas, which the agency denies. Hunger and malnutrition in the territory have spiraled as food stocks run out. "Here in Muwasi, there's no food or water," said Abu Moteir. "The planes strike us. Our children are thrown (dead) in front of us." ## Devastation tests Palestinians' will to stay Generations in Gaza since 1948 have been raised on the idea of "sumoud," Arabic for "resilience," the need to stand strong for their land and their right to return to their old homes inside Israel. Israel has refused to allow refugees back, saying a mass return would leave the country without a Jewish majority. While most Palestinians say they don't want to leave Gaza, the destruction wreaked by Israeli forces is shaking that resilience among some. "I understand that … There is no choice here. To stay alive, you'd have to leave Gaza," said Amjad Shawa, director of the Palestinian Non-Governmental Organizations Network in Gaza, though he said he would never leave. He dismissed Netanyahu's claims that any migration would be voluntary. "Israel made Gaza not suitable for living for decades ahead," he said. Noor Abu Mariam, a 21-year-old in Gaza City, grew up knowing the story of her grandparents, who were expelled by Israeli forces from their town outside the present-day Israeli city of Ashkelon in 1948. Her family was forced to flee their home in Gaza City early in the war. They returned during a two-month ceasefire earlier this year. Their area is now under Israeli evacuation orders, and they fear they will be forced to move again. Her family is thinking of leaving if the border opens, Abu Mariam said. "I could be resilient if there were life necessities available like food and clean water and houses," she said. "Starvation is what will force us to migrate." Kheloud al-Laham, a 23-year-old sheltering in Deir al-Balah, said she was "adamant" about staying. "It's the land of our fathers and our grandfathers for thousands of years," she said. "It was invaded and occupied over the course of centuries, so is it reasonable to leave it that easily?" ## "What do we return to?" Abu Moteir remembers the few times she was able to leave Gaza over the decades of Israeli occupation. Once, she went on a group visit to Jerusalem. As their bus passed through Israel, the driver called out the names of the erased Palestinian towns they passed – Isdud, near what's now the Israeli city of Ashdod; Majdal, now Ashkelon. They passed not far from where Wadi Hunayn once stood. "But we didn't get off the bus," she said. She knows Palestinians who worked in the Israeli town of Ness Ziona, which stands on what had been Wadi Hunayn. They told her nothing is left of the Palestinian town but one or two houses and a mosque, since converted to a synagogue. She used to dream of returning to Wadi Hunayn. Now she just wants to go back to Rafah. But most of Rafah has been leveled, including her family home, she said. "What do we return to? To the rubble?" ___ Khaled and Keath reported from Cairo.
Associated Press News	2025-05-18 18:55:46+00:00	[ "Nigeria government", "Nigeria", "Abuja", "Funerals and memorial services", "Military and defense", "Humanitarian crises", "Boko Haram", "Malik Samuel" ]	# Militant attack on 2 villages in northeast Nigeria kills at least 57, witnesses say By Taiwo Adebayo May 18th, 2025, 06:55 PM --- ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — A suspected militant attack on two villages in Nigeria left at least 57 people dead and at least 70 missing on Thursday, witnesses said Sunday, in one of the deadliest incidents in the country's conflict-ridden northeast this year. Abdulrahman Ibrahim survived Thursday's attack on two villages in Baga in Borno State and participated in the burial of the dead. He told The Associated Press that the Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati wal-Jihad (JAS) faction of the militant group Boko Haram gathered more than 100 residents of the neighboring villages of Mallam Karamti and Kwatandashi and marched them into the bush. Later on Saturday, 57 bodies were recovered there. A spokesperson for the Borno government said he could not confirm the casualty counts. The Nigerian military did not respond to a request for comment. According to Ibrahim, who is from Mallam Karamti, and another survivor from Kwatandashi who requested anonymity for fear of reprisals, the villagers were accused of acting as informants for the rival Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). Although ISWAP has gained notoriety for targeting military personnel and assets, the JAS faction has increasingly resorted to attacking civilians and perceived collaborators and thrives on robberies and abductions for ransom. "Without the capacity to attack the military like ISWAP, JAS is focused on terrorizing civilians," said Malik Samuel, an expert on northern Nigeria's conflicts with nonprofit Good Governance Africa. The witnesses said burial of the victims was delayed because the military was unavailable to provide support in conducting searches for bodies. Most of the dead victims were found with their throats slit, but others had been shot, the locals said. "There are probably more bodies because we had to stop further searches with soldiers out of fear of an ambush," Ibrahim said. More than 70 are still missing, he said. The mass killing came during a week of intensifying violence in Borno. On Monday, ISWAP militants overran the 50 Task Force Battalion of the Nigerian Army stationed in Marte, seizing arms and ammunition after a deadly assault that killed several soldiers, according to videos shared on social media by soldiers who survived the attack. Following the attack on Marte, displaced people camped there fled to nearby Dikwa, a humanitarian hub where aid groups are pulling out due to international funding cuts. In a separate incident on Saturday afternoon, a roadside bomb detonated along the Maiduguri-Damboa road, the second such attack in a week. Three people died at the scene, and a fourth succumbed to injuries Sunday morning at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH). More than 10 others were still being treated for injuries at the hospital, a local resident, Lawan Bukar Maigana, who has assisted the community in emergencies, said. Since 2009, the Boko Haram insurgency has created a humanitarian disaster in Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger and Chad, with more than 35,000 people killed and 2.6 million others displaced over the last 15 years. Borno in Nigeria, its birthplace, is the worst-affected. They want to install an Islamic state across the four countries, with Nigeria as their main target. The country is West Africa's oil giant with more than 200 million people, divided almost equally between a mainly Christian south and a predominantly Muslim north. The Nigerian government has claimed progress against the insurgency, but the militants continue to attack civilians and military and have expanded into other regions, including central Nigeria where the capital Abuja is located, according to experts and public records on counterterrorism.
Associated Press News	2025-05-02 17:56:02+00:00	[ "Bashar Assad", "Syria", "Damascus", "Islam", "War and unrest", "Israel government", "Middle East", "Syria government", "2024-2025 Mideast Wars", "Religion", "Politics", "Ahmad al-Sharaa" ]	# What is behind the latest round of clashes in Syria between Druze and pro-government gunmen By Bassem Mroue May 2nd, 2025, 05:56 PM --- BEIRUT (AP) — Four days of clashes between pro-government gunmen and members of a minority sect in Syria have left nearly 100 people dead and raised fears of deadly sectarian violence. The country is deeply divided as it tries to emerge from decades of dictatorship. The clashes are the worst between forces loyal to the government and Druze fighters since the fall of President Bashar Assad in early December whose family ruled Syria with an iron grip for more than five decades. The situation between the two sides has been tense for weeks and a smaller clash broke out in March in a suburb of Damascus. Here are the main reasons the clashes expanded in recent days and background on the two sides: ## Who are the Druze? The Druze religious sec t is a minority group that began as a 10th-century offshoot of Ismailism, a branch of Shiite Islam. More than half the roughly 1 million Druze worldwide live in Syria. Most of the other Druze live in Lebanon and Israel, including in the Golan Heights, which Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 Mideast War and annexed in 1981. In Syria, they largely live in the southern Sweida province and some suburbs of Damascus, mainly in Jaramana and Ashrafiyat Sahnaya to the south. The transitional government has promised to include the Druze, but has so far kept authority in the hands of the Islamist former insurgents who toppled Assad in December — Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS. The new 23-member government in Syria announced in late March only has one Druze member, Minister of Agriculture Amjad Badr. Under the Assad family's tight rule, religious freedom was guaranteed as the country then boasted about its secular and Arab nationalist system. The Druze have been slightly divided over how to deal with their issues with the new status quo in the country. Most Druze support a dialogue with the government while others support a more confrontational approach, so the reactions have differed while they are all concerned about the safety of their people. ## What is behind the tension between the two sides Syria's religious and ethnic communities are worried about their place in Syria's new system that is mostly run by Islamists including some who have links to extremist groups. The country's new President Ahmad al-Sharaa himself is a former militant who once was a member of al-Qaida and was held for years in jails in neighboring Iraq for his role in the anti-American insurgency. Although al-Sharaa had said that the right of ethnic and religious minorities will be protected, there have been several rounds of sectarian killings since Assad's fall. The Assad family rule that was dominated by members of the Alawite sect had oppressed much of the country's Sunni majority while giving minorities some powers. Being a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, the largest Islamic group in the country decades ago, was punishable by death as of the 1980s. The Druze have major concerns about Muslim groups since they came under attack by members of the Islamic State group in 2018 in the southern Sweida province. It left dozens killed or wounded and more than two dozen people were taken hostage for nearly four months. Muslim extremists consider the Druze heretics. During Syria's 14-year conflict, the Druze had their own militias. ## What triggered the clashes? The clashes broke out around midnight Monday in the southern Damascus suburb of Jaramana after an audio clip circulated on social media of a man criticizing Islam's Prophet Muhammad. The audio was attributed to a Druze cleric. But cleric Marwan Kiwan said in a video posted on social media that he was not responsible for the audio, which angered many Sunni Muslims. The fighting later spread to the outskirts of the southern town of Sakhnaya triggering the first Israeli airstrike against pro-government gunmen. Israeli officials, whose country has its own Druze community, have vowed to protect the Druze of Syria and warned Islamic groups form entering predominantly Druze areas. The clashes have pulled Israel further into the conflict with the airstrike two days ago and Friday marked a major increase in tensions with an attack close to the presidential palace in Damascus in what Syria's presidency called a major escalation. Israel does not want what it calls Islamic extremists near the country's northern border. Since Assad's fall, Israel has carved a buffer zone in southern Syria and has destroyed much of the Syrian army's assets so they don't fall into the hands of groups that removed him from power. Israel had been warning for decades that Iran and its proxies pose a danger along its northern border, and now it is doing the same with the new authorities in Syria who are backed by Turkey. Other sporadic attacks in different areas as well as an ambush on the Damascus-Sweida highway made the situation worse until a deal was reached early Friday after which Interior Ministry forces and local Druze gunmen deployed in different areas. The Britain-based war monitor The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that 99 people were killed over the past four days, of which 51 were killed in Sakhnaya and the Druze-majority Damascus suburb of Jaramana. Among them were local gunmen and security forces. ## What are the main concerns? The clashes near Damascus and in southern Syria came nearly two months after an ambush by fighters loyal to Assad triggered days of sectarian and revenge attacks. The fighting in the country's coastal region left more than 1,000 people dead. Many of the dead were civilians who were gunned down because they belonged to the minority Alawite sect that Assad belongs to. Security forces deployed in the coastal province of Latakia and Tartus but activists say that sectarian killings against Alawites are still taking place albeit at a much slower pace when compared to the early March attacks. Members of religious minorities in Syria such as Alawites, Christians and Druze fear persecution by the main Sunni Muslim groups. Videos have circulated on social media showing Islamist fighters insulting Druze detainees and humiliating them such as shaving their mustaches. ___ Associated Press writer Ibrahim Hazboun contributed to this report from Jerusalem.
Associated Press News	2025-05-03 00:05:03+00:00	[ "Singapore", "Donald Trump", "Lee Hsien Loong", "Marco Rubio", "Lawrence Wong", "Political and civil unrest", "Global elections", "Voting", "Bridget Welsh", "Elections", "Singapore government", "Lee Kuan Yew", "Politics", "Eugene Tan", "Government policy", "Economic policy" ]	# Singapore's long-ruling party wins another landslide in election boost for new prime minister By Eileen Ng May 3rd, 2025, 12:05 AM --- SINGAPORE (AP) — Singapore's long-ruling People's Action Party won another landslide in Saturday's general elections, extending its 66-year unbroken rule in a huge boost for Prime Minister Lawrence Wong who took power a year ago. The Election Department announced the PAP won 82 Parliamentary seats after vote counting ended. The party had earlier won five seats uncontested, giving it 87 out of a total 97 seats. The opposition Workers Party maintained its 10 seats. The PAP's popular vote rose to 65.6%, up from a near-record low of 61% in 2020 polls. Jubilant supporters of the PAP, which had ruled Singapore since 1959, gathered in stadiums waved flags and cheered in celebration. A U.S.-trained economist who is also finance minister, Wong's appeal for a resounding mandate to steer trade-reliant Singapore through economic troubles following U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff hikes has hit home. The government has lowered its growth forecast and warned of a possible recession. Wong, 52, said he was humbled and grateful for the solid mandate for the PAP. He acknowledged voters' desire to have more alternative voices in government, but said a strong PAP team was needed to tackle challenges ahead. "The results will put Singapore in a better position to face this turbulent world," he said. Eugene Tan, a law professor at the Singapore Management University, said the opposition's failure to make further inroads after 2020 was a surprise. "Singapore voters played their cards close to their chest. Today, they indicated that their trust is with a party that has delivered over the years," he said. Wong succeeded Lee Hsien Loong to become the city-state's fourth leader. Lee stepped down in May 2024 after two decades at the helm but remained in the Cabinet as a senior minister. His retirement as premier ended a family dynasty started by his father, Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore's first leader, who built the former colonial backwater into one of the world's richest nations during 31 years in office. The PAP is seen as a beacon of stability and prosperity, but tight government control and the rising cost of living in one of the world's most expensive cities also has led to growing unhappiness, especially among younger voters. Widening income disparity, increasingly unaffordable housing, overcrowding and restrictions on free speech have loosened the PAP's grip on power. The opposition says giving it a stronger presence in Parliament will allow a more balanced political system and greater accountability. But they face an uphill task, often hamstrung by a lack of resources, fragmented support and a lack of unity. Critics said gerrymandering also gives the PAP an advantage. Pritam Singh, leader of the Workers Party, acknowledged it was a tough contest and vowed to continue the fight for a more balanced Parliament. "The slate is wiped clean, we start work again tomorrow, and we go again," he said. ## 'Bilateral defense and security ties' The United States government offered its congratulations to Singapore and Wong. In a statement, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. and Singapore had shared a "strong and enduring strategic partnership and a commitment to a secure, free, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region" for almost 60 years. "We look forward to continuing to work closely with the newly elected government and Prime Minister Wong to strengthen economic growth and our bilateral defense and security ties, which benefit Americans, Singaporeans, and others across the region," Rubio said. While the Workers Party failed to expand its presence, it had consolidated its support with increased share vote in some areas, said Southeast Asia political analyst Bridget Welsh. Other smaller opposition parties however, failed to make a breakthrough. Welsh said voters opted for stability amid concerns over global volatility due to sweeping U.S. tariffs. Wong's more approachable leadership in engaging younger voters and efforts to renew PAP by bringing in about a-third of new faces also helped swung votes, she said. "I call this the Wong and Trump effect," she said. "The issue of economic insecurity really did reinforce his mandate."
Associated Press News	2025-05-01 06:37:41+00:00	[ "Middle East", "International Monetary Fund", "Syria", "Lebanon", "Persian Gulf", "Economy", "Business", "Donald Trump" ]	# IMF says uncertainty is weighing down Mideast economies By Malak Harb May 1st, 2025, 06:37 AM --- DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Countries across the Middle East and North Africa face significant challenges to economic growth as the region faces economic uncertainty due to tariff measures, lower-than-recent oil prices and cuts to financial aid, the International Monetary Fund said Wednesday. The IMF's regional outlook report for the MENA region said Brent crude oil prices — which are down from highs above $120 a barrel in 2022 — are likely to be $65 to $69 per barrel in 2025 and 2026, making energy-exporting economies vulnerable to market fluctuations. Tariff plans by the U.S. and other countries and geopolitical tensions also have created mounting economic uncertainty globally that is weighing down on the region's economies, which could negatively impact their growth by anywhere from 2% to 4.5%, said Jihad Azour, director for Middle East and Central Asia at the IMF. "Therefore countries need to react and need to devise policies in order to protect their economies," Azour said in an interview in Dubai. Reductions in foreign aid coming into the region also will play a role, Azour said, as U.S. President Donald Trump has pulled his country back from its position as the world's single largest aid donor. "The drop in international assistance, especially for countries in fragility, is something that is creating new risks for the region," Azour said. Growth in the MENA region is expected to be 2.6% this year, as compared to 1.8% last year, Azour said, but he added that global uncertainty could impact the outlook. Economies in the Persian Gulf continue to attract substantial foreign direct investment, rising by nearly 2% of GDP since the pandemic, while other MENA nations struggle with slower inflows. The IMF says it is willing to work with some of the struggling nations and the new government in Syria. He also said that IMF staff and Lebanese officials were in discussions in Lebanon. "The Syria recovery will be a long process that would require mobilization of regional and international support and also a comprehensive program of building institutions, reforming their economy, and also addressing a certain number of key issues like infrastructure, refugees and rebuilding a new social contact," Azour said. Despite the global economic uncertainty, MENA nations can drive growth through structural reforms and diversifying economic ties, the report said.
Associated Press News	2025-05-03 06:04:23+00:00	[ "Sudan", "Republican Sinn Fein", "War and unrest", "Military and defense", "Assault", "Marion Ramstein", "Humanitarian crises", "United Nations", "Children" ]	# 'The janjaweed are coming': Sudanese recount atrocities in RSF attack on a Darfur camp By Samy Magdy May 3rd, 2025, 06:04 AM --- CAIRO (AP) — Umm al-Kheir Bakheit was 13 when she arrived at Zamzam Camp in the early 2000s, fleeing the janjaweed, the infamous Arab militias terrorizing Sudan's Darfur region. She grew up, married and had three children in the camp. Now 31, Bakheit fled Zamzam as the janjaweed's descendants — a paramilitary force called the Rapid Support Forces — stormed into the camp and went on a three-day rampage, killing at least 400 people, after months of starving its population with a siege. Bakheit and a dozen other residents and aid workers told The Associated Press that RSF fighters gunned down men and women in the streets, beat and tortured others and raped and sexually assaulted women and girls. The April 11 attack was the worst ever suffered by Zamzam, Sudan's largest displacement camp, in its 20 years of existence. Once home to some 500,000 residents, the camp has been virtually emptied. The paramilitaries burned down large swaths of houses, markets and other buildings. "It's a nightmare come true," Bakheit said. "They attacked mercilessly." ## Months of famine The attack on Zamzam underscored that atrocities have not ended in Sudan's 2-year-old war, even as the RSF has suffered heavy setbacks, losing ground recently to the military in other parts of the country. Throughout the war, the RSF has been accused by residents and rights groups of mass killings and rapes in attacks on towns and cities, particularly in Darfur. Many of RSF's fighters originated from the janjaweed, who became notorious for atrocities in the early 2000s against people identifying as East or Central African in Darfur. "Targeting civilians and using rape as a war weapon and destroying full villages and mass killing, all that has been the reality of the Sudan war for two years," said Marion Ramstein, MSF emergency field coordinator in North Darfur. Zamzam Camp was established in 2004 to house people driven from their homes by janjaweed attacks. Located just south of el-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur province, it swelled over the years to cover an area 8 kilometers (5 miles) long by about 3 kilometers (2 miles) wide. In the spring of 2024, the RSF clamped a siege around Zamzam as it moved against el-Fasher, one of the last strongholds of the Sudanese military in Darfur. Many have died of starvation under the siege, Bakheit and others said. "For too long, there was no option but to eat grass and tree leaves," she said. Famine was declared in the camp in August after RSF attacks forced the U.N. and aid groups to pull out of Zamzam. A comprehensive death toll from the famine is not known. Ahlam al-Nour, a 44-year-old mother of five, said her youngest child, a 3-year-old, died of severe malnutrition in December. The RSF has repeatedly claimed Zamzam and nearby Abu Shouk Camp were used as bases by the military and its allied militias. It said in a statement that it took control of the camp on April 11 to "secure civilians and humanitarian workers." It denied its fighters targeted civilians. The RSF did not reply to AP's questions on the attack. ## 'The janjaweed are coming' Bakheit, who lived on the southern edge of Zamzam, said she heard loud explosions and heavy gunfire around 2 a.m. April 11. The RSF started with heavy shelling, and people panicked as the night sky lit up and houses burst into flames, Bakheit said. By sunrise, the RSF-led fighters broke into her area, storming houses, kicking residents out and seizing valuables, Bakheit and others said. They spoke of sexual harassment and rape of young women and girls by RSF fighters. "The children were screaming, 'The janjaweed are coming'," Bakheit said. About two dozen women who fled to the nearby town of Tawila reported that they were raped during the attack, said Ramstein, who was in Tawila at the time. She said the number is likely much higher because many women are too ashamed to report rapes. "We're talking about looting. We're talking about beating. We're talking about killing, but also about a lot of rape," she said. The paramilitaries rounded up hundreds of people, including women and children. Bakheit said fighters whipped, beat, insulted and sexually harassed her in front of her children as they drove her family from their home. She said she saw houses burning and at least five bodies in the street, including two women and a boy, the ground around them soaked in blood. The fighters gathered Bakheit and about 200 other people in an open area and interrogated them, asking about anyone fighting for the military and its allied militias. "They tortured us," said al-Nour, who was among them. Al-Nour and Bakheit said they saw RSF fighters shoot two young men in the head during the interrogation. They shot a third man in the leg and he lay bleeding and screaming, they said. One video shared online by RSF paramilitaries showed fighters wearing RSF uniforms by nine bodies lying motionless on the ground. A fighter says he is inside Zamzam and that they would kill people "like this," pointing to the bodies on the ground. ## Much of the camp was burned The RSF rampage, which also targeted Abu Shouk Camp north of el-Fasher, went on for days. The paramilitaries destroyed Zamzam's only functioning medical center, killing nine workers from Relief International. They killed at least 23 people at a religious school, mostly young students studying the Quran, according to the General Coordination for Displaced Persons and Refugees in Darfur. Much of the south and east of the camp was burned to the ground, the General Coordination said. Satellite imagery from April 16 showed thick black smoke rising from several active fires in the camp. At least 1.7 square kilometers (0.65 square miles) appeared to have been burned down between April 10-16, said a report by the Yale School of Public Health's Humanitarian Research Lab, which analyzed and published the imagery. That is about 10% of the camp's area. The imagery showed vehicles around the camp and at its main access points, which HRL said were probably RSF checkpoints controlling entry and exit. By April 14, only about 2,100 people remained in the camp, according to the U.N.'s International Organization for Migration. ## An arduous journey After being detained for three hours, Bakheit, al-Nour and dozens of other women and children were released by the paramilitaries. They walked for hours under the burning summer sun. Bakheit and al-Nour said that as they passed through the camp, they went by burning houses, the destroyed main market and bodies of men, women, children in the streets, some of them charred. They joined an exodus of others fleeing Zamzam and heading to the town of Tawila, 64 kilometers (40 miles) west of El Fasher. Al-Nour said she saw at least three people who died on the road, apparently from exhaustion and the effects of starvation and dehydration. "The janjaweed, once again, kill and torture us," Bakheit said. "Like my mother did about 20 years ago, I had no option but to take my children and leave."
Associated Press News	2025-05-07 21:47:49+00:00	[ "Sean Duffy", "Federal Aviation Administration", "Aviation safety", "United States government", "Government and politics", "Politics" ]	# What to know about the air traffic controller shortage By John Seewer May 7th, 2025, 09:47 PM --- The Trump administration is promising to fix the nationwide shortage of air traffic controllers after recent control tower mishaps and a string of crashes earlier this year. The need for more controllers who direct planes across increasingly crowded skies, though, isn't a new issue or one that will be resolved quickly. ## How big is the shortage of controllers? The Federal Aviation Administration has about 14,000 air traffic controllers. More than 1,800 were hired last year, the largest number in nearly a decade, and the government is on track to hire even more this year. Still, there's a need for about 3,000 more to fully staff the system. ## What are the impacts? Understaffing has meant controllers often are forced to work mandatory overtime, sometimes six days a week. That has led to concerns about fatigue after highly publicized close calls between planes that were following orders from controllers. The FAA agreed last summer to increase the minimum rest time between shifts. In some high-traffic areas, including New York and Florida, the FAA has limited the number of flights because of the lack of controllers. ## Why is there a shortage if thousands are being hired? It's a demanding and stressful job with unpredictable hours and a high turnover rate. Many don't make it though the first few years. And experienced controllers face a mandatory retirement age of 56. ## Is this just a recent concern? The National Air Traffic Controllers Association has been raising concerns for more than decade, telling Congress in 2015 that the shortage was at a crisis level. It said then that the FAA had missed its hiring targets for five years in a row. The union again said last spring that the number of fully certified controllers was down 10% from where it was 10 years ago. ## What's the Trump administration's plan? The administration wants to "supercharge" the controller workforce and announced a program last week to speed up hiring and give existing controllers more money not to retire early. But because it takes years to train and certify new hires, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said it still will take at least three or four years to meet the current needs. ## How do you become a controller? Most go through several months training at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma, although about one-third of the candidates don't make it to the end. Others are taught the job in the military, and a handful of colleges offer the same training found at the academy. Trainees then go on to work as developmental controllers in airport towers or radar centers until they're ready to be certified. That final step typically takes two to three years. ## What are the requirements? The FAA says trainees must be willing to go anywhere across the U.S. while working nights and weekends. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, younger than 31 and able to pass a medical exam, background check and a skills assessment. The FAA says less than 10% of applicants are accepted into the training program.
Associated Press News	2025-05-11 14:16:14+00:00	[ "Pope Leo XIV", "Peru", "Catholic Church", "Papal conclave", "Vatican City", "Elizabeth Calle", "Pope Francis", "Alicia Tasayco", "Religion", "Valentina Romn Calle", "Wesley Buonerba", "Rome", "Kathy Fernndez", "Michael Masteller" ]	# Faithful react to Pope Leo's first Sunday blessing in St. Peter's Square By Giovanna Dell'Orto May 11th, 2025, 02:16 PM --- VATICAN CITY (AP) — Tens of thousands of faithful Catholics gathered in St. Peter's Square to watch Pope Leo XIV deliver the first Sunday blessing of his pontificate exactly at noon. They unfurled flags from around the world, waved back as the first U.S. pope waved from the loggia, and whooped, hugged and wiped away tears as he shared a greeting for Mother's Day. The crowd started pouring into the Vatican hours before the marching bands arrived and the pope walked through the dark red drapes of the balcony in the middle of the facade of St. Peter's Basilica to deliver his prayer. Here are some of their reactions. ## A whoop and a watercolor U.S. college student Wesley Buonerba was supposed to fly home for Mother's Day after spending the year studying in Rome. But he changed his plans to be in the square for the papal blessing — and let out a loud whoop when Leo said, in Italian, "Happy holiday to all moms!" "I can't help being joyful and feeling very blessed," he said. His curly hair held back by a Stars and Stripes bandanna, the architecture major sketched a watercolor of the pope while thousands around him held high their smartphones. ## Habits, red roses and red-and-white flags Three Peruvian nuns wore red roses on their brown habits for Mother's Day, and unfurled a big red-and-white flag. "Today also we're invited to pray incessantly for the service that the pope brings to the whole of humanity," said Alicia Tasayco, superior general of the Canonesas de la Cruz religious order in Lima, whose name means Canonesses of the Cross. She was visiting two of her nuns in Rome when Leo, who served for decades in Peru, was elected. Tasayco added that having seen then-Bishop Robert Prevost "always concerned about the neediest," she felt his papacy would continue in that line, including helping women to have a bigger voice in the church. Sister Rosalba Hernández, from Guadalajara, Mexico, waved a Mexican flag for "the pope of the whole world." She said Leo's experience with religious orders — he is an Augustinian — should help him continue to give women religious more of a voice in the church. "He knows and understands our life," she said. ## 'The pope will do much for us' Valentina Román Calle, aged 5, in the red and white shirt of the Peruvian national soccer team, sat on her father's shoulders. The family have lived in Italy for four years and came to the square to get Leo's blessing because Valentina's older sister, 10, needs to undergo an operation. "The pope will do much for us," the girls' mother, Elizabeth Calle, said. "We feel like we can really identify." Other migrants in the square also said they felt that Leo understands their plight and will advocate for them, as Pope Francis also did. The faithful cheered as Leo called for an end to war and urged young people not to be afraid, echoing one of the trademark speeches by St. John Paul II. "We ask too much of him," Peruvian tourist Kathy Fernández said jokingly. She said she had been praying that Leo would protect her family, inspire her 6-year-old son to grow in the Catholic faith, help people find work so they can live honestly, and promote world peace. ## The calm pope As he walked through the 17th-century semicircular colonnade that appears to embrace St Peter's square — and that Leo referenced in his first speech Thursday — the Rev. Michael Masteller of Los Angeles said he was still processing all the emotions of watching the first Sunday blessing. But most of all, the Catholic priest said he felt peaceful because of Leo's own quiet leadership. "He has this calmness," Masteller said. "I've been feeling that, and that gives me confidence." ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
Associated Press News	2025-05-17 18:05:49+00:00	[ "Argentina", "Weather", "Floods", "Natural disasters" ]	# Heavy rainfall floods Argentine highways, forces evacuations May 17th, 2025, 06:05 PM --- BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — More than 2,000 people were ordered to evacuate rural areas north of Argentina's capital after several days of heavy rainfall flooded highways, farmlands and entire neighborhoods. A bus with 44 passengers was stranded overnight for more than 10 hours on one of the roadways connecting Buenos Aires to the interior. Between 8 and 15 inches (300 and 400 mm) of rain has fallen in the past 72 hours when the average monthly precipitation is about 1.7 inches, officials said. More wet weather followed by heavy wind is expected and authorities are urging residents, especially the 275,000 near the city of Zarate along the Parana River, to remain indoors. Authorities likened the storm to one in March that killed at least 16 people.
Associated Press News	2025-05-07 10:34:34+00:00	[ "Cars", "Lifestyle", "Josh Jacquot", "Business" ]	# Edmunds: Five great budget performance cars for under $35,000 By Josh Jacquot May 7th, 2025, 10:34 AM --- New car prices continue to rise for the latest high-performance sports cars. Even a new Chevrolet Corvette, long considered a performance bargain compared to the likes of the Porsche 911, has a starting price of almost $70,000. But that doesn't mean driving enthusiasts on a budget can't find a car that's both fulfilling to drive and genuinely capable. The auto experts at Edmunds have come up with their five favorite performance vehicles for under $35,000. True, you won't be able to buy anything with a V8. The same applies to electric power — the best-value electric performers cost more. But the vehicles listed here have other distinct advantages. All of the following prices include destination fees. ## Dodge Hornet GT There's some irony in the first vehicle in a list of budget-performance cars not being a car at all. But Dodge's Hornet isn't your usual small SUV. First off, it has an Italian heritage. Though you wouldn't know it by its styling, the Hornet shares much of its mechanical design with the Alfa Romeo Tonale small luxury SUV. Second, it's genuinely powerful for a pint-size SUV. The GT version has a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that cranks out 268 horsepower and is good enough to get you from 0 to 60 mph in about 6.5 seconds. Another bonus: It has standard all-wheel drive for all-season driving and more cargo space than the typical performance car. 2025 Hornet starting price: $31,590 ## Ford Mustang EcoBoost A Ford Mustang GT with its rumbly V8 is well beyond our $35,000 price cap. But the less expensive Ford Mustang EcoBoost is a viable substitute. Having a turbocharged four-cylinder under the hood might seem like heresy, but you can't argue with the output of 315 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque. With its 10-speed automatic spinning the rear wheels, the Mustang EcoBoost can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in a quick 5.6 seconds. The newest Mustang provides a classic American driving experience while being comfortable, stylish and well equipped with the latest technology features. 2025 Mustang coupe starting price: $33,515 ## Mazda MX-5 Miata You're as likely to see a Mazda MX-5 Miata roadster in the hands of a cool-headed retiree on lonesome canyon roads as you are spotting one ripping through cones at an autocross. In both cases, the Miata's appeal comes down to the fun-to-drive fundamentals. A four-cylinder engine directs 181 horsepower to the rear wheels through either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. That's not much, but you don't need much when the car is as light as the Miata. A manual-equipped Miata went from 0 to 60 mph in 6.4 seconds at the Edmunds test track. Beyond the numbers, the Miata is all about playfulness. Quick steering, nimble handling and an easy-to-lower top combine to make any drive worthwhile. 2025 MX-5 Miata starting price: $30,715 ## Subaru BRZ and Toyota GR86 The Subaru BRZ and Toyota 86 are mechanically related. Both use a four-cylinder rated at 228 horsepower that sends its power to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. Edmunds found these cars can sprint to 60 mph in about 6 seconds when equipped with the manual. There's enough power to be entertaining but not enough to get a new driver in too much trouble, making these fantastic beginner's sports cars. And there's a low center of gravity and classic rear-wheel-drive balance to help drivers enjoyably learn about car control. But the Toyabaru twins don't stop being fun once you master them. 2025 Toyota GR86 starting price: $31,135; 2025 Subaru BRZ starting price: $32,380 ## Volkswagen GTI The Volkswagen GTI is the quintessential budget performance hatchback. It's fun and engaging to drive yet practical and comfortable day to day. Few cars can do as many things as well as the GTI. Its turbocharged four-cylinder engine produces 241 horsepower. For 2025, every GTI has a seven-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. Edmunds has found it's good for a 5.9-second 0-60 mph sprint. Besides performance, the GTI has a spacious cabin and a generous cargo area for its size. The original hot hatch that traces its American lineage all the way back to 1983 is a solid performance value. Starting manufacturer's suggested retail price: $33,640 ## Edmunds says Spending less than $35,000 can get you a fun vehicle to drive in 2025. Each model here has distinct advantages. You'll likely prefer the Hornet or Golf GTI if space and practicality are priorities. The Miata, BRZ and GR86 all provide a great feel and connection to the road; picking one of these comes down to whether you want a convertible top or the extra security of a coupe. The Mustang can't be beat for its classic pony car styling and heritage. ____ This story was provided to The Associated Press by the automotive website Edmunds. Josh Jacquot is a contributor at Edmunds.
Associated Press News	2025-05-06 05:05:48+00:00	[ "Met Gala", "Fashion", "Photography Lead", "New York City Wire", "Lifestyle", "Arts and entertainment" ]	# See incredible photos of Met Gala looks as stars pay tribute to Black fashion and designers May 6th, 2025, 05:05 AM --- NEW YORK (AP) — Stars gathered Monday for a historic Met Gala that celebrated Black style and emerging designers. The gathering in rainy Manhattan was the first Met Gala to focus exclusively on Black designers and the first in more than 20 years to have a menswear theme. The gathering of stars from the worlds of fashion, entertainment, sports and business raised a record $31 million for the Met's Costume Institute. ___ This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors. ___ For more coverage of the 2025 Met Gala, visit: https://apnews.com/hub/met-gala
Associated Press News	2025-05-20 11:01:18+00:00	[ "Bali", "Thomas Parker", "Law enforcement", "Indonesia", "Crime", "Indictments", "Legal proceedings", "Capital punishment", "Edward Pangkahila", "Courts" ]	# A British man on trial in Bali for a drug offense pleads for a lenient sentence By Firdia Lisnawati May 20th, 2025, 11:01 AM --- DENPASAR, Indonesia (AP) — A British man on trial for drug offenses pleaded for leniency Tuesday in a court on the Indonesian tourist island of Bali after a charge that could carry the death penalty was dropped. Thomas Parker, from Cumbria in northwest England, was arrested on Jan. 21, at a villa near Kuta beach, a popular tourist spot, after he allegedly collected a package from a motorcycle taxi driver at a nearby street. According to the court document obtained by The Associated Press, Parker was noticed "acting suspiciously" by officers while he was collecting the package. He allegedly discarded it in a panic and fled when police approached him. He was traced back to the villa where he was staying and was arrested. The court document said a lab test result confirmed the package containing slightly over a kilogram (2.326 pounds) of methylenedioxymethamphetamine, or MDMA, the main ingredient in ecstasy. Parker was initially charged with drug trafficking and could have faced the death penalty by firing squad if found guilty. However, the trafficking charge was dropped after police investigators determined that the package was not directly linked to him. The case went unreported until authorities showed a handcuffed Parker at a news conference on March 6. During the police investigation, the 32-year-old electrician was able to prove that he did not order the package. It was sent by a drug dealer friend, identified only as Nicky, who Parker had known for around two years and spoke to regularly through the Telegram messaging app. During the trial that began last month, Parker told the court he initially refused to collect the package but later agreed to do it after Nicky assured him that the package was safe and would not put him in danger. Parker was told someone would pick it up shortly from him, his lawyer, Edward Pangkahila said. Parker was not promised money or anything else by Nicky in return, Pangkahila said. Authorities reduced the charge from trafficking to the less serious offense of hiding information from authorities. Prosecutors on May 6 sought a one-year prison term for Parker. However, under Indonesian legal system, judges have an important role as legal determinants in a trial. They could seek further charges if applicable laws are unclear or non-existent, meaning that the trafficking charge could be reinstated. Pangkahila said that Parker last met Nicky a year ago when he was on vacation in Thailand. As his friend was a dealer, Parker worried the package was filled with drugs. He panicked when he saw police officers on the street and and was approached by them, Pangkahila said. Wearing a white shirt and black trousers, Parker repeatedly expressed his remorse in his final plea on Tuesday and asked the panel of three judges in Denpasar District Court to consider his situation and impose a lenient sentence. "I am very sorry and apologize, I know it was a mistake," Parker said, "I promise not to repeat it again, because I really didn't know that (the package) was drugs." After Parker read out his plea, Presiding Judge Gusti Ayu Akhirnyani adjourned the trial until May 27, when the judges will read out their sentence in a verdict. "Until now, they (prosecutors) cannot prove that our client is a middleman or trafficker," Pangkahila said, "He has no connection with any drug network, we hope the judges will come to the same conclusion." He said his client is nervous and depressed as he faces trial. Indonesia has very strict drug laws and convicted traffickers can be executed by a firing squad. About 530 people are on death row in Indonesia, mostly for drug-related crimes, including 96 foreigners, the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections' data showed. Indonesia's last executions, of an Indonesian and three foreigners, were carried out in July 2016. ____ Associated Press writer Niniek Karmini in Jakarta, Indonesia, contributed to this report.
