NASA Rover Lands on Mars to Look for Signs of Ancient Life
A NASA rover streaked through the orange Martian sky and landed on the planet Thursday, accomplishing the riskiest step yet in an epic quest to bring back rocks that could answer whether life ever existed on Mars.
https://apnews.com/article/nasa-rover-streaks-towards-mars-62f78481fe746cd7d0e41e28969a2c5a
A NASA rover streaked through the orange Martian sky and landed on the planet Thursday, accomplishing the riskiest step yet in an epic quest to bring back rocks that could answer whether life ever existed on Mars.
https://apnews.com/article/nasa-rover-streaks-towards-mars-62f78481fe746cd7d0e41e28969a2c5a
AP News
NASA rover lands on Mars to look for signs of ancient life
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A NASA rover streaked through the orange Martian sky and landed on the planet Thursday, accomplishing the riskiest step yet in an epic quest to bring back rocks that could answer whether life ever existed on Mars.
US Tops 500,000 Virus Deaths, Matching the Toll of 3 Wars
The COVID-19 death toll in the U.S. topped 500,000 Monday, a staggering number that all but matches the number of Americans killed in World War II, Korea and Vietnam combined.
President Joe Biden held a sunset moment of silence and a candle-lighting ceremony at the White House and ordered American flags lowered at federal buildings for the next five days.
https://apnews.com/article/us-over-500k-coronavirus-deaths-4ffa86c709f6a843de9cf0711e7215cf
The COVID-19 death toll in the U.S. topped 500,000 Monday, a staggering number that all but matches the number of Americans killed in World War II, Korea and Vietnam combined.
President Joe Biden held a sunset moment of silence and a candle-lighting ceremony at the White House and ordered American flags lowered at federal buildings for the next five days.
https://apnews.com/article/us-over-500k-coronavirus-deaths-4ffa86c709f6a843de9cf0711e7215cf
AP News
US tops 500,000 virus deaths, matching the toll of 3 wars
The COVID-19 death toll in the U.S. topped 500,000 Monday, a staggering number that all but matches the number of Americans killed in World War II, Korea and Vietnam combined.
US Implicates Saudi Crown Prince in Journalist’s Killing
Saudi Arabia’s crown prince likely approved an operation to kill or capture a U.S.-based journalist inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, according to a newly declassified U.S. intelligence report released Friday that could escalate pressure on the Biden administration to hold the kingdom accountable for a murder that drew bipartisan and international outrage.
https://apnews.com/article/politics-journalists-istanbul-jamal-khashoggi-26c37f6d603737de7509f5ee09ae7f9d
Saudi Arabia’s crown prince likely approved an operation to kill or capture a U.S.-based journalist inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, according to a newly declassified U.S. intelligence report released Friday that could escalate pressure on the Biden administration to hold the kingdom accountable for a murder that drew bipartisan and international outrage.
https://apnews.com/article/politics-journalists-istanbul-jamal-khashoggi-26c37f6d603737de7509f5ee09ae7f9d
AP News
US implicates Saudi crown prince in Khashoggi's killing
WASHINGTON (AP) — Saudi Arabia's crown prince likely approved the killing of U.S.-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, according to a newly declassified U.S. intelligence report released Friday that instantly ratcheted…
Giant Container Ship That Blocked Suez Canal Finally Free
Salvage teams on Monday freed a colossal container ship stuck for nearly a week in the Suez Canal, ending a crisis that had clogged one of the world’s most vital waterways and halted billions of dollars a day in maritime commerce.
Helped by the high tide, a flotilla of tugboats wrenched the bulbous bow of the skyscraper-sized Ever Given from the canal’s sandy bank, where it had been firmly lodged since March 23.
https://apnews.com/article/egypt-suez-canal-48f856c9afed58feb908878c2a495287
Salvage teams on Monday freed a colossal container ship stuck for nearly a week in the Suez Canal, ending a crisis that had clogged one of the world’s most vital waterways and halted billions of dollars a day in maritime commerce.
Helped by the high tide, a flotilla of tugboats wrenched the bulbous bow of the skyscraper-sized Ever Given from the canal’s sandy bank, where it had been firmly lodged since March 23.
https://apnews.com/article/egypt-suez-canal-48f856c9afed58feb908878c2a495287
AP News
Suez Canal reopens after stuck cargo ship is freed
SUEZ, Egypt (AP) — Salvage teams on Monday finally freed the colossal container ship stuck for nearly a week in the Suez Canal, ending a crisis that had clogged one of the world’s most vital waterways and halted billions of dollars a day in maritime commerce.
