AP-Newswatch

Ramadan in Gaza begins with hunger worsening and no end to war in sight

RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Palestinians have begun fasting for Ramadan. The Muslim holy month arrived with cease-fire talks at a standstill, hunger worsening across the Gaza Strip and no end in sight to the five-month-old Israel-Hamas war. Prayers were held late Sunday outside amid the rubble of demolished buildings, and some people hung fairy lights and decorations in packed tent camps. But there was little to celebrate after five months of war that has killed over 30,000 Palestinians and left much of the territory in ruins. Families would ordinarily break the daily fast with holiday feasts, but even in those parts of Gaza where food is available, there is little beyond canned goods, and the prices are too high for many.

Asked to clear up abortion bans, GOP leaders blame doctors and misinformation for the confusion

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — In Republican-led states across the U.S., conservative legislators are refusing to reevaluate abortion bans — even as doctors and patients insist the laws’ exceptions are dangerously unclear, resulting in denied treatment to some pregnant women in need. Instead, GOP leaders accuse abortion rights advocates of deliberately spreading misinformation and doctors of intentionally denying services in an effort to undercut the bans and make a political point. At the same time, however, some states are taking steps that they say will provide more clarity about when abortions can be legally performed. Abortion rights advocates say those steps will likely not be enough to solve the problem.

Biden’s budget proposal for a second term offers tax breaks for families and lower health care costs

MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) — President Joe Biden has issued a budget proposal for a second term aimed at getting voters’ attention with tax breaks for families, lower health care costs, smaller deficits and higher taxes on the wealthy and corporations. The proposal for fiscal 2025 is unlikely to pass the House and Senate and become law. It’s an election year blueprint sketching what the future could hold. If it became law, deficits could be pruned $3 trillion over a decade. Parents could get an increased child tax credit. Corporate taxes would jump upward. Billionaires would be charged a minimum tax of 25%. It also has a $2,000 cap on drug costs. House Speaker Mike Johnson called the proposal a glaring reminder of the administration’s “insatiable appetite for reckless spending.”

Kate, Princess of Wales, apologizes for altering family photo that fueled rumors about her health

LONDON (AP) — The Princess of Wales has apologized for “confusion” caused by her altering of a family photo released by the palace. The image of Kate and her children was intended to calm concern and speculation about the princess’s health, but had the opposite effect. Several news agencies that initially published the photo, including The Associated Press, withdrew the image over concerns about digital manipulation. Issued by the couple’s Kensington Palace office on Sunday, it was the first official photo of Kate since her abdominal surgery nearly two months ago. The retractions sent online speculation about Kate’s health into overdrive. On Monday, Kate said on social media that she occasionally edits photos. She offered an apology for any confusion.

Most teens report feeling happy or peaceful when they go without smartphones, Pew survey finds

Nearly three-quarters of U.S. teens say they feel happy or peaceful when they don’t have their phones with them, according to a new report from the Pew Research Center. In a survey published Monday, Pew also found that despite the positive associations with going phone-free, most teens have not limited their phone or social media use. The survey comes as policymakers and children’s advocates are growing increasingly concerned with teens’ relationships with their phones and social media. Last fall, dozens of states, including California and New York, sued Instagram and Facebook owner Meta for harming young people and contributing to the youth mental health crisis by designing features that addict children.

Blinken will attend an urgent meeting with Caribbean leaders as Haiti’s violent crisis grows

KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is scheduled to meet with Caribbean leaders in Jamaica as part of an urgent push to solve Haiti’s spiraling crisis. Monday’s meeting comes as pressure grows on Haiti’s Prime Minister Ariel Henry to resign or agree to a transitional council. It’s not clear if Henry will attend the closed-door meeting organized by members of a regional trade bloc known as Caricom. For months, its members have pressed for a transitional government in Haiti as violent protests demanded Henry’s resignation. Attacks by powerful gangs on key government targets began in late February across Haiti’s capital of Port-au-Prince, and scores of people have been killed.

Victims of Catholic nuns rely on each other after being overlooked in the clergy sex abuse crisis

The sexual abuse of children by Catholic sisters and nuns has been overshadowed by far more common reports of male clergy abuse. Women in religious orders have been not only abuse victims but also perpetrators, though few dioceses or religious orders publicly name abusive nuns. Survivors of nun abuse hope to raise awareness of the issue. Each week a support group for them gathers online. Among its members is Gabrielle Longhi, who is suing her alleged abuser’s religious order and her former Catholic school, Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart, in Bethesda, Maryland. Her case exists because of a new law in Maryland removing the civil statute of limitations for child sex abuse victims.

Where to watch this year’s Oscar-winning films online

The Oscars have been handed out, and maybe there’s a film you missed and want to watch. The good news is this year’s Oscar winners are widely available on streaming services. Best picture winner “Oppenheimer” is on Peacock, while “Poor Things” is on Hulu. “Barbie,” which ended up winning only in the original song category, can be found on Max. Disney+ hosts “The Last Repair Shop,” the documentary short winner, while documentary feature winner “20 Days in Mariupol” can be found on YouTube. Three winners — “Anatomy of a Fall,” The Boy and Heron” and “The Zone of Interest” — remain streamable only through digital rentals or purchases.

Cousins agrees to 4-year contract with Falcons, leaving Vikings to look for new QB

Kirk Cousins is leaving Minnesota for Atlanta, landing another big contract with a well-timed foray into free agency. Cousins’ agent Mike McCartney announced on social media that his client has agreed to a four-year deal with the Falcons. Cousins is working his way back from a torn Achilles tendon in his right foot that sidelined him because of an injury for the first time in his career. He had a 103.8 passer rating in eight games for the Vikings last season that was still the third best in the league despite the lost time.