Associated Press News	2025-05-19 04:17:16+00:00	[ "Zach Wilson", "Tornadoes", "Storms", "Kentucky", "Weather", "Climate and environment", "Derick Wheetley", "Dennis Jenkerson", "Andy Beshear", "Cara Spencer", "Climate" ]	# More storms take aim at central US By Matthew Brown and Carolyn Kaster May 19th, 2025, 04:17 AM --- LONDON, Ky. (AP) — More severe storms were expected to roll across the central U.S. this week following the weather-related deaths of more than two dozen people and a devastating Kentucky tornado. The National Weather Service warned over the weekend that a "multitude of hazardous weather" would impact the U.S. over the next several days — from thunderstorms and potentially baseball-sized hail on the Plains, to heavy mountain snow in the West and dangerous heat in the South. Areas at risk of thunderstorms include communities in Kentucky and Missouri that were hit by Friday's tornadoes. St. Louis Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson warned people to get ready for approaching weather and suggested inviting in neighbors if their homes were in questionable condition. "We're asking people to prepare for this weather. Please find a safe place to go while the weather is coming in. Get there before it arrives and that's going to assist the fire department," he said during a news conference on Sunday. "It's going to take your help to get through this next wave of storms." In London, Kentucky, people whose houses were destroyed scrambled Sunday to put tarps over salvageable items or haul them away for safe storage, said Zach Wilson. His parents' house was in ruins, their belongings scattered. "We're trying the hardest to get anything that looks of value and getting it protected, especially pictures and papers and things like that," he said. Here's the latest on the recent storms, some tornado history and where to look out for the next weather impacts. ## Deadly storms claim dozens of lives At least 19 people were killed and 10 seriously injured in Kentucky, where a tornado on Friday damaged hundreds of homes and tossed vehicles in southeastern Laurel County. 0fficials said the death toll could rise and that three people remained in critical condition Sunday. Wilson said he raced to his parents' home in London, Kentucky, after the storm. "It was dark and still raining but every lightning flash, it was lighting up your nightmares: Everything was gone," he said. "The thankful thing was me and my brother got here and got them out of where they had barricaded themselves." Survey teams were expected on the ground Monday so the state can apply for federal disaster assistance, Gov. Andy Beshear said. Some of the two dozen state roads that had closures could take days to reopen. In St. Louis, five people died and 38 were injured as the storm system swept through on Friday, according to Mayor Cara Spencer. More than 5,000 homes in the city were affected, she said. On Sunday, city inspectors were going through damaged areas to condemn unsafe structures, Spencer said. She asked for people not to sightsee in damaged areas. A tornado that started in the St. Louis suburb of Clayton traveled at least 8 miles (13 kilometers), had 150-mph (241-kph) winds and had a maximum width of 1 mile (1.6 kilometers), according to the weather service. It touched down in the area of Forest Park, home to the St. Louis Zoo and the site of the 1904 World's Fair and the Olympic Games that same year. In Scott County, about 130 miles (209 kilometers) south of St. Louis, a tornado killed two people, injured several others and destroyed multiple homes, Sheriff Derick Wheetley wrote on social media. The weather system spawned tornadoes in Wisconsin and temporarily enveloped parts of Illinois — including Chicago — in a pall of dust. Two people were killed in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C., by falling trees while driving. The storms hit after the Trump administration cut staffing of weather service offices, with outside experts worrying about how it would affect warnings in disasters such as tornadoes. ## A history of tornadoes The majority of the world's tornadoes occur in the U.S., which has about 1,200 annually. Researchers in 2018 found that deadly tornadoes were happening less frequently in the traditional "Tornado Alley" of Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas and more frequently in parts of the more densely populated and tree-filled South. They can happen any time of day or night, but certain times of the year bring peak "tornado season." That's from May into early June for the southern Plains and earlier in the spring on the Gulf Coast. The deadliest tornado in Kentucky's history was hundreds of yards wide when it tore through downtown Louisville's business district in March 1890, collapsing multistory buildings including one with 200 people inside. Seventy-six people were killed. The last tornado to cause mass fatalities in Kentucky was a December 2021 twister that lasted almost five hours. It traveled some 165 miles (266 kilometers), leaving a path of destruction that included 57 dead and more than 500 injured, according to the weather service. Officials recorded at least 41 tornadoes during that storm, which killed at least 77 people statewide. On the same day, a deadly tornado struck the St. Louis area, killing six people at an Amazon facility in nearby Illinois. ## More storms threaten in coming days The weather service's Storm Prediction Center warned in a social media post of enhanced risks of severe thunderstorms Monday across parts of the Plains into the Ozarks, with the possibility of tornadoes, very large hail and damaging wind. Storms were expected to develop in the afternoon and persist into the evening. Meanwhile, triple-digit temperatures were forecast for parts of south Texas with the potential to break daily records. The hot, dry air also sets the stage for critical wildfire conditions through early this week in southern New Mexico and West Texas. ___ Brown reported from Billings, Montana.
Associated Press News	2025-05-08 20:20:09+00:00	[ "Israel", "Foreign aid", "Gaza Strip", "Donald Trump", "United Nations", "Israel government", "Steve Witkoff", "United States government", "Humanitarian crises", "Israel-Hamas war", "United States", "Jamie Williamson", "Politics", "Shaina Low", "Tamara Alrifai", "David Beasley", "Tammy Bruce" ]	# A US-backed group seeks to take over Gaza aid distribution in a plan similar to Israel's By Sam Mednick, Julia Frankel, and Sarah El Deeb May 8th, 2025, 08:20 PM --- TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — A group of American security contractors, ex-military officers and humanitarian aid officials is proposing to take over the distribution of food and other supplies in Gaza based on plans similar to ones designed by Israel. The Associated Press obtained a proposal from the newly created group, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, to implement a new aid distribution system supplanting the current one run by the U.N. and other international aid agencies. The U.N. and aid groups have rejected Israel's moves to control aid distribution. It was not immediately clear if the proposal from the new group, which is registered in Geneva, would ease those concerns. Israel has blocked food, fuel, medicine and all other supplies from entering Gaza for 10 weeks, worsening a humanitarian crisis for 2.3 million Palestinians. It has said it won't allow aid back in until a system is in place that gives it control over distribution. The 14-page proposal circulated this week among aid groups and U.N. officials lays out plans similar to ones Israel has been discussing privately for weeks with international aid groups. The proposal reveals for the first time plans to create the foundation and names the people leading it. A U.N. official said last week that Israel's plans would "weaponize aid" by placing restrictions on who is eligible to receive it. Aid workers have also criticized the plans, which would centralize distribution at four hubs under the protection of private security contractors. They say the plans could not possibly meet the needs of Gaza's large and desperate population, and that they would forcibly displace large numbers of Palestinians by driving them to move nearer to the aid. Under the new group's proposal, Palestinians would receive pre-packaged rations, potable water, hygiene kits, blankets, and other supplies at the distribution hubs. The group said it wants to partner with the U.N. and international aid groups in handing out their supplies. A U.S. official confirmed the authenticity of the proposal and said the former director of the U.N. World Food Program, David Beasley, is the lead choice to run GHF. The proposal could still be revised and Beasley's role is not confirmed, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity to detail plans that have not been made public. Beasley, a former governor of South Carolina, didn't immediately respond to messages seeking comment. Israel accuses Hamas and other militants of siphoning off large amounts of aid. The U.N and aid workers deny there is significant diversion, saying the U.N. strictly monitors distribution. When contacted Thursday for comment about GHF's proposal, Israeli officials did not immediately respond. ## U.S. backing for the foundation The Trump administration supports the new group's proposal, said a person involved in it. The person said GHF would work "within the confines" set by Israel on aid but would be "independent and committed to humanitarian principles" — a nod to U.N. concerns. The person spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a plan not yet made public. "This is a new approach with one focus: Get help to people. Right now," said U.S. State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce. Ahead of his first trip to the Middle East this week, U.S. President Donald Trump said "a lot of talk" was going on about Gaza and that his administration will soon have more to say about a new proposal. This may include a new push for a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, the release of hostages and an influx of aid to Palestinians. Aryeh Lightstone, a senior member of U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff's team, was involved in briefing U.N. agencies and aid groups about the foundation as they gathered in Geneva on Thursday, according to two humanitarian workers briefed on the meeting who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment to the media. ## Who's involved? GHF's proposal names a 10-member leadership team that includes former senior American military officers, business executives and officials from aid groups. At least two of them have ties to private security companies. Beasley is listed among them, but the proposal says his role is still "to be finalized." Beasley is also a senior advisor to Fogbow, a private U.S. firm that participated in the short-lived project delivering aid to Gaza by sea via a U.S. military-built pier. The AP contacted people listed in the proposal to confirm their participation. Only one responded, saying he was "not on the board." The person involved in planning said the list was still in flux. ## How would it work? According to the proposal, GHF would initially set up four distribution sites, each serving 300,000 people. That would cover about half of Gaza's population. The system would be scaled up to meet the needs of 2 million people. But the proposal does not give a timeframe. Aid workers warn that food is rapidly running out in Gaza under Israel's blockade. The GHF proposal said subcontractors will use armored vehicles to transport supplies from the Gaza border to distribution sites, where they will also provide security. It said the aim is to deter criminal gangs or militants from redirecting aid. It did not specify who would provide security but said it could include personnel who previously worked in the Netzarim Corridor, an Israeli-held zone cutting off northern Gaza. A private logistics and operations company, Safe Reach Solutions, has operated in the corridor. GHF said people will get assistance based on need with no eligibility requirements. This appears to differ from proposals floated by Israel. Aid workers say Israel has said it intends to vet aid recipients and screen them using facial recognition. ## What do aid groups say? Throughout Israel's campaign in Gaza, the U.N. and other humanitarian groups have been carrying out a massive aid program. They have trucked in supplies and distributed them across the territory, going as close as possible to where Palestinians were located. What has chiefly hampered the system, aid workers have said, are Israeli military operations and restrictions on movement, as well as the low amount of aid allowed to enter even before the blockade. Convoys have also been attacked by criminal groups stealing aid, and hungry Palestinians have sometimes taken supplies from trucks. Aid workers contacted by the AP cast doubt whether GHF would meet humanitarian requirements for neutrality and independence. Shaina Low, communications adviser for Norwegian Refugee Council, one of the main organizations in Gaza, said aid groups are concerned the plan will be used "to advance military and political goals." By forcing the population to relocate around aid hubs, the system would "depopulate entire parts of Gaza" and could be used to potentially expel the population, she said. "They are framing (the plan) to fix the problem that doesn't really exist," she said, referring to Israel's contention that it must prevent Hamas from taking aid. The use of private security companies has also alarmed humanitarian workers. While it's common for private security firms to operate in conflict zones, they have to respect humanitarian law and at a minimum be fully vetted and monitored, said Jamie Williamson, executive director for the International Code of Conduct Association. Tamara Alrifai, communications director for the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, which has led the aid effort it Gaza, said the plan was logistically unworkable. She said the foundation does not appear able to match the current infrastructure needed to distribute food and address other humanitarian needs. Alrifai called it "a very dangerous precedent" for countries to use "full siege as a tactic of war" to force the abandonment of "existing aid structures and the entire international system that exists and is recognized and start creating a new system." ___ El Deeb reported from Beirut. AP reporters Matthew Lee in Washington, Farnoush Amiri at the United Nations, Meg Kinnard in Chapin, South Carolina, and Jamey Keaten in Geneva contributed to this report.
Associated Press News	2025-05-15 15:06:32+00:00	[ "Donald Trump", "Alabama", "Texas", "Crime", "Bill Lee", "Brad Little", "Kathleen Campbell Walker", "Immigration", "United States government", "United States Congress", "Congress", "United States", "Government programs", "U.S. Republican Party", "Legislation", "Law enforcement", "Kay Ivey", "Phillip Ensler", "Politics", "Wes Kitchens", "Jordan Stallworth" ]	# More Republicans push to criminalize bringing immigrants in the US illegally across state lines By Safiyah Riddle and David A. Lieb May 15th, 2025, 03:06 PM --- MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama lawmakers have passed legislation that would make it a felony to knowingly bring someone into the state who is in the U.S. illegally, echoing similar bills nationwide that could restrict domestic travel for some immigrants. The legislation given final approval Wednesday protects "not only the citizens of Alabama but also the people that are immigrating here legally and doing everything the right way," said the bill's Republican sponsor, Sen. Wes Kitchens. The measure carves out exemptions for medical professionals such as ambulance drivers and employees for law firms, educators, churches or charitable organizations carrying out "non-commercial" tasks. The bill also outlines a process for law enforcement to determine whether a person who is arrested is in the country legally. It now goes to Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, who has 10 days to sign the legislation or else it fails by a pocket veto. Alabama joins at least nine other states that have considered legislation this year that would create crimes of transporting immigrants who are unlawfully in the U.S., according to an Associated Press analysis using the bill-tracking software Plural. It's one of many recent bills passed by conservative statehouses seeking to aid President Donald Trump's crackdown on immigration. Activists say Alabama could end up ensnaring people who provide transportation across state lines for essential services, such federal immigration court hearings in New Orleans and Atlanta, mandatory trips to out-of-state consulates and visits to family. Jordan Stallworth, 38, works as a civic engagement coordinator for the Alabama Coalition for Immigrant Justice and lives in Wedowee, Alabama, a rural town of about 800 people that is just a 20-minute drive from Georgia. His wife has relatives living without legal status in both states and he often assists family members and other immigrants in the community with transportation. Recently, he drove a family member lacking legal status to the maternity ward in Carrollton, Georgia, 35 miles (56 kilometers) away, since the local hospital doesn't have one. Stallworth worries that similar trips will be criminalized. "I'm not gonna sit here and somebody's dying in front of me just to have a baby — I'm not gonna sit here and just let her die, family or not," Stallworth said. Federal law already makes it a crime to knowingly transport someone who is in the U.S. illegally. That law has been used in border areas against drivers picking up people who illegally cross into the U.S. But it has not historically been used for minor things like giving someone a ride to the grocery store, said Kathleen Campbell Walker, a longtime immigration attorney in El Paso, Texas. But immigrant advocates are watching to see whether that changes under Trump. "The likelihood of that being enforced is higher now because of the focus on removing undocumented people from the United States," Walker said. Alabama's legislation is similar to a 2023 Florida law, which made it a state crime to knowingly transport someone who entered the U.S. illegally. A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction against the Florida law last year, noting it's preemption by federal law. But in March, the judge narrowed that injunction to block the law's enforcement only against some who sued, including several individuals and members of The Farmworker Association of Florida. Democratic Rep. Phillip Ensler testified against the Alabama bill, saying the crime already exists under federal law. He conceded that exemptions made the bill better but said, "It just seems very cruel and overly broad that we're going to criminalize people doing innocent things." Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, a Republican, signed a law last week that criminalizes harboring, transporting or hiding individuals without legal immigration status "for the purpose of commercial advantage or private financial gain." Texas also has toughened its immigration laws. Last year, it increased prison sentences under a state anti-smuggling law that prohibits transporting individuals with the intent to conceal them from law enforcement. Some of the similar measures considered by legislatures this year would apply more narrowly than the Florida and Texas laws. An Idaho law signed in March by Republican Gov. Brad Little creates a felony crime of "trafficking a dangerous illegal alien," defined as knowingly transporting someone in the country illegally who has been convicted of a felony or certain sex offenses. The new crime is punishable by up to two years in prison and a $10,000 fine. ____ Lieb reported from Jefferson City, Missouri.
Associated Press News	2025-05-06 19:45:36+00:00	[ "Mark Pritchard", "Music", "COVID-19 pandemic", "Music Reviews", "COVID-19", "Jim Pollock", "Arts and entertainment", "Thom Yorke", "Entertainment" ]	# 'Tall Tales' review: Thom Yorke and Mark Pritchard team up By Jim Pollock May 6th, 2025, 07:45 PM --- "Tall Tales," the first full-length collaboration between Radiohead singer Thom Yorke and electronic music pioneer Mark Pritchard, captures two prolific artists without much to prove and whole worlds left to explore. The project was conceived during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Yorke and Pritchard, both working remotely, began exchanging and modifying sound files. A half-decade later, the collaboration journeys back into the isolation of that period and far beyond. (And the partnership shouldn't come as too much of a surprise: Pritchard previously worked with Yorke on the 2016 track "Beautiful People.") "Tall Tales" captures their shared, endearing spirit of experimentation in a collection of dystopian, prog electronics that will satisfy fans of both artists. Across the album, Pritchard's inventive productions often serve as a perfect foil for Yorke's darker lyrics and mournful vocals. Pritchard is a synthesizer sommelier, too, utilizing classic vintage electronic instruments dating back many decades, such as the Arp Odyssey, Wurlitzer Sideman and the Minimoog. Yorke returns to themes of tech dystopia, consumerism and alienation that he has explored since the 1997 Radiohead album "OK Computer," evidenced in tracks like "Gangsters" and "The Men Who Dance in Stag's Heads." On the later, a droning satire of billionaire self-indulgence, he sings, "We sign their papers/We line their pockets." The opening track, "A Fake in a Faker's World," serves up a mission statement for the project. There, Pritchard presents a whirlwind of digital sounds, with Yorke's human voice the sole organic element. The two tracks that follow are ambient works that seem destined for IMAX films or A24 soundtracks. "Ice Shelf" is cold and glacial as Yorke sings "Standing solo on an ice shelf." "Bugging Out Again" follows, haunting and dense with retro-futuristic effects. A strong middle section begins with "Back in the Game." The opening lyrics evoke the project's genesis: "Have you missed me? How've you been? Back to 2020 again." As in so much of Yorke's work, the track blends emotional despair with an infectious musicality. It is anchored by the album's two catchiest tracks. "Gangsters" evokes 1980s video games with its use of a Mattel Bee Gees rhythm machine. The wonderfully titled "This Conversation Is Missing Your Voice" follows, with a propulsive electronic pop energy that falls somewhere between Gorillaz and Squeeze. The final third houses the oddball tracks. The overlapping voices in "Tall Tales" evoke a bardo of unsettled spirits. "Happy Days" features a bouncy carnival beat. The late songs gradually add analog instruments to the mix, and by the finale, "Wandering Genie," the initial musical premise seems almost inverted: In the beginning, Yorke's voice was the only organic sound; by the end, it's all recognizable instruments and his voice has been digitized beyond recognition. Atop analog flute, bassoon and pipe organ, a mechanical Yorke brings the journey to its coda, repeating the single lyric, "I am falling." And in 2020, who wasn't? ___ AP book reviews: https://apnews.com/hub/book-reviews
Associated Press News	2025-05-05 01:41:07+00:00	[ "Romania", "Global elections" ]	# AP PHOTOS : Hard-right candidate Simion decisively wins first round of Romania's presidential redo May 5th, 2025, 01:41 AM --- BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) —Hard-right nationalist George Simion secured a decisive win Sunday in the first round of Romania's presidential election redo, nearly complete electoral data showed. The election took place months after an annulled vote plunged the European Union and NATO member country into its worst political crisis in decades. Far behind in second place was Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan with 20.89%, and in third place the governing coalition's joint candidate, Crin Antonescu, with 20.34% Eleven candidates vied for the presidency and a runoff will be held on May 18 between the top two candidates. ____This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors
Associated Press News	2025-05-03 19:31:11+00:00	[ "Pope Francis", "Guatemala", "Papal conclave", "Spirituality", "Religion", "Italy government", "Immigration", "Barack Obama", "Catholic Church", "Poverty" ]	# Guatemala's cardinal trusts migration will be a priority for next pope as he readies for conclave By Giovanna Dell'Orto May 3rd, 2025, 07:31 PM --- ROME (AP) — Cardinal Álvaro Ramazzini is taking the same spirit to his first conclave that's guided his decades-long front-line ministry among the migrants, poor and Indigenous people in Guatemala's highlands — ensuring that the Gospel isn't preached "in the abstract." Advocating for migrants was a priority of Pope Francis, who made Ramazzini a cardinal in 2019. Being elevated to the top hierarchy of the Catholic Church didn't faze the bishop of Huehuetenango, whose continued commitment to social justice led to many threats of violence. His native Guatemala is struggling through political turmoil and remains a hot spot of migration to the United States. "It's a duty of conscience for the cardinals, now that we have the responsibility to name a new pope, that we don't lose sight that we've been coming along a path and this path needs to continue to grow and grow and grow," Ramazzini told The Associated Press on Saturday, four days before Catholic cardinals gather to elect Francis' successor. "I'm talking about supporting, welcoming, and protecting the rights of migrants." Ramazzini said the church has to advocate for migrants forced by dire poverty to migrate along cartel-controlled routes where they're often extorted or trafficked, both by helping them with shelters and other humanitarian aid and by lobbying for comprehensive immigration reform. "But this we haven't achieved," Ramazzini said. "We didn't achieve it with Clinton, we didn't achieve with Obama, we didn't achieve it with Biden, and far, far less will we succeed with Mr. Trump." Still, the church shouldn't abandon migrants or the "pastoral line" of advocating for social justice, peace and fairer economic relations between countries that started gaining prominence with the Second Vatican Council and reached new heights under Francis, Ramazzini said. "There's a line of continuity and I am sure that this will be a task for the next pope," the cardinal said in the hilltop headquarters of the Scalabrinians, a missionary order founded by an Italian bishop in the late 19th century to serve migrants and refugees. "We need to be the voice of all these people who don't have access oftentimes to lobbies that we can reach." For most of the 50-plus years since his ordination, Ramazzini has been bishop in San Marcos and then Huehuetenango, mountainous regions that were particularly hard-hit during Guatemala's civil war, which ended in 1996. Today, they continue to struggle with extreme poverty and drug-trafficking, pushing hundreds of thousands of local youths to migrate to the United States. Cardinals are sworn to secrecy about the ongoing deliberations regarding the direction of the church as they prepare to enter the conclave on Wednesday. But Ramazzini said he's heartened by the "global vision" shared by the unusually large number of cardinals electors — 133, all but a couple of whom are already in Rome. He added that he trusts the next pope will pick up the pending task of reforming church institutions and its financial structure that Francis began, as well as continue the "great sign" of including more women in positions of leadership. Ramazzini also highlighted that spirituality and social justice action must go hand-in-hand. "This is the true spirituality, which is fed by prayer, by reflection on the word of God, but that has to be projected toward the other," he said. "The next pope will have his own spirituality. But the important thing is that nobody forgets that you can't have real spirituality without putting the Gospel concretely into practice." And his own beliefs are keeping him from being nervous about participating for the first time in the election of the next leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics. "I'm not worried because I know that nothing will happen that our Lord Jesus Christ won't permit," Ramazzini said. "In the end, he's the master of the church, we are his servants. … So he will help us come out of this well." That's reassuring — as is the certainty that he won't be picked, Ramazzini joked. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
Associated Press News	2025-05-18 06:41:05+00:00	[ "Vladimir Putin", "Volodymyr Zelenskyy", "Marco Rubio", "Donald Trump", "Friedrich Merz", "Ukraine", "Rome", "Russia", "Italy government", "Giorgia Meloni", "JD Vance", "United States government", "International agreements", "Drones", "United States", "Russia-Ukraine war", "Russia Ukraine war", "Yuriy Ihnat", "Ursula Von der Leyen", "United States Congress", "Pope Leo XIV", "Ukraine government", "Politics" ]	# Russia launches biggest drone attack on Ukraine since start of war By Giada Zampano and Elise Morton May 18th, 2025, 06:41 AM --- ROME, Italy (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with top U.S. officials and European leaders on Sunday in Rome, ahead of a high-stakes phone call Monday between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on ending the war in Ukraine. The discussions came as Russia launched what Ukraine called its largest drone barrage against Ukraine since the start of its full-scale invasion in 2022, after the first direct talks between Moscow and Kyiv in years failed to yield a ceasefire Friday. Zelenskyy spoke with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the U.S. ambassador's residence, after attending the inaugural Mass for Pope Leo XIV in St. Peter's Square. Zelenskyy said on social media he had underscored the need for "real diplomacy" and reaffirmed Ukraine's commitment to a "full and unconditional ceasefire." He said they discussed sanctions against Russia, bilateral trade, defense cooperation and plans for the upcoming prisoner exchange with Russia that was agreed in talks between the two sides in Istanbul. Trump has said he plans to speak with Putin about stopping the "bloodbath" in Ukraine, and then speak to Zelenskyy and leaders of various NATO countries. Zelenskyy also met with the new pope after the Mass. "The authority and voice of the Holy See can play an important role in bringing this war to an end," the Ukrainian president wrote on social media. He thanked the Vatican for its readiness to become a platform for direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. Rubio on Saturday said the Vatican could be a venue for peace talks, taking up the Holy See's longstanding offer after Leo vowed to personally make "every effort" to help end the war. Ahead of a meeting in Rome with Vance and Italy's Premier Giorgia Meloni, EU Commission head Ursula Von der Leyen urged parties to "push things forward." German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he spoke to Zelenskyy and Rubio on the sidelines of the pope's inauguration. Merz said he had agreed with the leaders of France and Britain "that we will speak again with the American president in preparation for this conversation." Merz told reporters that "my firm impression is that both the Europeans and the Americans are determined to work together, but now also in a goal-oriented manner, to ensure that this terrible war ends soon." Putin spurned Zelenskyy's offer to meet face-to-face in Turkey after he himself proposed direct negotiations — although not at the presidential level — as an alternative to a 30-day ceasefire urged by Ukraine and its Western allies, including the U.S. The talks in Istanbul broke up after less than two hours, although both sides agreed on exchanging 1,000 prisoners of war each, according to the heads of both delegations. Ukraine's intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov, said on Ukrainian television Saturday that the exchange could happen as early as next week. Russia on Sunday fired a total of 273 exploding drones and decoys targeting Ukraine's Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk and Donetsk regions, Ukraine's air force said. Of those, 88 were intercepted and 128 lost, likely being electronically jammed. Yuriy Ihnat, head of the air force's communications department, told The Associated Press the barrage was the biggest drone attack since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion. Previously, Russia's largest known single drone attack was on the eve of the war's third anniversary, when Russia pounded Ukraine with 267 drones. Kyiv regional Gov. Mykola Kalashnyk said a 28-year-old woman was killed in a drone attack and three other people, including a 4-year-old child, were wounded. Russia's Defense Ministry said its air defenses shot down seven Ukrainian drones overnight and another 18 Sunday morning. ___ Morton reported from London. Associated Press writers Yehor Konovalov and Volodymyr Yurchuk in Kyiv, Ukraine, contributed. ___ Follow AP's coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
Associated Press News	2025-05-08 14:01:46+00:00	[ "Turkey", "Iraq", "Recep Tayyip Erdogan", "Iraq government", "Ankara", "Abdullah Ocalan", "Baghdad", "Mohammed Shia al-Sudani", "Turkey government", "Kurdistan Workers Party", "Islam", "Climate and environment", "Water shortages", "Business", "Politics", "Climate" ]	# Turkey and Iraq reaffirm commitment to work against Kurdish militants and other security threats By Suzan Fraser and Qassim Abdul-Zahra May 8th, 2025, 02:01 PM --- ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening security cooperation on Thursday, vowing to work against threats, including Kurdish militants based on Iraqi territory. Al-Sudani arrived in Turkey as the neighboring countries are working to enhance cooperation and mend past tensions. Relations between Turkey and Iraq were often strained over Turkish military incursions into northern Iraq for operations against the banned Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, and the establishment of Turkish military bases there. Baghdad frequently condemned the incursions as a violation of its sovereignty, while Ankara accused Iraq of not doing enough to fight the PKK. More recently, however, the two countries have deepened cooperation on security, including addressing the PKK presence in northern Iraq. Last year, Iraq announced that the Iraqi National Security Council had issued a ban on the PKK, although it stopped short of designating it as a terrorist organization. Erdogan said the two "reaffirmed our determination" to fight against the Kurdish militants, the Islamic State group and against members of network that Turkey accuses of being behind a failed military coup in 2016. "We once again emphasized that terrorism has no place in the future of our region," Erdogan said. Al-Sudani said: "What affects Iraq's security affects Turkey's security and vice versa." "According to our constitution, we do not allow any group to use Iraqi territory to attack neighboring countries," he said. On Thursday, officials inked 11 agreements, including in trade and defense, to advance cooperation between the two countries. Erdogan stressed the urgency of resuming oil shipments through an Iraqi-Turkish pipeline. The oil pipeline running from the semi-autonomous Kurdish region to Turkey has been shut down since March 2023, after an arbitration court ruling ordered Ankara to pay Iraq $1.5 billion for oil exports that bypassed Iraq's central government in Baghdad. The sharing of oil and gas revenues has long been a contentious issue between Baghdad and Kurdish authorities in Irbil. Al-Sudani said water supplies to Iraq were also discussed. He said committees were continuing meetings to agree on mechanisms for water management projects. "We emphasized the need for a fair understanding that respects the interests of both sides, in accordance with principles of equity and good neighborliness," the Iraqi prime minister said. In recent years, Iraqi officials have complained that dams built by Turkey are reducing Iraq's water supply. The Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, which provide most of Iraq's fresh water, originate in Turkey. Experts fear that climate change is likely to exacerbate existing water shortages in Iraq. "Our position is that water levels in the dams are at a minimum, and at the same time, Iraq has received very little rainfall this year," al-Sudani said. The two also discussed steps to rapidly implement The Development Road Project - a large-scale infrastructure plan to connect the Persian Gulf with Turkey by constructing highways and rail links from southern Iraq to the Turkish border. The Iraqi prime minister's visit comes after the PKK's jailed leader, Abdullah Ocalan, called on his group to dissolve and disarm as part of a new peace initiative with Turkey. The group declared a unilateral ceasefire in March and is now expected to hold a congress in northern Iraq, during which it would announce its dissolution, Turkish officials have said. The PKK, which has maintained bases in northern Iraq's semiautonomous Kurdish region, has fought Turkey for an autonomous Kurdish state. The conflict has claimed tens of thousands of lives since the 1980s. Turkey and its Western allies have designated the PKK a terrorist organization. Al-Sudani said: "We welcome the political process and the disarmament path concerning the PKK." __ Abdul-Zahra reported from Baghdad.
Associated Press News	2025-05-05 13:05:02+00:00	[ "Stephen Colbert", "Trent Reznor", "Lena Dunham", "Megan Fox", "Ving Rhames", "Robert Zemeckis", "Malcolm David Kelley", "Kathleen Sullivan", "Celebrity", "Stevie Wonder", "Derek Hough", "Janet Jackson", "Danny Trejo", "Sofia Coppola", "Eric Burdon", "Drew Roy", "Marc John Jefferies", "Samantha Mathis", "Mickey Madden", "Jeffrey Donovan", "Peter Gerety", "Coby Bell", "Robert Pattinson", "Boyd Gaines", "Brian F. OByrne", "Thomas Sangster", "Samantha Morton", "Millie Perkins", "Sarah Connor Chronicles", "Candice Accola", "Brian Eno", "Zac Brown", "Rebecca Herbst", "Raphael Saadiq", "Andrea Corr", "Cate Blanchett", "George Lucas", "Tim Roth", "Lindsay Crouse", "Susan Floyd", "Bruce Boxleitner", "Tori Spelling", "Emily VanCamp", "Jordan Knight", "Television", "Nashville", "Country music", "Hip hop and rap", "Danny Wood", "Natalie Appleton", "Emilio Estevez", "Dan Auerbach", "Entertainment", "Darnell Van Rensalier", "Animals", "David Eigenberg", "Stephen Baldwin", "Jermaine Fowler", "Zoe Wanamaker", "C.C. DeVille", "Melanie Lynskey", "Guy Davis", "Carla Hall", "Clare Bowen", "Kix Brooks", "Eric Singer", "Gabriel Mann", "Hugh Romney", "Gene Cornish", "Rhea Seehorn", "Taj Mahal", "Chazz Palminteri", "Gunilla Hutton", "Jason Biggs", "Kim Fields", "Eddie Kilgallon", "Amber Tamblyn", "Fabrice Morvan", "Franklyn Ajaye", "Miranda Cosgrove", "Russell Hornsby", "Annabelle Attanasio", "Debby Ryan", "Bill Rancic", "April Grace", "Austin OBrien", "Steve Winwood", "Scott Schwartz", "Nicky Katt", "Tucker Carlson", "Andy Williams", "Ace Hood", "Pam Ferris", "Rick Trevino", "Tracey Gold", "Prince Royce", "Anna Maria Alberghetti", "Hunter Parrish", "Boyd Tinsley", "Tim Raybon", "Lynn Collins", "Billy Squier", "Brad Shultz", "Tom Verica", "John Carter", "Gabriel Byrne", "Khary Payton", "Billy Cobham", "Sean Carrigan", "Billy Duffy", "Thom Filicia", "Billy Swan", "Danny Huston", "Mare Winningham", "Shohreh Aghdashloo", "Kandi Burruss", "Mark Herndon", "Frances Fisher", "Matt Mangano", "John Richardson", "Lina Esco", "Bill Smitrovich", "Harvey Keitel", "Linda Dano", "Sendhil Ramamurthy", "Leven Rambin", "Miles Heizer", "Nicholas Hammond", "Ralph Tresvant", "Alexandra Breckenridge", "Nick Perri", "David Boreanaz", "Tahj Mowry", "Meg Foster", "Scott Eastwood", "Brian Geraghty", "Mike Inez", "Nikki Reed", "Mike Retondo", "Tim Blake Nelson", "Ian Astbury", "David Byrne", "Enya", "Melle Mel", "Malin Akerman", "Iwan Rheon", "Alex Pall", "Jamie Luner", "Craig Ferguson", "Mackenzie Astin", "Bill Bruford", "Henry Garza", "Mike Oldfield", "Howard Lawrence", "David Krumholtz", "Josh Homme", "Keith West", "Debra Winger", "Lee Horsley", "Darius Rucker", "David Hartley", "Leslie Winston", "John Adams", "Grandmaster Flash", "Rami Malek", "Hill Harper", "Jonathan Jackson", "David Charvet", "Joseph Morgan", "Pierce Brosnan" ]	# Celebrity birthdays for the week of May 11-17 By The Associated Press May 5th, 2025, 01:05 PM --- Celebrity birthdays for the week of May 11-17: May 11: Singer Eric Burdon (The Animals, War) is 84. Actor Pam Ferris ("Call the Midwife") is 77. Actor Shohreh Aghdashloo ("24″) is 73. Actor Frances Fisher ("Resurrection," ″Titanic") is 73. Actor Boyd Gaines is 72. Drummer Mark Herndon (Alabama) is 70. Former MTV VJ Martha Quinn is 66. Country singer Tim Raybon of The Raybon Brothers is 62. Actor Tim Blake Nelson ("Lincoln," ″O Brother, Where Art Thou?") is 61. Actor Jeffrey Donovan (TV's "Fargo") is 57. Bassist Keith West of Heartland is 57. Actor Nicky Katt ("Boston Public") is 54. Actor Coby Bell ("Third Watch") is 50. Cellist Perttu Kivilaakso of Apocalyptica is 47. Actor Austin O'Brien ("Last Action Hero") is 44. Actor Jonathan Jackson ("Nashville," ″Tuck Everlasting") is 43. Rapper Ace Hood is 37. Singer Prince Royce is 36. Actor Annabelle Attanasio ("Bull") is 32. Musician Howard Lawrence of Disclosure is 31. May 12: Actor Millie Perkins ("Knots Landing") is 89. Singer Jayotis Washington of The Persuasions is 84. Country singer Billy Swan is 83. Actor Linda Dano ("Another World") is 82. Singer Steve Winwood is 77. Actor Lindsay Crouse is 77. Actor Bruce Boxleitner is 75. Singer Billy Squier is 75. Actor Gabriel Byrne is 75. Blues musician Guy Davis is 73. Country singer Kix Brooks of Brooks and Dunn is 70. Drummer Eric Singer of Kiss is 67. Actor Ving Rhames is 66. Guitarist Billy Duffy of The Cult is 64. Actor Emilio Estevez is 63. Actor April Grace ("Lost," ″Joan of Arcadia") is 63. Actor Vanessa Estelle Williams ("Soul Food," ″Melrose Place") is 62. TV personality Carla Hall ("The Chew") is 61. Keyboardist Eddie Kilgallon (Ricochet) is 60. Actor Stephen Baldwin is 59. Actor Scott Schwartz ("A Christmas Story") is 57. Actor Kim Fields ("Living Single," ″The Facts of Life") is 56. Actor Samantha Mathis (TV's "The Strain") is 55. Actor Jamie Luner ("Melrose Place," ″Profiler") is 54. Actor Rhea Seehorn ("Better Call Saul") is 53. Actor Mackenzie Astin ("Scandal," "The Facts of Life") is 52. Bassist Matt Mangano of Zac Brown Band is 49. Actor Rebecca Herbst ("General Hospital") is 48. Actor Malin Akerman ("Trophy Wife") is 47. Actor Jason Biggs ("Orange Is the New Black," "American Pie") is 47. Actor Rami Malek ("Bohemian Rhapsody," ″Mr. Robot") is 44. Actor Clare Bowen ("Nashville") is 41. Actor Emily VanCamp ("Revenge") is 39. Actor Malcolm David Kelley ("Lost") is 33. Actor Sullivan Sweeten ("Everybody Loves Raymond") is 30. May 13: Actor Buck Taylor ("Gunsmoke," ″Gods and Generals") is 87. Actor Harvey Keitel is 86. Actor Zoe Wanamaker ("Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone") is 77. Actor Franklyn Ajaye ("Car Wash," TV's "Deadwood") is 76. Musician Stevie Wonder is 75. Actor Leslie Winston (TV: "The Waltons") is 69. Comedian Stephen Colbert ("The Late Show With Stephen Colbert") is 61. Drummer John Richardson of The Gin Blossoms is 61. Actor Tom Verica ("How To Get Away With Murder," "American Dreams") is 61. Singer Darius Rucker (Hootie and the Blowfish) is 59. Actor Susan Floyd ("All My Children") is 57. Drummer Andy Williams of Casting Crowns is 53. Actor Brian Geraghty ("The Alienist," ″Boardwalk Empire") is 50. Actor Samantha Morton ("The Whale," "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them") is 48. Bassist Mickey Madden of Maroon 5 is 46. Actor Iwan Rheon ("Game of Thrones") is 40. Actor Lena Dunham ("Girls") is 39. Actor Robert Pattinson is 39. Actor Candice Accola King ("The Vampire Diaries") is 38. Actor Hunter Parrish ("Weeds") is 38. Bassist Wylie Gelber of Dawes is 37. Actor Debby Ryan ("Jessie") is 32. May 14: Guitarist Gene Cornish of The Rascals is 81. Movie director-producer George Lucas is 81. Actor Meg Foster ("Cagney and Lacey") is 77. Director Robert Zemeckis ("Forrest Gump," ″Back to the Future") is 74. Musician David Byrne (Talking Heads) is 73. Actor Tim Roth is 64. Singer Ian Astbury of The Cult is 63. Guitarist C.C. DeVille of Poison is 63. Actor Danny Huston ("John Adams" miniseries) is 63. Bassist Mike Inez of Alice In Chains is 59. Musician Fabrice Morvan of Milli Vanilli is 59. Singer Raphael Saadiq (Tony! Toni! Tone!) is 59. Actor Cate Blanchett is 56. Singer Danny Wood of New Kids on the Block is 56. Director Sofia Coppola ("Lost In Translation") is 54. Actor Gabriel Mann ("Revenge") is 53. Singer Natalie Appleton of All Saints is 52. Singer Shanice is 52. Actor Carla Jimenez ("Growing Up Fisher") is 51. Guitarist Henry Garza of Los Lonely Boys is 47. Singer Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show is 47. Singer-guitarist Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys is 46. Bassist Mike Retondo of Plain White T's is 44. Actor Amber Tamblyn ("Two and a Half Men," ″Joan of Arcadia") is 42. Actor Lina Esco ("S.W.A.T.") is 40. Actor Miranda Cosgrove ("iCarly") is 32. May 15: Actor-singer Anna Maria Alberghetti is 89. Counterculture icon Wavy Gravy is 89. Actor Gunilla Hutton ("Petticoat Junction," ″Hee Haw") is 83. Actor-singer Lainie Kazan is 83. Actor Chazz Palminteri ("Analyze This," ″Mulholland Falls") is 79. Musician Brian Eno is 77. Actor Nicholas Hammond ("The Sound of Music") is 75. Musician Mike Oldfield is 72. Actor Lee Horsley ("Matt Houston") is 70. Rapper Melle Mel of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five is 64. Actor David Charvet ("Melrose Place") is 53. Actor Russell Hornsby ("Grimm") is 51. Actor David Krumholtz ("Numb3rs") is 47. Bassist David Hartley of The War on Drugs is 45. Actor Jamie-Lynn Sigler ("The Sopranos") is 44. Actor Alexandra Breckenridge ("The Walking Dead," ″American Horror Story") is 43. Guitarist Brad Shultz of Cage The Elephant is 43. Guitarist Nick Perri (Shinedown) is 41. May 16: Jazz drummer Billy Cobham is 81. Actor Danny Trejo is 81. Actor Bill Smitrovich ("Crime Story," "Life Goes On") is 78. Actor Pierce Brosnan is 72. Actor Debra Winger is 70. Actor Mare Winningham is 66. Violinist Boyd Tinsley of The Dave Matthews Band is 61. Bassist Krist Novoselic (Nirvana) is 60. Singer Janet Jackson is 59. Actor-singer Scott Reeves ("Nashville," ″General Hospital") is 59. Actor Brian F. O'Byrne ("Million Dollar Baby") is 58. Singer Ralph Tresvant is 57. Actor David Boreanaz ("Bones," ″Buffy the Vampire Slayer") is 56. Political commentator Tucker Carlson is 56. Actor Tracey Gold ("Growing Pains") is 56. TV personality Bill Rancic ("America Now," ″The Apprentice") is 54. Country singer Rick Trevino is 54. Actor Khary Payton ("The Walking Dead") is 53. Rapper Special Ed is 53. Actor Tori Spelling is 52. Actor Sean Carrigan ("The Young and the Restless") is 51. Rapper B. Slade (A.K.A. Tonex) is 50. Actor Lynn Collins ("John Carter") is 48. Actor Melanie Lynskey ("Two and a Half Men") is 48. Actor Joseph Morgan ("The Originals," ″Vampire Diaries") is 44. DJ Alex Pall of The Chainsmokers is 40. Actor Megan Fox ("Transformers") is 39. Actor Drew Roy ("Falling Skies," ″Hannah Montana") is 39. Actor Jermaine Fowler ("Superior Donuts") is 39. Actor Thomas Brodie-Sangster ("Game of Thrones") is 35. Actor Marc John Jefferies ("The Tracy Morgan Show") is 35. Actor Miles Heizer ("13 Reasons Why," ″Parenthood") is 31. May 17: Actor Peter Gerety ("The Wire") is 85. Singer Taj Mahal is 83. Drummer Bill Bruford of Yes and King Crimson is 76. TV personality Kathleen Sullivan is 72. Singer Enya is 64. Actor Craig Ferguson ("The Late Late Show," ″The Drew Carey Show") is 62. Keyboardist Page McConnell of Phish is 62. Actor David Eigenberg ("Sex and the City") is 61. Guitarist O'Dell of Mint Condition is 60. Musician Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails is 60. Actor Paige Turco ("The 100") is 60. Actor Hill Harper ("The Good Doctor," "CSI: NY") is 59. TV personality-interior designer Thom Filicia ("Queer Eye For the Straight Guy") is 56. Singer Jordan Knight of New Kids on the Block is 55. Singer Darnell Van Rensalier of Shai is 55. Singer Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age is 52. Singer Andrea Corr of The Corrs is 51. Actor Sendhil Ramamurthy ("Heroes") is 51. Singer Kandi Burruss (Xscape) ("The Real Housewives of Atlanta") is 49. Actor Kat Foster ("'Til Death") is 47. Singer-songwriter Passenger is 41. Dancer Derek Hough ("Dancing With the Stars") is 40. Actor Tahj Mowry ("Smart Guy," ″Kim Possible") is 39. Actor Nikki Reed ("Twilight") is 37. Actor Leven Rambin ("The Hunger Games," ″Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles") is 35.
