AP-Newswatch

Netanyahu says Israeli strikes across Gaza that killed hundreds are ‘only the beginning’

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israel has launched airstrikes across the Gaza Strip that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says are “only the beginning” and “a necessary condition for freeing hostages.” The territory’s Health Ministry said the airstrikes killed at least 400 Palestinians. Tuesday’s surprise bombardment shattered a ceasefire in place since January and threatened to fully reignite the 17-month-old war. Netanyahu ordered the strikes after Hamas refused Israeli demands to change the ceasefire agreement. The White House said it had been consulted and voiced support for Israel’s actions. A senior Hamas official said Netanyahu’s decision to return to war amounts to a “death sentence” for the remaining hostages.

Trump and Putin agree to an immediate ceasefire for energy and infrastructure in Ukraine war

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House says President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed on an immediate ceasefire for energy and infrastructure targets in the Russia-Ukraine war. Ukraine hasn’t responded yet. The White House described the move Tuesday as the first step in a “movement to peace” that it hopes will eventually include a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea and a full and lasting end to the fighting. The White House said negotiations would “begin immediately” on those steps. Trump and Putin held a call for more than an hour.

Trump says his administration is set to release JFK files with no redactions

DALLAS (AP) — President Donald Trump says files related to the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy will be released without any redactions, making good on a promise he made during his campaign. Trump told reporters Monday that his administration will be releasing 80,000 files. Shortly after he was sworn into office, Trump ordered the release of the remaining classified files related to the assassination.

Hungary’s new anti-LGBTQ+ law bans Pride events 

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — A new anti-LGBTQ+ law has passed in Hungary that bans Pride events and allows authorities to use facial recognition software to identify those attending the festivities. The law’s approval on Tuesday led to a large demonstration on the streets of Budapest. More than 1,000 protesters gathered hours after the vote outside Hungary’s parliament in opposition to the measures. They then marched to the Margaret Bridge over the Danube and blocked traffic. The protest drew a big police presence. The move by Hungary is part of a crackdown on the country’s LGBTQ+ community by the nationalist conservative party of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

Behind the story of the return of stuck NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams

On an episode of “The Story Behind the AP Story,” Associated Press space writer Marcia Dunn discusses the space odyssey of NASA’s two stuck astronauts. Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are finally on their way home after more than nine months in space. Wilmore and Williams left the International Space Station in a SpaceX capsule early Tuesday, checking out with two others. The capsule is due to splash down in the evening off the Florida coast, weather permitting. The astronauts will then be taken to Houston. The astronauts’ return will close out a dramatic marathon mission that began with a test flight of Boeing’s Starliner capsule last June.

French bulldog is still top US breed, but is another gaining momentum? Of corso

NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. still has a major case of French bulldog fever. But a very different breed is chasing dog lovers’ hearts. The comical, controversial Frenchie tops the American Kennel Club’s annual rundown of the nation’s most prevalent purebred dogs for a third year in a row. Next are Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers, German shepherds, poodles and other longtime faves. Keep an eye on the cane corso. The powerful, protective breed vaulted from 47th to 14th in the rankings in just a decade. Popularity is seen as a mixed blessing among dog breeders and as an outright scourge by their critics. There’s no disputing that there are plenty of lovable dogs in animal shelters.

Johni Broome of Auburn, Cooper Flagg of Duke unanimous picks to lead the AP All-America team

Johni Broome of Auburn and Cooper Flagg of Duke are unanimous first-team selections for The Associated Press men’s college basketball All-America team. Broome and Flagg were joined on the first team by Alabama star Mark Sears, Purdue’s Braden Smith and Walter Clayton Jr. of Florida. Broome is the first Auburn player to be a first-team All-American, while Flagg is the 19th player from Duke to earn such recognition. JT Toppin, Kam Jones, John Tonje, PJ Haggerty and RJ Luis Jr. were second-team picks, and Ryan Kalkbrenner, Zakai Zeigler, Eric Dixon, LJ Cryer and Hunter Dickinson were third-team selections.