Train Crash Kills 50 in Taiwan’s Deadliest Rail Tragedy in Decades
A Taiwan express train with almost 500 aboard derailed in a tunnel on Friday after hitting a truck that had slid down a bank onto the track, killing at least 50 passengers and injuring 146 in the island’s worst rail disaster in seven decades.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-taiwan-train/taiwan-train-derails-at-least-36-dead-many-injured-idUSKBN2BP07P
A Taiwan express train with almost 500 aboard derailed in a tunnel on Friday after hitting a truck that had slid down a bank onto the track, killing at least 50 passengers and injuring 146 in the island’s worst rail disaster in seven decades.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-taiwan-train/taiwan-train-derails-at-least-36-dead-many-injured-idUSKBN2BP07P
U.S.
Train crash kills 50 in Taiwan's deadliest rail tragedy in decades
A Taiwan express train with almost 500 aboard derailed in a tunnel on Friday after hitting a truck that had slid down a bank onto the track, killing at least 50 passengers and injuring 146 in the island's worst rail disaster in seven decades.
Prince Philip, Husband of Queen Elizabeth II, Dies at 99
Prince Philip, the irascible and tough-minded husband of Queen Elizabeth II who spent more than seven decades supporting his wife in a role that both defined and constricted his life, has died, Buckingham Palace said Friday. He was 99.
https://apnews.com/article/prince-philip-dead-at-99-0143185dc6ad526d4bb6357034972bb3
Prince Philip, the irascible and tough-minded husband of Queen Elizabeth II who spent more than seven decades supporting his wife in a role that both defined and constricted his life, has died, Buckingham Palace said Friday. He was 99.
https://apnews.com/article/prince-philip-dead-at-99-0143185dc6ad526d4bb6357034972bb3
AP NEWS
Philip, defined by role of husband to British queen, dies
LONDON (AP) — Prince Philip, the irascible and tough-minded husband of Queen Elizabeth II who spent more than seven decades supporting his wife in a role that both defined and constricted his life, has died, Buckingham Palace said Friday. He was 99. His life…
Raul Castro Confirms He’s Resigning, Ending Long Era in Cuba
Raul Castro said Friday he is resigning as head of Cuba’s Communist Party, ending an era of formal leadership by he and his brother Fidel Castro that began with the 1959 revolution.
https://apnews.com/article/fidel-castro-miguel-diaz-canel-raul-castro-cuba-be9643a492b1803b67e29c8de467f7e9
Raul Castro said Friday he is resigning as head of Cuba’s Communist Party, ending an era of formal leadership by he and his brother Fidel Castro that began with the 1959 revolution.
https://apnews.com/article/fidel-castro-miguel-diaz-canel-raul-castro-cuba-be9643a492b1803b67e29c8de467f7e9
AP News
Raul Castro resigns as Communist chief, ending era in Cuba
HAVANA (AP) — Raul Castro said Friday he is stepping down as head of Cuba’s Communist Party, ending an era of formal leadership that began with his brother Fidel and country’s 1959 revolution.
NASA’s Mars Helicopter Completes First Flight on Another Planet
A small robotic helicopter named Ingenuity made space exploration history on Monday when it lifted off the surface of Mars and hovered. It was the first machine from Earth ever to fly like an airplane or a helicopter on another world.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/19/science/nasa-mars-helicopter.html
A small robotic helicopter named Ingenuity made space exploration history on Monday when it lifted off the surface of Mars and hovered. It was the first machine from Earth ever to fly like an airplane or a helicopter on another world.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/19/science/nasa-mars-helicopter.html
NY Times
NASA’s Mars Helicopter Completes First Flight on Another Planet
The brief test of the experimental vehicle called Ingenuity shows how explorers can study the red planet from the sky as well as the ground.