Associated Press News	2025-05-18 07:16:12+00:00	[ "Hyderabad", "Narendra Modi", "Fires", "Asia", "Asia Pacific", "India", "Politics", "Nagi Reddy" ]	# At least 17 killed in building fire near Hyderabad's Charminar May 18th, 2025, 07:16 AM --- HYDERABAD, India (AP) — At least 17 people were killed and several injured in a fire that broke out at a building near the historic Charminar monument in southern Hyderabad city, officials said Sunday. Several people were found unconscious and rushed to various hospitals, according to local media. They said the building housed a jewelry store at ground level and residential space above. "The accident happened due to a short circuit and many people have died," federal minister and Bharatiya Janata Party leader G Kishan Reddy told reporters at the site of the accident. Director general of Telangana fire services Y Nagi Reddy told reporters that 21 people were in the three-story building when the fire started on the ground floor early on Sunday. "17 people, who were shifted to the hospital in an unconscious state, could not survive. The staircase was very narrow, which made escape difficult. There was only one exit, and the fire had blocked it," he said. The fire was brought under control. Prime minister Narendra Modi announced financial compensation for the victims' families and said in a post on X that he was "deeply anguished by the loss of lives." Fires are common in India, where building laws and safety norms are often flouted by builders and residents.
Associated Press News	2025-05-05 20:23:25+00:00	[ "Israel government", "Israel", "Donald Trump", "Gaza", "Middle East", "2024-2025 Mideast Wars", "Ismail Haniyeh", "Jimmy Carter", "Benjamin Netanyahu", "War and unrest", "Hamas", "International agreements", "Gaza Strip", "Yitzhak Rabin", "Political refugees", "Yasser Arafat", "Blockades", "Politics", "Military occupations", "Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi", "Ariel Sharon", "Yahya Sinwar", "Humanitarian crises", "Mohammed Deif", "Palestinian territories government" ]	# Israel says it will seize Gaza. Here's a look at the Palestinian territory's troubled recent history By Julia Frankel May 5th, 2025, 08:23 PM --- JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel's Cabinet voted Monday to seize the Gaza Strip for an unspecified amount of time in a move that could see Israel reestablish control over a territory it vacated two decades ago. Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005 after a decades-long occupation and then imposed a blockade on the territory along with Egypt. Israeli officials did not clarify Monday what a reoccupation of Gaza would entail, but the announcement raises the potential for the reestablishment of Israeli settlements inside the territory. Israel's settler movement has been emboldened under its current ultranationalist government. Details were not formally announced, and Israeli leaders have said the expansion of operations will not begin until after President Donald Trump's visit. The plan may be another measure by Israel to try to pressure Hamas into making concessions in ceasefire negotiations. Seizing Gaza would further dim hopes for Palestinian statehood, embed Israel inside a population deeply hostile to it and raise questions about how Israel plans to govern the territory, especially as it considers how to implement President Donald Trump's vision to take over Gaza and resettle Palestinians elsewhere. Palestinians see Gaza as an integral part of their future state, even if the rulers have changed over decades. Palestinian statehood on land that would include the territory has broad international support. Here's a look at the troubled modern history of the Gaza Strip: ## 1967 — 1993: Israel seizes control of Gaza from Egypt Israel seized control of Gaza from Egypt during the 1967 Mideast war, when it also captured the West Bank and east Jerusalem — areas that remain under Israeli control. The internationally recognized Palestinian Authority, which administers semi-autonomous areas of the occupied West Bank, seeks all three areas for a hoped-for future Palestinian state. Israel built more than 20 Jewish settlements in Gaza during this period. It also signed a peace treaty with Egypt at Camp David — a pact negotiated by U.S. President Jimmy Carter. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi referenced this 40-year-old treaty when he declined to permit Palestinian refugees from Gaza into Egypt, saying the potential entrance of militants into Egypt would threaten longstanding peace between Israel and Egypt. The first Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation erupted in Gaza in December 1987, kicking off more than five years of sustained protests and bloody violence. It was also during this time that the Islamic militant group Hamas was established in Gaza. ## 1993 — 2005: The Palestinian Authority takes charge For a time, promising peace talks between Israeli and Palestinian leaders made the future of Gaza look somewhat hopeful. Following the Oslo accords, a set of agreements between Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Palestinian Liberation Organization leader Yasser Arafat that laid the groundwork for a two-state solution, control of Gaza was handed to the fledgling Palestinian Authority. But the optimism was short lived. A series of Palestinian suicide attacks by Hamas militants, the 1995 assassination of Rabin by a Jewish ultranationalist opposed to his peacemaking, and the election of Benjamin Netanyahu as prime minister the following year all hindered U.S.-led peace efforts. Another peace push collapsed in late 2000 with the eruption of the second Palestinian uprising. As the uprising fizzled in 2005, then-Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon led a unilateral withdrawal from Gaza, uprooting all of Israel's troops and roughly 9,000 settlers in a move that bitterly divided Israel. ## 2005 — 2023: Hamas seizes power Just months after Israel's withdrawal, Hamas won parliamentary elections over Fatah, the long-dominant Palestinian political party. In 2007 after months of infighting, Hamas violently seized control of Gaza from the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority. Israel and Egypt imposed a crippling blockade on the territory, monitoring the flow of goods and people in and out. For nearly two decades, the closure has crippled the local economy, sent unemployment skyrocketing, and emboldened militancy in Gaza, which is one of the most densely populated places on the planet. Through previous wars and countless smaller battles with Israel that devastated Gaza, Hamas grew more powerful. In each subsequent conflict, Hamas had more rockets that traveled farther and the group displayed a growing array of weapons. Its top leaders survived and ceasefires were secured. It built a government, including a police force, ministries and border terminals equipped with metal detectors and passport control. ## 2023 Hamas attack sparks the Israel-Hamas war The Oct. 7, 2023, a Hamas attack on Israel killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and saw around 250 people taken hostage. Israel says 59 captives remain in Gaza, although about 35 are believed to be dead. Since Israel ended a ceasefire with the Hamas militant group in mid-March, Israel has unleashed fierce strikes on the territory that have killed hundreds. It has captured swaths of territory and now controls roughly 50% of Gaza. Before the truce ended, Israel halted all humanitarian aid into the territory, including food, fuel and water, setting off what is believed to the be the worst humanitarian crisis in nearly 19 months of war. Israel's offensive has displaced more than 90% of Gaza's population and killed more than 52,000 people there, many of them women and children, Palestinian health officials say. They do not distinguish between combatants and civilians in their count. Unlike past wars, in this conflict Israel has acknowledged killing top Hamas leaders like Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Deif, the believed masterminds of the Oct. 7 attack, and Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas' political bureau. Still, some of the group's militants survived and were quick to emerge from hiding following the ceasefire. They were visible policing the streets and organizing sometimes-chaotic handovers of hostages.
Associated Press News	2025-05-13 10:51:07+00:00	[ "OpenAI Inc", "Donald Trump", "Artificial intelligence", "China", "Tokyo", "Government policy", "Finance Business", "Earnings", "SoftBank Corp.", "Business", "Yuri Kageyama", "Technology", "ByteDance Ltd.", "Economic policy", "SoftBank Group Corp." ]	# Japanese tech giant SoftBank records its first profit in 4 years By Yuri Kageyama May 13th, 2025, 10:51 AM --- TOKYO (AP) — Japanese technology company SoftBank Group posted its first profit in four years Tuesday, as it raked in gains from its investment portfolios. SoftBank warned of major uncertainties ahead because of President Donald Trump's tariff policies, tensions between the U.S. and China, and other global conflicts. Tokyo-based Softbank's profit for the fiscal year through March totaled 1.15 trillion yen ($7.8 billion), a reversal from the 227.6 billion yen loss it racked up the previous year. Annual sales climbed 7% to 7.2 trillion yen ($49 billion). SoftBank has a wide-ranging partnership with OpenAI, the U.S. artificial intelligence research organization behind ChatGPT. It said it remains focused on promoting technology related to artificial intelligence. The company said it will continue to aggressively invest in new AI companies like Glean and Helion, both U.S. companies. SoftBank also recently decided to acquire the total equity of Ampere, a U.S. cloud-and AI-focused semiconductor design company, for $6.5 billion. It expects to complete the transaction in the second half of this year. Its investments include stakes in Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba and T-Mobile, a European mobile communications outfit. Both gained value over the latest period. Also helping its bottom line were strong results and royalties at Arm, a British semiconductor and software design company in which SoftBank is a major investor. The company also logged gains from its SoftBank Vision Funds. SoftBank invests in various companies, including ByteDance, the Chinese multinational that's behind TikTok, and PayPay, a popular Japanese mobile payment application. SoftBank said it was planning an IPO for PayPay. Launched in 2018, PayPay is now used by more than 68 million people, according to SoftBank. Japan's population is about 125 million. ___ Yuri Kageyama is on Threads: https://www.threads.com/@yurikageyama
Associated Press News	2025-05-20 12:01:30+00:00	[ "Susan Trollinger", "Mike Johnson", "Pennsylvania", "Kentucky", "Animals", "North Dakota", "Missouri", "Christianity", "Lifestyle", "Bill Nye", "Todd Bigelow", "Religion", "Ken Ham", "Education", "American International Group", "Inc.", "William Vance Trollinger Jr.", "William Jennings Bryan", "John Scopes", "Louise van Niekerk", "Politics", "Edward Larson", "Science" ]	# He spreads creationism a century after Scopes trial. He's not alone By Peter Smith May 20th, 2025, 12:01 PM --- WILLIAMSTOWN, Ky. (AP) — As the colossal replica of the biblical Noah's Ark rises incongruously from the countryside of northern Kentucky, Ken Ham gives the presentation he's often repeated. The ark stretches one and a half football fields long — "the biggest freestanding timber-frame structure in the world," Ham says. It holds three massive decks with wooden cages, food-storage urns, life-size animal models and other exhibits. It's all designed to argue that the biblical story was literally true — that an ancient Noah really could have built such a sophisticated ship. That Noah and a handful of family members really could have sustained thousands of animals for months, floating above a global flood that drowned everyone else in the wicked world. "That's what we wanted to do through many of the exhibits, to show the feasibility of the ark," says Ham, the organizer behind the Ark Encounter theme park and related attractions. And with that, he furthers his goal to assert the entire biblical Book of Genesis should be interpreted as written — that humans were created by God's fiat on the sixth day of creation on an Earth that is only 6,000 years old. All this defies the overwhelming consensus of modern scientists — that the Earth developed over billions of years in "deep time" and that humans and other living things evolved over millions of years from earlier species. But Ham wants to succeed where he believes William Jennings Bryan failed. Bryan, a populist politician and fundamentalist champion, helped the prosecution in the famous Scopes Monkey Trial, which took place 100 years ago this July in Dayton, Tennessee. Bryan's side won in court — gaining the conviction of public schoolteacher John Scopes for violating state law against teaching human evolution. But Bryan was widely seen as suffering a humiliating defeat in public opinion, with his sputtering attempts to explain the Bible's spectacular miracles and enigmas. ## The expert witness' infamous missteps For Ham, Bryan's problem was not that he defended the Bible. It's that he didn't defend it well enough, interpreting parts of it metaphorically rather than literally. "It showed people around the world that Christians don't really believe the Bible — they can't answer questions to defend the Christian faith," Ham says. "We want you to know that we've got answers," Ham adds, speaking in the accent of his native Australia. Ham is founder and CEO of Answers in Genesis, which opened the Ark Encounter in 2016. The Christian theme park includes a zoo, zip lines and other attractions surrounding the ark. Nearly a decade earlier, Answers in Genesis opened a Creation Museum in nearby Petersburg, Kentucky, where exhibits similarly argue for a literal interpretation of the biblical creation narrative. Visitors are greeted with a diorama depicting children and dinosaurs interacting peacefully in the Garden of Eden. The group also produces books, podcasts, videos and homeschooling curricula. "The main message of both attractions is basically this: The history in the Bible is true," Ham says. "That's why the message of the Gospel based on that history is true." ## Creationist belief still common If Ham is the most prominent torchbearer for creationism today, he's hardly alone. Polls generally show that somewhere between 1 in 6 and 1 in 3 Americans hold beliefs consistent with young-Earth creationism, depending on how the question is asked. A 2024 Gallup poll found that 37% of U.S. adults agreed "God created human beings pretty much in their present form at one time within the last 10,000 years or so." That percentage is down a little, but not dramatically, from its mid-40s level between the 1980s and 2012. Rates are higher among religious and politically conservative respondents. "Scopes lost, but the public sense was that the fundamentalists lost" and were dwindling away, says William Vance Trollinger Jr., a professor of history and religious studies at the University of Dayton in Ohio. But the reach of Answers in Genesis demonstrates that "a significant subset of Americans hold to young-Earth creationism," says Trollinger, co-author with his wife, English professor Susan Trollinger, of the 2016 book "Righting America at the Creation Museum." Leading science organizations say it's crucial to teach evolution and old-Earth geology. Evolution is "one of the most securely established of scientific facts," says the National Academy of Sciences. The Geological Society of America similarly states: "Evolution and the directly related concept of deep time are essential parts of science curricula." The issue has been repeatedly legislated and litigated since the Scopes trial. Tennessee repealed its anti-evolution law in 1967. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1968 that a similar Arkansas law was an unconstitutional promotion of religion, and in 1987 it overturned a Louisiana law requiring that creationism be taught alongside evolution. A 2005 federal court similarly forbade a Pennsylvania school district from presenting "intelligent design," a different approach to creationism that argues life is too complex to have evolved by chance. ## Science educators alarmed Some lawmakers have recently revived the issue. North Dakota's Senate this year defeated a bill that would have allowed public school teaching on intelligent design. A new West Virginia law vaguely allows teachers to answer student questions about "scientific theories of how the universe and/or life came to exist." The Scopes trial set a template for today's culture-war battles, with efforts to expand vouchers for attendees of private schools, including Christian ones teaching creationism, and to introduce Bible-infused lessons and Ten Commandments displays in public schools. Such efforts alarm science educators like Bill Nye, the television "Science Guy," whose 2014 debate with Ham was billed as "Scopes II" and has generated millions of video views online. "What you get out of religion, as I understand it, is this wonderful sense of community," Nye says. "Community is very much part of the human experience. But the Earth is not 4,000 years old. To teach that idea to children with any backing — be it religious or these remarkable ideas that humans are not related to, for example, chimpanzees or bonobos — is breathtaking. It's silly. And so we fight this fight." Nye says evidence is overwhelming, ranging from fossils layers to the distribution of species. "There are trees older than Mr. Ham thinks the world is," he adds. ## Religious views on origins vary One weekday in March, visitors milled about the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum, which draw an estimated 1.5 million visits per year (including duplicate visits). "We are churchgoing, Bible-believing Christians," says Louise van Niekerk of Ontario, Canada, who traveled with her family to the Creation Museum. She's concerned that her four children are faced with a public-school curriculum permeated with evolution. The Creation Museum, van Niekerk says, "is encouraging a robust alternate worldview from what they're being taught," she says. Many religious groups accommodate evolution, though. Gallup's survey found that of Americans who believe in evolution, more say it happened with God's guidance (34%) than without it (24%). Catholic popes have shown openness to evolution while insisting the human soul is a divine creation. Many liberal Protestants and even some evangelicals have accepted at least parts of evolutionary theory. But among many evangelicals, creationist belief is strong. The Southern Baptist Convention, the nation's largest evangelical body, has promoted creationist beliefs in its publications. The Assemblies of God asserts that Adam and Eve were historical people. Some evangelical schools, such as Bryan's namesake college in Tennessee, affirm creationist beliefs in their doctrinal statements. ## There's a larger issue here, critics say Just as Ham says the creation story is important to defend a larger truth about the Christian Gospel, critics say more is at stake than just the human origin story. The Trollingers wrote that the Answers in Genesis enterprise is an "arsenal in the culture war." They say it aligns with Christian nationalism, promoting conservative views in theology, family and gender roles, and casting doubt on other areas of scientific consensus, such as human-made climate change. Nye, too, says the message fits into a more general and ominous anti-science movement. "Nobody is talking about climate change right now," he laments. Exhibits promote a "vengeful and violent" God, says Susan Trollinger, noting the cross on the ark's large door, which analogizes that just as the wicked perished in the flood, those without Christ face eternal hellfire. And there are more parallels to 1925. Bryan had declaimed, "How can teachers tell students that they came from monkeys and not expect them to act like monkeys?" The Creation Museum, which depicts violence, drugs and other social ills as resulting from belief in evolution, is "Bryan's social message on steroids," wrote Edward Larson in a 2020 afterword to "Summer for the Gods," a Pulitzer Prize-winning account of the Scopes trial. ## More attractions are planned The protests that initially greeted the museum and ark projects, from secularist groups who considered them embarrassments to Kentucky, have ebbed. When the state initially denied a tourism tax rebate for the Ark Encounter because of its religious nature, a federal court overturned that ruling. Representing Ham's group was a Louisiana lawyer named Mike Johnson — now speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. Despite those blips, Ham's massive ministry charges forward. Expansion is next, with AIG attractions planned for Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and Branson, Missouri — both tourist hubs offering more opportunities to promote creationism to the masses. Todd Bigelow, visiting the Ark Encounter from Mesa, Arizona, says the exhibit vividly evoked the safety that Noah and his family must have felt. It helped him appreciate "the opportunities God gives us to live the life we have, and hopefully make good choices and repent when we need to," he says. "I think," Bigelow adds, "God and science can go hand in hand." ___ Associated Press writer Dylan Lovan contributed. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
Associated Press News	2025-05-16 13:48:55+00:00	[ "Donald Trump", "Karoline Leavitt", "Ronald Reagan", "Joe Biden", "Martha Joint Kumar", "Business", "Government and politics", "Bill Clinton", "David Bauder", "Entertainment", "Politics" ]	# Trump had more exchanges with media in first 100 days than 6 predecessors By David Bauder May 16th, 2025, 01:48 PM --- NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump had more frequent exchanges with reporters during his first 100 days in office than any of his six predecessors, a study has found. Trump's 129 interactions through news conferences or interviews averaged nearly two each workday, according to Martha Joynt Kumar, director of the White House Transition Project. Trump exceeded the pace of his first term in 2017, when he had 89 such meetings. The study was released Thursday. President Bill Clinton was the only other president to hit triple figures during his first 100 days in office. Kumar's records date back to President Ronald Reagan's first term. Trump's favored venue is short question-and-answer session with reporters, 40 of them from the Oval Office. "With regular coverage by cable networks, particularly Fox News and C-SPAN, Trump used the setting to show what decisions he was making and explained the reasons he took action," Kumar said in her report. Partly as a result, polls indicate a large number of Americans seem to know what the president is doing, even if they don't necessarily agree with it. The presidential access comes at a time that the administration is battling with the press on several levels. The Associated Press has sued Trump, for example, because Trump has blocked its journalists from regular access to Oval Office or Air Force One events. He's seeking to slash federal subsidies for public media because he believes NPR of PBS coverage is biased in favor of liberals. Through press secretary Karoline Leavitt, the administration has brought in more reporters from conservative news sources, along with podcasters and influencers. Trump gave 26 interviews during his first 100 days back in office, Kumar said. Of those, 16 were to Fox News or other conservative news outlets and podcasters. By contrast, former President Joe Biden had 87 reporter interactions during the first 100 days of his administration, in 2021. Reagan, with 23 exchanges, had the fewest in 1981, but he was recovering from an assassination attempt much of that time. ___ David Bauder writes about media for the AP. Follow him at http://x.com/dbauder and https://bsky.app/profile/dbauder.bsky.social
Associated Press News	2025-05-20 13:54:47+00:00	[ "Pakistan", "Asim Munir", "South Asia", "India government", "War and unrest" ]	# Pakistan's army chief Asim Munir promoted to field marshal after recent skirmishes with India May 20th, 2025, 01:54 PM --- ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan's powerful army chief, Gen. Asim Munir, has been promoted to the rank of field marshal days after a U.S.-brokered ceasefire between nuclear-armed rivals Pakistan and India following one of their most serious military confrontations in decades. In a statement, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had also approved the extension of Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu's tenure in recognition of his service. Sharif has praised Munir and other military leaders for what he described as a "befitting response" to an Indian airstrike on Pakistani air bases in the early hours of May 7. Munir becomes only the second military officer in Pakistan's history to hold the title of field marshal. The first was Gen. Ayub Khan, who led the country during the 1965 war with India. "I am deeply thankful to Allah Almighty for this honour," Munir said in a statement. The ceasefire was aimed at ending weeks of escalating clashes, including missile and drone strikes, triggered by the mass shooting of tourists last month that India blamed on Pakistan, which denies the charge. Nearly 7,500 people from Pakistan and India have since signed a petition calling for dialogue between the two sides. The online appeal, titled "India, Pakistan: Stop the Hostilities," was launched on May 7 by the South Asia Peace Action Network, a coalition of peace advocates, journalists and citizens.
Associated Press News	2025-05-03 11:57:52+00:00	[ "South Sudan", "International agreements", "Riek Machar", "Doctors Without Borders", "Health", "Politics", "Thomas Mot", "Assault", "Salva Kiir Mayardit" ]	# MSF condemns deadly attack on hospital in South Sudan as 'clear violation of international law' May 3rd, 2025, 11:57 AM --- JUBA, South Sudan (AP) — At least seven people have been killed after a hospital in a remote part of South Sudan was targeted in an aerial bombing, Doctors Without Borders said Saturday. The medical facility is located in a northern town known as Old Fangak, some 475 kilometers (295 miles) outside of Juba, the capital. The medical charity, also known by its French initials as MSF, released a statement condemning the attack on its hospital, said to be the only source of medical care for 40,000 residents, including many people displaced by flooding. The attack began after 4 a.m. when two helicopter gunships dropped a bomb on a pharmacy, burning it to the ground, the statement said. In addition to seven deaths, 20 people were injured, according to the statement. MSF said the attack was "a clear violation of international law." It was not immediately clear why the facility was targeted. A spokesman for South Sudan's military could not be reached for comment. Additional strikes occurred hours later near a market in Old Fangak, causing widespread panic and displacement of civilians, according to several eyewitnesses. Old Fangak is one of several major towns in Fangak county, an ethnically Nuer part of the country that has been historically associated with the opposition party loyal to Riek Machar, South Sudan's first vice president, who is now under house arrest for alleged subversion. The town has been ravaged since 2019 by flooding that has left few options for people to escape the fighting. One eyewitness, Thomas Mot, said that some left by boat, while others fled on foot into flood waters. The hospital attack is the latest escalation in a government-led assault on opposition groups across the country. Since March, government troops backed by soldiers from Uganda have conducted dozens of airstrikes targeting areas in neighboring Upper Nile State. Multiple Western embassies, including the U.S., said in a statement Friday that the political and security situation in South Sudan has "markedly worsened" in recent days. The embassies urged President Salva Kiir to free Machar from house arrest, and called for a "return to dialogue urgently aimed at achieving a political solution."
Associated Press News	2025-05-10 08:38:34+00:00	[ "Donald Trump", "Vladimir Putin", "Volodymyr Zelenskyy", "Ukraine", "Russia", "Kharkiv", "Kyiv", "Russia-Ukraine war", "Russia Ukraine war", "Ukraine government", "Associated Press" ]	# Long-range Russian attacks continue to kill Ukrainians amid ceasefire deadlock By Illia Novikov May 10th, 2025, 08:38 AM --- KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Two months ago, following high-level talks between Ukrainian and American delegations in the Saudi city of Jeddah, the United States proposed an unconditional 30-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy publicly announced on that same day that Ukraine was ready to accept the proposal, provided Russia did the same. The Russian leader balked, saying a temporary break in hostilities would only benefit Ukraine and its Western allies by letting them replenish their arsenals. Since then, Russia has continued its military campaign, maintaining attacks along the roughly 1,000-mile (1,600-kilometer) front line and targeting civilian infrastructure. In some cases, it has stepped up its attacks on residential areas with no obvious military targets. An Associated Press tally based on reports from Ukrainian authorities found at least 117 civilians have been killed and more than 1,000 wounded in Russian aerial attacks since Ukraine announced on March 11 its willingness for a ceasefire — all of them attacks involving long-range drones and a variety of missiles. The tally does not include casualties caused by short-range weapons, including mortars, multiple launch rocket systems, S-300 and S-400 ballistic missiles, drone-dropped explosives and aerial glide bombs, which Russia continues to use along the front line and nearby areas. Ukrainian officials do not provide overall casualty figures nor do they release official figures on how many Ukrainian troops have been killed on the battlefield. Among the deadliest attacks recently was a Russian ballistic missile that struck in the packed center of Sumy in northeast Ukraine on a busy Palm Sunday morning in mid-April. At least 35 people, including two children, were killed and around 120 wounded. Another blasted a playground in Zelenskyy's hometown, killing 20 people including nine children. A deadly barrage targeting the capital Kyiv prompted rare criticism from President Donald Trump for the Russian leader. "Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP!" Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform. In the past two months, Putin has twice unilaterally declared a brief ceasefire, one for Easter and the other to mark Victory Day in World War II. Both were repeatedly violated. Ukraine, meanwhile, has continued to launch droves of drones at Russian regions. This week, Russia's Victory Day festivities were overshadowed by reports of Ukrainian drone attacks targeting Moscow and triggering severe disruptions at the capital's airports, as well as cellphone internet outages amid jamming aimed at foiling more potential attacks. Here's a look at some of the deadliest attacks by Russian troops targeting Ukraine since March, 11: ___ March 24: A Russian missile hit a densely populated area of Sumy, damaging 30 residential buildings and a school. Local authorities said 101 people were wounded, including 23 children. April 3: Russian forces launch Shahed drones at a residential neighborhood in Ukraine's second largest city of Kharkiv. Regional officials reported five people killed and 34 others wounded. Among the victims was an entire family, including their 12-year-old daughter. April 4: Russian forces carry out a combined missile and drone attack on a residential area in Kryvyi Rih that blasted a playground. According to local authorities, 20 people were killed, including nine children, and 74 others were wounded. The assault damaged more than 60 apartment buildings and private homes. April 13: On a busy Palm Sunday morning, a Russian ballistic missile strikes Sumy city center filled with civilians, killing 35 people, including two children, and wounding 119. It was one of the deadliest attacks on Ukrainian civilians this year. The next day, Russia said it targeted a gathering of senior Ukrainian military officers. Putin later admitted it was a "civilian facility" but claimed it hosted an award ceremony for Ukrainian troops. April 18: Three Russian cluster munitions struck Kharkiv, killing one man and wounding 113 people, including nine children. The strikes that happened during early morning hours could have potentially led to much higher casualty rates if conducted an hour later, city authorities said. April 24: Russia struck Ukraine's capital Kyiv with an hourslong barrage of missiles and drones. At least 12 people were killed and 90 were hurt in the deadliest assault on the city since last July. In total, Russia launched 145 Shahed drones and 70 missiles in a single night over Ukraine. April 29: At least 16 Russian Shahed drones struck Kharkiv, wounding 47 people, including two children and a pregnant woman. The city's mayor reported direct hits on residential buildings and a medical facility. May 2: Drones targeted at least four districts of Kharkiv city, injuring 47 people. One child was among the wounded.
Associated Press News	2025-05-05 17:32:57+00:00	[ "Christopher Becker", "Grand Rapids", "Patrick Lyoya", "Michigan", "Christopher Schurr", "Law enforcement", "Juries", "Homicide", "Shootings", "Crime", "Gun violence", "Legal proceedings", "Criminal punishment", "Matthew Borgula" ]	# Jury begins deliberations in murder trial of former Michigan police officer By Isabella Volmert May 5th, 2025, 05:32 PM --- GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — Jurors began deliberations Monday over whether a former Michigan police officer could have reasonably feared that he was at risk of great bodily injury or death when he shot and killed 26-year-old Patrick Lyoya, a Congolese immigrant, over three years ago. In closing statements Monday morning, prosecutors said videos of a traffic stop show that former Grand Rapids officer Christopher Schurr was not in danger at the time, while defense attorneys argued the same videos show Lyoya had control of Schurr's Taser, a weapon that discharges small amounts of electricity to incapacitate someone. Schurr, who is white, was charged with second-degree murder and faces up to life in prison if convicted. Jurors have the option to convict Schurr of the lesser charge of manslaughter, which carries a sentence of up to 15 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $7,500. "I hope you're not getting callous," Kent County prosecutor Christopher Becker said to the jury in his closing statement. "How many times have you watched this video of another person — Patrick — dying over and over and over again?" Jurors watched videos of the shooting — taken from multiple angles on a doorbell camera, body camera, dashboard camera and a bystander's cellphone — numerous times throughout the trial, sometimes side by side and sometimes frame by frame. Schurr pulled over a vehicle driven by Lyoya for improper license plates in April 2022 in a residential Grand Rapids neighborhood, roughly 150 miles (240 kilometers) west of Detroit. Video footage shows Schurr struggling to subdue Lyoya as they grappled over the officer's Taser. Schurr told Lyoya to stop resisting and drop the weapon multiple times throughout the encounter. While Lyoya was facedown on the ground with Schurr on top of him, the officer took out his gun and shot him once in the back of the head. Schurr testified last week that he thought Lyoya was going to use the Taser against him. Referencing photos of the encounter shown to the jury, Becker argued that Lyoya was trying to avoid being shot with the Taser and was attempting to get away from Schurr, rather than harm him. Lyoya never had a tactical advantage over Schurr, Becker said, and did not pose a threat. "You can't take a life without a darn good reason," Becker said. Lead defense attorney Matthew Borgula walked jurors through the traffic stop again during his closing, arguing that Schurr performed his duties as a police officer reasonably at each moment. "He's doing his job," Borgula said. Borgula said Schurr was on Lyoya's back because he was trying to get the Taser back. He said officers do not have to wait to be injured to use deadly force, referencing testimony from several high-ranking Grand Rapids police officers last week. Schurr was fired from the department shortly after he was charged in 2022. "Christopher Schurr was at work, and he was faced with the toughest decision of his life in half a second," Borgula said. The fatal shooting prompted weeks of protest in Grand Rapids, and demonstrators on both sides have protested outside of the Kent County courthouse during the trial. Civil rights groups decried the shooting as part of a pattern of aggression perpetuated against Black people in the U.S. by white officers.
Associated Press News	2025-05-02 04:04:47+00:00	[ "Pacific Ocean", "Los Angeles", "Fires", "Los Angeles Area wildfires", "California", "Design", "Climate and environment", "Business", "Tim Vordtriede", "Sara McTarnaghan", "Kathryn Frazier", "Wildfires", "Climate" ]	# In the wake of Los Angeles fires, residents begin to rebuild By Alex Veiga May 2nd, 2025, 04:04 AM --- LOS ANGELES (AP) — Nearly four months after wildfires reduced thousands of Los Angeles-area homes to rubble and ash, some residents are starting to rebuild. In the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, construction workers recently began placing wooden beams to frame a house on a lot where only a charred fireplace remains standing. In the seaside city of Malibu and foothills neighborhood of Altadena, many land parcels where homes once stood are being cleared of debris. Hundreds of homeowners have sought city or county approval for new home designs and other permits to eventually rebuild or repair damaged homes, though few have gotten the green light to break ground. Some 17,000 homes, businesses and other structures burned to the ground in the Jan. 7 fires. It's uncertain how much will be rebuilt. Many homeowners will not be able to afford it, even those with insurance. Some are still trying to figure out whether it's safe to return to their properties, given limited data on the degree to which toxins from the fires, including lead and asbestos, may have permeated their land. Roughly 400 land parcels are already for sale in the fire-ravaged areas. Facing overwhelming loss and the chaos that comes with sudden displacement, those looking to rebuild must navigate an often confusing and time-consuming process. In most cases, it will take years for them to rebuild. LA issued its first building permit nearly two months after the fires started. It took more than seven months before the first building permit was issued following the Woolsey Fire in 2018. "Putting this in context of other disasters, the speed is actually probably faster than expected," said Sara McTarnaghan, a researcher at the Urban Institute who studied the aftermath of urban wildfires in recent years in Colorado, Hawaii and California. ## Resolving to rebuild in Altadena Kathryn Frazier, a music publicist and life coach, had lived in her four-bedroom, three-bath house in Altadena for 10 years and raised her two children there. After her home burned to the ground, she was in shock and questioned whether it made sense to come back. But after conversations with neighbors, she became determined to rebuild. "I'm not leaving," Frazier said. "That's what kept coming up for everybody, and the more we all talked to each other the more we were all like 'hell yes.'" She is making progress. Frazier hired a crew to clear the property of debris and she is nearly through the first phase of permitting, which involves getting county review and approval for her new home's design. The next phase before receiving approval to begin construction includes reviews of electrical, plumbing and other aspects of the design. Frazier, 55, is rebuilding her home without major changes to its size or location in order to qualify for an expedited building permit approval process. "We are hoping to be building by June or July, latest," she said. "I've been told that maybe by February or March of 2026 we could be back in our home." For now, Frazier is getting quotes on windows, skylights and other home fixtures in hopes of locking in prices before they go up as more construction projects ramp up, or in response to the Trump administration's ongoing trade war. "I'm doing things like scouring Home Depot, finding slate tiles that look modern and beautiful, but they're actually really cheap," she said. ## Recreating a home in the Palisades DeAnn Heline, a TV showrunner, knows what it's like to build her dream house from the ground up. She waited more than two years for construction to be completed on the five-bedroom, eight-bath home with ocean views. Once the project was done, her husband vowed to never build another house. The family lived there for six years before it was destroyed in the Palisades Fire. "It was ash. There was nothing," Heline said. The couple, who have two daughters, have lived in the neighborhood for more than 30 years. They couldn't imagine giving up and not rebuilding. "Not only are we building another house, we're building the exact same house again," Heline said, noting the new home will have some upgrades including fire-resistant materials and sprinklers for the exterior of the house. Recently, they cleared debris from the land where the house once stood, a particularly onerous task because the home featured a large basement into which much of the structure collapsed as it burned. Heline isn't sure when construction will begin, but figures it could be two or three years. She wonders, however, what the neighborhood will look like by then. "What are you going back to? You're going back to a moonscape? Are you there and no one else is on your block, or are you going back to a construction zone for many more years?" she said. ## Banding together as a community The Eaton wildfire destroyed many of the more than 270 historic Janes Cottages in Altadena, including the three-bedroom home Tim Vordtriede shared with his wife and two young children. The family had only lived in the roughly 100-year-old house for three years. "We just loved the storybook cottage and the vibe, and of course the grander vibe of Altadena," he said. "It was perfect." Vordtriede, 44, has decided to rebuild, but not just yet. For now, he is using his experience as a construction project manager to help others who also lost their homes. He co-founded Altadena Collective, a group providing assistance with home designs and guidance on how to navigate the complex and lengthy approval process for rebuilding permits. Of the roughly two dozen clients that the group is serving, at reduced cost, three are in the early stages of the permitting process. Even after projects reach shovel-ready status, homeowners will have to wait perhaps more than a year before they can move in, he said. "My first statement when anyone walks in the door is: We're not here to help you design your dream home," Vordtriede said. "This isn't a dream time. This is a nightmare, and our job is to get you out of the nightmare as soon as possible."
