Newswatch

Number of dead in a roof collapse at a nightclub in Dominican Republic rises to 218

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — The number of dead in a roof collapse at an iconic nightclub in the Dominican Republic has surged to 218. The director of the Center of Emergency Operations said crews at the scene Thursday are still looking for victims and potential survivors, although no one has been found alive since Tuesday afternoon. Meanwhile, dozens of people in the capital of Santo Domingo still searched for their loved ones, growing frustrated upon getting no answers after visiting hospitals and the country’s forensic institute. Doctors warned that some of the two dozen patients who remained hospitalized were still not in the clear, especially the eight who were in critical condition.

Ksenia Karelina, a US-Russia dual national, freed in a prisoner swap between Moscow and Washington

Russia has freed a Russian American convicted of treason in exchange for a Russian-German man jailed on smuggling charges in the U.S. Thursday’s prisoner swap comes as the two countries work to repair ties. Ksenia Karelina is also identified in the media as Ksenia Khavana. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said she was on her way to the U.S. She was arrested in February 2024 and convicted of treason on charges stemming from a donation of about $52 to a charity aiding Ukraine. American authorities have called the case “absolutely ludicrous.” Russia’s Federal Security Service said Arthur Petrov was released as part of the swap. Petrov was arrested in Cyprus in August 2023 at the request of the U.S. on charges of smuggling sensitive microelectronics.

Video shows 4 captive Ukrainian troops killed by men identified as Russian forces

ROME (AP) — Ukrainian drone video seen by The Associated Press shows four Ukrainian soldiers being shot to death by soldiers with Russian uniform markings in the village of Piatykhatky on March 13. Video from a Russian drone, which AP located on pro-Kremlin social media, cuts off abruptly with the men lying on the ground — alive. Ukrainian prosecutors and U.N. officials say killings of Ukrainian POWs have surged. As evidence of potential war crimes mounts, chances for accountability are at risk. U.S. President Donald Trump has signaled that a prospective deal could see Ukraine surrender some territory and echoed some narratives from Russian President Vladimir Putin — the man war crimes prosecutors want to see in court.

House will consider GOP bill requiring proof of US citizenship for voting, a Trump priority

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans are expected to take up one of President Donald Trump’s top election-related priorities, legislation that would require proof of citizenship when registering to vote for federal elections. Trump has long signaled a desire to change how elections are run in the U.S. and recently issued a sweeping executive order that includes a similar citizenship requirement. Top Republicans say the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act is necessary to ensure only U.S. citizens cast ballots and “cements into law” Trump’s recent order. The legislation is expected to be considered Thursday in the House. Democrats and voting rights groups warn the bill risks disenfranchising millions of Americans and would upend election administration in the states.

Israeli strike on Gaza apartment building kills at least 23, officials say

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — An Israeli airstrike on a residential block in northern Gaza killed at least 23 people, health officials in the Palestinian territory say. The Gaza Health Ministry said more than half of the dead were women and children. It said Wednesday’s strike hit a four-story building in the Shijaiyah neighborhood of Gaza City. It said at least 40 people were wounded in the strike. The Israeli military said it struck a senior Hamas militant who it said was behind attacks emanating from Shijaiyah. It was the latest violence in a war that shows no signs of abating.

Inflation fell last month as gas prices dropped sharply, a sign prices cooling before tariffs

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. inflation declined last month as the cost of gas fell, a sign that price growth was cooling even as President Donald Trump ramped up tariffs. Consumer prices rose 2.4% in March from a year earlier, the Labor Department said Thursday, down from 2.8% in February. That is the lowest inflation figure since September. Excluding the volatile food and energy categories, core prices rose 2.8% compared with a year ago, down from 3.1% in February, the second straight decline. Economists closely watch core prices because they are considered a better guide to where inflation is headed.