President of Chad Is Killed as Soldiers Clash With Rebels
President Idriss Déby of Chad died of wounds sustained in clashes between insurgents and government soldiers, the country’s armed forces said on Tuesday, one day after he had claimed victory in his re-election campaign.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/20/world/africa/president-chad-killed.html
President Idriss Déby of Chad died of wounds sustained in clashes between insurgents and government soldiers, the country’s armed forces said on Tuesday, one day after he had claimed victory in his re-election campaign.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/20/world/africa/president-chad-killed.html
NY Times
President of Chad Is Killed as Soldiers Clash With Rebels
Idriss Déby, who ruled with an iron fist for three decades and had just secured his sixth term in office, was considered by the West a linchpin in the fight against Islamist extremism in central Africa.
Breaking News
Minneapolis Police Officer Charged with Murder in George Floyd Case The white Minneapolis policeman who pinned an unarmed black man with a knee to the throat before the man died was arrested and charged with murder, a prosecutor said on Friday, after three…
Derek Chauvin is Found Guilty of Murdering George Floyd
Derek Chauvin was found guilty of two counts of murder on Tuesday in the death of George Floyd, whose final breaths last May under the knee of Mr. Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer, were captured on video, setting off months of protests against the police abuse of Black people.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/20/us/chauvin-guilty-murder-george-floyd.html
Derek Chauvin was found guilty of two counts of murder on Tuesday in the death of George Floyd, whose final breaths last May under the knee of Mr. Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer, were captured on video, setting off months of protests against the police abuse of Black people.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/20/us/chauvin-guilty-murder-george-floyd.html
NY Times
Derek Chauvin is found guilty of murdering George Floyd.
The jury convicted Mr. Chauvin of second- and third-degree murder, as well as manslaughter. He faces up to 40 years in prison but is likely to be sentenced to far less time, based on state guidelines.
India Posts Daily Rise of Over 300,000 COVID-19 Cases, Record Death Toll
India on Thursday reported more than 300,000 coronavirus cases over the last 24 hours, the highest daily global total, while COVID-19-related deaths also jumped by a record.
https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/india-posts-daily-rise-over-300000-covid-19-cases-record-death-toll-2021-04-22/
India on Thursday reported more than 300,000 coronavirus cases over the last 24 hours, the highest daily global total, while COVID-19-related deaths also jumped by a record.
https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/india-posts-daily-rise-over-300000-covid-19-cases-record-death-toll-2021-04-22/
Reuters
India posts daily rise of over 300,000 COVID-19 cases, record death toll
India on Thursday reported more than 300,000 coronavirus cases over the last 24 hours, the highest daily global total, while COVID-19-related deaths also jumped by a record.
Stampede at Israel Religious Celebration Kills at Least 44
A stampede early Friday at a mountainside religious celebration in Israel that drew tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews left at least 44 people dead and scores more injured.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/29/world/middleeast/israel-mount-meron-stampede.html
A stampede early Friday at a mountainside religious celebration in Israel that drew tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews left at least 44 people dead and scores more injured.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/29/world/middleeast/israel-mount-meron-stampede.html
Nytimes
Stampede at Israel Religious Celebration Kills at Least 45 (Published 2021)
An estimated 100,000 people had gathered on Mount Meron to celebrate a religious holiday. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it a “terrible disaster.”
Mexico City Metro Overpass Collapses Onto Road; 13 Dead
An overpass in Mexico City's metro collapsed Monday night, sending a train plunging downward, trapping cars under rubble and killing at least 13 people, authorities said.
https://apnews.com/article/mexico-city-mexico-faee07a9250174f58365db6c915476d7
An overpass in Mexico City's metro collapsed Monday night, sending a train plunging downward, trapping cars under rubble and killing at least 13 people, authorities said.
https://apnews.com/article/mexico-city-mexico-faee07a9250174f58365db6c915476d7
AP News
Overpass collapse on Mexico City metro kills at least 24
Officials say 24 people were killed when an elevated section of Mexico City's metro collapsed as a train was traveling along it.