Associated Press News	2025-05-07 23:31:50+00:00	[ "North Korea", "Kim Jong-un", "South Korea", "Russia", "North Korea government", "Vladimir Putin", "War and unrest", "South Korea government", "Military and defense", "Russia Ukraine war", "Lee Sung Joon" ]	# South Korea says North Korea has fired several missiles toward its eastern waters By Kim Tong-Hyung May 7th, 2025, 11:31 PM --- SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea on Thursday fired various types of short-range ballistic missiles into its eastern sea, South Korea's military said, adding to a run in military displays that raised animosities in the region. South Korean military officials were analyzing whether the tests were linked to the North's weapons exports to Russia during its war in Ukraine. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said multiple missiles were launched from the area around the eastern port city of Wonsan from about 8:10 to 9:20 a.m., with the farthest traveling about 800 kilometers (497 miles). It didn't immediately confirm the exact number of the missiles it detected. Lee Sung Joon, spokesperson for the Joint Chiefs, said in a briefing the North Korean launches were possibly intended to test the performance of weapons it plans to export, as the country continues to send military equipment and troops to fuel Russia's warfighting against Ukraine. Lee said the tests likely involved a short-range ballistic missile system launched from vehicles — possibly modeled after Russia's Iskander missile — and also large-caliber rocket artillery systems, which experts say blur the line between traditional artillery and ballistic systems due to their self-propulsion and guided flight. The Joint Chiefs said South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities detected the launch preparations in advance and tracked the missiles after they were launched. The countries were sharing the launch information with Japan, the Joint Chiefs said. It issued a statement denouncing the launches as a "clear act of provocation" that threatens peace and stability in the region. Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani told reporters that none of the North Korean missiles reached Japan's exclusive economic zone and there was no damage to vessels or aircraft in the area. Nakatani said Japan's government "sternly protested and strongly condemned" the launches through the North Korean embassy in Beijing. It was the North's first known ballistic activity since March 10, when it fired several ballistic missiles hours after U.S. and South Korean troops began an annual combined military exercise, and the country's sixth launch event of the year. Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have escalated in recent months as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un continues to accelerate the development of his nuclear and missile program and supply weapons and troops to support Russia's war against Ukraine. Thursday's launch came a day after North Korean state media said Kim urged munition workers to boost the production of artillery shells amid his deepening alignment with Moscow. After denying its war involvement for months, North Korea last month confirmed for the first time that it had sent combat troops to help Russia in recapturing parts of the Kursk region, which had fallen to a surprise Ukrainian incursion last year. Moscow also acknowledged the North Korean involvement, with Russian President Vladimir Putin issuing a statement thanking the North for sending troops to support his forces and promising not to forget their sacrifices. Recent South Korean intelligence assessments suggest that North Korea has sent about 15,000 soldiers to Russia, and that nearly 5,000 of them have been killed or injured while fighting against Ukrainian forces. Washington and Seoul have also accused North Korea of supplying Russia with various types of military equipment, including artillery systems and shells and ballistic missiles. Analysts say North Korea's official acknowledgment of its military support for Russia is likely aimed at cementing a deeper, long-term partnership with Moscow and securing greater compensation, potentially including advanced military technology that could enhance the threat posed by Kim's nuclear-armed forces. By formalizing its role as a participant in the war, North Korea may also be positioning itself to seek compensation in future negotiations to end the conflict in Ukraine, according to a recent report by the Institute for National Security Strategy, a think tank affiliated with South Korea's intelligence agency. ___ AP writer Mari Yamaguchi contributed to the story from Tokyo.
Associated Press News	2025-05-16 17:31:31+00:00	[ "Ron DeSantis", "Florida", "Rick Scott", "Black experience", "Corporate management", "Lobbying", "School boards", "Florida state government", "Taxes", "Will Packer", "School curricula", "Kate Payne", "Politics", "Kirstin Harper", "Education", "Donald Palm", "Colleges and universities", "Belvin Perry", "Race and ethnicity", "Schools", "Government programs", "Race and Ethnicity" ]	# Board of Florida's only public HBCU picks a lobbyist with ties to DeSantis as its next president By Kate Payne May 16th, 2025, 05:31 PM --- TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — The board of Florida's only public historically Black university has chosen a lobbyist with ties to Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis to be the school's next president, alarming students, faculty and alumni who are outraged by the governor's efforts to restrict the teaching of African American history and ban public colleges from using taxpayer money on diversity programs. Florida A&M University's Board of Trustees voted Friday to select Marva Johnson, an executive for the telecoms company Charter Communications and a former member of the state Board of Education who has touted her experience climbing the corporate ladder and navigating the state legislature. Johnson, who must be confirmed by the state Board of Governors, had previously been tapped for various state boards by DeSantis and then-Gov. Rick Scott. "As the leader, I am championing resources. I am moving mountains if they get in your way," Johnson told the board during her job interview. "I'm not going to be the best academian at this point in my career." The appointment of Johnson came at the end of a contentious and at times emotional process that critics argued lacked transparency and was tainted by political influence. One member of FAMU's board resigned after suggesting the school suspend the search to address community concerns. Johnson's supporters said that though she's not an academic leader, she's prepared to navigate the changing landscape of higher education, at a time when public universities are increasingly dependent on the political priorities of state lawmakers. "We have to survive in Florida," said Jamal Brown, president of the Faculty Senate and a member of the board. "This moment calls for someone who understands the systems that fund and govern us, because right now our survival depends on how we navigate those systems." Johnson's selection came over the fierce opposition of some of the school's staunchest supporters, who celebrate FAMU's legacy of Black excellence, social mobility and cultural pride. "There was a lack of intellectual depth and a gap in cultural connection that was just painfully blatant," Board Chair Kirstin Harper said of Johnson. "In an age of merit-based hiring decisions, how can one justify settling for a candidate who does not meet all of the position criteria? Or turning a blind eye to exceptionally qualified candidates?" Harper added. The board chose Johnson from a field of four finalists, which included FAMU's chief operating officer Donald Palm, who was the clear favorite among an outspoken contingent of the university's students and supporters, and who was endorsed by the school's influential alumni association. "When you don't have your own students, faculty, and alumni behind you, no matter what relationships you have, that's a recipe for disaster," film producer and alum Will Packer told the board ahead of the vote. "Do not set Marva Johnson up to fail. Do not put her in a position to take over a house severely divided." Johnson's nomination comes at a time when public universities are grappling with mounting threats to their state and federal funding, and as the officials overseeing Florida's public universities — many of whom were appointed by DeSantis — are increasingly turning to former Republican state lawmakers to lead the schools. Board member Belvin Perry said while he discussed the search with the governor's staff, he didn't feel any political pressure to pick a certain candidate. Perry ultimately cast his vote for Palm, though he felt Johnson's selection was inevitable. "It is a foregone conclusion as to result of this vote today," Perry said. "That's the truth." ___ Kate Payne is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
Associated Press News	2025-05-13 17:33:35+00:00	[ "Jason Smith", "Donald Trump", "Mike Johnson", "U.S. Republican Party", "California", "Government programs", "United States House of Representatives", "U.S. Democratic Party", "Saudi Arabia", "Congress", "Protests and demonstrations", "Nick LaLota", "Frank Pallone", "Marc Veasey", "Taxes", "Politics", "Health care industry", "Gary Palmer", "Steven Guthrie" ]	# House works into the night as Republicans push ahead on Trump's big bill By Lisa Mascaro and Kevin Freking May 13th, 2025, 05:33 PM --- WASHINGTON (AP) — Tax breaks tallying more than $5 trillion — but also sizable reductions in Medicaid health care, food stamps and green energy strategies to fight climate change — faced sharp debate as House lawmakers slogged through marathon overnight hearings on Republicans' "big, beautiful bill." Tensions rose and emotions flared as the hours dragged on into early Wednesday morning. House Republicans are working to push President Donald Trump's signature legislative package through a gauntlet of committees and mounting opposition from Democrats, advocacy groups and even some wary Republicans themselves. Right from the start, one meeting was immediately disrupted by protesters shouting down what the panel's top Democrat called "cruel" cuts to Medicaid. "People feel very strong because they know they're losing their health care," said Rep. Frank Pallone, D-N.J., on the Energy & Commerce Committee, Tuesday afternoon. And on it went. As midnight passed, two panels were still going, processing more than 100 amendments from Democrats that were largely failing, as Republicans marched ahead with their plan. It's the biggest political and legislative debate for the Republicans leading Congress since Trump's first term, setting up a career-defining clash over the nation's priorities, all coming at a time of economic unease with Trump's trade war and other uncertainties. Trump, speaking at a forum in the Middle East, struck an ambitious chord, saying Congress was "on the verge of passing the largest tax cut and regulation cut in American history." "If we get that, that will be like a rocket ship for our country," Trump said in Saudi Arabia. But to be sure, there are many more steps before the package becomes law. At its core, the goal for GOP lawmakers is to extend — and enhance — tax cuts approved in 2017, adding the president's 2024 campaign promises for no taxes on tips, Social Security income and car loan interest. There's also larger standard deduction, $32,000 for couples, a boost to the Child Tax Credit and a potentially higher cap of $30,000 on state and local tax deductions, known as SALT, that's still being negotiated. That's offset by $1.9 trillion in savings largely from the rollback of green energy tax credits, for a net tally of $3.7 trillion in costs over the decade, according to the most recent estimates — along with billions more in savings from the safety net cuts Additionally, the Republicans are boosting spending on their GOP priorities, with $350 billion for Trump's mass deportation plans and funding for the Pentagon. At the same time, the Republicans are seeking to defray the lost tax revenue and avoid skyrocketing national deficits by with another GOP goal, which is scaling back federal spending. The Republicans are proposing cuts of nearly $800 billion over the decade to the Medicaid health care program, which is used by 70 million Americans; $290 billion to food aid in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP; and others. Tucked into the package is a smattering of other provisions important to the White House — including one that would allow the Trump administration to yank the tax exempt status of groups it says support terrorists, sending a chill through civil society organizations who warn it's a way to punish opponents. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries accused Republicans of "jamming another GOP tax scam" that benefits the wealthy at the expense of programs and services used by many Americans. Speaker Mike Johnson is determined to push the package through the House by Memorial Day, sending it to the Senate, where Republicans are working on their own version. Johnson and his leadership team have been conferring constantly with Trump at every step. Rep. Jason Smith, the Republican chairman of the Ways & Means tax writing committee said he met with Trump on Friday and went over the tax provisions "line by line." "He was very happy with what we're delivering," Smith said. On Tuesday, the final three of 11 House committees working on the package launched what would become lengthy meetings drilling down on some of the largest components. Early on, Rep. Brett Guthrie, the Republican chairman of the Energy & Commerce Committee, banned lawmakers from accusing colleagues of "lying." As the minority party in Congress, Democrats are unable to stop the bill on their own, but used the procedural tools to slow down the process. Democrats put up posters of constituents with the words "Medicaid Matters." One, Rep. Marc Veasey of Texas, put one on speakerphone to share her story — until her testimony was ruled out of order. The U.S. Capitol Police said 26 people were arrested in the Rayburn House Office Building where the panel was meeting. Estimates from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office show that at least 7.6 million people could lose health insurance with the Medicaid cuts, and potentially more with the changes to the Affordable Care Act. Mostly, the health care changes involve imposing new work requirements for aid recipients, starting Jan. 1, 2029. But Republican Rep. Gary Palmer of Alabama said his side is trying to make the health care program work better by rooting out waste and inefficiencies. "We're trying to save Medicaid," he said. At the Ways & Means committee Democrats offered amendments into the night — to provide taxpayers relief from Trump's tariff policies, enhance a child tax credit, and others that were all being turned back by Republicans. As the Agriculture Committee began its work, CBO also told lawmakers the work requirements for SNAP would reduce participation by roughly 3 million people in an average month. Republicans are working to resolve dissent within their own ranks, which shows the pressure points ahead. Smith suggested that some changes could be made to the bill to win over those high-tax state lawmakers from New York and California who believe the proposed SALT cap is inadequate. "There's a little bit of wiggle room there to try to deliver additional priorities," Smith said. But Rep. Nick LaLota, R-N.Y., said after an hourlong meeting with the speaker and staff that they were "still far from a deal." With the slimmest majority in the House, Johnson has just a few votes to spare, and is running into resistance from his party, including lawmakers in the Senate, which also has thin GOP margins. The lawmakers are racing for a July 4 deadline to have the whole package sent to Trump's desk in time to also avoid a dangerous debt default. The Treasury Secretary has said federal tax revenues are running short and Congress needs to raise the spending limit to keep paying the bills. The package includes a $4 trillion boost to the nation's now $36 trillion debt limit, enough to fund operations past the 2026 midterm election. ___ Associated Press writers Darlene Superville and Leah Askarinam contributed to this report.
Associated Press News	2025-05-08 16:01:56+00:00	[ "Mortgages", "Federal Reserve System", "Business", "Redfin Corp." ]	# Average rate on a US 30-year mortgage holds steady at 6.76%, not far from highest levels this year By Alex Veiga May 8th, 2025, 04:01 PM --- The average rate on a 30-year mortgage in the U.S. held steady this week, not far from its highest levels this year, but below where it was a year ago. The rate stood at 6.76% for the second week in a row, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. A year ago, the rate averaged 7.09%. Borrowing costs on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, popular with homeowners refinancing their home loans, eased. The average rate dropped to 5.89% from 5.92% last week. It's down from 6.38% a year ago, Freddie Mac said. Mortgage rates are influenced by several factors, including global demand for U.S. Treasurys, the Federal Reserve's interest rate policy decisions and bond market investors' expectations about the economy and inflation. After climbing to a just above 7% in mid-January, the average rate on a 30-year mortgage has remained above 6.62%, where it was just four weeks ago. It then spiked above 6.8% in the following two weeks and eased last week to 6.76%. The recent swings in mortgage rates reflect volatility in the 10-year Treasury yield, which lenders use as a guide to pricing home loans. The yield, which had mostly fallen after climbing to around 4.8% in mid-January, surged last month to 4.5% amid a sell-off in government bonds triggered by investor anxiety over the Trump administration's trade war. The 10-year Treasury yield was at 4.33% in midday trading Thursday, up from 4.26% late Wednesday. Elevated mortgage rates and rising home prices remain affordability hurdles for many would-be homebuyers, key reasons why the spring homebuying season is off to a lackluster start, even as the inventory of homes on the market is up sharply from last year. Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes fell in March, posting the largest monthly drop since November 2022. The median monthly housing payment was $2,868 in the four weeks ended May 4, an all-time high, according to a new report from Redfin. Economists expect mortgage rates to remain volatile in coming months, though they generally call for the average rate on a 30-year mortgage to remain above 6.5% this year. On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve left its main interest alone, as was widely expected, even as it noted an increased risk of higher unemployment and inflation. While the Fed doesn't set rates on home loans, its actions can influence the trajectory of mortgage rates. "Looking ahead, the Fed's wait-and-see approach is likely to keep mortgage rates at a high-6% in the near term, unless major policy developments or economic shifts occur, such as notable outcomes from the upcoming U.S.-China trade talks scheduled for this weekend," said Jiayi Xu, economist at Realtor.com.
Associated Press News	2025-05-07 14:33:23+00:00	[ "Nelson Mandela", "Books and literature", "Kenya", "Nadine Gordimer", "Nonfiction", "Celebrity", "George Lamming", "Chinua Achebe", "Arts and entertainment", "Entertainment" ]	# At age 87, Kenyan author Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o remains impassioned about the power of language By Hillel Italie May 7th, 2025, 02:33 PM --- NEW YORK (AP) — At age 87, Kenyan author Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o hopes he can summon the strength for at least one more book. He would call it "Normalized Abnormality," about the lasting scars of colonialism, whether in Africa, Europe or North America, that are widely accepted today. "I will write it if I have the energy," Ngũgĩ, who has struggled with kidney problems in recent years, said during a telephone interview. One of the world's most revered writers and a perennial candidate for the Nobel Prize, Ngũgĩ remains an energetic speaker with opinions no less forceful than they have been for the past 60 years. Since emerging as a leading voice of post-colonial Africa, he has been calling for Africans to reclaim their language and culture and denouncing the tyranny of Kenya's leaders. His best known books include the nonfiction "Decolonizing the Mind" and the novel "Devil on the Cross," one of many books that he wrote in his native Gikũyũ. Ngũgĩ has been praised by critics and writers worldwide, and imprisoned, beaten, banned and otherwise threatened in his native country. Since the 1970s, he has mostly lived overseas, emigrating to England and eventually settling in California, where he is a Distinguished Professor of English and Comparative Literature at the University of California, Irvine. "I miss Kenya, because they gave me everything," he says. "All of my writings are based in Kenya. ... I owe my writing to Kenya. It's very hard for me not to be able to return to my homeland." Ngũgĩ has published a handful of books over the past decade, including the novel "The Perfect Nine" and the prison memoir "Wrestling with the Devil," and was otherwise in the news in 2022 when his son, Mũkoma wa Ngũgĩ, alleged that he had physically abused his first wife, Nyambura, who died in 1996 ("I can say categorically it's not true," Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o responds). His U.S. publisher, The New Press, has just released "Decolonizing Language," which the author praises as a "beautiful" title. "Decolonizing Language" includes essays and poems written between 2000 and 2019, with subjects ranging from language and education to such friends and heroes as Nelson Mandela, Nadine Gordimer and Chinua Achebe, the Nigerian author whose 1958 novel, "Things Fall Apart," is considered by many the starting point for modern African literature. Achebe also helped launch Ngũgĩ's career by showing a manuscript of an early novel, "Weep Not, Child," to publisher William Heinemann, who featured it in the landmark African Writers series. In one essay from "Decolonizing Language," Ngũgĩ declares that writers must "be the voice of the voiceless. They have to give voice to silence, especially the silence imposed on a people by an oppressive state." During his AP interview, Ngũgĩ discussed his concerns about Kenya, the "empowerment" of knowing your native language, his literary influences and his mixed feelings about the United States. Ngũgĩ's comments on subjects have been condensed for clarity and brevity. ## On language in Kenya "In Kenya, even today, we have children and their parents who cannot speak their mother tongues, or the parents know their mother tongues and don't want their children to know their mother tongue. They are very happy when they speak English and even happier when their children don't know their mother tongue. That's why I call it mental colonization." ## On speaking English "I am fine (with speaking English). After all, I am a distinguished professor of English and comparative literature at the University of California, in Irvine. So it's not that I mind English, but I don't want it to be my primary language, OK? This is how I put it: For me, and for everybody, if you know all the languages of the world, and you don't know your mother tongue, that's enslavement, mental enslavement. But if you know your mother tongue, and add other languages, that is empowerment." ## His personal favorites "I very much like the African American writers. I discovered them at Makerere University (in Uganda), and Caribbean writers like George Lamming were very important to me. The writers of the Harlem Renaissance fired my imagination and made me feel I could be a writer, too. ... At the Makerere conference (the African Writers Conference, in 1962), I met with Langston Hughes, and oh my God it was so great!. Langston Hughes of the Harlem Renaissance! To shake hands with a world famous writer was very very important to me." ## Mixed feelings about the United States "On the one hand, I am grateful to be here and to have a job at a California university, as a distinguished professor. I appreciate that. But I was coming from a country which was a white seller colony, and I can't forget that when I'm here. People don't even talk about it here. They talk about it as if it were normal. So we talk about the American Revolution. But is it not Native Americans who were colonized? So I am very fascinated by this normalized abnormality."
Associated Press News	2025-05-15 10:33:45+00:00	[ "Latvia", "Russia", "Russia government", "Norway", "Sweden", "North Atlantic Treaty Organization", "War and unrest", "Moscow", "Government programs" ]	# That 'tourist' in the forest might be a Russian spy, Latvia warns By Vanessa Gera May 15th, 2025, 10:33 AM --- WARSAW, Poland (AP) — They might look like lost tourists — unkempt and overloaded with gear — or hikers with military haircuts, survival gear and no clue how to behave in the woods. But Latvia's intelligence agency said Wednesday that they might actually be Russian saboteurs and spies. In its annual report, Latvia's Defence Intelligence and Security Service, known by Latvian acronym MIDD, offered advice on how to identify possible reconnaissance and sabotage operatives. It's an increasingly relevant concern given regional tensions and a string of arson and other acts of sabotage, which Western governments blame on Russia — allegations that Moscow has repeatedly denied. The list of telltale signs is striking: slovenly appearance, mismatched military or sportswear, and a knack for asking locals suspicious questions. According to the security service, such groups may linger near military or critical infrastructure sites, pose as humanitarian workers or stay in remote areas without showing any interest in nature. Some may carry specialized medical kits, maps or radios — items better suited for clandestine operations than camping trips. The Latvian guidance comes as countries across the region, including new NATO members Sweden and Finland, have been issuing booklets with advice on how to survive war or a natural disaster. Nearby Poland is now preparing its guidelines, while Norway recently published a book with advice on how to survive for one week. "We live in an increasingly turbulent world," it says. "Even though in Norway most things generally function as they normally would, we must remain aware that extreme weather, pandemics, accidents, sabotage — and in the worst case acts of war — can impact us." MIDD, one of Latvia's three security services, alongside the State Security Service and the Constitution Protection Bureau, warned that Russian saboteurs might also attempt to incite unrest or assassinate "socially significant individuals." Their activities might also be focused on "studying the position of the target country's society and inciting unrest directed against the existing government." The agency cautioned that appearances can deceive. "The Ukrainian experience shows that Russian special services are able to adapt," the report says. Not all spies will fit the mold, and suspicions must be judged in context. It also warns that if a sabotage group is spotted, leave the James Bond heroics to the professionals. "If you do think you might have spotted a sabotage group on Latvian soil, MIDD does not recommend tackling them yourself," it said. "Instead report your suspicions to the State Police, special services, or the nearest armed forces unit." ___ Emma Burrows contributed to this report from Tallinn, Estonia.
Associated Press News	2025-05-17 00:08:25+00:00	[ "Las Vegas", "Shootings", "Law enforcement", "Crime", "Gun violence", "Andrew Walsh", "Claudio Vigani", "Gary Steward" ]	# 2 dead and at least 3 injured in Las Vegas gym shooting, police say By The Associated Press May 17th, 2025, 12:08 AM --- LAS VEGAS (AP) — A shooting inside a Las Vegas gym Friday afternoon left two people dead, including the suspect, and injured at least three others, police said. One person was killed at the Las Vegas Athletic Club on the city's west side as gunfire erupted, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Undersheriff Andrew Walsh said. Officers shot the suspect, who was armed with a gun, after he ran out the door, the police department said in a statement. He was confirmed dead at a local hospital, police said in a social media post. Police said three people who were injured were transported to local hospitals, with one in critical condition. Walsh said there was no longer a threat to the public. Officials said they were still investigating a motive. "They said 'Get out, get out, get out,'" Claudio Vigani, a witness who was at the gym when the shooting began, told KLAS-TV. "Then I saw the dead guy next to the machine." Gary Steward, who was headed to the gym with another person, told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that a stop at a nutrition store saved their lives. He said if they hadn't stopped, they would have been at the front desk where the shooter entered. They saw glass breaking as they walked up to the gym and ran back to the parking lot. "It's just a weird feeling right now," Steward said. "It's strange. Who shoots up a gym?" Calls to the athletic club and its corporate office went unanswered.
Associated Press News	2025-05-19 09:21:55+00:00	[ "Portugal", "Portugal government", "Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa", "Global elections", "Europe", "Pedro Nuno Santos", "Scandals", "Business", "Politics", "Emilia Gordo", "European Union", "Marta Costa", "Elections", "Andre Ventura", "Voting" ]	# Portugal's election brings another minority government and a far-right rise By Barry Hatton and Helena Alves May 19th, 2025, 09:21 AM --- LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Portugal's president convened the country's political parties for consultations Monday, after a general election delivered another minority government as well as an unprecedented showing by populist party Chega (Enough) that added momentum to Europe's shift to the far-right. The center-right Democratic Alliance, led by the Social Democratic Party, captured 89 seats in the 230-seat National Assembly to win Sunday's ballot. The outcome leaves it without a parliamentary majority, however, and vulnerable to opposition parties that ousted it two months ago in a confidence vote after less than a year in power. Portugal's third general election in three years provided little hope for ending the worst spell of political instability for decades in the European Union country of 10.6 million people. "The Portuguese don't want any more early elections," Luis Montenegro, the Democratic Alliance leader and incoming prime minister, said late Sunday in an appeal for opposition parties to let him serve a full four-year term. "We all have to be able to speak to each other and put the national interest first," he said. Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who has no executive power, was consulting with parties before inviting the election winner to form a government, in line with the constitution. ## Chega upsets Portugal's power dynamics Chega's result shook up the traditional balance of power in a trend already witnessed elsewhere in Europe with parties such as France's National Rally, the Brothers of Italy, and Alternative for Germany, which are now in the political mainstream. Chega leader Andre Ventura has appeared at events with the leaders of those parties in recent years. For the past 50 years, the Social Democrats and the center-left Socialist Party have alternated in power in Portugal. Chega collected the same number of seats as the Socialists — 58 — and could yet claim second place when four remaining seats decided by voters abroad are attributed in coming days. "The two-party system is over," Ventura, a lawyer and former soccer pundit, said. Chega competed in its first election just six years ago, when it won one seat, and has fed off disaffection with the more moderate traditional parties. Campaigning under the slogan "Save Portugal," it describes itself as a nationalist party and has focused on curbing immigration and cracking down on corruption. On the streets of Lisbon, 42-year-old bank employee Marta Costa said she felt "disappointment and sadness" at Chega's showing. "We are losing the world and not building something decent for our children," she said. "I think we are not placing enough value on freedom." Emilia Gordo, 55, said voters expressed a desire for change. "They (Chega) are trying everything to bring about a change, the country feels a need for change." The Socialists, meanwhile, are without a leader after Pedro Nuno Santos said he was standing down after the party's worst result since 1987. The Democratic Alliance, which also includes the smaller Popular Party, lost a confidence vote in parliament in March as opposition lawmakers teamed up against it. That triggered an early election, which had been due in 2028. The confidence vote was sparked by a political storm around potential conflicts of interest in the business dealings of Prime Minister Luís Montenegro's family law firm. Montenegro has denied any wrongdoing. Corruption scandals have dogged Portuguese politics in recent years, helping fuel the rise of Chega. But the party has recently fallen foul of its own lawmakers' alleged wrongdoing. One is suspected of stealing suitcases from the Lisbon airport and selling the contents online, and another allegedly faked the signature of a dead woman. Both resigned. ## Immigration and housing concern voters Chega owes much of its success to its demands for a tighter immigration policy that have resonated with voters. Portugal has witnessed a steep rise in immigration. In 2018, there were fewer than a half-million legal immigrants in the country, according to government statistics. By early this year, there were more than 1.5 million, many of them Brazilians and Asians working in tourism and farming. Thousands more lack the proper documents to be in Portugal. The Democratic Alliance government announced two weeks before the election that it was expelling about 18,000 foreigners living in the country without authorization. Though such a step is routine, the timing drew accusations that it was trying to capture votes from Chega. A housing crisis has also fired up debate. House prices and rents have been soaring for the past 10 years, due in part to an influx of white-collar foreigners who have driven up prices. House prices jumped another 9% last year, said the National Statistics Institute, a government body. Rents in and around the capital Lisbon, where around 1.5 million people live, last year saw the steepest rise in 30 years, climbing more than 7%, the institute said. The problem is compounded by Portugal being one of Western Europe's poorest countries. The average monthly salary last year was around 1,200 euros ($1,340) before tax, according to the statistics agency. The government-set minimum wage this year is 870 euros ($974) a month before tax.
Associated Press News	2025-05-06 21:43:46+00:00	[ "Donald Trump", "Marco Rubio", "Edan Alexander", "Gaza", "Hamas", "District of Columbia", "Hostage situations", "Jordan", "2024-2025 Mideast Wars", "Israel", "Gaza Strip", "Politics", "Israel government", "Abdullah II" ]	# Trump says only 21 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza believed to be alive May 6th, 2025, 09:43 PM --- WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Tuesday that three hostages held by Hamas in Gaza have died, leaving only 21 believed to be still living. "As of today, it's 21, three have died," Trump said of the hostages being held by Hamas, noting until recently it had been 24 people believed to be living. He did not elaborate on the identities of those now believed to be dead, nor how he had come to learn of their deaths. "There's 21, plus a lot of dead bodies," Trump said. One American, Edan Alexander, had been among the 24 hostages believed to be alive, with the bodies of several other Americans also held by Hamas after its Oct. 7, 2023, assault on Israel. The president's comments came as Israel approved plans Monday to seize the Gaza Strip and to stay in the Palestinian territory for an unspecified amount of time, in a bid to recover the hostages and try to fulfill its war aims of destroying Hamas. If implemented, the move would vastly expand Israel's operations there and likely draw fierce international opposition. Separately, the State Department said Tuesday that the U.S. embassy helped 17 U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents leave Gaza on Monday. "We thank our partners in the Israeli and Jordanian governments who made this departure possible," the department said. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Jordan's King Abdullah II on Monday in Washington.
Associated Press News	2025-05-16 04:07:09+00:00	[ "Salman Rushdie", "Hadi Matar", "Crime", "New York", "Pennsylvania", "Criminal punishment", "Legal proceedings", "New York City Wire", "Jason Schmidt", "Terrorism", "Sexual assault", "Entertainment", "David Foley", "Hassan Nasrallah", "Juries", "Indictments", "New Jersey", "Ruhollah Khomeini", "Violence", "Nathaniel Barone" ]	# The man who stabbed author Salman Rushdie on stage has been sentenced to 25 years in prison By Carolyn Thompson May 16th, 2025, 04:07 AM --- MAYVILLE, N.Y. (AP) — A man who attacked Salman Rushdie with a knife in front of a stunned audience in 2022, leaving the prizewinning author blind in one eye, was sentenced Friday to 25 years in prison. Hadi Matar, 27, stood quietly as the judge pronounced the sentence. He did not deny attacking Rushdie, and when he was invited to address the court before being sentenced, Matar got in a few last insults at the writer. He said he believed in freedom of speech but called Rushdie "a hypocrite." "Salman Rushdie wants to disrespect other people," said Matar, clad in white-striped jail clothing and wearing handcuffs. "He wants to be a bully, he wants to bully other people. I don't agree with that." Rushdie, 77, did not return to western New York for the sentencing but submitted a victim impact statement in which he said he has nightmares about what happened, Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt said. The statement was not made public. Rushdie, through his agent, declined to comment after the sentencing. During the trial, the author described how he believed he was dying when a masked attacker plunged a knife into his head and body more than a dozen times as he was being introduced at the Chautauqua Institution to speak about writer safety. Video of the assault, captured by the venue's cameras and played at trial, show Matar approaching the seated Rushdie from behind and reaching around him to stab at his torso with a knife. As the audience gasps and screams, Rushdie is seen raising his arms and rising from his seat, walking and stumbling for a few steps with Matar hanging on, swinging and stabbing until they both fall and are surrounded by onlookers who rush in to separate them. A jury found Matar guilty of attempted murder and assault in February after deliberating for less than two hours. Judge David Foley told Matar that he thought it was notable he had chosen to try and kill Rushdie at the Chautauqua Institution, a summer retreat that prides itself on the free exchange of ideas. "We all have the right to have our own ideals; we all have the right to carry them," Foley said. "But when you interfere with someone else's ability to do that by committing a violent act, in the United States of America, that has to be an answerable crime." The judge also gave Matar a seven-year term for wounding a man who was on stage with Rushdie, though that time will run concurrently to the other sentence. After the attack, Rushdie spent 17 days at a Pennsylvania hospital and more than three weeks at a New York City rehabilitation center. The author of "Midnight's Children," "The Moor's Last Sigh" and "Victory City" detailed his recovery in his 2024 memoir, "Knife." Matar's lawyer, Nathaniel Barone, had asked the judge for a sentence of around 12 years, citing his lack of a previous criminal record. Schmidt, the prosecutor, said Matar deserved the maximum sentence of 25 years, saying Matar "designed this attack so that he could inflict the most amount of damage, not just upon Mr. Rushdie, but upon this community, upon the 1,400 people who were there to watch it." Matar next faces a federal trial on terrorism-related charges. While the first trial focused mostly on the details of the knife attack itself, the next one is expected to delve into the more complicated issue of motive. He has pleaded not guilty. If convicted of the federal charges, Matar faces a maximum penalty of life in prison. Authorities said Matar, a U.S. citizen, was attempting to carry out a decades-old fatwa, or edict, calling for Rushdie's death when he traveled from his home in Fairview, New Jersey, to target Rushdie at the summer retreat about 70 miles (110 kilometers) southwest of Buffalo. Matar believed the fatwa, first issued in 1989, was backed by the Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah and endorsed in a 2006 speech by the group's secretary-general, Hassan Nasrallah, according to federal prosecutors. Iranian leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued the fatwa after publication of Rushdie's novel, "The Satanic Verses," which some Muslims consider blasphemous. Rushdie spent years in hiding, but after Iran announced it would not enforce the decree he traveled freely over the past quarter century. ___ Associated Press Writer Hillel Italie contributed from New York City.
Associated Press News	2025-05-02 02:55:06+00:00	[ "Donald Trump", "Scott Bessent", "Beijing", "China government", "United States government", "International trade", "Economic policy", "Government policy", "United States", "Tariffs and global trade", "China", "Financial performance", "Politics", "Business" ]	# China says it's evaluating US overtures for trade talks, but tariffs remain an obstacle By Elaine Kurtenbach May 2nd, 2025, 02:55 AM --- China's Commerce Ministry said Friday that Beijing is evaluating multiple approaches by the Trump administration for trade talks, but steep tariffs imposed by Washington must go. A ministry statement reiterated China's stance that is open to talks, but also that Beijing is determined to fight if it must. It said one-sided tariffs of up to 145% remain an obstacle, undermining trust. "The tariff and trade wars were unilaterally initiated by the U.S., if the U.S. side wants to talk, it should show its sincerity, and be ready to take action on issues such as correcting wrong practices and canceling the unilateral imposition of tariffs," it said. An unnamed ministry spokesperson was cited as saying that Beijing had taken note of various statements by senior U.S. officials indicating a willingness to negotiate over tariffs. "At the same time, the U.S. has recently taken the initiative to convey information to the Chinese side on a number of occasions through relevant parties, hoping to talk with the Chinese side. In this regard, the Chinese side is making an assessment," it said. But it emphasized that China would regard overtures without a change in President Donald Trump's sharp tariff hikes as insincere. "Saying one thing but doing another, or even attempting to engage in coercion and blackmail under the guise of talks, will not work on the Chinese side," it said. China is in the midst of a public holiday, with government offices and markets closed. But share prices in Hong Kong jumped 1.7% early Friday, while Taiwan's benchmark index was up 2.2%. U.S. futures also advanced. As of Friday, the Trump administration is ending a duty-free exemption on low-value imports from China. That will mean higher prices and delivery delays when the government starts collecting tariffs on every single shipment. Beijing has responded to Trump's tariff hikes by raising its own duties on imports of U.S. products to as high as 125%. It has also tightened restrictions on exports to the U.S. of certain strategically important minerals and stopped importing a wide range of U.S. farm products. At the same time, China has sought to join with other countries to build a united front against Trump, while ramping up its own countermeasures to the impact of Trump's tariffs. Trump has slapped a global 10% import tax, or tariff, to try to compel manufacturers to shift factories back to the U.S. He ordered double-digit "reciprocal" tariffs for many countries but then postponed their implementation for 90 days to allow time for negotiations. He has also hit foreign steel, aluminum and autos. The toughest measures were reserved for China, the world's biggest exporter and second largest economy. His announcements of higher tariffs, suspensions, and then more tariffs have left companies, investors and consumers stymied over what comes next, hitting consumer confidence. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who is leading the administration's approach to China, has said he expects Beijing to call because the tariffs are not sustainable. In an interview Thursday with Fox Business, Bessent said the main issue with Beijing was not high tariffs but other barriers. "There's a whole range of bad behavior by the Chinese," Bessent said, mentioning theft of intellectual property like trademarks and cyberhacking." "So, everything is on the table for the economic relationship," he said, adding "I am confident that the Chinese will want to reach a deal." Beijing has shown scant willingness to compromise, however, with its foreign ministry posting a strident video on social media this week saying the U.S. has "stirred up a global tariff storm." It vowed China would not "kneel down" in the trade war. "Kneeling only invites more bullying," it said.
Associated Press News	2025-05-01 07:47:49+00:00	[ "Afghanistan", "Arshad Khan", "Taliban", "Pakistan government", "Rebellions and uprisings", "Pakistan" ]	# 3 Pakistani security personnel killed in raid on a militant hideout May 1st, 2025, 07:47 AM --- PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) — Pakistani security forces overnight raided a militant hideout in northwest Pakistan, sparking a shootout in which three officers and one suspect were killed, police said Thursday. The raid occurred in Bannu, a district in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, police Arshad Khan said. Other insurgents fled the scene. Khan said the insurgents were "Khwarij" — a phrase the government uses for the Pakistani Taliban. The Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, are separate from but allied with the Afghan Taliban, which seized power in Afghanistan in 2021. Last week, Pakistani security forces killed 71 militants when they attempted to cross into the country from Afghanistan, according to the military.
Associated Press News	2025-05-07 08:16:33+00:00	[ "Kenya", "Animals", "Teens", "Animal poaching and smuggling", "Biodiversity", "Halima Nyakinyua", "Climate and environment", "Science" ]	# Teenagers found with 5,000 ants in Kenya given $7,700 fine or 1-year prison sentence By Evelyne Musambi May 7th, 2025, 08:16 AM --- NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Two Belgian teenagers found with 5,000 ants in Kenya were given a choice of paying a fine of $7,700 or serving 12 months in prison — the minimum penalty for the offense — for violating wildlife conservation laws. Authorities said the ants were destined for European and Asian markets in an emerging trend of trafficking lesser-known wildlife species. Belgian nationals Lornoy David and Seppe Lodewijckx, both 19 years old, were arrested on April 5 with 5,000 ants at a guest house in Nakuru county, which is home to various national parks. They were charged on April 15. Magistrate Njeri Thuku, sitting at the court in Kenya's main airport on Wednesday, said in her ruling that despite the teenagers telling the court they were naïve and collecting the ants as a hobby, the particular species of ants they collected is valuable and they had thousands of them — not just a few. The Kenya Wildlife Service had said the teenagers were involved in trafficking the ants to markets in Europe and Asia, and that the species included messor cephalotes, a distinctive, large and red-colored harvester ant native to East Africa. "This is beyond a hobby. Indeed, there is a biting shortage of messor cepholates online," Thuku said in her ruling. The teenagers' lawyer, Halima Nyakinyua, described the sentencing as "fair" and said her clients would not appeal. "When the statutes prescribe a specific minimum amount, the court cannot go lower than that. So, even if we went to the court of appeal, the court is not going to revise that," she said. The illegal export of the ants "not only undermines Kenya's sovereign rights over its biodiversity but also deprives local communities and research institutions of potential ecological and economic benefits," KWS said in a statement. In a separate but related case, two other men charged after they were found with 400 ants were also fined $7,700 each with an option of serving 12 months in prison. Duh Hung Nguyen, a Vietnamese national, told the court that he was sent to pick up the ants and arrived at Kenya's main airport where he met his contact person, Dennis Ng'ang'a, and together they travelled to meet the locals who sell the ants. Ng'ang'a, who is from Kenya, had said he didn't know it was illegal because ants are sold and eaten locally. Magistrate Thuku during the ruling described Ng'ang'a and Nguyen's meet-up as "part of an elaborate scheme." Experts in Kenya have in recent days warned of an emerging trend to traffic lesser-known wildlife species. Entomologist Shadrack Muya, a senior lecturer at Kenya's Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, told The Associated Press that garden ants are important for aerating soils, enhancing soil fertility and dispersing seeds. "Ants play a very important role in the environment and their disturbance, which is also their removal, will lead to disruption of the ecosystem," he said. Muya warned against taking ants from their natural habitats, saying they were unlikely to survive if not supported to adapt to their new environment. "Survival in the new environment will depend on the interventions that are likely to take place. Where it has been taken away from, there is a likelihood of an ecological disaster that may happen due to that disturbance," he said.
