AP-Newswatch

The first ship to use a new sea route approaches Gaza with 200 tons of aid

WADI GAZA, Gaza Strip (AP) — A ship carrying 200 tons of aid is approaching the coast of Gaza to inaugurate a sea route from Cyprus. The ship was expected to arrive later on Friday. The sea route is intended to bring more assistance to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in the enclave five months into the war between Israel and Hamas. The food on the ship was sent by World Central Kitchen, the charity founded by celebrity chef José Andrés, and was transported by the Spanish aid group Open Arms. The ship left Cyprus on Tuesday. Gaza’s Health Ministry said on Friday that 149 people were killed over the past 24 hours, bringing to at least 31,490 the number of Palestinians killed in the war.

Russian missiles kill at least 16 people in the latest strike on southern Ukraine’s Odesa

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A Russian missile attack blasted homes in the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa, followed by a second missile that targeted first responders who arrived at the scene. Officials said at least 16 people were killed Friday in the strike. It occurred as Russians began voting in a presidential election that is all but certain to extend Vladimir Putin’s rule by another six years after he crushed dissent, and as the war in Ukraine stretches into its third year. The dead included a paramedic and an emergency service worker. At least 53 other people were wounded.

US, G-7 allies warn Iran to back off deal to provide Russia ballistic missiles or face new sanctions

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States and allies are warning Iran that major Western economies will pile new sanctions on Tehran if it moves forward with an emerging plan to provide ballistic missiles to Russia for its war with Ukraine. The Biden administration has raised alarms for months that Russia is seeking close-range ballistic missiles from Iran as Moscow struggles to replenish its dwindling supplies. The U.S. has yet to confirm missiles have moved from Iran to Russia. But U.S. and European officials are alarmed by public comments by Iranian officials suggesting a deal is imminent. Iran’s U.N. Mission said last month there are no legal restrictions to prevent it from making ballistic missile sales.

Tornadoes kill at least 3 and leave trails of destruction in the central US

LAKEVIEW, Ohio (AP) — Tornadoes have damaged homes and businesses and killed at least three people in the central United States. Officials are assessing the extent of the destruction Friday. The three reported deaths came in Ohio’s Logan County. Search crews and cadaver dogs are looking for any more victims. Thursday night’s storms also left trails of destruction in Kentucky, Indiana and Arkansas. Officials say 38 people were injured by a tornado in the Indiana community of Winchester. A tornado in Kentucky damaged many structures. And a probable tornado struck the retirement community of Hot Springs Village in Arkansas.

Supreme Court rules public officials can sometimes be sued for blocking critics on social media

WASHINGTON (AP) — A unanimous Supreme Court has ruled public officials can sometimes be sued for blocking their critics on social media, an issue that first arose for the high court in a case involving then-President Donald Trump. Justice Amy Coney Barrett wrote for the court Friday, saying officials who use personal accounts to make official statements may not be free to delete comments about those statements or block critics altogether. But Barrett wrote that “state officials have private lives and their own constitutional rights.” The cases forced the court to deal with the competing free speech rights of public officials and their constituents in a rapidly evolving virtual world.

Marriages in the US are back to pre-pandemic levels, CDC says

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. marriages have rebounded to pre-pandemic levels with nearly 2.1 million in 2022. That’s a 4% increase from the year before. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released new data. The COVID-19 pandemic threw many people’s wedding plans into disarray. In 2020, there were 1.7 million weddings in the U.S. New York, the District of Columbia and Hawaii saw the largest increases in marriages from 2021 to 2022. The CDC says the number and rate of U.S. divorces in 2022 fell slightly, continuing a downward trend.

Brazil’s military leaders told police Bolsonaro involved in a plan to reverse 2022 election result

SAO PAULO (AP) — Judicial documents show that top Brazilian military leaders declared to police that former President Jair Bolsonaro presented to them a plan to reverse the results of the 2022 election he lost, but they refused and warned him that they would arrest him if he tried it. The testimonies of Bolsonaro’s former Army and Air Force commanders before the police, and released by the Supreme Court, is the first direct mention to the right-wing leader as the person planning a move to change the results of the 2022 election won by his rival, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. The statement by Bolsonaro’s commanders add to his legal woes.

Businesses are ready for April’s total solar eclipse with celestial-themed doughnuts and beer

NEW YORK (AP) — With the April 8 total solar eclipse right around the corner, U.S. businesses are ready for the celestial event. Hotels and resorts along the prime path are luring in visitors with special packages while big companies like Southwest and Delta are selling seats on eclipse-viewing flights. Still, small businesses within the eclipse’s path of darkness appear to be leading the charge. Towns and shop owners have been planning for the eclipse and the anticipated huge crowds. Offerings include eclipse-themed beer and doughnuts and an array of limited-edition merchandise, like earrings and baby onesies.

Aaron Donald announces his retirement after a standout 10-year career with the Rams

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Defensive lineman Aaron Donald has announced his retirement after a standout 10-year career with the Los Angeles Rams. The three-time AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year made his surprising announcement on social media. Donald spent his entire career with the Rams, who drafted him in the first round in 2014. He was selected for 10 Pro Bowls and eight All-Pro first teams, and he won the award as the league’s top defensive player in 2017, 2018 and 2020. He was the cornerstone of every Rams defense during his career, drawing habitual double-teams away from his teammates and still racking up 111 total sacks.