Israel, Hamas Trade Deadly Fire as Confrontation Escalates
A confrontation between Israel and Hamas sparked by weeks of tensions in contested Jerusalem escalated Tuesday as Israel unleashed new airstrikes on Gaza while militants barraged Israel with hundreds of rockets. The exchange killed a number of militants and civilians in Gaza and at least three people in Israel.
https://apnews.com/article/world-news-hamas-middle-east-israel-ad7d5a99e382dcdd3e5df45f33be1b43
A confrontation between Israel and Hamas sparked by weeks of tensions in contested Jerusalem escalated Tuesday as Israel unleashed new airstrikes on Gaza while militants barraged Israel with hundreds of rockets. The exchange killed a number of militants and civilians in Gaza and at least three people in Israel.
https://apnews.com/article/world-news-hamas-middle-east-israel-ad7d5a99e382dcdd3e5df45f33be1b43
AP NEWS
Israel, Hamas escalate heavy fighting with no end in sight
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel stepped up its attacks on the Gaza Strip, flattening a high-rise building used by the Hamas militant group and killing at least three militants in their hideouts on Tuesday as Palestinian rockets rained down almost nonstop on parts…
‘Great Day for America’: Vaccinated Can Largely Ditch Masks
In a major step toward returning to pre-pandemic life, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention eased mask-wearing guidance for fully vaccinated people on Thursday, allowing them to stop wearing masks outdoors in crowds and in most indoor settings.
“Today is a great day for America,” President Joe Biden said during a Rose Garden address heralding the new guidance, an event where he and his staff went without masks.
https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-masks-cdc-guidelines-9d10c8b5f80a4ac720fa1df2a4fb93e5
In a major step toward returning to pre-pandemic life, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention eased mask-wearing guidance for fully vaccinated people on Thursday, allowing them to stop wearing masks outdoors in crowds and in most indoor settings.
“Today is a great day for America,” President Joe Biden said during a Rose Garden address heralding the new guidance, an event where he and his staff went without masks.
https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-masks-cdc-guidelines-9d10c8b5f80a4ac720fa1df2a4fb93e5
AP NEWS
'Great day for America': Vaccinated can largely ditch masks
WASHINGTON (AP) — In a major step toward returning to pre-pandemic life, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention eased mask-wearing guidance for fully vaccinated people on Thursday, allowing them to stop wearing masks outdoors in crowds and in most…
China’s Mars Rover Mission Lands on the Red Plane
The United States now has company on Mars.
A Chinese spacecraft descended through the thin Martian atmosphere and landed safely on a large plain on Saturday morning, state media reported, accomplishing a feat that only two other nations have before.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/14/science/china-mars-rover-landing.html
The United States now has company on Mars.
A Chinese spacecraft descended through the thin Martian atmosphere and landed safely on a large plain on Saturday morning, state media reported, accomplishing a feat that only two other nations have before.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/14/science/china-mars-rover-landing.html
Nytimes
China’s Mars Rover Mission Lands on the Red Planet (Published 2021)
The success establishes China as a principal contender in what some see as a new era of space competition.
‘Shocking and Horrifying’: Israel Destroys AP Office in Gaza
An Israeli airstrike on Saturday destroyed a high-rise building that housed The Associated Press office in the Gaza Strip, despite repeated urgent calls from the news agency to the military to halt the impending attack. AP called the strike “shocking and horrifying.”
https://apnews.com/article/media-israel-middle-east-business-israel-palestinian-conflict-fe452147166f55ba5a9d32e6ba8b53d7
An Israeli airstrike on Saturday destroyed a high-rise building that housed The Associated Press office in the Gaza Strip, despite repeated urgent calls from the news agency to the military to halt the impending attack. AP called the strike “shocking and horrifying.”
https://apnews.com/article/media-israel-middle-east-business-israel-palestinian-conflict-fe452147166f55ba5a9d32e6ba8b53d7
AP NEWS
'Shocking and horrifying': Israel destroys AP office in Gaza
JERUSALEM (AP) — An Israeli airstrike on Saturday destroyed a high-rise building that housed The Associated Press office in the Gaza Strip, despite repeated urgent calls from the news agency to the military to halt the impending attack.
Israel, Hamas Agree to Cease-Fire to End Bloody 11-Day War
Israel and Hamas agreed to a cease-fire Thursday, halting a bruising 11-day war that caused widespread destruction in the Gaza Strip, brought life in much of Israel to a standstill and left more than 200 people dead.
https://apnews.com/article/gaza-israel-middle-east-israel-palestinian-conflict-caac81bc36fe9be67ac2f7c27000c74b
Israel and Hamas agreed to a cease-fire Thursday, halting a bruising 11-day war that caused widespread destruction in the Gaza Strip, brought life in much of Israel to a standstill and left more than 200 people dead.
https://apnews.com/article/gaza-israel-middle-east-israel-palestinian-conflict-caac81bc36fe9be67ac2f7c27000c74b
AP NEWS
Israel, Hamas agree to cease-fire to end bloody 11-day war
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel and Hamas agreed to a cease-fire Thursday, halting a bruising 11-day war that caused widespread destruction in the Gaza Strip, brought life in much of Israel to a standstill and left more than 200 people dead.