Associated Press News	2025-05-07 16:07:57+00:00	[ "Donald Trump", "Linda McMahon", "Schools", "District of Columbia", "Education funding", "COVID-19 pandemic", "New York City", "COVID-19", "Education", "U.S. Department of Education", "Associated Press", "United States government", "Edgardo Ramos", "Pandemics" ]	# Federal judge orders Trump administration to unblock pandemic relief money for schools By Moriah Balingit May 7th, 2025, 04:07 PM --- WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge on Tuesday ordered the Education Department to undo a freeze on the last of the U.S. relief money given to schools to help students recover academically from the COVID-19 pandemic. The federal government provided $189 billion in aid money for schools during the crisis, giving them broad latitude in how to spend it. Nearly all that money had been spent, but some school districts received deadline extensions that gave them additional time to use it. Districts spent it on things like after-school tutoring, summer school, social workers, college counselors, library books and renovations to make school buildings safer. On March 28, Education Secretary Linda McMahon sent a letter to school officials saying she had moved the deadline up — to that very day. She said the department would consider releasing some funds, but only on a project-by-project basis. "Extending deadlines for COVID-related grants, which are in fact taxpayer funds, years after the COVID pandemic ended is not consistent with the Department's priorities," McMahon said. Officials in sixteen states and the District of Columbia sued in response, leading to Tuesday's order from U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos in New York City. Since taking office in January, President Donald Trump has unilaterally cut education funding and downsized the Education Department, leading to numerous legal challenges. The Trump administration also cut teacher-training programs that helped rural schools combat educator shortages and has threatened to withhold funding from schools with diversity, equity and inclusion programs. ___ The Associated Press' education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
Associated Press News	2025-05-14 21:28:38+00:00	[ "Donald Trump", "U.S. Environmental Protection Agency", "Water quality", "National", "The Chemours Co.", "Science", "Pollution", "Climate and environment", "Utilities", "3M Co.", "Public health", "Erik Olson", "American Water Works Co.", "Inc.", "Business", "Mike McGill", "Mark White", "Government regulations", "Health" ]	# What the EPA's partial rollback of the 'forever chemical' drinking water rule means By Michael Phillis May 14th, 2025, 09:28 PM --- On Wednesday, the Environmental Protection Agency announced plans to weaken limits on some harmful "forever chemicals" in drinking water roughly a year after the Biden administration finalized the first-ever national standards. The Biden administration said last year the rules could reduce PFAS exposure for millions of people. It was part of a broader push by officials then to address drinking water quality by writing rules to require the removal of toxic lead pipes and, after years of activist concern, address the threat of forever chemicals. President Donald Trump has sought fewer environmental rules and more oil and gas development. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has carried out that agenda by announcing massive regulatory rollbacks. Now, we know the EPA plans to rescind limits for certain PFAS and lengthen deadlines for two of the most common types. Here are some of the essential things to know about PFAS chemicals and what the EPA decided to do: ## Please explain what PFAS are to me PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of chemicals that have been around for decades and have now spread into the nation's air, water and soil. They were manufactured by companies such as 3M, Chemours and others because they were incredibly useful. They helped eggs slide across nonstick frying pans, ensured that firefighting foam suffocates flames and helped clothes withstand the rain and keep people dry. The chemicals resist breaking down, however, which means they stay around in the environment. ## And why are they bad for humans? Environmental activists say that PFAS manufacturers knew about the health harms of PFAS long before they were made public. The same attributes that make the chemicals so valuable – resistance to breakdown – make them hazardous to people. PFAS accumulates in the body, which is why the Biden administration set limits for two common types, often called PFOA and PFOS, at 4 parts per trillion that are phased out of manufacturing but still present in the environment. There is a wide range of health harms now associated with exposure to certain PFAS. Cases of kidney disease, low-birth weight and high cholesterol in addition to certain cancers can be prevented by removing PFAS from water, according to the EPA. The guidance on PFOA and PFOS has changed dramatically in recent years as scientific understanding has advanced. The EPA in 2016, for example, said the combined amount of the two substances should not exceed 70 parts per trillion. The Biden administration later said no amount is safe. ## There is nuance in what the EPA did The EPA plans to scrap limits on three types of PFAS, some of which are less well known. They include GenX substances commonly found in North Carolina as well as substances called PFHxS and PFNA. There is also a limit on a mixture of PFAS, which the agency is also planning to rescind. It appears few utilities will be impacted by the withdrawal of limits for these types of PFAS. So far, sampling has found nearly 12% of U.S. water utilities are above the Biden administration's limits. But most utilities face problems with PFOA or PFOS. For the two commonly found types, PFOA and PFOS, the EPA will keep the current limits in place but give utilities two more years — until 2031 — to meet them. ## Announcement is met with mixed reaction Some environmental groups argue that the EPA can't legally weaken the regulations. The Safe Water Drinking Act gives the EPA authority to limit water contaminants, and it includes a provision meant to prevent new rules from being looser than previous ones. "The law is very clear that the EPA can't repeal or weaken the drinking water standard," said Erik Olson, a senior strategist at the nonprofit Natural Resources Defense Council. Environmental activists have generally slammed the EPA for not keeping the Biden-era rules in place, saying it will worsen public health. Industry had mixed reactions. The American Chemistry Council questioned the Biden administration's underlying science that supported the tight rules and said the Trump administration had considered the concerns about cost and the underlying science. "However, EPA's actions only partially address this issue, and more is needed to prevent significant impacts on local communities and other unintended consequences," the industry group said. Leaders of two major utility industry groups, the American Water Works Association and Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, said they supported the EPA's decision to rescind a novel approach to limit a mix of chemicals. But they also said the changes do not substantially reduce the cost of the PFAS rule. Some utilities wanted a higher limit on PFOA and PFOS, according to Mark White, drinking water leader at the engineering firm CDM Smith. They did, however, get an extension. "This gives water pros more time to deal with the ones we know are bad, and we are going to need more time. Some utilities are just finding out now where they stand," said Mike McGill, president of WaterPIO, a water industry communications firm. ___ The Associated Press receives support from the Walton Family Foundation for coverage of water and environmental policy. The AP is solely responsible for all content. For all of AP's environmental coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment
Associated Press News	2025-05-06 04:09:16+00:00	[ "Crime", "Sean Diddy Combs", "Fraud", "Luigi Mangione", "Joe Biden", "Human trafficking", "Juries", "Legal proceedings", "Los Angeles", "New York", "New York City Wire", "Brian Thompson", "James Comey", "South Carolina state government", "Young Thug", "Karen Friedman Agnifilo", "Marc Agnifilo", "Ghislaine Maxwell", "Indictments", "Arun Subramanian", "Emily Johnson", "Sexual assault", "Casandra Ventura", "Daniel Phillip", "Jeffrey Epstein", "Entertainment" ]	# Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial: Things to know May 6th, 2025, 04:09 AM --- NEW YORK (AP) — Witnesses are testifying this week in the sex trafficking trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs, one of the biggest music moguls and cultural figures of the past four decades. The R&B singer Cassie, Combs' former girlfriend, is the prosecution's star witness. She told the jury that he beat her mercilessly and controlled every aspect of her life, making her engage in drug-fueled, multiday sexual marathons with strangers that he called " freak offs." During opening statements, the prosecution said Cassie was not the only woman Combs beat and sexually exploited. The trial in New York is expected to last at least eight weeks. Here's a look at some of the details. ## What are the charges? Prosecutors allege that the three-time Grammy winner used his fame and fortune to create a deviant empire of exploitation, coercing women into abusive sex parties while silencing victims through blackmail and violence, including kidnapping, arson and beatings. "But he didn't do it alone. He had an inner circle of bodyguards and high-ranking employees who helped him commit crimes and cover them up," Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson told jurors during her opening statement. Combs has pleaded not guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. Combs' lawyer Teny Geragos, however, told jurors that prosecutors are trying to turn sex between consenting adults into a sex trafficking case. "Sean Combs is a complicated man. But this is not a complicated case. This case is about love, jealousy, infidelity and money," she said. Prosecutors revealed shortly before trial that Combs rejected a plea agreement that might have meant a lighter sentence than a conviction could. They did not disclose the terms of the proposed deal. ## Who is testifying? The prosecution has shown jurors the now-infamous security video of Combs beating and kicking Cassie, whose legal name is Casandra Ventura, in a Los Angeles hotel hallway in 2016. Early in her testimony, she said the assault took place as she was trying to leave a freak off. The trial's first witness, Israel Florez, who was working hotel security at the time, testified about responding to a report of a woman in distress and witnessing Combs tell Cassie: "You're not going to leave." Florez said he told Combs, "If she wants to leave, she's going to leave." Florez, now a Los Angeles police officer, also said he turned down a bribe from Combs to keep quiet. Cassie, who resumed testifying on Wednesday, was Combs' on-and-off romantic partner for more than a decade. Her 2023 lawsuit against Combs alleging years of abuse, including rape, was followed by similar suits and drew the scrutiny that eventually led to his prosecution. Jurors on Monday also heard from Daniel Phillip, who said he was a professional stripper who was paid to have sex with Cassie while Combs watched and gave instructions. He testified that he once saw Combs drag her by her hair as she screamed. The Associated Press does not typically name people who say they have been sexually abused unless they come forward publicly, as Cassie did. ## Who is who at the trial? The trial is in the courtroom of U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian. He's a Columbia Law School graduate who once clerked for Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and was appointed a federal judge by President Joe Biden in 2022. The prosecution team consists of eight assistant U.S. attorneys, seven of them women. They include Maurene Ryan Comey, daughter of former FBI Director James Comey. She was among the prosecutors in the trial of Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted of luring teenage girls to be sexually abused by Jeffrey Epstein. Combs' team of seven attorneys is led by New York lawyer Marc Agnifilo, who along with his wife Karen Friedman Agnifilo, is also defending Luigi Mangione, the man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Also on the defense team is Atlanta attorney Brian Steel, who represented Young Thug in a trial that went on for nearly two years before the rapper pleaded guilty to gang, drug and gun charges. ## What do we know about the jury? Twelve regular jurors — eight men and four women — and six alternates were chosen. They include include a massage therapist, an investment analyst and a deli clerk. The group tilts middle-aged or older. Only three of the regular jurors are under 40. Five are over 60. The jurors' identities are known to the court and the prosecution and defense sides, but won't be made public. It's common in federal cases to keep juries anonymous, particularly in sensitive, high-profile matters where juror safety is a concern ## Will Diddy be in court each day? Yes. Combs, 55, has been held at a federal jail in Brooklyn since his September arrest. His formerly jet-black hair is now almost completely gray because dye isn't allowed at the detention center. Combs, who had his own fashion line, wore yellow jail uniforms in pretrial hearings. But for the trial, the judge said he can have up to five button-down shirts, five pairs of pants, five sweaters, five pairs of socks and two pairs of shoes without laces. He interacted with his lawyers but remained largely stoic as Cassie testified on Tuesday. During a break, he made a heart shape with his hands and mouthed "thank you" to one of his twin daughters. He also blew a kiss to his mother. Under federal court rules, no photos or video of the trial will be allowed. Courtroom sketches are permitted. ## What won't we hear? Since 2023, dozens of women and men have been filing lawsuits against Combs claiming he sexually or physically abused them. Many of those people said they were slipped drugs at events hosted by Combs and were abused while they were incapacitated. Combs has denied all of the allegations through his lawyers, who say the accusers are out for his money. Some of those lawsuits have claimed that other celebrities were either present for or participated in the abuse. The great majority of those allegations, however, aren't part of the criminal case. Prosecutors have chosen to focus on a relatively small number of accusers and allegations where there is physical evidence or corroboration by witnesses.
Associated Press News	2025-05-08 05:04:08+00:00	[ "John Paul I", "Global elections", "Religion", "Pope Francis", "South America", "Voting", "Pope Benedict XVI", "Poland", "Catholic Church", "Vatican City", "Rome" ]	# What to know on the second day of the conclave to elect the next pope By Vanessa Gera May 8th, 2025, 05:04 AM --- VATICAN CITY (AP) — Cardinals are meeting in a secret, sacred conclave for a second day as they seek a new pontiff to follow Pope Francis. The conclave opened at the Vatican on Wednesday afternoon but a first round of voting resulted in black smoke billowing from the Sistine Chapel. The 133 cardinals who are eligible to choose the next pontiff are trying again Thursday to elect a successor to Francis to guide the 1.4 billion strong Roman Catholic church at time of human upheaval. Here are some things to know about the election of the 267th pontiff of the Catholic Church. ## Why is the conclave being held now? The conclave was called after Francis died on April 21 at age 88. There was a delay between his death and the conclave to allow time for a funeral, burial and a period of mourning. It was also necessary to give cardinals time to arrive in Rome from all corners of the Earth, and to let them get acquainted before entering the conclave, an ancient ritual steeped in mystery and ritual. ## What happens in a conclave? The cardinals are cut off from the world while at the Vatican, between residences and the Sistine Chapel, where they vote in secret — and in silence — beneath Michelangelo's famed ceiling fresco of the Creation and his monumental "Last Judgment." The process — fictionalized in the 2024 political thriller "Conclave" — is said to be guided by the Holy Spirit, and is designed to be both contemplative and free from outside interference. They began the mystery-steeped ritual of choosing a new pontiff with a morning Mass before entering in procession into the Sistine Chapel. To maintain secrecy and security, the Vatican asked cardinals to hand over their phones for the duration of the conclave and is deactivating cellphone coverage. It also was using signal jammers around the Sistine Chapel and the Domus Santa Marta hotel and adjacent residence where the cardinals are sleeping to prevent surveillance and communication with the outside world. ## White or black smoke signals? The electors cast paper ballots, and voting continues until one candidate receives a two-thirds majority, or 89 votes. After voting, ballots are burned in a special stove — black smoke signals no decision, while white smoke means a new pope has been chosen. Electors must be under 80 years old, and are more geographically diverse than ever. They represent Catholicism's growing presence in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, as well as its traditional power base in Europe. ## How long does it take? The longest conclave in history lasted nearly three years, but it's reasonable to assume that this conclave will be much, much shorter. Cardinals this week said they expect a short conclave, though it will likely take at least a few rounds of voting. For most of the past century, it has taken between three and eight ballots to find a pope. John Paul I — the pope who reigned for 33 days — was elected on the third ballot in 1978. His successor, St. John Paul II, needed eight. Francis was elected on the fifth in 2013. ## Who are the contenders? There are no official candidates for the papacy, but some cardinals are considered "papabile," or possessing the characteristics necessary to become pope. After John Paul II broke the Italian hold on the papacy in 1978, the field has broadened considerably, such that cardinals from far-flung countries are now seen as contenders. The past three popes have hailed from Poland (John Paul II), Germany (Benedict XVI) and Argentina (Francis). Of the 133 cardinals expected to vote at the conclave, 108 were appointed by Francis. They may feel a loyalty to continuing his legacy — even though the late pontiff didn't choose cardinals based on ideology, but rather for their pastoral priorities and geographical diversity. ## What happens after a new pope is chosen? Once a candidate receives the necessary votes and accepts, he chooses a papal name and enters the "Room of Tears" — named for the emotional weight of the responsibility ahead — to don his papal vestments. Minutes later, he is introduced to the world from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica with the proclamation in Latin: "Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: Habemus Papam!" ("I bring you tidings of great joy: We have a pope!") That will be immediately followed by the revelation of his baptismal name, in Latin, followed by the papal name he has chosen. ## A line that stretches back to St. Peter and Jesus Every new pope is seen as a successor to St. Peter, the apostle believed by Catholics to have been appointed by Jesus as the head of the church. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells him, "You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church," a verse that forms the biblical basis for the papacy. According to tradition, Peter traveled to Rome to spread the Christian message and was martyred there during the reign of the Emperor Nero, around 64 A.D., as Christians were being persecuted. He was said to be crucified upside down at his own request, considering himself unworthy to die in the same manner as Jesus. St. Peter's Basilica now stands over what is believed to be his tomb. ## Why does the pope matter beyond the Catholic Church? Though the pope leads a religious institution, his influence extends far beyond it. Pope John Paul II played a pivotal role in supporting the Solidarity movement in his native Poland and encouraging resistance to Soviet domination in Eastern Europe. His moral leadership was credited by many with helping to hasten the end of the Cold War. Pope Francis, the first pontiff from Latin America, became a prominent voice on global issues from climate change to migration and economic inequality. He called for compassion toward refugees, warned against the dangers of nationalism, and urged action to protect the planet — stances that resonated well beyond church walls, and at times put him at odds with political leaders. ## A name to signal a papal direction The first sign of the new pope's priorities will come in the name he chooses. A Francis II might signal a new pope's embrace of Francis' legacy of prioritizing the poor and marginalized; a Pius would hint at a traditionalist restoration. ____ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
Associated Press News	2025-05-06 19:38:28+00:00	[ "Pope Francis", "Papal conclave", "Religion" ]	# Cardinals wrap up their pre-conclave meetings before they enter the conclave to elect a new pope May 6th, 2025, 07:38 PM --- VATICAN CITY (AP) — Cardinals have wrapped up their pre-conclave meetings before they enter the conclave to elect a new pope. They are trying to identify someone who can follow Pope Francis and make the 2,000-year-old Catholic Church credible and relevant today, especially to young people. The cardinals held their last day of pre-conclave meetings Tuesday morning during which Francis' fisherman's ring and his official seal were destroyed in one of the final formal rites of the transition of his pontificate to the next. This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Associated Press News	2025-05-03 13:15:13+00:00	[ "Kamala Harris", "Donald Trump", "Stephen Miller", "Communism", "Socialism", "Roy Cohn", "Vladimir Putin", "New Jersey", "Hollywood", "United States", "Politics", "Raymond Robertson", "Jacob Neiheisel", "Joseph McCarthy", "United States government", "Associated Press" ]	# Trump brands his opponents as 'communists,' a label from a bygone era By Laurie Kellman May 3rd, 2025, 01:15 PM --- For years, President Donald Trump blamed "communists" for his legal and political troubles. Now, the second Trump administration is deploying that same historically loaded label to cast his opponents — from judges to educators — as threats to American identity, culture and values. Why? Trump himself explained the strategy last year when he described how he planned to defeat his Democratic opponent, then-Vice President Kamala Harris, in the White House election. "All we have to do is define our opponent as being a communist or a socialist or somebody who is going to destroy our country," he told reporters at his New Jersey golf club in August. Trump did just that — branding Harris "comrade Kamala" — and he won in November. With the assent of more than 77 million Americans who cast ballots — 49.9% of the vote — Trump is carrying that strategy into his second term. ## What he's talking about is not actually 'communism' In 2025, communism wields big influence in countries such as China, Vietnam, North Korea and Cuba. But not the United States. "The core of communism is the belief that governments can do better than markets in providing goods and services. There are very, very few people in the West who seriously believe that," said Raymond Robertson of the Texas A&M University Bush School of Government & Public Service. "Unless they are arguing that the government should run U.S. Steel and Tesla, they are simply not communists." The word "communist," on the other hand, can carry great emotional power as a rhetorical tool, even now. It's all the more potent as a pejorative — though frequently inaccurate, even dangerous — amid the contemporary flash of social media and misinformation. After all, the fear and paranoia of the Russian Revolution, the "Red Scare," World War II, McCarthyism and the Cold War are fading into the 20th century past. But Trump, 78 and famous for labeling people he views as obstacles, remembers. "We cannot allow a handful of communist radical-left judges to obstruct the enforcement of our laws," Trump said Tuesday in Michigan while celebrating his first 100 days in office. The White House did not reply to a request for what Trump means when he calls someone a "communist." The timing of his use of "communist" is worth noting. Trump's Michigan speech came during a week of dicey economic and political news. Days earlier, The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs published a poll showing that more Americans disagree with Trump's priorities so far than agree with them, and that many Republicans are ambivalent about his choices of focus. After the speech, the government reported that the economy shrank during the first quarter of 2025 as Trump's tariffs disrupted business. On Thursday, senior presidential aide Stephen Miller stepped to the White House podium and uttered the same c-word four times in about 35 minutes during a denunciation of past policies on transgender, diversity and immigration issues. "These are a few of the areas in which President Trump has fought the cancerous, communist woke culture that was destroying this country," Miller told reporters. His collection of words offered a selection of clickbait for social media users, as well as terms that could catch the attention of older Americans. Voters over age 45 narrowly voted for Trump over his Democratic rivals in 2020 and 2024. Smack in the middle of Miller's sentence: "communist." "It tends to be a term that is loaded with negative affect, particularly for older Americans who grew up during the Cold War," said Jacob Neiheisel, a political communications expert at the University at Buffalo. "Appending emotionally laden terms to political adversaries is a way to minimize their legitimacy in the eyes of the public and paint them in a negative light." ## A 'Red Scare'-era figure influenced a young Trump The threat that communists could influence or even obliterate the United States hovered over the country for decades and drove some of the country's ugliest chapters. The years after World War I and the Russian Revolution in 1917, along with a wave of immigrants, led to what's known as the "Red Scare" of 1920, a period of intense paranoia about the potential for a communist-led revolution in America. "McCarthyism" after World War II meant the hunt for supposed communists. It's named for Sen. Joseph McCarthy, the Wisconsin Republican who conducted televised hearings at the dawn of the Cold War that drove anti-communist fears to new heights with a series of threats, innuendos and untruths. Culturally, the merest suggestion that someone was "soft" on communism could end careers and ruin lives. "Blacklists" of suspected communists proliferated in Hollywood and beyond. McCarthy fell into disgrace and died in 1957. The senator's chief counsel during the hearings, Roy Cohn, became Trump's mentor and fixer as Trump rose as a real estate mogul in New York. The Cold War was more than three decades old. The threat of nuclear war was pervasive. Communism started to collapse in 1989 and the Soviet Union was dissolved two years later. It's now Russia, led by President Vladimir Putin. But communism — at least in one form — lives on in China, with which Trump is waging a trade war that could result in fewer and costlier products in the United States. By week's end, Trump was acknowledging the potential consequences of his government stepping in: Americans might soon not be able to buy what they want, or they might be forced to pay more. He insisted China would be hurt more by the tariffs. The real modern debate, Robertson says, is not between capitalism and communism, but about how much the government needs to step in — and when. He suggests that Trump is not really debating communism vs. capitalism anyway. "Calling people who advocate for slightly more government involvement 'communists' is typical misleading political rhetoric that, unfortunately, works really well with busy voters who do not have a lot of time to think about technical definitions and economic paradigms," he said in an email. "It is also really helpful (to Trump) because it is inflammatory, making people angry, which can be addictive."
Associated Press News	2025-05-10 11:33:29+00:00	[ "Gender", "Donald Trump", "Kansas", "U.S. Democratic Party", "U.S. Republican Party", "Isabel Skinner", "Tim Phares", "Politics" ]	# Trump has broad support for some transgender policies, poll finds By Geoff Mulvihill and Linley Sanders May 10th, 2025, 11:33 AM --- WASHINGTON (AP) — About half of U.S. adults approve of how President Donald Trump is handling transgender issues, according to a new poll — a relative high point for a president who has the approval overall of about 4 in 10 Americans. But support for his individual policies on transgender people is not uniformly strong, with a clearer consensus against policies that affect youth. The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research survey conducted this month found there's more support than opposition on allowing transgender troops in the military, while most don't want to allow transgender students to use the public school bathrooms that align with their gender identity and oppose using government programs to pay for gender-affirming health care for transgender youth. Schuyler Fricchione, a 40-year-old stay-at-home mother from northern Virginia, is one of those who opposes the government paying for gender-affirming care, especially for young people. She said she doesn't want people to make major changes that they might later regret. But she said that because of her Catholic faith, she doesn't want to exclude transgender people from public life. "It's very important to me that everyone understands their dignity and importance as a person." "It is something I am kind of working through myself," she said. "I am still learning." ## Most adults agree with Trump that sex is determined at birth About two-thirds of U.S. adults agree with President Donald Trump that whether a person is a man or woman is determined by their biological characteristics at birth. The poll found that Republicans overwhelmingly believe gender identity is defined by sex at birth, but Democrats are divided, with about half saying gender identity can differ from biological characteristics at birth. The view that gender identity can't be separated from sex at birth view contradicts what the American Medical Association and other mainstream medical groups say: that extensive scientific research suggests sex and gender are better understood as a spectrum than as an either-or definition. A push against the recognition and rights of transgender people, who make up about 1% of the nation's population, has been a major part of Trump's return to the White House — and was a big part of his campaign. He has signed executive orders calling for the government to classify people by unchangeable sex rather than gender, oust transgender service members and kick transgender women and girls out of sports competitions for females. Those actions and others are being challenged in court, and judges have put many of his efforts on hold. ## The public is divided on some issues — and many are neutral Despite being a hot-button issue overall, a big portion of the population is neutral or undecided on several key policies. About 4 in 10 people supported requiring public schoolteachers to report to parents if their children are identifying at school as transgender or nonbinary. About 3 in 10 opposed it and a similar number was neutral. About the same portion of people — just under 4 in 10 — favored allowing transgender troops in the military as were neutral about it. About one-quarter opposed it. Tim Phares, 59, a registered Democrat in Kansas who says he most often votes for Republicans, is among those in the middle on that issue. One on hand, he said, "Either you can do the job or you can't do the job." But on the other, he added, "I'm not a military person, so I'm not qualified to judge how it affects military readiness." This month, a divided U.S. Supreme Court allowed Trump's administration to enforce a ban on transgender people in the military while legal challenges proceed, a reversal of what lower courts have said. ## Most object to government coverage of gender-affirming care for youth About half oppose allowing government insurance programs such as Medicare and Medicaid to cover gender-affirming medical care, such as hormone therapy and surgery, for transgender people 19 or older. About two-thirds oppose it for those under 19. And on each of those questions, a roughly equal portion of the populations support the coverage or is neutral about it. One of Trump's executive orders keeps federal insurance plans from paying for gender-affirming care for those under 19. A court has ruled that funding can't be dropped from institutions that provide the care, at least for now. Meanwhile, Trump's administration this month released a report calling for therapy alone and not broader gender-affirming health care for transgender youth. Twenty-seven states have bans on the care for minors, and the Supreme Court is expected to rule in coming months over whether the bans can hold. ## Forming a stance is easy for some While Democrats are divided on many policies related to transgender issues, they're more supportive than the population overall. There is no anguish over the issue or other transgender policy questions for Isabel Skinner, a 32-year-old politics professor in Illinois. She has liberal views on transgender people, shaped partly by her being a member of the LGBTQ+ community as a bisexual and pansexual person, and also by knowing transgender people. She was in the minority who supported allowing transgender students to use the public-school bathrooms that match their gender identity — something that at least 14 states have passed laws to ban in the last five years. "I don't understand where the fear comes from," Skinner said, "because there really doesn't seem to be any basis of reality for the fear of transgender people." ___ Mulvihill reported from New Jersey. ___ The AP-NORC poll of 1,175 adults was conducted May 1-5, using a sample drawn from NORC's probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for adults overall is plus or minus 4 percentage points.
Associated Press News	2025-05-06 20:21:27+00:00	[ "Cincinnati", "Crime", "Ohio", "Bribery", "Lobbying", "Courts", "Dennis Belli", "Kelly A. Norris", "Timothy Black", "Juries", "Matt Borges", "Criminal punishment", "Legal proceedings", "Business", "Scott Pullins", "Politics", "Scandals", "Supreme Court of the United States" ]	# Racketeering convictions of ex-Ohio House speaker and lobbyist upheld in $60 million bribery scheme By Julie Carr Smyth May 6th, 2025, 08:21 PM --- COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A federal appeals court upheld the racketeering convictions of former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder and an ex-lobbyist on Tuesday in a $60 million bribery scandal described as the largest corruption scheme in state history. The unanimous ruling by a three-judge panel of the Sixth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in Cincinnati represented a win for the Department of Justice, which had secured the convictions in March 2023 after a yearslong investigation. Householder, a Republican, was sentenced to 20 years in prison, and lobbyist and former Ohio Republican Party chair Matt Borges was sentenced to five years in prison. Acting U.S. Attorney Kelly A. Norris said the appeals panel's unanimous decision "affirmed the strength of the government's evidence, the correctness of the jury instructions, and the fairness of the proceeding." Householder was convicted of masterminding a $60 million bribery scheme funded by Akron-based FirstEnergy Corp. to elect allies, secure power, pass a $1 billion bailout of two of its affiliated nuclear plants and then defend the bill, known as House Bill 6, from a repeal effort. Prosecutors had described Borges' primary role in the scheme as working to thwart a ballot campaign aimed at repealing the tainted legislation. Specifically, he was accused of paying $15,000 to someone who was helping spearhead the effort in order to get inside information. The referendum ultimately failed to make the ballot. Scott Pullins, a long-time legal and personal adviser to Householder, called it a "sad and disappointing day" for both men and their families and supporters, and "even a sadder day for constitutional free speech and the rule of law." He said in a Substack post that Householder "raised undisclosed, unlimited donations for a 501c4 organization that supported him and his political allies" — just as speakers before and after him have done. "But the federal government singled only Mr. Householder out for prosecution." Householder has a couple long shot legal options remaining: He could ask for a review by the full Sixth Circuit, or seek what's known as certiorari in the U.S. Supreme Court, hoping for consideration by the nation's highest bench. Both types of requests are rarely granted. A message seeking comment was left for Householder's criminal defense attorney. Householder's appeal failed on all six claims he brought in hopes of a reprieve. He alleged erroneous jury instructions, insufficient and inadmissible evidence, violations of his right to counsel, judicial bias and that his sentence was unreasonable for the circumstances. The 65-year-old Householder argued that the government was wrong in describing what he had engaged in as a bribery scheme. Instead, he cast the money that flowed from FirstEnergy into a network of secret dark money accounts that he controlled as legal campaign contributions. Federal prosecutors charged that the money was given to Householder in exchange for the passage of House Bill 6, providing the necessary quid pro quo to make his conduct illegal. Householder had also faulted U.S. District Judge Timothy Black in his appeal, asserting that he failed to properly instruct the jury that an agreement is necessary to prove bribery and that Householder needed to have agreed he would take action "on a specific and focused question or matter" at the time that agreement was struck. The judicial panel said all of his claims failed. Borges' appeal hinged on three technical points of law. All failed, as well, though he could also ask for review by the full appellate court or the U.S. Supreme Court. However, Circuit Judge Amul Thapar wrote in a concurring opinion that each of Borges' contentions "raises tricky and unresolved issues in honest services fraud jurisprudence." "And here, Borges has a good argument his conduct fell within a murky middle: perhaps objectionable, but not clearly illegal," he wrote. "Until the Supreme Court revises its caselaw, however, we must follow its precedent." Dennis Belli, Borges' attorney, noted a part of Thapar's concurrence that said "(t)he Tinkerbell strategy — clap if you believe he's guilty — doesn't cut it when we think about criminal convictions." "'Tinkerbell strategy' aptly describes the prosecution's use of an alleged violation of a misdemeanor statute in the Ohio Elections Code to obtain a felony racketeering conviction of Borges in federal court," Belli said, noting that his client denies that the statute even applies to his conduct. "I will be studying the 64-page ruling closely and thoughtfully, and will advise my client regarding his options going forward." ___ Bruce Shipkowski contributed to this report from Toms River, N.J.
Associated Press News	2025-05-05 16:49:46+00:00	[ "Drownings", "Mexico", "California", "San Diego", "Chris Sappey", "Boat and ship accidents", "U.S. Coast Guard", "Sebastian Westerink", "Antonio Hurtado", "Nick Backouris", "Politics" ]	# Boat believed to be carrying migrants capsizes off California coast, leaving 3 dead and 7 missing By Julie Watson and Christopher Weber May 5th, 2025, 04:49 PM --- SAN DIEGO (AP) — A small boat believed to be carrying migrants capsized early Monday off San Diego's coast and left three people dead and four injured, while U.S. Coast Guard crews were searching for seven others, officials said. Initially nine people were reported missing but later two were found and detained, U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Hunter Schnabel said. He did not know which agency detained the individuals or why. The U.S. Border Patrol did not immediately respond to an email asking if they were involved. U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Chris Sappey said it was unclear where the boat was coming from before it flipped shortly after sunrise about 35 miles (56 kilometers) north of the Mexico border. He described the vessel as a panga, single or twin-engine open fishing boats commonly used by smugglers. "They were not tourists," Sappey said. "They are believed to be migrants." Migrants are increasingly turning to the risky alternative offered by smugglers to travel by sea to avoid heavily guarded land borders, including off California's coast. Pangas leave the Mexican coast in the dead of night, sometimes charting hundreds of miles north. The four injured people were taken to Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla, the hospital said in an email. All were being treated for respiratory related issues after arriving by ambulance. Three were in their 30s and one was a teen. No other details were provided. The Coast Guard deployed a helicopter and boat to search for the missing. Hikers and others at Torrey Pines State Beach reported seeing a boat capsize near the shore at about 6:30 a.m., said Lt. Nick Backouris of the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. "A doctor hiking nearby called in and said, 'I see people doing CPR on the beach, I'm running that way,'" Backouris said. Winds were light in the area, with slow-rolling waves reaching about 6 feet (1.8 meters), according to Sebastian Westerink, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in San Diego. The water temperature was 63 degrees (17 Celsius), he said. A bulldozer moved the panga on the beach as the search was underway. The wooden skiff that was over 20 feet long (6 meters) had scuffed blue paint and wooden planks for seats. Inside the boat were a pair of running shoes, more than a dozen life vests, an empty waterproof cell phone bag and various water bottles. Its engine was visibly damaged. In 2023, eight people were killed when two migrant smuggling boats approached a San Diego beach in heavy fog. One boat capsized in the surf. It was one of the deadliest maritime smuggling cases in waters off the U.S. coast. A federal judge sentenced a San Diego man to 18 years in prison in 2022 for piloting a small vessel overloaded with 32 migrants that smashed apart in powerful surf off San Diego's coast, killing three people and injuring more than two dozen others. Prosecutors said Antonio Hurtado was high on drugs when he drove the migrants into rough, stormy seas in the dark in May 2021. As 5-to-8-foot (1.5-2.4-meter) waves pounded the vessel, he jumped overboard and swam to shore, abandoning the passengers he had told to hide in the cabin and under deck. The boat capsized and broke apart as they were hurled into the early morning waters. Worldwide, nearly 9,000 people died last year attempting to cross borders, the UN agency for migration said last month. The death toll set a record for the fifth year in a row. The U.N. Missing Migrant Project puts the number of the dead and missing in the central Mediterranean at over 24,506 from 2014 to 2024, many of them lost at sea. The project says the number may be greater as many deaths go unrecorded. ___ Weber reported from Los Angeles.
Associated Press News	2025-05-20 07:26:22+00:00	[ "New Zealand", "Chris Hipkins", "Protests and demonstrations", "New Zealand government", "Politics", "Voting", "Government budgets", "Gerry Brownlee", "Judith Collins", "Race and ethnicity", "Race and Ethnicity" ]	# How uproar over a Māori haka, beloved in New Zealand life, sowed chaos and gridlock in Parliament By Charlotte Graham-Mclay May 20th, 2025, 07:26 AM --- WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The haka, a chanting dance of challenge, is sacred to New Zealand's Māori people but it's become a beloved cultural institution among New Zealanders of all races. Spine-tingling performances at sports events, funerals and graduations often go viral online, a non-partisan point of pride for the country abroad. But one haka performed in protest in New Zealand's Parliament by three legislators last November has provoked fierce division among lawmakers about whether it was an act of peaceful dissent, or disruptive and even intimidating to their opponents. A vote to approve unprecedented, lengthy bans from Parliament for the Māori party lawmakers who enacted the protest was unexpectedly suspended on Tuesday. Debate will resume in June, when it threatens to gridlock the legislative agenda until politicians from all parties reach consensus on what the punishment should be. Hundreds of protesters against the sanctions waited outside Parliament's front doors in New Zealand's capital, Wellington, on Tuesday to greet the Māori party lawmakers with a haka when they emerged. ## What is the haka? The haka was once viewed as a war dance, but that understanding has changed in New Zealand as it has been embraced in a range of celebratory, somber and ceremonial settings. It's an expression of Māori identity and while sacred, it can be performed by people of any race who are educated by Māori in the words, movements and cultural protocols. Emotional haka have generated news headlines in the past year when performed by soldiers farewelling a New Zealander who died fighting in Ukraine, and in Paris by athletes from New Zealand's Olympic team. While the best-known haka is "ka mate," the chant often performed by the All Blacks rugby team before games, there are many variants. ## Why was this one controversial? Last November's protest wasn't the first time a haka has rung out in Parliament. Performances regularly follow the passage of laws important to Māori. But some lawmakers decried this one for two reasons: because the legislators from Te Pāti Māori, the Māori Party, left their seats and strode across the floor toward government politicians while performing it, and because it disrupted the vote on a proposed law. When asked how the Māori party would vote on a bill they said would dismantle Indigenous rights, Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke – New Zealand's youngest parliamentarian, at 22 – tore up a copy of the law and began the haka, joined by two of her colleagues. The law, an attempt to rewrite New Zealand's founding treaty between Māori tribal leaders and the British crown, was widely unpopular and has since been defeated. But for six months, a committee of the lawmakers' peers have fought furiously about how — or whether — their protest of it should be punished. ## Why is debate about it still going? Usually there's agreement among parliamentarians about penalties for errant behavior. But this episode polarized the committee considering the lawmakers' actions. Its report recommended Maipi-Clarke, who the committee said showed contrition in a letter, be suspended for seven days and her colleagues for 21 days. That's the harshest penalty ever assigned to New Zealand lawmakers; the previous record was three days. Parliament Speaker Gerry Brownlee this month scheduled a rare, unlimited debate in Parliament until all parties could find consensus on the penalty, citing the severity of the proposed bans. But minutes after the debate began Tuesday, it was adjourned at the government's behest after they allowed the Māori party lawmakers to stay until after Thursday's budget was delivered. It permitted the government their budget week agenda and meant the Māori lawmakers — opponents of the government — wouldn't miss one of Parliament's most significant dates. But the debate about the bans will then resume. Opposition leader Chris Hipkins, the only opponent of the sanctions to speak before debate was suspended, cited episodes where lawmakers have brawled in Parliament and driven a tractor up the building's steps, but were not suspended, as evidence that the bans weren't fair. But Judith Collins, the chair of the committee that produced the sanctions, said the penalties were "not about the haka." Collins said the lawmakers' behavior was the most egregious she'd ever witnessed. ## What happens next? The debate will resume on June 5, when it threatens to stall usual government business once more. The government said Tuesday that it would not back down from the punishments suggested and opposition parties said they couldn't be swayed from disputing them. Outside Parliament, activist Eru Kapa-Kingi told the assembled crowd that the haka was "a source of fear" in Parliament. "Even though when the All Blacks do it it's a good thing," he added.
Associated Press News	2025-05-01 17:32:54+00:00	[ "Donald Trump", "Michigan", "Climate change", "Vermont", "Lawsuits", "Hawaii", "Legal proceedings", "New York", "Letitia James", "Kathy Hochul", "Gretchen Whitmer", "Josh Green", "U.S. Department of Justice", "Hawaii Rainbow Warriors", "Climate and environment", "Phil Scott", "Anne Lopez", "Politics", "Dana Nessel", "Pamela Bondi", "U.S. Environmental Protection Agency", "Ann Carlson", "Climate" ]	# Justice Department sues Michigan, New York and other states over climate plans By Alexa St. John May 1st, 2025, 05:32 PM --- DETROIT (AP) — The U.S. Justice Department filed lawsuits against four states this week, claiming their climate actions conflict with federal authority and President Donald Trump'senergy dominance agenda. The DOJ on Wednesday filed lawsuits against Hawaii and Michigan over their plans for legal action against fossil fuel companies for harms caused by climate change. On Thursday, the DOJ sued New York and Vermont, challenging their climate superfund laws that would force fossil fuel companies to pay into state-based funds based on previous greenhouse gas emissions. "These burdensome and ideologically motivated laws and lawsuits threaten American energy independence and our country's economic and national security," Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a statement, noting the office hopes to stop "these illegitimate impediments to the production of affordable, reliable energy that Americans deserve." The DOJ lawsuits, which legal experts called unprecedented, mark the latest of the Trump administration's attacks on environmental work and raises concern over states' abilities to retain the power to take climate action without federal opposition. The DOJ's four filings said the state efforts undermine the federal government while "increasing energy costs and disrupting the national energy market." It said the states' plans and policies are unconstitutional, violate the federal foreign affairs power and are preempted by the Clean Air Act — a federal law authorizing the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate air emissions. The DOJ argued the act "creates a program for regulating air pollution in the United States and 'displaces' the ability of States to regulate greenhouse gas emissions beyond their borders." It said Wednesday that Hawaii and Michigan battling oil and gas companies for alleged climate damage conflicts with EPA authority and obstructs the agency's discretion to regulate greenhouse gases. When burned, fossil fuels release emissions such as carbon dioxide that warm the planet. Spokespeople for Democratic Hawaii Gov. Josh Green and Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez confirmed the state filed its lawsuit against seven groups of affiliated fossil fuel companies and the oil and gas trade association, the American Petroleum Institute, Thursday, alleging harm to public trust resources, negligence and more. Green said he is targeting fossil fuel companies that should take responsibility for their role in the state's climate impacts, including 2023's deadly Lahaina wildfire. "This lawsuit is about holding those parties accountable, shifting the costs of surviving the climate crisis back where they belong, and protecting Hawaii citizens into the future," he said in a statement. Meanwhile, Democratic Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel last year tapped private law firms to go after the fossil fuel industry for negatively affecting the state's climate and environment. "This lawsuit is at best frivolous and arguably sanctionable," Nessel said in a statement Thursday. Nessel noted that Michigan hasn't yet filed its lawsuit, but confirmed her intent to, and said the White House and the oil industry "will not succeed in any attempt to preemptively bar our access to make our claims in the courts." A spokesperson for Democratic Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's office deferred to Nessel when asked for comment. Thursday's filings called the states' Superfund Acts — modeled after the 45-year-old federal superfund law enacted to address the harm associated with hazardous waste sites — "a transparent monetary-extraction scheme." Trump has said the superfund laws "extort" money from energy entities. New York is looking for $75 billion and has been previously challenged by 22 states for its law; Vermont hasn't specified its target amount. Both laws were approved last year. The DOJ argued the states' acts are also looking to regulate greenhouse gas emissions — nationwide and globally — violating federal government authority, along with discouraging "investment and innovation in the fossil fuel industry, further burdening interstate commerce." A spokesperson for New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, said the governor "believes corporate polluters should pay for the damage done to our environment — not everyday New Yorkers. We will not back down, not from Big Oil, and not from federal overreach." New York Attorney General Letitia James said the state's climate superfund law "ensures that those who contributed to the climate crisis help pay for the damage they caused." Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark said she looked forward to representing Vermont in this case. Vermont Gov. Phil Scott's office did not immediately respond to request for comment. In its filings, the DOJ repeated the Republican president's claims of America's energy emergency and crisis. "At a time when States should be contributing to a national effort to secure reliable sources of domestic energy," all four states are choosing "to stand in the way," the filings said. Legal experts raised concern over the government's arguments. Michael Gerrard, founder and faculty director of the Columbia University Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, said it's typically the case that the DOJ asks a court to intervene in pending environmental litigation — as is the case in some instances across the country. While this week's suits are consistent with Trump's plans to oppose state actions that interfere with energy dominance, "it's highly unusual," Gerrard told The Associated Press of the cases of Hawaii and Michigan. "What we expected is they would intervene in the pending lawsuits, not to try to preempt or prevent a lawsuit from being filed. It's an aggressive move in support of the fossil fuel industry." Ann Carlson, an environmental law professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, who has previously consulted on climate litigation, noted that EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said his agency is seeking to overturn a finding under the Clean Air Act that greenhouse gases endanger public health and welfare. "On the one hand the U.S. is saying Michigan, and other states, can't regulate greenhouse gases because the Clean Air Act does so and therefore preempts states from regulating," Carlson said. "On the other hand the U.S. is trying to say that the Clean Air Act should not be used to regulate." Trump's administration has aggressively targeted climate policy in the name of fossil fuel investment. Federal agencies have announced plans to bolster coal power, roll back landmark water and air regulations, block renewable energy sources and double down on oil and gas expansion. ___ Read more of AP's climate coverage at http://www.apnews.com/climate-and-environment. ___ Associated Press writers Isabella Volmert in Lansing, Mich. and Anthony Izaguirre in Albany, N.Y., contributed to this report. ___ Alexa St. John is an Associated Press climate reporter. Follow her on X: @alexa_stjohn. Reach her at [email protected]. ___ The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
Associated Press News	2025-05-05 18:29:28+00:00	[ "Dayton", "Rob Streck", "Prisons", "Christian Black", "Ohio", "Michael Wright", "Crime" ]	# Family says Ohio jail guards stood by as restrained man who later died lost consciousness By John Seewer May 5th, 2025, 06:29 PM --- The family of a man who died after being restrained in an Ohio jail said Monday that the deputies who piled on him stood by for several minutes without trying to save his life after he became unresponsive. Attorneys for the family said the deputies and jail medical staff members who looked on as Christian Black sat slumped in a restraint chair should be criminally charged in his death. "There was no sense of urgency," said his father, Kenya Black. "You could clearly see he was unconscious." Black, 25, of Zanesville, died on March 26, two days after he was taken from the Montgomery County jail to a hospital in Dayton. He was in the jail after police said he crashed a stolen car. The county coroner's office said last week that Black likely died from positional asphyxia, which happens when the chest can't expand, starving the body of oxygen. His death, which is still under investigation, was ruled a homicide by the coroner. Montgomery County Sheriff Rob Streck said on Thursday after the coroner's report was released that 10 employees had been put on paid administrative leave. The sheriff called it a procedural step, adding it wasn't an indication of any wrongdoing. A message seeking comment Monday from the sheriff's office was not immediately returned. Video from inside the jail released Monday by the family and its attorneys showed Black inside a cell, yelling and repeatedly banging his fist and head against a glass door. Nine deputies gathered outside the cell, with some rushing in and bringing him to the ground. They pinned Black to the floor and put handcuffs on him before wrestling him into a restraint chair, the video showed. Black's head flopped and slumped while he was in the restraint chair, which law enforcement agencies sometimes use to secure combative people who are in custody. The video showed that jail staff checked Black's eyes, took his blood pressure and rubbed his chest while he was unresponsive in the chair. About nine minutes passed between the time he was put in the chair and when the jail staff started CPR, the family's attorneys said. "He's dead because of how they handled him," said Michael Wright, one of the attorneys. "No one did anything to help."
Associated Press News	2025-05-06 19:11:56+00:00	[ "Sheldon Whitehouse", "Climate change", "Tim Scott", "Roger Wicker", "South Carolina", "U.S. Environmental Protection Agency", "Associated Press", "Government regulations", "Business", "United States government", "Climate and environment", "Pollution", "Morgan Griffith", "Goodyear Tire Rubber Co.", "Donald Trump", "Climate" ]	# Congress sends Trump a resolution ending Biden-era emissions cleanup rule By Alexa St. John May 6th, 2025, 07:11 PM --- DETROIT (AP) — Congress has voted to kill a Biden-era rule requiring rubber tire makers to clean up planet-warming emissions from their manufacturing processes in the U.S. The Environmental Protection Agency finalized rules for the rubber tire industry, specifically previously unregulated rubber processing, last November through amendments to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants. Tires are made of chemicals, compounds and materials that release greenhouse gases, heavy metals and volatile organic compounds, experts say. Republican Virginia Congressman Morgan Griffith, alongside South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott and Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker, also Republicans, introduced a resolution to undo the rules earlier this year and it advanced through the Congressional Review Act, which allows Congress to reverse recently adopted federal agency rules with a simple majority vote in each chamber. The vote passed in the House on March 5 and the Senate on Tuesday. The measure heads to the president's desk for signing next. "Like many of the regulations issued during the waning days of the Biden-Harris Administration, the rubber tire manufacturing emission standard utilized questionable emissions data and pointed to negligible health benefits as justification for the rule," Griffith said in a statement Tuesday. He said the rule did not serve public health. The standards regulate other so-called "source categories" including asbestos, asphalt roofing processing and manufacturing, dry cleaning, petroleum refineries, other chemical production and processes and more, which — in addition to the environmental concerns — can cause cancer and other serious health problems, according to the EPA. The rubber rule resulted from a court decision that required the EPA to address unregulated emissions from source categories upon the agency's technology reviews as required by the Clean Air Act. Plaintiffs in the case included the Louisiana Environmental Action Network, a nonprofit organization representing communities located near historically dirty air. Another case, led by the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League based in South Carolina, also called out the EPA for missing sources of HAPs and said it did not set rules in a timely manner. Aimed at meeting Clean Air Act requirements, the EPA said at the time that the rubber rule changes would cut total hydrocarbons and filterable particulate matter — or solids that can be captured on a filter, known as fPM — emissions by approximately 171 tons per year. Scott previously said the rule was "a last-minute Biden EPA regulation that was based on questionable data and imposes onerous one-size-fits-all pollution controls." The industry argues that tire factories would be required to install costly new air pollution control equipment that could harm American manufacturing jobs. The nation is home to major tire makers including Michelin North America, headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina, and Goodyear, in Akron, Ohio. The two companies did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The measure marks the latest of this administration's efforts to deregulate industry in the name of bolstering American manufacturing. The EPA first said it would reconsider National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants regulations for rubber tire manufacturing and other notable industries as part of a 31-action deregulation blitz announced on March 12. Republicans have generally been using the Congressional Review Act to wage an assault on the previous administration's many efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In a statement to The Associated Press, the EPA said: "Once a law, EPA will work expeditiously to rescind the overly burdensome rule," noting agency Administrator Lee Zeldin's recent efforts speaking specifically with the South Carolina manufacturing industry on issues such as this one. The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association said the vote "reduces financial burdens on tire manufacturing facilities." "Tire manufacturers have long understood and complied with" existing standards, Anne Forristall Luke, president and CEO of the industry group said in a statement. To the group, the November rule "creates an adverse environmental impact, while imposing significant financial burdens on tire manufacturing facilities and providing negligible, if any, benefits." But Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, a Democrat from Rhode Island, called the measure "yet another of many attempts to unravel protections for human health and the environment" and part of an "endless quest to accommodate the countries' biggest polluters." Ahead of Tuesday's vote, Whitehouse said on the Senate floor that the resolution "would deny clean air protections to the American people with particular harm to American children whose lungs and brains, still developing, are most vulnerable to the effects of these pollutants." ___ Read more of AP's climate coverage at http://www.apnews.com/climate-and-environment. ___ Alexa St. John is an Associated Press climate reporter. Follow her on X: @alexa_stjohn. Reach her at [email protected]. ___ The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
Associated Press News	2025-05-14 18:28:59+00:00	[ "Donald Trump", "New Jersey", "Mike Johnson", "California", "U.S. Republican Party", "Government programs", "Taxes", "United States House of Representatives", "Health care costs", "Congress", "Business", "James McGovern", "Politics", "Nick LaLota", "U.S. Democratic Party", "Eric Burlison", "Steven Guthrie", "Conservatism", "Jimmy Gomez", "Health", "Mike Lawler" ]	# Divisions form among House Republicans over Medicaid, tax cuts in Trump's bill By Lisa Mascaro and Kevin Freking May 14th, 2025, 06:28 PM --- WASHINGTON (AP) — Cheers broke out early Wednesday as Republicans on the House Ways and Means Committee signed off on the GOP tax breaks bill after a grueling round-the-clock session that pushed President Donald Trump's package past overwhelming Democratic opposition. But there's still more work to do. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., also worked past midnight trying to resolve issues with Trump's plan. Opposition is mounting from various corners of the GOP majority as he tries to muscle the party's signature package to passage without any votes from Democrats. On the one hand, the conservative leader of the Freedom Caucus derides the new Medicaid work requirements as a "joke" that do not go far enough at cost-cutting. Meanwhile, a handful of GOP lawmakers from New York and other high-tax states are refusing to support the measure unless changes are made to give deeper state and local tax deductions, called SALT, for their constituents back home. "To say we have a gulf is an understatement," said Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, a leader of the conservative wing. Roy said there is "a significant number of us who could not bless this product" in its current form. Nevertheless, momentum is building toward an end-of-the-week inflection point to stitch together the sprawling package Friday at the Budget Committee. That means combining hundreds of pages of bill text covering $5 trillion in tax breaks and at least $1.5 trillion in spending reductions on Medicaid, food stamps and green energy programs to deliver Trump's second-term legislative priority. Democrats decry the package as a give-away to the wealthy at the expense of safety net programs that millions of Americans rely on. But Johnson insists the Republican majority is on track to pass the package by Memorial Day, May 26, sending it to the Senate where Republicans are crafting their own version. With his slim majority, he can only afford a few defections from his ranks. "We're still on target," Johnson said at the Capitol. "The American people are counting on us." Democrats also stayed up all night forcing marathon public hearings. One at the House Energy and Commerce Committee was still going more than 26 hours later before finishing Wednesday afternoon. Later Wednesday evening, the House Agriculture Committee handling the food aid cuts wrapped up its work too, but only after the Republican chairman abruptly shut down debate on dozens of remaining amendments from Democrats. All told, Democrats proposed hundreds of amendments trying to change the package, with dozens of votes that largely failed. "It is a cruel, mean, rotten bill," said Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., as the Agriculture panel debated changes to the Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance Program, known as SNAP. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said at least 7.6 million fewer people would have health insurance with reductions to Medicaid, and likely more with additional changes to the Affordable Care Act. The CBO also gave lawmakers a preliminary analysis showing that 3 million fewer people each month would participate in the SNAP food program under the changes proposed. More than 70 million Americans rely on Medicaid for health care, and about 40 million use SNAP. The Republicans are targeting Medicaid and SNAP for a combined $1 trillion in cuts as a way to offset the costs of the tax package, but also to achieve GOP goals of reining in the social safety net programs. Most of the cost-savings would come from imposing stiffer work requirements for those receiving the health care and food assistance, meaning fewer people would qualify for the aid. The legislation would raise from 54 to 64 the age of able-bodied adults without dependents who would have to work to qualify for SNAP. It also would also require some parents to work to qualify for the benefits once their children are older than 7, instead of 18. Under current law, those recipients must work or participate in a work program for 80 hours a month. The chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Rep. Brett Guthrie, R-Ky., insists the changes would "strengthen and sustain" Medicaid for the future, and are the kind of "common sense" policies Trump promised voters. But Democrats told repeated stories of their constituents struggling to access health care. Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Calif., revealed his own diagnosis with Type 2 diabetes at the House Ways and Means Committee hearing and the sticker shock of health costs. One of the most difficult issues for Johnson has been the more localized debate over state and local taxes as he works to come up with a compromise for New York, California and New Jersey lawmakers. They have rejected an offer to triple the deduction cap, now at $10,000, to $30,000 for married couples. The speaker met with lawmakers Tuesday and talks continued into Wednesday. Rep. Nick LaLota, R-N.Y., said it was cordial, but there was no deal. "More sizzle than steak in that meeting," he said late Tuesday. "The reality is you need 218 votes to pass a bill and the way this bill is currently constructed, it will not have that because it does not adequately the issue of SALT," said Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y. The lawmakers believe they have leverage in the talks because without a deal, the $10,000 limit established under the 2017 tax bill expires at the end of the year and reverts to no cap at all. But as Johnson and the lawmakers edge closer to a SALT deal, the conservatives are balking that their priorities must also be met. Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Mo., said he's a no for now, but would be working to improve the bill so that he could support it. The conservatives argue that the tax breaks without deeper spending cuts will pile onto the deficit, and they worry that the Medicaid reductions do not go far enough in rolling back federal funds to expand the Affordable Care Act. They also want the work requirements, which don't take effect until Jan. 1, 2029, after Trump has left office, to start sooner. "Basically Republicans are enforcing Obamacare, which is a surreal situation to me," Burlison said. Republicans are racing to extend Trump's tax breaks, which are set to expire later this year, while adding the new ones he campaigned on in 2024, including no taxes on tips, Social Security benefits and others. A new analysis from the Joint Committee on Taxation shows that most tax filers would see a lower tax rates under the proposal, except those at the lowest rates, who earn less than $15,000 a year. Their average tax rate would go up. ___ Associated Press writers Matt Brown, Mary Clare Jalonick and Leah Askarinam contributed to this report.
Associated Press News	2025-05-02 23:06:40+00:00	[ "Gender", "Alabama", "Steve Marshall", "Lawsuits", "Alabama state government" ]	# Families end challenge to Alabama ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors May 2nd, 2025, 11:06 PM --- Families in Alabama dropped a legal challenge to the state law that bans transgender youth from receiving gender-affirming care, a decision that was celebrated by the state's attorney general. The plaintiffs on Thursday filed a stipulation of dismissal to end their federal lawsuit filed in 2022. The Alabama law makes it a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison to treat people under age 19 with puberty blockers or hormones to help affirm their gender identity. The lawsuit had resulted in an injunction that stopped the Alabama law from taking effect until an appeals court in 2024 ruled the state could begin enforcing it. Organizations representing the plaintiffs, including GLAD Law, the National Center for Lesbian Rights and the Southern Poverty Law Center, did not elaborate on the reasons for ending the lawsuit, but said the families have faced tough choices since the ban took effect. "The shutting down of medical care in Alabama has forced our plaintiffs and other Alabama families to make heart wrenching decisions that no family should ever have to make, and they are each making the decisions they need to make that are right for them," the organizations wrote. The groups also noted that "a lot has changed" in the three years since the families filed the lawsuit, and that "it is a very challenging environment for transgender adolescents and their families." Alabama in 2022 was the second state to ban gender-affirming care for minors. Now, 26 states have adopted laws restricting or banning such care for minors. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said the outcome of the state case is a victory for both the state and families. "This is a generational win for children, for families, and for reality itself. Alabama refused to be bullied. Now the rest of the country is seeing the truth. We are proud to lead that effort," Marshall said. The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule in early summer on whether to uphold Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care for minors.
Associated Press News	2025-05-08 08:03:51+00:00	[ "Russia", "Vladimir Putin", "Xi Jinping", "Ukraine", "Volodymyr Zelenskyy", "Donald Trump", "Robert Fico", "Luiz Incio Lula da Silva", "Russia government", "United States government", "United States", "Russia-Ukraine war", "Ukraine government", "Russia Ukraine war", "Yaroslav Zheleznyak", "Politics", "Aleksandar Vucic" ]	# Ukraine accuses Russia of violating its own truce over 700 times as Kyiv ratifies US minerals deal By Illia Novikov May 8th, 2025, 08:03 AM --- KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia and Ukraine both reported attacks on their forces Thursday on the first day of a 72-hour ceasefire called by Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Ukrainian lawmakers unanimously approved a landmark minerals deal with the U.S. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha accused Russia of violating its own ceasefire 734 times between midnight and midday Thursday. He called the ceasefire a "farce" on the social media platform X. The unilateral ceasefire coincides with Russia's biggest secular holiday, the 80th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany. Kyiv has pressed for a longer-term ceasefire. Meanwhile at the Kremlin, Putin held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, whom the Russian leader earlier described as Moscow's "main guest" at Friday's Victory Day festivities. In the evening, Putin hosted Xi and other foreign leaders for a gala dinner in an apparent effort to showcase Russia's global clout. The Ukrainian parliament's ratification of the minerals deal marked a key step in a deal that will allow Washington access to Ukraine's largely untapped minerals, deepen strategic ties and create a joint investment fund with the U.S. for the reconstruction of Ukraine. "This document is not merely a legal construct, it is the foundation of a new model of interaction with a key strategic partner," Ukraine's economics minister, Yuliia Svyrydenko, wrote on X. The minerals agreement was approved by all 338 members of parliament, far surpassing the required 226 votes, Ukrainian lawmaker Yaroslav Zheleznyak wrote on his Telegram account. No lawmaker abstained. In a statement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked everyone involved in the deal and said he expected the ratified agreement to be submitted to his office soon. "Once the legal procedures are complete, we will be able to begin establishing the fund," he said. Two more technical agreements will have to be developed and signed by both sides, Svyrydenko said. Those deals include "a limited partnership agreement and an agreement that essentially determines how the fund will function," she told reporters ahead of the vote. She said the U.S. expects the work on the documents to take "weeks, not months." U.S. President Donald Trump talked by phone with Zelenskyy following the ratification, said Dmytro Lytvyn, an adviser to the Ukrainian president. Details of the call were not immediately released. ## Russian bombs hit Ukraine in first hours of ceasefire In the opening hours of Moscow's ceasefire, Russian bombs struck northeast Ukraine, killing at least one civilian, Ukrainian officials said. Artillery assaults took place across the 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line, although with less intensity than in the previous 24 hours, officials said. Sybiha said Russia carried out 63 assaults along the front line, 23 of which were still ongoing as of midday. Ukraine responded "appropriately," he said, and shared information about the attacks with the U.S, the European Union and others. "We will not let Putin fool anyone when he does not even keep his own word," Sybiha said. Russian attacks also took place near Chasiv Yar in the Donetsk region, Oleh Petrasiuk, a spokesman with Ukraine's 24th Mechanized Brigade, told The Associated Press by phone. One person died and two were wounded when Russian forces dropped guided bombs on residential areas near the border in the northeast Sumy region, the regional prosecutor's office said. Large-scale missile and drone attacks, which have been a near-daily occurrence in Ukraine in recent weeks, abated for a short time, with no assaults recorded since 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, the Ukrainian air force said. Zelenskyy had previously cast doubt on the ceasefire, calling it "manipulation" as U.S.-led peace efforts stalled. "For some reason, everyone is supposed to wait until May 8 before ceasing fire — just to provide Putin with silence for his parade," Zelenskyy said. In March, the United States proposed a 30-day truce in the war, which Ukraine accepted, but the Kremlin has held out for ceasefire terms more to its liking. The Russian Defense Ministry accused Ukrainian forces of attacking its positions and said Russian forces would continue to "mirror" Ukraine's actions during the Kremlin's ceasefire. The Russian regions of Belgorod, Lipetsk, Orenburg, Ryazan and Tambov came under a drone-threat alert overnight, but there were no reports of any drones being shot down or intercepted. Russia's civil aviation authority Rosaviatsia briefly imposed restrictions on flights to and from the airport in Nizhny Novgorod. ## Putin praises relations with Xi, welcomes other foreign leaders In welcoming Xi, Putin said that "the brotherhood of arms between our peoples, which developed during the harsh war years, is one of the fundamental foundations of modern Russian-Chinese relations." He added that Moscow and Beijing were developing ties "for the benefit of the peoples of both countries and not against anyone." Xi, in turn, said that "history and reality have fully proved that the continuous development and deepening of China-Russia relations is a necessity for the friendship between the two peoples from generation to generation." He also called for safeguarding "international fairness and justice." Putin and Xi have met over 40 times and developed strong personal ties as both countries face tensions with the West. China offered robust diplomatic support to Moscow after its 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine and has emerged as a top market for Russian oil and gas, helping to fill the Kremlin's war coffers. Russia has relied on China as the main source of machinery and electronics to keep its military running after Western sanctions curtailed high-tech supplies. Other foreign leaders who arrived in Moscow this week for the World War II anniversary celebrations included Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico, as well as the leaders of Cuba, Vietnam and Venezuela, and presidents of several former Soviet nations. In a brief opening speech at the Kremlin gala, Putin urged "solidarity in addressing the pressing challenges of our time and to take shared responsibility for future generations." The lineup of guests reflected Russia's efforts to cement the alliances it has forged while seeking a counterbalance to the West amid the war in Ukraine. Some past celebrations drew top Western leaders at a time of friendlier ties. ___ Associated Press journalist Evgeniy Maloletka contributed to this report. ___ Follow AP's coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
Associated Press News	2025-05-13 17:29:26+00:00	[ "Adalberto Jordan", "Georgia", "Stacey Abrams", "Voting rights", "Voting", "Federico Moreno", "Lawsuits", "Courts", "Legal proceedings", "Catherine Engelbrecht", "United States Senate", "Politics", "Jake Evans", "Steve Jones" ]	# Federal appeals court may revive lawsuit against conservative group accused of voter intimidation By Sudhin Thanawala May 13th, 2025, 05:29 PM --- ATLANTA (AP) — A federal appeals court appeared inclined Tuesday to revive a lawsuit accusing a conservative group of violating the Voting Rights Act when it announced it was challenging the eligibility of more than 360,000 Georgia voters. The lower court committed "legal error" in its ruling finding no violation of the Voting Rights Act, 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Adalberto Jordan said at a hearing in Atlanta. Another judge on the panel, Federico Moreno, seemed to agree, saying the district court judge had failed to conduct a separate analysis of one part of the law. The three-judge panel did not immediately issue a ruling. The panel was considering a lawsuit against Texas-based nonprofit True the Vote by Fair Fight, a group founded by former Democratic Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams. Fair Fight argued True the Vote's mass voter challenge ahead of a 2021 runoff election for two pivotal U.S. Senate seats violated a section of the 1965 Voting Rights Act that prohibits voter intimidation. In a 145-page decision last year, U.S. District Judge Steve Jones disagreed, saying the evidence presented during a trial did not show the actions of True the Vote "caused (or attempted to cause) any voter to be intimidated, coerced, or threatened in voting." Jones added, however, that the list of voters to be challenged "utterly lacked reliability" and bordered on "recklessness." Jordan and Moreno took issue with Jones' conclusion that True the Vote did not attempt to intimidate voters. Moreno asked an attorney for the group, Jake Evans, whether intimidating voters was the goal of the challenge. Evans said there was no evidence of any desire by True the Vote's co-founder, Catherine Engelbrecht, to intimidate voters, and she had no contact with the challenged voters who testified at trial. Jordan said that argument did not speak to the claim that the group attempted to intimidate voters. "Attempt does not require success," he said. Moreno also suggested the 11th Circuit needed to weigh in on such mass challenges for future elections.
Associated Press News	2025-05-02 23:48:35+00:00	[ "Australia", "Democracy", "Global elections", "JWD-evergreen", "Alex Dawson", "Oddities", "Politics", "Judith Brett", "Lifestyle", "Voting" ]	# How the democracy sausage, a polling day snack, became Australia's election symbol By Charlotte Graham-Mclay May 2nd, 2025, 11:48 PM --- WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Many Australians arriving at polling places on Saturday followed their civic duty by eating what's become known as a democracy sausage, a cultural tradition as Aussie as koalas and Vegemite, and for some just as important as casting their vote. The grilled sausage wrapped in a slice of white bread and often topped with onions and ketchup is a regular fixture of Antipodean public life. But when offered at polling places on election day, the humble treat is elevated to a democracy sausage — a national, if light-heated, symbol for electoral participation. Or, as a website tracking real-time, crowd-sourced democracy sausage locations on polling day notes: "It's practically part of the Australian Constitution." But the tradition is far from political. Cooking and selling the snacks outside polling places is the most lucrative fundraising event of the year for many school and community groups. Democracy sausages are served everywhere Australians vote. Ahead of Saturday's ballot, and on election day, they were due to appear at polling places for citizens abroad on nearly every continent — at Australian embassies in New York, Riyadh, Nairobi and Tokyo, and even at a research station in Antarctica. ## Informing voters (about sausages) The friends who run the apolitical and nonpartisan website democracysausage.org began the project in 2013, when they struggled to find information about which polling places would offer food on election day, spokesperson Alex Dawson told The Associated Press. Now Dawson and his friends help voters choose their polling place with a site that has expanded to catalogue details of gluten free, vegan and halal democracy sausage options, and the availability of other treats such as cake and coffee. It makes for a hectic election day. "We'll usually rope in a few friends to keep an eye on incoming submissions about either stalls that we don't already know about, or tip-offs to find out if a location has run out of sausages," Dawson said. The volunteers take a lunchtime break to cast their own votes, and, naturally, enjoy a democracy sausage. At the 2022 election, the website registered 2,200 of Australia's 7,000 polling places as serving democracy sausages or other snacks and Dawson expected at least that number would participate on Saturday. Groups running the stalls made $4.1 million Australian dollars ($2.6 million) in profits in 2022, he said. ## 'A bit of a joke' No one's sure who coined the term democracy sausage. But fundraising snacks have been served at Australia's voting booths for close to a century, said Judith Brett, a professor of politics at Melbourne's LaTrobe University and author of the book "From Secret Ballot to Democracy Sausage: How Australia Got Compulsory Voting." What began with polling place bake sales in the 1920s became election day sausage sizzles in the 1980s with the invention of the portable barbeque grill. The democracy sausage's success is partly because of how Australia votes. Elections always occur on Saturdays and are family affairs — voters arrive with their children and dogs. And turning up to vote is required by law, resulting in turnouts higher than 90% and ensuring a captive market for democracy sausage sales. Brett attributed the sausage's appeal to the Australian sense of humor — "It was a bit of a joke," she said — and its grassroots origins. "Government didn't think it up, a political party didn't think it up as a slogan," she added. "It's something that binds everyone together," Dawson said. In 2016, the Australian National Dictionary Centre named "democracy sausage" as its word of the year. ## A cultural tradition The sausage has also proved a political cipher, a way for aspiring leaders to show they're humble enough to consume a cheap piece of meat wrapped in bread, at times with mixed results. Photographs of politicians eating democracy sausages in bizarre and ungainly ways have become memes or episodes of Australian political folklore. "It has been a way, I think, of connecting a younger generation, a social media generation, into the civic rituals of election day," Brett said. Some commentators suggest that early voting could spell the end for the democracy sausage. More than 4 million Australians went to the polls before election day, a new record. But Dawson said he wasn't worried, because those who voted early could still drop by a polling place on Saturday to buy a snack. "We've heard reports of people who are tourists over here, foreign students, that will go along to election days just to get the sausages," he added. "I think that's a great piece of Australian culture for people to take home with them."
Associated Press News	2025-05-03 04:32:53+00:00	[ "Europe", "Bucharest", "Donald Trump", "Romania government", "Victor Ponta", "George Simion", "JD Vance", "European Union", "Global elections", "Romania", "National security", "Elon Musk", "Government policy", "Lidia Cremenescu", "Elena Lasconi", "Politics", "Voting", "Cristian Andrei", "Democracy", "Elections" ]	# Romania set to vote in critical presidential rerun with a MAGA-style nationalist in the forefront By Stephen Mcgrath May 3rd, 2025, 04:32 AM --- BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — As Romanians vote Sunday in one of the European Union member's most important elections in decades, MAGA-style hard-right nationalist George Simion says it's his duty to restore democracy and the will of the people after the previous vote was annulled. Romania's political landscape was upended last year when a top court voided the previous election after the far-right outsider Calin Georgescu topped first-round polls. The decision followed allegations of electoral violations and a Russian campaign promoting Georgescu, who is now under investigation and barred from Sunday's redo. Moscow has denied it meddled. "We didn't go from communism to democracy in 1989," Simion, the 38-year-old leader of the hard-right nationalist Alliance for the Unity of Romanians, told The Associated Press. "The Romanian people lived the lie that we are a democratic country." Eleven candidates are vying for the presidency in Sunday's vote, which is expected to go to a May 18 runoff. The presidential role carries a five-year term and significant decision-making powers in national security and foreign policy. A communist state until the end of the Cold War, Romania has spent decades trying to build strong democratic institutions. But last year's failed election plunged the EU and NATO member country into unprecedented political turmoil. "They voted for the change, and they were not allowed to make this change," said Simion, who came fourth in last year's race and later backed Georgescu. "I'm running again as a duty towards democracy, toward the constitutional order, to restore the rule of law, to restore the will of the Romanian people." ## MAGA-style populism paves way to runoff While data from local surveys should be taken with caution, a median of polls suggests Simion will enter the runoff, likely pitting him against incumbent Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan, or the governing coalition's candidate, Crin Antonescu. Like other EU countries, votes for nationalists and far-right figures in recent years have grown in Romania, fueled by widespread anti-establishment sentiment. Simion said his AUR party is "perfectly aligned with the MAGA movement," capitalizing on a growing wave of populism in Europe after U.S. President Donald Trump's political comeback. AUR rose to prominence in a 2020 parliamentary election, proclaims to stand for "family, nation, faith, and freedom," and has since doubled its support. Dan, a 55-year-old mathematician and former anti-corruption activist who founded the Save Romania Union party (USR) in 2016, is running on a pro-EU "Honest Romania" ticket. He says Romania needs a president "who has the will and the ability to reform the system." Veteran centrist Antonescu, 65, has campaigned on retaining Romania's pro-Western orientation, while Victor Ponta, a former prime minister between 2012 and 2015, has also pushed a MAGA-style "Romania First" campaign and boasts of having close ties to the Trump administration. Another hopeful, Elena Lasconi, came second in last year's first round ballot and is running again on Sunday. She has positioned herself as a staunchly pro-Western, anti-system candidate, railing against what she describes as a corrupt political class. "I will use every tool I have so that people's voices are heard, in government, in Parliament, in the judiciary," she told the AP. "Institutions must serve the people. … We need to stay close to Brussels." However, her chances dimmed in the rerun after her USR party withdrew its support for her in favor of Dan, claiming he had a better chance of winning. Lasconi labeled colleagues who moved against her as "coup plotters." Her critics accuse her of being unprepared for high office. ## Criticism from the US and Russia The election redo is a pivotal moment for Romania as it seeks to restore its democracy and retain its geopolitical alliances, which have become strained since the canceled election fiasco. The decision to annul the election and the ban on Georgescu's candidacy have been strongly criticized by U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Elon Musk, and Russia, which publicly supported his candidacy in the rerun. Without directly addressing Sunday's election, the U.S. Embassy in Bucharest posted a comment on Facebook, attributed to Vance, saying: "To believe in democracy means to recognize that every citizen has the right to an opinion. We should not be afraid of our people, even when they express opinions that disagree with our leadership." Distrust in the authorities remains widespread, especially for those who voted for Georgescu, a sizeable electorate whose votes Simion has sought to capitalize on. However, a Simion presidency would pose unique foreign policy conundrums. He is banned from entering two neighboring countries, Moldova and Ukraine, over security concerns. "It is in their interest to have good relations with us," he said. His critics have long accused him of being pro-Russian, warning that his presidency would undermine both Brussels and NATO as the war rages on in Ukraine. He refuted the accusations as a "smear campaign" and said Russia has been the "main threat" to Romania in the last 200 years and remains so today. "This is why we need a strong NATO and we need troops on the ground in Romania, in Poland and in the Baltic states," he said, although he was against sending further military aid to Ukraine. On the EU, Simion said, "We want more power to the 27 states, not toward the European institutions." Opponents have accused Simion's AUR party of being extremist. In 2022, Israel's ambassador to Romania condemned AUR for opposing a mandate for studying the Holocaust in Romania, which it deemed a "minor issue," and later softened its stance. ## Critical moment Cristian Andrei, a Bucharest-based political consultant, says a Simion presidency would "turn Romania upside down because he will use and weaponize this social and economic political discontent," potentially triggering a "crisis within all the political parties." "He will try to introduce and reshape the public conversations on issues regarding more conservative problems or populist issues ... and at some point, he will try to grow on this skepticism against the EU and the West," he said. In the longer term, "he will probably open the door to a conversation about new alliances to the East." For Rares Ghiorghies, 36, who works in the energy sector, Simion's appeal lies in his "patriotic-conservative vision" that puts family and faith first, and his promise to rid Romania of a political class "dominated by corruption, incompetence, and servility towards all other partners." "This change can only be achieved through a fundamental overhaul of the political class and its outdated principles," he said, adding that Simion is a patriot whose "vision of foreign policy is definitely oriented towards the USA and not towards Russia." Lidia Cremenescu, a 34-year-old shop owner in Bucharest, says she will vote for Dan, and lists her main concerns as the war in Ukraine, a flailing economy and higher taxation, and corruption. "I think he can make real changes in this country," she said, adding that as Bucharest mayor, Dan has tackled important projects that previous mayors neglected. "You can see changes. … You want someone who will take power and in case anything goes wrong."
Associated Press News	2025-05-02 14:53:40+00:00	[ "Nur Shams", "Middle East", "West Bank", "Abdallah Kamil", "Israel government", "Military and defense", "2024-2025 Mideast Wars", "United Nations", "Political refugees", "Associated Press", "Religion", "War and unrest" ]	# Israeli forces to demolish more than 100 homes in Israeli-occupied West Bank, local governor says By Julia Frankel May 2nd, 2025, 02:53 PM --- JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli forces were preparing on Friday to carry out home demolitions across two northern urban refugee camps in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, according to the governor of one of the camps and Israeli military documents shared with The Associated Press by the United Nations. Abdallah Kamil, the governor of Tulkarem, wrote on Facebook on Thursday that the military was preparing to demolish 116 homes across the Tulkarem and Nur Shams refugee camps, two main targets of Israel's raid into the northern West Bank. The Israeli military said in a statement that it was implementing changes in the camps "to improve mobility for the soldiers" and prevent militancy. The military said that it had tried to minimize the number of buildings affected and invited the public to "contact the authorities to explore options for evacuating their belongings from buildings." Two demolition orders indicated that the buildings would be demolished in 24 hours, according to military documents shared by a U.N. official on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue. The news sent residents of the now evacuated Nur Shams and Tulkarem camps scrambling back to collect belongings before the destruction of their homes. The U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, said there were reports of Israeli forces arresting and firing warning shots at Palestinians as they did so. The Israeli military has been carrying out an operation in the West Bank over the past several months that displaced, at its height, approximately 40,000 Palestinians. It had emptied and largely destroyed several urban refugee camps in the northern West Bank, like Tulkarem and Nur Shams, that housed the descendants of Palestinians who fled or were driven from their homes in previous wars. That's the largest displacement in the West Bank since Israel captured the territory in the 1967 Mideast war. Israel has said that troops will stay in some camps for a year.