Belarus Forces Airliner to Land and Arrests Opponent, Sparking U.S. and European Outrage
Belarusian authorities scrambled a fighter jet and flagged what turned out to be a false bomb alert to force a Ryanair plane to land on Sunday and then detained an opposition-minded journalist who was on board, drawing condemnation from Europe and the United States.
In what was described by some EU leaders as a hijacking, the passenger plane flying from Athens to Lithuania was suddenly diverted to Minsk, the capital of Belarus, escorted there by a Soviet-era MiG-29 fighter jet. On its landing, authorities took journalist Roman Protasevich into custody.
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/belarus-forces-vilnius-bound-ryanair-plane-land-detain-blogger-2021-05-23/
Belarusian authorities scrambled a fighter jet and flagged what turned out to be a false bomb alert to force a Ryanair plane to land on Sunday and then detained an opposition-minded journalist who was on board, drawing condemnation from Europe and the United States.
In what was described by some EU leaders as a hijacking, the passenger plane flying from Athens to Lithuania was suddenly diverted to Minsk, the capital of Belarus, escorted there by a Soviet-era MiG-29 fighter jet. On its landing, authorities took journalist Roman Protasevich into custody.
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/belarus-forces-vilnius-bound-ryanair-plane-land-detain-blogger-2021-05-23/
Reuters
Belarus forces airliner to land and arrests opponent, sparking U.S. and European outrage
Belarusian authorities scrambled a fighter jet and flagged what turned out to be a false bomb alert to force a Ryanair plane to land on Sunday and then detained an opposition-minded journalist who was on board, drawing condemnation from Europe and the United…
Netanyahu Opponents Reach Coalition Deal to Oust Israeli PM
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s opponents announced Wednesday that they have reached a deal to form a new governing coalition, paving the way for the ouster of the longtime Israeli leader.
The dramatic announcement by opposition leader Yair Lapid and his main coalition partner, Naftali Bennett, came shortly before a midnight deadline and prevented what could have been Israel’s fifth consecutive election in just over two years.
https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-062e6baf13e774f30c4e697cb9f2d1f1
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s opponents announced Wednesday that they have reached a deal to form a new governing coalition, paving the way for the ouster of the longtime Israeli leader.
The dramatic announcement by opposition leader Yair Lapid and his main coalition partner, Naftali Bennett, came shortly before a midnight deadline and prevented what could have been Israel’s fifth consecutive election in just over two years.
https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-062e6baf13e774f30c4e697cb9f2d1f1
AP NEWS
Netanyahu opponents reach coalition deal to oust Israeli PM
JERUSALEM (AP) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s opponents announced Wednesday that they have reached a deal to form a new governing coalition, paving the way for the ouster of the longtime Israeli leader.
New Israeli Government Wins Majority Vote, Ending Netanyahu Tenure
Benjamin Netanyahu's 12-year run as Israel's prime minister ended on Sunday with parliament approving a new "government of change" led by nationalist Naftali Bennett.
Heading into opposition, Netanyahu, 71, the most dominant Israeli politician of his generation, pledged he would soon return to power.
https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israels-knesset-vote-new-government-end-netanyahus-record-reign-2021-06-13/
Benjamin Netanyahu's 12-year run as Israel's prime minister ended on Sunday with parliament approving a new "government of change" led by nationalist Naftali Bennett.
Heading into opposition, Netanyahu, 71, the most dominant Israeli politician of his generation, pledged he would soon return to power.
https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israels-knesset-vote-new-government-end-netanyahus-record-reign-2021-06-13/
Reuters
Netanyahu out, Bennett in as Israel marks end of an era
Benjamin Netanyahu's record 12-year run as Israel's prime minister ended on Sunday with parliament approving a new "government of change" led by nationalist Naftali Bennett, an improbable scenario few Israelis once could have imagined.