Associated Press News	2025-05-06 22:22:18+00:00	[ "Canada", "Donald Trump", "Mark Rutte", "Keir Starmer", "Joe Biden", "Emmanuel Macron", "Canada government", "Barack Obama", "Volodymyr Zelenskyy", "Abdullah II", "Ireland", "Denmark", "Chicago", "United States", "King Charles III", "Mark Carney", "Rufus Gifford", "Political refugees", "Max Bergmann", "Royalty", "Elise Labott", "Anna Kelly", "Daniel Mulhall", "Ireland government", "Micheal Martin", "Government and politics", "Nayib Bukele", "Government policy", "Politics" ]	# Canada's Carney gets the Trump treatment in the Oval Office By Chris Megerian May 6th, 2025, 10:22 PM --- WASHINGTON (AP) — A meeting between the leaders of Canada and the United States is not usually considered a high-stakes showdown, but there was little ordinary about this one. Here was newly elected Prime Minister Mark Carney making his first visit to the Oval Office to see President Donald Trump, who has spent months musing about turning America's northern neighbor into the 51st state. It didn't take long for a reporter to ask about what was on everyone's mind. Trump said he was still interested in annexing Canada, describing the border between the two countries as nothing more than an arbitrary line. Carney's campaign was fueled by a wave of anger at Trump's aggressive rhetoric, and now was his chance to defend his country to the president's face. He was polite and firm. "Some places are never for sale," Carney said. Canada is one of them, he added, and "it won't be for sale, ever." Trump gave a little shrug and raised his eyebrows. "Never say never," he responded. Carney mouthed the words "never, never, never." The interaction offered a glimpse into how Trump has transformed Oval Office meetings from brief and bland encounters into precarious affairs that often force foreign leaders to choose between placating or confronting the American president. His approach can be thrilling for supporters and destabilizing for diplomats accustomed to a more deliberative approach to international relations. "There is no formula for dealing with this," said Daniel Mulhall, who was Ireland's ambassador to the U.S. during Trump's first term. He described the president's unpredictable behavior as a "risk factor" and "an extraordinary departure from the norm." It appears that Carney struck the right balance, at least in Trump's mind. As the meeting ended, the president said, "I like this guy." Carney grinned. ## Trump has rewritten the rules An invitation to the Oval Office has long been the height of international prestige, but the meetings were rarely dramatic. Journalists were ushered into the room to take pictures and, if they were lucky, ask a couple of questions while leaders made perfunctory remarks. Now, they're raucous episodes in a foreign policy reality show, starring Trump. While the president can be a gracious host, he openly complains about visitors' countries — their trade policies, their lack of defense spending, their perceived ingratitude. He's also willing to take question upon question on a range of topics from reporters, turning guests into silent spectators. Sixteen foreign leaders have visited the White House since Trump returned to office, outpacing Barack Obama and Joe Biden at similar points in their presidencies. "Thanks to this president's commitment to transparency and accessibility, Americans can watch his foreign policy agenda play out in real time — presenting an opportunity for both foreign leaders and the president to convey their message to the American people," said a statement from Anna Kelly, a White House deputy press secretary. The meetings sometimes become endurance tests. On Tuesday, Carney listened to Trump criticize California's delayed high-speed rail project, boast about upgrading the Oval Office with "great love and 24-karat gold" and make a surprise announcement that the U.S. would stop bombing the Houthis in Yemen. Trump also went on an extended tangent about Obama's plans for his presidential library in Chicago, claiming that there are delays because his predecessor "only wants woke people to build it." "He wanted to be very politically correct, and he didn't use good, hard, tough, mean construction workers," Trump claimed. As time dragged on, Carney's lips tightened, his mouth twitched and his eyes darted around the room. He kept his hands clasped in front of him, except for largely futile gestures as he tried to get a word in. El Salvador's Nayib Bukele was more at ease during his own meeting with Trump. He grinned as Trump bragged about getting "the highest mark" on his latest cognitive test, criticized a reporter's "low ratings" and declared himself "very flexible" on tariffs. Elise Labott, a longtime journalist who is now a fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, dismissed the White House's characterization of the encounters as evidence of the president being transparent. "It's just another part of the show," she said. Oval Office meetings, she added, have been "hijacked for part of the circus." ## Foreign leaders use pivots and deflection Foreign leaders often walk a careful line to avoid publicly confronting Trump, and they often rely on quick pivots when difficult subjects arise. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte was in the Oval Office while Trump talked about annexing Greenland — which is the territory of Denmark, another NATO ally. Rutte said, "I don't want to drag NATO in that" and quickly shifted to an area of agreement. When it comes to the issue of security in the Arctic, Rutte told Trump, "you are totally right." Jordanian King Abdullah II squirmed through a meeting where Trump explained his idea for the United States to take over Gaza and expel Palestinians from their homes. It's among the most sensitive issues for Abdullah, whose country is home to more than two million Palestinian refugees, and he sidestepped questions about Trump's proposal. It wasn't until after the meeting that he posted about his opposition to Trump's idea on social media. French President Emmanuel Macron was the rare leader to correct Trump without facing a backlash. When the U.S. leader claimed that Europe was lending Ukraine money — instead of donating it outright — Macron gently placed his left hand on Trump's right forearm to interject. Trump rolled with it. "If you believe that, it's OK with me," he told reporters. No meeting has gone as poorly as Trump's sit-down with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in February. After a heated exchange over the best way to end the war with Russia, Trump told him, "It's going to be very hard to do business like this." "You have to be thankful," Trump told Zelenskyy. "You don't have the cards." As journalists left the room, Trump added, "This is going to be great television." ## Trump keeps leaders on their toes Rufus Gifford, former chief of protocol for Biden, said Trump was successful at little more than getting attention for himself. "Donald Trump has an ability to have eyeballs on him. That is, without a doubt, impressive," he said. "But just because he's able to get people to watch him doesn't mean the strategy is smart or good for the United States of America." Max Bergmann, a former State Department official now at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said the meetings are "always going to be really challenging because the president can be volatile." "It will give a lot of diplomats around the world pause about whether they want to schedule a meeting," he said. But a meeting with Trump is a hard thing to avoid, especially for American allies. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer prepped intensively for his first encounter with Trump, understanding that the president prizes personal relationships and it's hard to recover if he dislikes you. Starmer handed the president a written invitation from King Charles III for a state visit and praised him for returning a bust of Winston Churchill to the Oval Office. He also thanked Trump for changing the conversation on Ukraine — even though he did that by siding more with Russia than European allies want. Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin came out largely unscathed by taking a roll-with-the-punches approach — not contradicting Trump when he claimed Ireland "took" U.S. companies through "improper taxation" — while engaging the president over boxing and golf. "Every leader has to have their own strategy," Mulhall said. __ Associated Press writer Jill Lawless in London contributed to this report.
Associated Press News	2025-05-06 21:47:53+00:00	[ "Smokey Robinson", "Los Angeles", "Frances Robinson", "Crime", "Assault", "Legal proceedings", "Lawsuits", "Herbert Hayden", "Jane Does", "Arts and entertainment", "Sexual assault", "John Harris" ]	# Smokey Robinson accused by former housekeepers of sexual assault and rape By Andrew Dalton May 6th, 2025, 09:47 PM --- LOS ANGELES (AP) — Four former housekeepers of Smokey Robinson allege in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that the Motown music luminary repeatedly sexually assaulted and raped them while they worked for him. The suit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court seeks at least $50 million in damages over the alleged assaults, which the women say took place between 2007 and 2024, and labor violations including a hostile work environment, illegally long hours and lack of pay. A message seeking comment from a representative for the 85-year-old Robinson was not immediately answered. The four women each say that Robinson would wait until he was alone with them in his Los Angeles house then sexually assault and rape them over their objections. "We believe that Mr. Robinson is a serial and sick rapist, and must be stopped," the women's attorney John Harris said at a news conference. All said they eventually quit over the assaults, though in some cases it took several years. And all said they feared coming forward over fears of retaliation, public shame and possible effects on their immigration status. "Having to tell their husband and children of these despicable actions left them filled with shame and embarrassment," Harris said. "So throughout their dreadful experiences with Mr. Robinson, all four women remained silent." He said as low-wage earners, they also all feared "missing a payday, and not being able to afford rent or buy food for their families." All four women withheld their legal names citing privacy concerns and are identified as Jane Does in court documents. They appeared at the news conference with their attorneys, but did not speak, and covered their faces with masks. The lawsuit also names Robinson's wife Frances Robinson as a defendant, alleging that she enabled his behavior despite knowing about past sexual misconduct. It also blames her for the hostile work environment, saying she berated them with language that included ethnic slurs. One woman said she worked for the Robinsons from 2012 until 2024, and was assaulted at least 20 times in that span. Another said she worked for them from 2014 until 2020, and was assaulted at least 23 times. Another said she worked for them for a year before quitting in 2024 and was assaulted at least seven times. The fourth woman, who said she also acted as Frances Robinson's personal assistant, hairdresser and cook, worked for them for 18 years before resigning in 2024. She cited similar experiences to the other women, but did not say how often she was assaulted. The women, some of whom worked for the Robinsons at the same time as each other, also kept stories of the assaults from one another, but are now bonding over their experience, the attorneys said. They declined to give details at the news conference about how they came forward and learned there were others. The suit seeks damages based on sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, gender violence and other allegations. "Obviously, no amount of money can compensate these women for what Mr. Robinson put them through," Harris said. But he said the $50 million was warranted "based on the gravity of Mr. Robinson's despicable and reprehensible misconduct." Plaintiffs' attorney Herbert Hayden said that while they felt the assaults are worthy of criminal investigation, the women have not filed police reports, based on the same fears that kept them from coming forward. Robinson, a member of both the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, was among the biggest hitmakers of the 1960s — both with his group the Miracles and as a solo artist, with songs including "Tears of a Clown" and "The Tracks of My Tears." He was a central part of the Motown Records music machine in his hometown of Detroit as an artist, producer and songwriter for other artists.
Associated Press News	2025-05-05 20:50:36+00:00	[ "Salmonella infections", "Centers for Disease Control and Prevention", "Health", "Wisconsin", "South Dakota", "Utah", "Illinois", "Missouri" ]	# New salmonella outbreak is linked to backyard poultry, CDC says By Mike Stobbe May 5th, 2025, 08:50 PM --- NEW YORK (AP) — A new salmonella outbreak linked to backyard poultry has sickened at least seven people in six states, health officials said Monday. Two cases were identified in Missouri, and one each in Florida, Illinois, South Dakota, Utah and Wisconsin, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. People got sick in February and March of this year, the CDC said. They all had the same strain of salmonella — a version that has been traced to hatcheries in the past. The investigation is continuing, health officials said. Salmonella bacteria cause about 1.35 million infections in the United States every year, and recent outbreaks have been tied to sources such as cucumbers, eggs, unpasteurized milk, fresh basil, geckos and pet bearded dragons. But one concern is that chickens and other backyard poultry can carry salmonella bacteria even if they look healthy and clean. A backyard poultry-associated outbreak that ended last year was tied to 470 cases spread across 48 states, including one death. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Associated Press News	2025-05-05 13:09:57+00:00	[ "Mali", "Protests and demonstrations", "Democracy", "Activism", "Coups detat", "Politics", "Mali government" ]	# Hundreds of activists stage Mali's first pro-democracy rally in years By Baba Ahmed May 5th, 2025, 01:09 PM --- BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — Hundreds of activists defied threats from Mali 's military government and demonstrated over the weekend in the first pro-democracy rally since soldiers took power by force almost four years ago. The demonstrators in the capital, Bamako, protested a new bill initiated by Mali's transitional government to dissolve political parties in the west African nation. It was the latest decision to restrict political activities. The activists on Saturday chanted against dictatorship outside the Palais de Culture, which police had cordoned off to avoid clashes with pro-military youths who took over the venue hours earlier in an attempt to prevent the rally. The rally's organizers said in a statement they "strongly condemn any attempt to limit, suspend or dissolve political parties, which is a direct attack on the constitution and the sovereignty of the Malian people." On Sunday, civil society figures, political parties and labor leaders held a press conference to call for "a rapid and credible return to constitutional order through the organization of transparent, inclusive and peaceful elections," organizer Cheick Oumar Doumbia said. Police made them leave the scene, citing the risk of confrontation with supporters of the military government. It is still early to say whether the protests will gain momentum, but there is a "real risk" of tension if political parties are not reassured by the authorities, said Mamouni Soumano, political analyst and lecturer at Kurukanfuga University in Bamako. Mali's government last week issued a decree in the Council of Ministers to repeal the law governing the charter of political parties. That followed a national political conference last week, launched by the government, that also recommended naming as president junta leader Gen. Assimi Goita, who seized power following coups in 2020 and 2021. The conference said Goita should be installed as president for a renewable five-year term, according to Abdou Salam Diepkilé, director general of territorial administration. Mali's military leaders have cut diplomatic ties and military cooperation with traditional Western partners and forged new partnerships with Russia.
Associated Press News	2025-05-04 11:50:49+00:00	[ "Sean Diddy Combs", "Crime", "Hip hop and rap", "Mary J. Blige", "Kim Porter", "Janet Jackson", "Jennifer Lopez", "Steve Stoute", "Music", "Legal proceedings", "Los Angeles", "Justin Timberlake", "New York", "Entertainment", "Faith Evans", "Dawn Richard", "Sexual assault" ]	# A timeline of the rise and fall of Sean 'Diddy' Combs By The Associated Press May 4th, 2025, 11:50 AM --- For more than two decades, Sean "Diddy" Combs was one of hip-hop's most opportunistic entrepreneurs, spinning his hitmaking talents into a broad business empire that included a record label, a fashion brand, a TV network, deals with liquor companies and a key role in a reality TV show. But U.S. prosecutors say behind the scenes, Combs was coercing and abusing women with assistance from a network of associates who helped silence victims through blackmail and violence. Combs has pleaded not guilty and denied the allegations. Testimony in his trial began Monday. Here is a timeline of major events in his rise and fall: ## 1990 — 1999 1990: Combs, then a student at Howard University, gets his start in the music business with an internship at Uptown Records in New York. Dec. 28, 1991: Nine people die at a celebrity basketball game promoted by Combs and the rapper Heavy D when thousands of fans try to get into a gym at the City College of New York. A mayoral report lays part of the blame for the catastrophe on poor planning by Combs. 1992: Combs is one of the executive producers on "What's the 411?," the debut album by Mary J. Blige. 1993: After being fired by Uptown, Combs establishes his own label, Bad Boy, which quickly cuts a lucrative deal with Arista Records. 1994: Bad Boy releases Notorious B.I.G.'s album "Ready to Die." Two months later, Tupac Shakur survives a shooting in New York and accuses Combs and Biggie of having prior knowledge of the attack, which they deny. Shakur was later killed in a 1996 shooting in Las Vegas. 1996: Combs is convicted of criminal mischief after he allegedly threatened a photographer with a gun. 1997: Biggie is killed in Los Angeles. Combs, then known as Puff Daddy, releases "I'll be Missing You" in honor of his slain star. 1998: Combs wins two Grammys, one for best rap album for his debut "No Way Out" and another for best rap performance by a duo or group for "I'll Be Missing You" with Faith Evans. Also that year, Combs' Sean John fashion line is founded. April 16, 1999: Combs and his bodyguards are charged with attacking Interscope Records music executive Steve Stoute in his New York office in a dispute over a music video. Combs is sentenced to an anger management course. Dec. 27, 1999: Combs is arrested on gun possession charges after he and his girlfriend at the time, Jennifer Lopez, fled a shooting that wounded three people at a New York City nightclub. Some witnesses tell police Combs was among the people shooting in the club. He is later charged with offering his driver $50,000 to claim ownership of the 9 mm handgun found in his car. ## 2001 — 2008 March 17, 2001: Combs is acquitted of all charges related to the nightclub shooting. One of his rap proteges, Jamal "Shyne" Barrows, is convicted in the shooting and serves nearly nine years in prison. Two weeks after the trial, Combs announces he wants to be known as P. Diddy. 2002: Combs becomes the producer and star of "Making the Band," a talent search TV show. Feb. 1, 2004: Combs performs at the Super Bowl halftime show along with Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake and others. A week later, Combs, Nelly and Murphy Lee win a Grammy for best rap performance by a duo or group for "Shake Ya Tailfeather." April, 2004: Combs makes his Broadway acting debut in "A Raisin in the Sun." 2005: Combs announces he is changing his stage name to Diddy, getting rid of the P. March, 2008: Combs settles a lawsuit brought by a man who claims Combs punched him after a post-Oscar party outside a Hollywood hotel the previous year. In May, Combs is honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. ## 2015 — 2022 2015: Combs is arrested after a confrontation on the campus of UCLA, where one of his sons played football. Assault charges are later dropped. 2016: Combs launches a Harlem charter school, the Capital Preparatory School. Also that year, he announces he is donating $1 million to Howard University. 2017: Combs is named the top earner on Forbes' list of the 100 highest-paid celebrities, which says he brought in $130 million in a single year. 2018: Kim Porter, Combs' former girlfriend and the mother of three of his children, dies from pneumonia at age 47. 2022: Combs receives a lifetime honor at the BET Awards. ## 2023 — 2025 Sept. 15, 2023: Combs releases "The Love Album — Off the Grid," his first solo studio project since 2006's chart-topping "Press Play." Nov. 16, 2023: R&B singer Cassie sues Combs, alleging he subjected her to years of abuse, including beatings and rape. A day later, the lawsuit is settled under undisclosed terms. Combs, through his attorney, denies the accusations. Nov. 23, 2023: Two more women accuse Combs of sexual abuse in lawsuits. Combs' attorneys call the allegations false. Dozens of additional lawsuits follow by women and men who accuse Combs of rape, sexual assault and other attacks. Plaintiffs include singer Dawn Richard, a "Making the Band" contestant who alleged years of psychological and physical abuse. Combs denies all the allegations. March 25, 2024: Federal agents search Combs' homes in Los Angeles and Miami Beach, Florida. May 17, 2024: CNN airs video that shows Combs attacking and beating Cassie in a Los Angeles hotel hallway in 2016. Two days later, Combs posts videos on social media apologizing for the assault. Sept. 16, 2024: Combs is arrested at his Manhattan hotel. A sex trafficking and racketeering indictment unsealed the next day accuses him of using his business empire to coerce women into participating in sexual performances. Combs denies the allegations. His attorney calls it an unjust prosecution of an "imperfect person." May 5, 2025: Jury selection began for Combs' trial. May 12, 2025: A jury is selected and testimony begins in Combs' trial.
Associated Press News	2025-05-09 13:59:07+00:00	[ "Mike Huckabee", "Israel", "Gaza Strip", "Foreign aid", "Steve Witkoff", "Israel government", "United Nations", "2024-2025 Mideast Wars", "Israel-Hamas war", "Hamas", "Blockades", "Jens Laerke", "United States government", "Politics", "Juliette Touma", "Religion", "Ruth James", "Joseph Belliveau", "Health", "James Elder" ]	# UN agencies warn that Israel's plans for aid distribution will endanger lives in Gaza By Jamey Keaten, Wafaa Shurafa, and Sarah El Deeb May 9th, 2025, 01:59 PM --- KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — International aid agencies warned Friday that Israeli plans to control aid distribution in Gaza, including a U.S.-backed proposal, will only increase suffering and death in the devastated Palestinian territory, calling on Israel to lift its blockade on food and other supplies, now in its third month. The U.S. ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, said the new U.S.-devised aid system would be launched soon, urging the U.N. and other aid groups to participate. So far, the U.N. has rejected the new system, saying it "weaponizes aid," threatens to cause mass displacement of Palestinians, violates principles of neutrality and simply won't be able to provide the scale of aid needed. In what has become a daily scene of desperation in Gaza, thousands of Palestinians crowded a charity kitchen in the southern city of Khan Younis, jostling and waving their pots to receive scoops of pasta. Such kitchens are virtually the only source of food left for the territory's 2.3 million people, but dozens have shut down in recent days as food supplies run out under Israel's blockade. Aid groups say more closures are imminent. Raed al-Zaharna and his children walked away emptyhanded after the day's meals ran out. "I'm thinking now, 'What will I feed them?' I can't find anything," he said. Israel has blocked food, medicine, fuel and other supplies from entering Gaza since March 2, saying it's trying to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages and disarming. It also shattered a ceasefire deal with Hamas, relaunching bombardment across Gaza and seizing large swaths of the territory. Rights groups have called the blockade a "starvation tactic" and a potential war crime. Israel has said it won't resume aid until it installs a new distribution mechanism, replacing the massive operation led by the U.N. and independent relief groups throughout the 19-month-old war. Israel accuses Hamas and other militants of siphoning off aid, though it hasn't presented evidence for its claims. The U.N. denies significant diversion takes place, saying it monitors distribution. "Humanitarian aid should never be used as a bargaining chip," UNICEF spokesperson James Elder said in Geneva. "There is a simple alternative. Lift the blockade, let humanitarian aid in, save lives." ## U.S. says a new system is coming Huckabee said details of the new U.S.-backed system would be announced in the coming days, with deliveries set to begin "very soon," though he gave no time frame. He depicted it as independent from Israel, which he said wouldn't be involved in distribution. He said private companies would provide security, while Israel's military would secure the perimeters from afar. He echoed Israel's claims that it was necessary because Hamas was stealing aid. "I will be the first to admit it will not be perfect, especially in the early days," Huckabee said. A new group supported by the U.S., called the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, or GHF, has proposed implementing an aid distribution project along the lines of Israel's demands, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press. The group is made up of American security contractors, former government officials, ex-military officers and humanitarian officials. In its proposal, GHF said that it would initially set up four distribution sites, guarded by private security firms. Each would serve 300,000 people, covering only about half of Gaza's population. Huckabee said that the system will be scaled up "as soon as it is possible." Aryeh Lightstone, a senior member of U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff's team, was involved in briefing U.N. agencies and aid groups about the foundation in Geneva on Thursday, according to one person who attended, Joseph Belliveau, executive director of Medglobal, a medical humanitarian group operating in Gaza. He said that he and other attendees pressed back saying the new model shouldn't replace the current, independent and neutral system led by the U.N. Belliveau said that aid groups had been working for years "with strict due diligence processes ... in a way that avoids diversion" of aid. "What we need is to be just allowed (to work). We need that blockade lifted," he said. ## The U.N. has rejected Israeli plans to control aid Israel has given no details publicly about the new aid mechanism. The U.N. says that what Israel has outlined to it so far in private discussions violates humanitarian principles. "As the Secretary-General has made clear, the U.N. will not engage in any arrangement that fails to uphold the humanitarian principles: humanity, impartiality, independence and neutrality," the agency's emergency aid office said in a statement Friday. Elder, of UNICEF, said that the plan as presented in the GHF document appears "designed to reinforce control over life-sustaining items as a pressure tactic." Aid workers say Palestinians would be forced to move to the distribution hubs or walk for miles to reach them, triggering a forced displacement depopulating large parts of Gaza. Though hub locations haven't been set, aid workers say that according to briefings they received, it appears none will be located in northern Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are located. Throughout the war, Israel has repeatedly called for Palestinians to leave the north, including Gaza City, saying it's for their safety as troops battle Hamas militants. Elder said that the plan would entrench forced displacement "for political and military purposes." The most vulnerable, including children, older people and those suffering from illness, may not be able to get to the hubs, he said. In a statement last month, 20 aid groups operating in Gaza said the plan would force Palestinians into "de facto internment conditions" in pockets around the hubs. Israel has also told U.N. officials it wants to vet aid recipients, aid workers say, raising fears it could withhold aid from some for political or military reasons, though the GHF proposal says aid would be distributed according to need. Elder also warned civilians will be endangered as they seek aid in militarized areas. "More children are likely to suffer and risk death and injury as a consequence of this plan," Elder said. ## UN says new plan can't match scale of aid need Aid officials say the new system also simply won't provide enough aid. Relief groups have operated hundreds of distribution points around Gaza distributing food, water, shelter supplies and other goods, even as they support medical centers, run shelters and implement other programs. The operation has been led by UNRWA, the main U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees. Israel banned the agency last year, alleging its staff have been infiltrated by Hamas. UNRWA, which employs more than 10,000 people in Gaza, said that it acts quickly to remove anyone suspected of militant ties, and that Israel hasn't given it evidence of its claims. UNRWA spokesperson Juliette Touma said the agency has "the largest reach" and "it is very, very difficult to imagine any humanitarian operation without UNRWA." Ruth James, Oxfam regional humanitarian coordinator, said large networks are needed to get aid to everyone. "That takes time and expertise," she said. "Any new system that comes in this quickly and without humanitarian expertise and trust from communities will not be able to do that." Huckabee called on U.N. agencies and aid groups to join the new mechanism. Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the U.N. humanitarian office, said Friday that U.N. concerns have not been addressed in multiple meetings with Israeli officials. He dismissed claims that theft of aid was significant in scale. "The problem is the blockage of hundreds of aid trucks that should go into the Gaza Strip every single day. That is the root cause of the humanitarian crisis." ___ El Deeb reported from Beirut, and Keaten from Geneva. ___ This story has been corrected to fix the spelling of the family name of the executive director of the aid group Medglobal to Belliveau instead of Belleveau.
Associated Press News	2025-05-16 23:58:14+00:00	[ "Microsoft Corp.", "Israel government", "Military and defense", "Gaza", "2024-2025 Mideast Wars", "Artificial intelligence", "Israel-Hamas war", "Israel", "Hostage situations", "Gaza Strip", "AP Investigations", "Cindy Cohn", "Technology", "Business", "Amazon.com", "Inc.", "Cloud computing", "Politics", "Alphabet" ]	# Microsoft says it provided advanced AI to Israeli military for war By Michael Biesecker, Garance Burke, and Sam Mednick May 16th, 2025, 11:58 PM --- WASHINGTON (AP) — Microsoft acknowledged Thursday that it sold advanced artificial intelligence and cloud computing services to the Israeli military during the war in Gaza and aided in efforts to locate and rescue Israeli hostages. But the company also said it has found no evidence to date that its Azure platform and AI technologies were used to target or harm people in Gaza. The unsigned blog post on Microsoft's corporate website appears to be the company's first public acknowledgement of its deep involvement in the war, which started after Hamas killed about 1,200 people in Israel and has led to the deaths of tens of thousands in Gaza. It comes nearly three months after an investigation by The Associated Press revealed previously unreported details about the American tech giant's close partnership with the Israeli Ministry of Defense, with military use of commercial AI products skyrocketing by nearly 200 times after the deadly Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack. The AP reported that the Israeli military uses Azure to transcribe, translate and process intelligence gathered through mass surveillance, which can then be cross-checked with Israel's in-house AI-enabled targeting systems and vice versa. The partnership reflects a growing drive by tech companies to sell their artificial intelligence products to militaries for a wide range of uses, including in Israel, Ukraine and the United States. However, human rights groups have raised concerns that AI systems, which can be flawed and prone to errors, are being used to help make decisions about who or what to target, resulting in the deaths of innocent people. Microsoft said Thursday that employee concerns and media reports had prompted the company to launch an internal review and hire an external firm to undertake "additional fact-finding." The statement did not identify the outside firm or provide a copy of its report. The statement also did not directly address several questions about precisely how the Israeli military is using its technologies, and the company declined Friday to comment further. Microsoft declined to answer written questions from The AP about how its AI models helped translate, sort and analyze intelligence used by the military to select targets for airstrikes. The company's statement said it had provided the Israeli military with software, professional services, Azure cloud storage and Azure AI services, including language translation, and had worked with the Israeli government to protect its national cyberspace against external threats. Microsoft said it had also provided "special access to our technologies beyond the terms of our commercial agreements" and "limited emergency support" to Israel as part of the effort to help rescue the more than 250 hostages taken by Hamas on Oct. 7. "We provided this help with significant oversight and on a limited basis, including approval of some requests and denial of others," Microsoft said. "We believe the company followed its principles on a considered and careful basis, to help save the lives of hostages while also honoring the privacy and other rights of civilians in Gaza." The company did not answer whether it or the outside firm it hired communicated or consulted with the Israeli military as part of its internal probe. It also did not respond to requests for additional details about the special assistance it provided to the Israeli military to recover hostages or the specific steps to safeguard the rights and privacy of Palestinians. In its statement, the company also conceded that it "does not have visibility into how customers use our software on their own servers or other devices." The company added that it could not know how its products might be used through other commercial cloud providers. In addition to Microsoft, the Israeli military has extensive contracts for cloud or AI services with Google, Amazon, Palantir and several other major American tech firms. Microsoft said the Israeli military, like any other customer, was bound to follow the company's Acceptable Use Policy and AI Code of Conduct, which prohibit the use of products to inflict harm in any way prohibited by law. In its statement, the company said it had found "no evidence" the Israeli military had violated those terms. Emelia Probasco, a senior fellow for the Center for Security and Emerging Technology at Georgetown University, said the statement is noteworthy because few commercial technology companies have so clearly laid out standards for working globally with international governments. "We are in a remarkable moment where a company, not a government, is dictating terms of use to a government that is actively engaged in a conflict," she said. "It's like a tank manufacturer telling a country you can only use our tanks for these specific reasons. That is a new world." Israel has used its vast trove of intelligence to both target Islamic militants and conduct raids into Gaza seeking to rescue hostages, with civilians often caught in the crossfire. For example, a February 2024 operation that freed two Israeli hostages in Rafah resulted in the deaths of 60 Palestinians. A June 2024 raid in the Nuseirat refugee camp freed four Israeli hostages from Hamas captivity but resulted in the deaths of at least 274 Palestinians. Overall, Israel's invasions and extensive bombing campaigns in Gaza and Lebanon have resulted in the deaths of more than 50,000 people, many of them women and children. No Azure for Apartheid, a group of current and former Microsoft employees, called on Friday for the company to publicly release a full copy of the investigative report. "It's very clear that their intention with this statement is not to actually address their worker concerns, but rather to make a PR stunt to whitewash their image that has been tarnished by their relationship with the Israeli military," said Hossam Nasr, a former Microsoft worker fired in October after he helped organize an unauthorized vigil at the company's headquarters for Palestinians killed in Gaza. Cindy Cohn, executive director of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, applauded Microsoft Friday for taking a step toward transparency. But she said the statement raised many unanswered questions, including details about how Microsoft's services and AI models were being used by the Israeli military on its own government servers. "I'm glad there's a little bit of transparency here," said Cohn, who has long called on U.S. tech giants to be more open about their military contracts. "But it is hard to square that with what's actually happening on the ground." ___ Burke reported from San Francisco and Mednick from Jerusalem. ___ Contact AP's global investigative team at [email protected] or https://www.ap.org/tips/ ___ The Associated Press receives financial assistance from the Omidyar Network to support coverage of artificial intelligence and its impact on society. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
Associated Press News	2025-05-06 20:11:15+00:00	[ "Patrick Lyoya", "Grand Rapids", "Christopher Schurr", "Michigan", "Homicide", "Christina Mims", "Shootings", "Juries", "Law enforcement", "Crime", "Gun violence", "Matthew Borgula", "Legal proceedings", "Chris Becker" ]	# Jurors in Michigan officer's murder trial are struggling to reach a verdict, told to keep trying By Isabella Volmert May 6th, 2025, 08:11 PM --- GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — A judge urged jurors to keep working Tuesday after they said they couldn't reach a unanimous verdict in the murder trial of a Michigan police officer who fatally shot a 26-year-old Congolese immigrant minutes after a routine traffic stop. "Talk things over in the spirit of fairness and frankness. ... By reasoning the matter out, jurors can often reach agreement," Kent County Judge Christina Mims said. Christopher Schurr has claimed self-defense in the killing of Patrick Lyoya following a brief foot chase and fierce physical struggle in a Grand Rapids residential neighborhood in 2022. Schurr, 34, is charged with second-degree murder, but the jury can also consider a lesser charge of manslaughter. After a pep talk from the judge, jurors resumed discussions and will return again Wednesday. Deliberations began Monday afternoon. Lyoya's mother rocked side to side in her seat as the judge spoke. Schurr and his wife left the courtroom holding hands. The shooting on a cool, rainy spring morning was recorded on video. Schurr was on top of Lyoya and had lost control of a Taser to him. He repeatedly ordered Lyoya to drop the weapon and to stop resisting before he shot him in the back of the head. In his closing argument, prosecutor Chris Becker said Lyoya was "no saint," noting his resistance, a high blood-alcohol level and his lack of a driver's license. But "none of those are executable offenses," Becker told the jury. Defense attorney Matthew Borgula said Schurr genuinely feared for his life after losing control of his Taser, which is designed to temporarily incapacitate someone with electric current. "Christopher Schurr was at work, and he was faced with the toughest decision of his life in half a second," Borgula said. Schurr was fired from the Grand Rapids department. The shooting prompted protests in the city, and demonstrators on both sides have stood outside the courthouse during the trial with signs that say, "Stand with Schurr" and "Justice for Patrick." Civil rights groups decried the shooting as more aggression against Black people in the U.S. by white officers.
Associated Press News	2025-05-16 16:15:54+00:00	[ "Vermont", "Border security", "David Maland", "Felix Bauckholt", "Shootings", "Gun violence", "United States government", "Fabienne Boisvert-DeFazio", "Germany government" ]	# Report says woman connected to Zizians shot bullet that killed border agent By Kathy Mccormack and Patrick Whittle May 16th, 2025, 04:15 PM --- A woman charged in the January killing of a U.S. Border Patrol agent during a Vermont traffic stop fired the bullet that struck him in the neck, authorities say in a new report. Another agent fired back during the Jan. 20 stop, wounding Teresa Youngblut and killing her companion, Felix Bauckholt, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection said in a statement Wednesday. Youngblut and Bauckholt were affiliated with the Zizians, a cultlike group that has also been linked to killings in Pennsylvania and California, authorities allege. The shootout happened after an agent pulled them over on Interstate 91 a few miles (kilometers) from the Canadian border. About 30 minutes into the stop, the agents asked Youngblut and Bauckholt to get out of their car to be questioned, the border agency said in its report, which doesn't name anyone involved. They reported that Youngblut "suddenly drew a firearm and opened fire," killing the agent David Maland, it said. One of four agents on the scene returned fire, striking Youngblut once in the arm and once in the leg. The same agent reported that Bauckholt began drawing a firearm from his side and that he ordered him to stop. The agent said the man "failed to comply" and that he fired twice on the man, striking Bauckholt twice in the chest. Two minutes after that exchange, an agent radioed in that another had suffered a critical gunshot wound to the neck, the report said. Agents and a Vermont state trooper rendered aid to him and he was driven to a hospital, where he died. Youngblut was arrested and police attempted to place a tourniquet on her leg while awaiting emergency responders, according to the report. In total, that agent fired about eight rounds and Youngblut fired four, according to the border agency. Two guns were later recovered from the scene that had been in Youngblut and Bauckholt's possession, authorities said. On Jan. 19, a border patrol agent assigned to a Homeland Security Investigations Task Force notified the border patrol Newport Station management of a report that the couple had checked into a hotel wearing black tactical gear on Jan. 13, according to the report. At least one of them was carrying a gun and both arrived in the Prius they were later in during the shootout. The agent advised the Newport station that state and federal law enforcement officials "had previously identified the male as a German citizen, in possession of a H1B visa with unknown immigration status." Youngblut is charged with intentionally using a deadly weapon towards federal law enforcement, and using and discharging a firearm during an assault with a deadly weapon. She pleaded not guilty. When asked to comment on the report, Fabienne Boisvert-DeFazio, a spokesperson for the U. S. Attorney's Office for the District of Vermont, said the office "does not comment on ongoing cases beyond the public record."
Associated Press News	2025-05-19 11:44:54+00:00	[ "United Kingdom", "Information security", "Cybercrime", "Crime", "England", "Jane Harbottle", "Richard Atkinson", "Technology", "Hacking" ]	# Hackers strike UK's legal aid agency and compromise data of lawyers and clients May 19th, 2025, 11:44 AM --- LONDON (AP) — Britain's justice department said Monday that it shut down online services for legal aid recipients and the lawyers paid to help them after a cyberattack compromised personal information including criminal records, national insurance numbers and payment details. The Ministry of Justice said it learned on April 23 that online digital services at the Legal Aid Agency had been hacked, but realized Friday that it was more extensive than it had known. "I understand this news will be shocking and upsetting for people and I am extremely sorry this has happened," said Jane Harbottle, chief executive of Legal Aid. "To safeguard the service and its users, we needed to take radical action. That is why we've taken the decision to take the online service down." Hackers claimed they had access to 2.1 million pieces of data, though the government did not confirm that figure. The agency provides civil and criminal legal assistance to those who can't afford a lawyer. The online system is used by providers to log work to get paid. A "significant amount of personal data" going back 15 years was exposed by the breach, including addresses of people applying for legal help, birth dates, criminal history, employment status and financial information, the ministry said. The National Crime Agency and the National Cyber Security Centre have been working with the agency since the intrusion. Richard Atkinson, president of the Law Society of England and Wales, said the had drawn attention to the need to update the agency's antiquated information technology. "The fragility of the IT system has prevented vital reforms, including updates to the means test that could help millions more access legal aid, and interim payments for firms whose cash flow is being decimated by the backlogs in the courts, through no fault of their own," Atkinson said. "If it is now also proving vulnerable to cyber attack, further delay is untenable."
Associated Press News	2025-05-05 21:12:03+00:00	[ "Donald Trump", "National Endowment for the Arts", "Robert F. Kennedy Jr.", "Berkeley", "District of Columbia", "Government budgets", "Ronald Reagan", "Marie Howe", "Government and politics", "Jesse Helms", "Subsidies", "Benjamin Franklin", "Michael Orlove", "Percival Everett", "Politics" ]	# NEA seeks cuts after Trump's proposed budget calls for its elimination By Hillel Italie May 5th, 2025, 09:12 PM --- NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump's proposed budget calls for the elimination of the National Endowment for the Arts, which provides hundreds of millions of dollars each year to individuals and institutions around the country. Meanwhile, dozens of organizations have received notifications that grants have been rejected or rescinded, and an NEA official reported Monday that staff members have been asked to resign or retire. The NEA is the latest target of Trump's sweeping overhaul of federal cultural agencies as he seeks to eliminate what he calls "woke" influences. The president has fired top officials, cut funding and demanded new guidelines at the Kennedy Center, the Smithsonian Institution and the National Endowment for the Humanities. The endowment did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Michael Orlove, the NEA's director of state, regional & local partnerships, posted on an endowment-affiliated newsletter that he had accepted the "deferred resignation program" and would be stepping down at the end of the month. "Given the current situation, it was the best option for me and my family," he wrote. Those being denied grants range from the Berkeley Repertory Company to a leading resource for literature in translation, Three Percent, based at the University of Rochester. Three Percent director Chad Post shared with The Associated Press a letter from the NEA, saying it would now "prioritize projects" ranging from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s "Make America Healthy Again" initiative. "The NEA will now prioritize projects that elevate the Nation's HBCUs and Hispanic Serving Institutions, celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence, foster AI competency, empower houses of worship to serve communities," the email reads in part, "assist with disaster recovery, foster skilled trade jobs, make America healthy again, support the military and veterans, support Tribal communities, make the District of Columbia safe and beautiful, and support the economic development of Asian American communities." The NEH and NEA recently announced that they would be providing grants for Trump's proposed "National Garden of American Heroes," which would feature sculptures of an eclectic range of public figures from Benjamin Franklin to Kobe Bryant. The NEA and NEH were established in the mid-1960s, part of a wave of domestic initiatives during President Lyndon Johnson's administration, and have become an essential part of the country's cultural infrastructure. At least two of Monday's Pulitzer Prize winners are former NEA honorees. Novelist Percival Everett, whose "James" won the Pulitzer for fiction, and poetry winner Marie Howe each have been awarded creative writing fellowships. Republicans have targeted NEA in the past. In the early 1980s, President Ronald Reagan proposed phasing it out, but backed off after an advisory panel he had assembled noted the financial benefits of NEA funding. A few years later, North Carolina Sen. Jesse Helms was among those angered by NEA grants to artists such as photographer Robert Mapplethorpe and performance artist Karen Finley and demanded the endowment be shut down. A bipartisan compromise saved the endowment. During his first term, Trump also called for the NEA to be defunded, but the money was restored by Congress.
Associated Press News	2025-05-16 14:19:44+00:00	[ "Crime", "South Carolina", "Capital punishment", "Stephen Stanko", "Mikal Mahdi", "Legal proceedings", "Homicide", "Brad Sigmon", "Henry Turner" ]	# South Carolina sets execution date for man convicted of killing 2 By Jeffrey Collins May 16th, 2025, 02:19 PM --- COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A South Carolina man who was twice sentenced to die for killing two people nearly two decades ago was scheduled Friday to be executed on June 13. The state Supreme Court issued the death warrant against Stephen Stanko for the Horry County shooting death of a friend. Stanko is also on death row for killing a woman he was living with in Georgetown County and raping her teenage daughter. Stanko is the first person whose death has been scheduled in South Carolina since Mikal Mahdi was executed by firing squad on April 11. Mahdi's lawyers released autopsy results that show the shots that killed him barely hit his heart and suggested he was in agonizing pain for three or four times longer than experts say he would have been if his heart had been hit directly. Stanko will get to decide if he dies by firing squad, lethal injection or the electric chair. The deadline for his decision is May 30. ## Inmate wants more information about how he may die Hours after the date for his death was set, Stanko's lawyers asked the South Carolina Supreme Court to require prison officials to release more information about the firing squad and lethal injection, saying he was leaning toward the firing squad until the possible problems with Mahdi's execution surfaced. They want any reports the prison agency produces to review executions after they are conducted, with the names of employees blacked out. They want a description of the training the firing squad conducts and the steps taken when an X-ray is done before the shooting to locate the heart. Stanko's lawyers also want to know if there were different members of the firing squad and target placement team for Mahdi than had those roles in another firing squad execution that appeared to go as planned. They want to know if the workers responsible for Mahdi's death would be on Stanko's execution team if he chooses the firing squad. The attorneys also want prison officials to spell out why two doses of pentobarbital were used in the three lethal injection deaths this year and whether that is the new procedure or is the extra dose 10 minutes after the first is needed because the inmate continues to live. The attorneys said they have advised Stanko to avoid the electric chair because there is evidence inmates don't lose consciousness immediately and can suffer intense pain and agony. ## The crimes Stanko, 57, is being executed for killing his 74-year-old friend Henry Turner. Stanko went to Turner's home in April 2006 after lying about his father dying and then shot Turner twice while using a pillow as a silencer, authorities said. Stanko stole Turner's truck, cleaned out his bank account and then spent the next few days in Augusta, Georgia, where he told people in town for the Masters golf tournament that he owned several Hooters restaurants. He stayed with a woman who took him to church. She then called police once she saw his photo and that he was wanted, police said. Hours before killing Turner, Stanko beat and strangled his girlfriend in her home and raped her daughter before slashing the teen's throat. The daughter survived and testified against him at one of his trials. ## His own lawyer called him a 'psychopath' Stanko admitted to the killings. His defense said he had problems with the frontal lobe of his brain that left him aggressive, unable to control his impulses and without empathy. They argued that he was either not guilty by reason of insanity or that he at least shouldn't get the death penalty because of his mental illness. In his appeals, Stanko said his trial attorney ruined his chance at a fair trial and lost any sympathy with jurors by calling him a "psychopath." ## Firing squad problems Mahdi's lawyers raised several issues after his firing squad death — just the second ever in South Carolina. The only photo of Mahdi taken at his autopsy shows two apparent chest wounds. Officials said all three bullets fired by the three volunteer prison employees hit Mahdi, with two going through the same hole. During the state's first firing squad death, the autopsy found that Brad Sigmon's heart had been destroyed. Just one of the four chambers of Mahdi's heart was perforated, which likely meant he didn't die in the 15 seconds experts predicted he would have if the squad's aim was true, according to his lawyers. Witnesses said Mahdi, who had a hood over his head, groaned 45 seconds after he was shot. ## South Carolina's busy death chamber Stanko will be the sixth inmate killed in South Carolina since an unintended 13-year pause on executions ended in September 2024. The state struggled for years to get the drugs needed for lethal injections until it passed a shield law that allowed the execution procedures, and the names of the drug supplier and execution team members, to remain secret. Three South Carolina inmates have died by lethal injection over the past eight months, while two have chosen the firing squad. Across the U.S., 16 executions have taken place in 2025, with at least six more scheduled before Stanko is set to die.
Associated Press News	2025-05-07 07:50:42+00:00	[ "London", "Russia", "United Kingdom", "Espionage", "Fraud", "Law enforcement", "Ivan Stoyanov", "Russia government", "Jackie Chan", "Government surveillance", "Jan Marsalek", "Legal proceedings", "Katrin Ivanova", "Jean-Claude van Damme", "Russia Ukraine war", "Vanya Gaberova", "Prisons", "Dominic Murphy" ]	# 6 Bulgarians convicted in the UK of spying for Russia across Europe face sentencing By Brian Melley May 7th, 2025, 07:50 AM --- LONDON (AP) — The Russian spy ring used code names from the movies, with the ringleader calling himself Jackie Chan and his sidekick Mad Max, or Jean-Claude Van Damme. Their underlings were dubbed "Minions" from the animated "Despicable Me" franchise. But police said their fanciful pseudonyms masked a deadly serious operation in the United Kingdom and around Europe. "Behind those nicknames was an extremely sophisticated intelligence-gathering operation that posed a threat to national security and individuals, including journalists," Cmdr. Dominic Murphy, counterterrorism chief at London's Metropolitan Police, said after three members of the ring were convicted at trial in March. "This was industrial-scale espionage on behalf of Russia," Murphy added. On Wednesday afternoon, the six Bulgarian nationals face the start of a multiday sentencing hearing in London's Central Criminal Court that could put them behind bars for up to 14 years in prison for espionage convictions. Orlin Roussev, 47, and his lieutenant Biser Dzhambazov, 44, pleaded guilty to espionage charges and having false identity documents. Ivan Stoyanov, 33, a mixed martial arts fighter, admitted to spying for Russia. Katrin Ivanova, 33, Vanya Gaberova, 30, and Tihomir Ivanov Ivanchev, 39, were convicted by a jury in March of conspiring to spy for an enemy state. Prosecutors said they put lives in danger as they carried out surveillance on behalf of Russian intelligence to target reporters, diplomats and Ukrainian troops. The defendants carried out operations in the U.K., Austria, Spain, and Montenegro between 2020 and 2023. They spied on a U.S. air base in Germany where they believed Ukrainian troops were training, and discussed kidnapping or killing Kremlin opponents. Roussev worked for alleged Russian agent Jan Marsalek, an Austrian national who is wanted by Interpol for fraud and embezzlement after the 2020 collapse of German payment processing firm Wirecard, prosecutors said. His whereabouts are unknown. In one operation, a group of them tried to lure a Bulgarian journalist who uncovered Moscow's involvement in the 2018 Novichok poisoning of a former Russian spy in Salisbury, England, into a "honeytrap" romance with Gaberova. The spies followed Bellingcat journalist Christo Grozev from Vienna to a conference in Valencia, Spain, and the gang's ringleaders discussed robbing and killing him, or kidnapping him and taking him to Russia. Roussev, who worked out of a former guesthouse in the English seaside resort town of Great Yarmouth, harbored a trove of spy equipment that police described as "Aladdin's Cave" when it was raided. They discovered loads of spy cameras, hidden in sunglasses, pens, neckties and cuddly toys that included a Minion. Technology used to jam wifi and GPS signals were found, along with eavesdropping devices and car trackers. Dzhambazov, who worked for a medical courier company but claimed to be an Interpol police officer, was in a relationship with both the women — his laboratory assistant partner Ivanova and beautician Gaberova. Gaberova, in turn, had ditched painter-decorator Ivanchev for Dzhambazov, who took her to Michelin-starred restaurants and stayed with her in a five-star hotel. When police moved in to arrest the suspects in February 2023, they found Dzhambazov naked in bed with Gaberova rather than at home with Ivanova. Both women claimed during the trial that they had been deceived and manipulated by Dzhambazov.
Associated Press News	2025-05-18 15:31:35+00:00	[ "Mogadishu", "Africa", "Somalia government", "Rebellions and uprisings", "Al-Shabab" ]	# Suicide attacker in Somali capital kills 13 at a military recruitment center By Omar Faruk May 18th, 2025, 03:31 PM --- MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — A suicide bomber in the Somali capital on Sunday targeted young recruits waiting to register at a military camp, killing at least 13 and wounding 21 others, witnesses said. Mogadishu has been repeatedly targeted by the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab extremist group, which has waged an insurgency for over a decade. The group frequently attacks military and government sites as part of its effort to impose its strict interpretation of Islamic law. "There was a loud explosion, and immediately people began running in all directions. Bodies were everywhere," said Abdulkadir Hassan Mohamed, a tuk-tuk driver who witnessed the blast. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. A soldier identified only as Hussein, who was part of the camp's guard unit, told The Associated Press that many young recruits were waiting patiently in line. "The explosion was devastating. I saw many casualties. The attacker disguised himself as a recruit before blowing himself up," he said. He said the dead included five civilian passers-by. A similar attack in July 2023 at the Jaalle Siyaad Military Academy in Mogadishu killed 25 soldiers and wounded 70. Al-Shabab claimed responsibility for that attack.
Associated Press News	2025-05-15 19:01:17+00:00	[ "Tiffany Slaton", "California", "Georgia", "Hiking", "California Golden Bears", "Christopher Gutierrez", "Climate and environment", "Bobby Slaton", "Tony Botti", "Climate" ]	# Missing hiker found safe after surviving weeks in snowy California mountains By Christopher Weber May 15th, 2025, 07:01 PM --- LOS ANGELES (AP) — When the Vermilion Valley Resort in California's eastern Sierra shut down for the winter, the staff left cabin doors unlocked just in case a wayward hiker needed shelter during the frequent mountain snowstorms. That decision may have saved the life of Tiffany Slaton, the 27-year-old Georgia woman who was missing for nearly three weeks in remote wilderness. Owner Christopher Gutierrez spotted a cabin door ajar and a pair of shoes nearby when he arrived Wednesday morning to begin reopening the resort for spring. Suddenly, a young woman appeared in the doorway. "She pops out, didn't say a word, just ran up and all she wanted was a hug," Gutierrez said during a Wednesday evening news conference. "It was a pretty surreal moment, and that's when I realized who this was." It was Slaton, whose parents had reported her missing on April 29 after not hearing from her for more than a week. The Fresno County Sheriff's office launched a search, and deputies and volunteers scoured more than 600 square miles (1,550 square kilometers) of the Sierra National Forest, with no luck. Searchers were hampered by heavy snow blocking many roads. On Monday, the sheriff's office had announced it was scaling back the search effort. Two days later, she emerged from the cabin. Gutierrez gave Slaton a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and called authorities, who brought her to a hospital for evaluation. She was hungry and dehydrated, but otherwise in good condition, sheriff's officials said. Sheriff's spokesperson Tony Botti said it was the longest period of time he's seen someone be missing in the wilderness and survive. "Three weeks, it's unheard of," he said. "It speaks to the tenacity that Tiffany has, that she's a fighter." Thanks to tips from the public, investigators determined that Slaton had been spotted around April 20 near Huntington Lake, more than 20 miles (32 kilometers) to the southwest through rough terrain. But authorities didn't provide details about when or where Slaton's trek began, what her plans were, and what route she took to end up at Vermilion Valley Resort, which sits the Sierra Nevada about halfway between Yosemite and Sequoia/Kings Canyon national parks. Botti said sheriff's officials planned to interview Slaton to learn the details of her experience, and how she survived in icy conditions at elevations topping 6,500 feet (1,981 meters). Across the country in Jeffersonville, Georgia, her parents were out shopping when they got word that their daughter had been found. "I just grabbed somebody and I said, 'Can I hug you?' And I did," said her mother, Fredrina Slaton. "I was crying and hugging." Tiffany's father, Bobby Slaton, said "a ton of weight has been lifted." He thanked the search-and-rescue team and all the community members who helped in the effort to find her. Sheriff's officials said snowplows cleared a key mountain pass earlier Wednesday, which allowed Gutierrez to access the resort on Lake Edison for the first time this year. Gutierrez said he had to spend about an hour and a half breaking up ice before he could get into the property. Slaton's parents said Tiffany was raised with a love of the outdoors, and they always stressed the importance of being able to fend for yourself in a tough situation. "So it's nice to know, as parents, that all the things that we've taught her, she actually did," her mother said. "We believe that life is an adventure."
Associated Press News	2025-05-07 23:07:48+00:00	[ "Donald Trump", "El Salvador", "Barack Obama", "John Roberts", "James E. Boasberg", "Tripoli", "United States government", "Courts", "Supreme Court of the United States", "Prisons", "Immigration", "United States", "DC Wire", "Race and ethnicity", "Nayib Bukele", "Politics", "Race and Ethnicity" ]	# Judge seeks more information from Trump administration about prison deal with El Salvador By Michael Kunzelman and Nicholas Riccardi May 7th, 2025, 11:07 PM --- WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge on Wednesday said he'll order the Trump administration to provide more information about the terms under which dozens of Venezuelan immigrants are being held at a notorious prison in El Salvador, moving a step closer to deciding whether to require the men to be returned to the United States. District Court Judge James E. Boasberg said he needed the information to determine whether the roughly 200 men, deported in March under an 18th century wartime law, were still effectively in U.S. custody. Boasberg noted that President Donald Trump had boasted in an interview that he could get back one man wrongly imprisoned in El Salvador in a separate case by simply asking. The government's lawyer, Abishek Kambli, said that and other public statements by administration officials about their relationship with El Salvador lacked "nuance." Kambli would not give Boasberg any information about the administration's deal with El Salvador's President, Nayib Bukele, who once called himself "the world's coolest dictator" and is holding immigrants deported from the U.S. at his country's CECOT prison. He would not even confirm the terms of the deal, which the White House has said are a $20 million payment to El Salvador. Boasberg wants the information to establish whether the administration has what's called "constructive custody" of the immigrants, meaning it could return them if he ordered it. The ACLU has asked that Boasberg order the return of the men, who were accused of being members of a gang Trump claimed was invading the country. Minutes after Trump unveiled his proclamation in March, claiming wartime powers to short-circuit immigration proceedings and remove the men without court hearings, the immigrants were flown to El Salvador. That happened despite Boasberg's ruling that the planes needed to be turned around until he could rule on the legality of the move, and he is separately examining whether to hold the government in contempt for that action. After the March flights, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled that no one could be deported under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 without a chance to challenge it in court. Since then, three separate federal judges have ruled that Trump's invocation of the act was illegal because the gang he named is not actually at war with the U.S. It's likely that those rulings will be appealed all the way back up to the Supreme Court. Kambli on Wednesday acknowledged that the men deported on the March flights did not get the chance to contest their designation under the Alien Enemies Act, or AEA, as the high court requires. But he argued that Boasberg cannot conclude the United States still has custody of the men. If the U.S. asks for them back, Kambli said, "El Salvador can say 'No.'" When it required court hearings for those targeted by the act, the high court also took much of the AEA case away from Boasberg, ruling that immigrants have to contest their removal in the places they're being detained, not Boasberg's Washington, D.C., courtroom. Boasberg, who'd blocked removals nationwide initially, has held onto some of the case, including the fate of the men who were first deported. Trump and some Republican allies have called for impeaching Boasberg, who was nominated to the bench by Democratic President Barack Obama. Those calls prompted a rare statement from Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, who said "impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision." Boasberg hinted Wednesday he may ultimately require that the deported men receive the due process the high court requires, be it by bringing them back or ordering them moved to another facility, like Guantanamo Bay, fully under U.S. control. There was also a hint that Boasberg was aware of the way Trump and his supporters have spun the legal decisions in the case. He noted that some in the government have described the initial Supreme Court ruling as a victory in which the court upheld the legality of Trump's proclamation. Noting that there was an open line so the public could listen to the hearing, Boasberg read from that ruling, which states explicitly that it does not address the legality of labeling the gang a foreign invader. "We agree," Kambli said. "they did not handle that precise issue." Riccardi reported from Denver
Associated Press News	2025-05-08 19:48:04+00:00	[ "Canada", "Donald Trump", "Canada government", "United States government", "Gian Maria Milesi-Ferretti", "Subsidies", "United States Congress", "Fact-checking", "Congress", "United States", "Anita Anand", "Economic indicators", "Military and defense", "Business", "Ross Fetterly", "Mark Carney", "Mark Cancian", "Politics", "Gary Hufbauer" ]	# Trump says the US subsidizes Canada. Experts say otherwise By Melissa Goldin May 8th, 2025, 07:48 PM --- Newly-elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visited the White House on Tuesday in search of common ground during an ongoing trade war that has shattered decades of trust between the his country and the U.S. Although the conversation was civil, President Donald Trump repeated erroneous rhetoric about how the U.S. provides Canada with billions of dollars in subsidies. "It's hard to justify subsidizing Canada to the tune of maybe $200 billion a year," he said. "We protect Canada militarily, and we always will. We not going to, you know, that's not a money thing. But we always will. But, you know, it's not fair. But why are we subsidizing Canada $200 billion a year or whatever the number might be? It's a very substantial number." Here's a closer look at the facts. CLAIM: The U.S. subsidizes Canada with subsidies of about $200 billion per year. THE FACTS: This is false. According to the White House, the number is based on the U.S. trade deficit with Canada and higher military spending by the U.S., including expenditures associated with the North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD. An exact total is difficult to discern because there is no publicly available data on NORAD spending. But even the most generous estimates do not put the total costs anywhere close to what Trump claims. A trade deficit occurs when the cost of a country's imports are higher than its exports. Using seasonally adjusted data, the U.S. deficit with Canada for both goods and services was $35.661 billion in 2024. It was higher for just goods, ranging from $63.336 billion to $70.603 billion. The White House put the goods and services deficit with Canada at $53.5 billion. This is closer to the figure from 2022 — $57.565 billion. Either way, economists agree that describing a trade deficit as a subsidy is wrong. "That's never been the definition of a subsidy, a subsidy is defined as a gift without any compensation in return," said Gary Hufbauer, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics. "So whatever the number is, the concept is way off base." Gian Maria Milesi-Ferretti, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution's Hutchins Center on Fiscal and Monetary Policy, said a trade deficit occurs based on relative demand in different countries and what they specialize in. In terms of military spending, the White House also pointed to how much the U.S. and Canada spend on their militaries and what percentage of their gross domestic product that is. This appears to be a reference to NATO's investment guideline. Member countries agreed in 2006 to commit to spending a minimum 2% of their GDP on their own defense. Some countries, including Canada, have not yet met that guideline, a lapse which Trump often criticizes. Canada spent $29.3 billion on defense in 2024, which amounted to 1.3% of its GDP. The U.S., which is 13 times bigger than Canada, spent significantly more at $997 billion, or 3.4% of its GDP, exceeding the NATO guideline. Those numbers were slightly lower in 2023 — the data cited by the White House — at $27.2 billion and $916 billion respectively, though the percentages of GDP for both were the same. According to the International Monetary Fund, Canada's GDP in 2024 was about $2.241 trillion. This means that the country would have needed to spend $44.82 billion total on defense order to meet the 2% NATO guideline, making it short by approximately $15.52 billion. "No, they don't owe us that money, but they aren't paying their fair share, and that's a fair criticism." said Mark Cancian, a senior advisor in the Center for Strategic and International Studies' defense and security department. Discounting whether they should be deemed subsidies, adding the trade deficit for goods and services in 2024 to Canada's gap in defense spending the same year results in a total of only about $51 billion. Using the highest calculation of the goods deficit only for 2024 pushes the total up, to approximately $86 billion. The White House's final point was that the U.S. "covers about 60 percent of the bill for NORAD." Created in 1954 as a means of defense against possible long-range attacks from the Soviets, NORAD is a bi-national organization jointly run by the U.S. and Canada that is charged with preventing air and maritime attacks against North America. There is no publicly available data on NORAD spending by the U.S. or Canada. The 60% figure cited by the White House refers to a 1985 cost-sharing agreement for the operations and support of NORAD's North Warning System that is still in place today. In 2022, then-Canadian Defense Minister Anita Anand announced a $4.9 billion (US $3.52 billion) investment in NORAD over six years and $38.6 billion (US $27.72 billion) over 20 years on an accrual basis. Defense economists Binyam Solomon and Ross Fetterly quantified NORAD burden sharing by the U.S. and Canada in a paper first published in 2023 by the journal Defense and Peace Economics titled, "Canada and NORAD: Economics and Burden Sharing." The pair found that the numbers change drastically depending on how they are calculated. One estimate found that the U.S. shoulders about 97.6% of the North American defense burden while receiving about 64% of the benefits. Canada, meanwhile, contributes about 2% of the burden while enjoying about 36% of the benefits. But leaving out the variable of Canada's vast exposed border means that the U.S. shoulders the same burden while enjoying 91% of the benefits. In this instance, Canada enjoys just 9% of the benefits. A sizable portion of NORAD warning and control systems are in Canadian territory, according to the paper. Cancian explained that the U.S. needs Canada's help to effectively defend North America from its own land because if air defenses started at the U.S. border, it would be too late to prevent many threats. "Even if the Canadians pulled out, we'd have to have something like that in place," he said of NORAD. "So I would not consider that a subsidy at all. Canadians can make a fair argument that we owe them." ___ Find AP Fact Checks here: https://apnews.com/APFactCheck.
Associated Press News	2025-05-09 13:18:06+00:00	[ "Books and literature", "Celebrity", "Bradley Freeman Jr.", "Education", "Arts and entertainment", "Mo Willems", "Lifestyle", "Entertainment" ]	# Kids author Mo Willems and The Pigeon stare down the future in a new book By Brooke Lefferts May 9th, 2025, 01:18 PM --- NEW YORK (AP) — Author Mo Willems has sold millions of books and won many awards, but the accolade that means most to him is when a parent says their child read aloud for the first time from one of his books. The author, illustrator and animator, 57, is best known for his bestselling picture books like the Caldecott Award-winning "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!" and "Knuffle Bunny." His latest book, "Will the Pigeon Graduate?" may look like it's aimed at children, but the titular Pigeon's fear of failure and an uncertain future are sure to resonate with people of all ages, especially during graduation season. Willems and his trusty friend The Pigeon (charmingly represented by puppeteer Bradley Freeman Jr.) recently sat down with The Associated Press for an interview about graduating, "Sesame Street," and the purpose of life. Answers have been edited for clarity and brevity. ## AP: How did graduation come to mind for a book topic? WILLEMS: As I am getting older, which I am, I'm getting into a new part of my life. And I'm wondering, am I equipped to be living in this part of life? And as I ask that question and I don't have the answers, then I think, well, what is that metaphor that kids are going through? And graduation seemed like the perfect thing. I'm graduating to a new stage in my life, and kids do this all the time. You graduate to tying your shoe. You graduate the first time you read. THE PIGEON: Like driving a bus. WILLEMS: Yeah, well, except for driving a bus. That is something you cannot graduate to, if you're a pigeon, but thank you for contributing to the conversation. THE PIGEON: Of course. ## AP: People may think this is just for graduates, but could it be about any transition? WILLEMS: I think it's about asking yourself, "Am I equipped for something that scares me?" The real world is scary. We're always asking ourselves those questions. And often the answer is ... I don't know. And that's something that might feel uncomfortable to sit with, but it's also something that's very, very exciting. So like right now, I'm doing an interview with you and a giant pigeon. Is this gonna work out? If I'm going to get a little bit philosophical, I would say often we're trying to give the answers, and I think kids get exhausted from it. I want to give them the questions. I want them to have a chance to live with these questions themselves and work their way into an answer rather than telling them, "Oh, you'll be fine." ## AP: Mr. Pigeon, what is your favorite part about collaborating on this book? THE PIGEON: I really like how all of the books are about me. I like how I'm on, like, almost every page. You know, all of these books go through an approval process, and I get sent advanced — I call them screeners, nobody likes when I call them that! — but I get to look at them. And if I'm not on the first page and the last page, it does not get approved. ## AP (to Willems): Can you reflect on your nine seasons as a writer and animator on "Sesame Street," winning six Emmys and helping to develop "Elmo's World"? WILLEMS: My love of puppets, my love of sketch comedy, my love of counting to 40 — all these things that I really, really love — came from "Sesame Street"! And when it came time for me to make books, one of the things that I got to do that we didn't get to do on "Sesame Street" at the time was write about failure. Write about not driving the bus rather than driving the bus. So on one level, it was like going to grad school. I loved it. I learned so much. I met all of these great puppets and puppeteers. On the other, the restrictions of the show allowed me to find my own voice. ## AP: Obviously, one of the book's messages is you have to believe in yourself. WILLEMS: I don't know. I'm glad that you think that that's one of the messages because you brought something to that book. I only write 49% of the book. You put the meaning in the book; if the book is meaningful, that is because you are putting yourself within it. I try not to have messages as much as I can. I really try to live in the question. ## AP: Mr. Pigeon, do you think your participation in this makes you a little bit of a philosopher? THE PIGEON: Yeah, I think there's a lot of very powerful things going on up here in this little bird brain. There's a lot of really deep questions, like, I don't know, can I drive the bus, maybe? You know, wondering maybe if I can stay up late? That would be really great. WILLEMS: These are all fundamental Greek philosophical questions. THE PIGEON: And what is the purpose of life? WILLEMS: What is the purpose of life? Why are we here? Why are people mean? Why are people nice? Can I drive the bus? THE PIGEON: Can I have a hot dog?
Associated Press News	2025-05-08 15:01:56+00:00	[ "Santa Ana", "Schools", "California", "Natalie Garcia", "Law enforcement", "Education" ]	# Police say 2 students turned themselves in after fatal stabbing outside California high school May 8th, 2025, 03:01 PM --- SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) — Two high school students have turned themselves in to police in connection with a fatal stabbing in front of a Southern California high school, authorities said. Santa Ana Police Officer Natalie Garcia said the 15-year-old and 17-year-old boys came forward hours after the Wednesday afternoon attack that killed one student and wounded two others. Both were arrested, Garcia said. She said there are no other suspects believed to have been involved in the violence at Santa Ana High School. "The entire stabbing appears to be gang-related," Garcia said. The stabbing happened in the afternoon as students were leaving school for the day. Fermin Leal, a spokesperson for Santa Ana Unified School District, said it was not immediately clear what prompted the fight that killed a 14-year-old boy. After-school programs and athletics were canceled Wednesday. School was scheduled to resume Thursday, and crisis counselors were available on campus, Leal said. The school serves about 3,000 students in the city of Santa Ana, which is home to 300,000 people, 30 miles (50 kilometers) southeast of Los Angeles.
Associated Press News	2025-05-19 01:59:54+00:00	[ "Rail accidents", "Ohio", "Fremont", "Fort Wayne", "Danny Sanchez", "Politics" ]	# Train strikes family on Ohio railroad bridge, killing 3 May 19th, 2025, 01:59 AM --- FREMONT, Ohio (AP) — Two women and a 5-year-old girl died after a train struck the family members while they were on a railroad bridge over a northern Ohio river, authorities said Monday. Crews equipped with sonar had been scouring the Sandusky River through the night before they found the girl's body Monday near the bridge, said Fremont Mayor Danny Sanchez. The family from Fort Wayne, Indiana, had been on a fishing trip along the Sandusky River, and they were on the bridge Sunday night when the train came onto the span, Sanchez said. A 1-year-old girl was rescued and was in critical condition, city officials said Monday. It's not clear whether the train hit all four or whether some may have jumped or were thrown into the river to avoid the locomotive, Sanchez said. The details of what happened were still under investigation, Sanchez said. The railroad bridge is not meant for pedestrians and was marked with no trespassing signs, the mayor said. He said he did not think the family was fishing off the bridge at the time the train approached. City officials identified the victims as Ram Masan, 50; O Ny Zar, 34; and Intisar Mi, 5; all of Fort Wayne. The two women who died were a mother and her adult daughter, the mayor said. Rail operator Norfolk Southern said in a statement that the company was deeply saddened by the tragedy and is working with authorities on the investigation.
Associated Press News	2025-05-17 11:52:46+00:00	[ "Benjamin Netanyahu", "Israel government", "Donald Trump", "Israel", "Gaza", "2024-2025 Mideast Wars", "Middle East", "Israel-Hamas war", "Hostage situations", "War and unrest", "Gaza Strip", "Famine", "Eitan Horn", "Humanitarian crises", "Steve Witkoff", "Blockades", "Dalia Kushnir-Horn", "Foreign aid", "Religion" ]	# Israel launches a new military operation in Gaza. Netanyahu tells negotiating team to stay at talks By Ibrahim Hazboun and Samy Magdy May 17th, 2025, 11:52 AM --- JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel said Saturday it launched a major military operation in the Gaza Strip to pressure Hamas to release remaining hostages, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a negotiating team to remain in Qatar for indirect talks with the militant group. Defense Minister Israel Katz said Operation Gideon Chariots was being led with "great force." Netanyahu had vowed to escalate pressure with the aim of destroying the militant group that has ruled Gaza for nearly two decades. The military operation in the Palestinian territory came a day after U.S. President Donald Trump concluded his Middle East trip without a visit to Israel. There had been hope that his visit could increase the chances of a ceasefire deal or the resumption of humanitarian aid to Gaza, which Israel has prevented for more than two months. An Israel official said that Netanyahu was in constant contact throughout the day with the negotiating team in Doha, Qatar, and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, and instructed the team to remain there. The official spoke on condition of anonymity, because he wasn't authorized to discuss the sensitive negotiations with the media. Hamas, which released an Israeli-American hostage as a goodwill gesture before Trump's trip, insists on a deal that ends the war and leads to the withdrawal of Israeli forces — something Israel said that it won't agree to. Israel's army said on social media it wouldn't stop until the hostages are returned and the militant group is dismantled. Israel believes as many as 23 hostages in Gaza are still alive, although Israeli authorities have expressed concern for the status of three of them. More than 150 people had been killed in Israeli strikes in the last 24 hours, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. It said more than 3,000 have been killed since Israel broke a January ceasefire on March 18. On Saturday afternoon, an Israeli strike killed at least four children in the Jabaliya refugee camp in the north, according to al-Awda Hospital, which received the bodies. Seven others were wounded in the strike, which hit a house. A later strike in Jabaliya killed four, the hospital said. "This is unacceptable. Until when? Until we all die?" asked a sweating Naji Awaisa as he and others fled Jabaliya with their belongings down streets lined with shattered buildings. Smoke from airstrikes rose in the distance. Airstrikes around Deir al-Balah in central Gaza killed 14 people, with the bodies arriving at al-Aqsa hospital. One strike on a house killed eight people, including parents and four children. A strike hit outside a school sheltering displaced people in Gaza City, killing four, the Gaza Health Ministry's emergency service said. There was no immediate Israeli comment on the strikes. A separate statement said that the military had killed dozens of fighters while dismantling an "underground route" in northern Gaza. Hundreds of protesters rallied Saturday night in Tel Aviv, some holding photos of Palestinian children killed in Gaza, with others demanding a deal to end the war and bring all hostages home. "Let me be crystal clear. All of Israeli society, left, right, secular, religious, stands united in calling for a hostage deal. To miss this moment for a deal would be a betrayal of history, a stain that will never fade," Dalia Kushnir-Horn, sister-in-law of hostage Eitan Horn, told the crowd. ## Month 3 of Israel's blockade Gaza is in the third month of an Israeli blockade with no food, water, fuel or other goods entering the territory of more than 2 million people. Food security experts say Gaza will be in famine if the blockade isn't lifted. Earlier this week, a new humanitarian organization that has U.S. backing to take over aid delivery said that it expects to begin operations by the end of the month, after what it described as key agreements with Israeli officials. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation identified several U.S. military veterans, former humanitarian coordinators and security contractors to lead the effort. Many in the humanitarian community, including the U.N., said that they won't participate, because the system doesn't align with humanitarian principles and won't be able to meet the needs of Palestinians in Gaza. Tom Fletcher, the U.N. humanitarian chief, said Friday that there's already an aid delivery plan with 160,000 pallets of supplies ready to move: "It is ready to be activated — today — if we are simply allowed to do our jobs." The war in Gaza began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and abducting 251 others. Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed more than 53,000 Palestinians, many of them women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which doesn't differentiate between civilians and combatants. ___ Magdy reported from Cairo. Tia Goldenberg contributed to this report from Tel Aviv, Israel. ___ Follow AP's war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war
Associated Press News	2025-05-09 08:55:18+00:00	[ "Russia", "Germany", "Photography Lead", "Photography" ]	# AP PHOTOS: Russia's Victory Day parade begins May 9th, 2025, 08:55 AM --- MOSCOW (AP) — Russia marked the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II with a massive military parade on Red Square on Friday. ____ This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Associated Press News	2025-05-12 02:33:09+00:00	[ "Mike Huckabee", "Israel", "Gaza Strip", "Photography Lead", "2024-2025 Mideast Wars", "Politics", "Photography" ]	# Photos: UN agencies warn that Israel's plans for aid distribution will endanger lives in Gaza By Abdel Kareem Hana and Jehad Alshrafi May 12th, 2025, 02:33 AM --- KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — International aid agencies warn that plans presented by Israel to control aid distribution in Gaza will only increase suffering and death in the devastated Palestinian territory. They called on Friday for an end to Israel's total blockade of Gaza that has blocked all food and other supplies from reaching its 2.3 million people for nearly 10 weeks. The U.S. ambassador to Israel said that a new aid distribution system was being launched with deliveries to begin "very soon." But Ambassador Mike Huckabee gave few details. A U.S.-backed group has put forward an aid distribution plan along the lines of that demanded by Israel. ___ This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Associated Press News	2025-05-08 14:02:28+00:00	[ "South Carolina", "Mikal Mahdi", "Crime", "Legal proceedings", "Stephen Stanko", "David Weiss", "Injuries", "South Carolina state government", "Bradley Marcus", "Shootings", "Jonathan Arden", "Brad Sigmon", "Prisons", "James Myers" ]	# Lawyers for man executed by firing squad say bullets mostly missed his heart By Jeffrey Collins May 8th, 2025, 02:02 PM --- COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A man who was put to death last month in South Carolina's second firing squad execution was conscious and likely suffered in extreme pain for as long as a minute after the bullets, meant to quickly stop his heart, struck him lower than expected, according to a pathologist hired by his attorneys. The lawyers called it a botched execution because they think either the volunteer prison employees who all had live ammunition missed or the target was not placed properly. An autopsy photo of Mikal Mahdi's torso showed only two distinct wounds at the April 11 execution, according to the pathologist's report, which was filed Thursday with a letter to the state Supreme Court. Mahdi chose to be executed by firing squad over lethal injection or electrocution in the killing of an off-duty police officer in 2004. All three guns fired simultaneously and prison officials believe all three bullets hit Mahdi with two of them entering his body at the same spot and following the same path, Corrections Department spokeswoman Chrysti Shane said Thursday. That has happened before when the firing squad team practices its job to fire at the inmate from 15 feet (4.6 meters) away. A pathologist hired by attorneys for condemned inmates said there isn't enough independent evidence from the autopsy — where only one photo of the body was taken and Mahdi's clothes weren't examined — to make that conclusion. "The shooters missed the intended target area and the evidence indicates that he was struck by only two bullets, not the prescribed three. Consequently, the nature of the internal injuries from the gunshot wounds resulted in a more prolonged death process," Dr. Jonathan Arden said. Arden said that likely meant Mahdi took 30 to 60 seconds to lose consciousness — two to four times longer than the 15 seconds that experts including Arden and ones hired by the state predicted for a properly conducted firing squad execution. During that time Mahdi would have suffered excruciating pain as his lungs tried to expand and move into a broken sternum and ribs, as well as from "air hunger" as the damaged lungs struggled and failed to bring in needed oxygen, Arden said. "Mr. Mahdi elected the firing squad, and this Court sanctioned it, based on the assumption that SCDC could be entrusted to carry out its straightforward steps: locating the heart; placing a target over it; and hitting that target. That confidence was clearly misplaced," Mahdi's attorneys wrote in the letter to the South Carolina Supreme Court. ## Witnesses heard him cry out as shots were fired Witnesses to the execution heard Mahdi cry out as the shots were fired, groan again some 45 seconds later and let out one last low moan just before he appeared to draw his final breath at 75 seconds. Mahdi, 42, was executed after admitting he killed Orangeburg Public Safety officer James Myers in 2004, shooting him at least eight times before burning his body. Myers' wife found him in the couple's Calhoun County shed, which had been the backdrop to their wedding 15 months earlier. The official autopsy did not include X-rays to allow the results to be independently verified; only one photo was taken of Mahdi's body, and no close-ups of the wounds; and his clothing was not examined to determine where the target was placed and how it aligned with the damage the bullets caused to his shirt, Arden said in a report summarizing his findings. "I noticed where the target was placed on Mikal's torso, and I remember thinking to myself, 'I'm certainly not an expert in human anatomy, but it appears to me that target looks low,'" said David Weiss, an attorney for Mahdi who was also a witness at his death. A prison worker performs a chest X-ray on an inmate and a medical professional uses a stethoscope to place the target over the heart, Shain said. ## Official autopsy report called into question In the official autopsy report, pathologist Dr. Bradley Marcus wrote that the reason there were only two wounds is that one was caused by two bullets entering the body at the same spot. Arden called that virtually unheard of in his 40 years of examining dead bodies and said Marcus told him in a conversation that the possibility was remote. The autopsy found damage in only one of the four chambers of Mahdi's heart — the right ventricle. There was extensive damage to his liver and pancreas as the bullets continued down. "The entrance wounds were at the lowest area of the chest, just above the border with the abdomen, which is an area not largely overlying the heart," Arden wrote. In their conversation Marcus also said the severe amount of liver damage was not anticipated and he "expected the entrance wounds to be higher on the chest," Arden wrote in his report. Marcus declined to talk about the autopsy when reached by phone Thursday morning. ## Autopsy on first man killed by firing squad showed obliterated heart In contrast the autopsy on Brad Sigmon, the first man killed by firing squad in the state, showed three distinct bullet wounds and his heart was obliterated, Arden said. He added that the autopsy report in that case included X-rays, adequate photos and a cursory examination of his clothes. Without X-rays or other internal scans to follow the path of the bullets through Mahdi's body, no additional light could be shed on the two-bullets-through-one-hole claim, Arden said. Weiss said he was stunned that so little was done in the autopsy even after the pathologist saw only two holes in his chest. The apparent errors in how the execution was carried out are a major problem, he asserted. "I think that raises incredibly difficult questions about the type of training and oversight that is going into this process," Weiss said. "It was obvious to me as a lay person upon reading his autopsy report that something went wrong here. We should want to figure out what it was that went wrong when you've got state government carrying out the most serious, most grave possible type of function," Weiss said. Mahdi's body was cremated preventing a second autopsy, Weiss said. ## South Carolina allows condemned inmates to chose method of death South Carolina allows condemned inmates to choose whether to die by lethal injection, electric chair or firing squad. Three in the past year have chosen lethal injection, but the past two opted for the firing squad, saying they feared the other methods — autopsies have shown that lethal injection causes a rush of fluid into the lungs, and burns have been found on bodies after electrocutions. "The purpose of South Carolina's choice provisions is to guarantee 'that a condemned inmate in South Carolina will never be subjected to execution by a method he contends is more inhumane than another method that is available,'" Mahdi's lawyers wrote, quoting the state Supreme Court's decision to allow executions. "An understanding of how this botch occurred is essential for that choice to have any meaning at all." Twenty-six people remain on South Carolina's death row. Stephen Stanko, who has two death sentences for murders in Horry County and Georgetown County, has run out of appeals and likely will be scheduled to die in June.

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