May 01 India announces it will include caste details in its next census By Rajesh Roy, Sheikh Saaliq, Associated Press Caste is an ancient system of social hierarchy in India and is critical to Indian life and politics. There are hundreds of caste groups based on occupation and economic status across India, particularly among Hindus, but the country has limited, or… Continue reading
May 01 Russia and Ukraine trade deadly drone strikes after U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal is signed By Hanna Arhirova, Elise Morton, Associated Press A Ukrainian drone attack left at least seven people dead and a Russian strike on Odesa killed two people on Thursday, officials said, just hours after Kyiv and Washington signed a long-anticipated agreement granting U.S. access to Ukraine’s mineral resources. Continue reading
May 01 African Catholics say it would be nice to see themselves reflected in the next pope By Rodney Muhumuza, Associated Press If the next pope is from sub-Saharan Africa, he would be the first in Catholic Church history. Continue reading
May 01 Trump threatens sanctions against buyers of Iranian oil after U.S.-Iran nuclear talks postponed By Jon Gambrell, Associated Press It was unclear how Trump would implement such a ban as he threatened to levy secondary sanctions on nations that import Iranian oil. But his statement risked further escalating tensions with China — Iran’s leading customer — at a time… Continue reading
May 01 How does the conclave pick a new pope? 8 things to know By Dan Cooney The world won’t know the next leader of the world’s Catholics until he appears before a throng of supporters in St. Peter’s Square. But in the coming days, powerful members of the Catholic Church from around the world will take… Continue reading
May 01 What’s in the minerals deal Ukraine signed with the United States? By Samya Kullab, Associated Press After months of tense negotiations, the U.S. and Ukraine signed a deal that is expected to give Washington access to the country’s critical minerals and other natural resources, an agreement Kyiv hopes will secure long-term support for its defense against Russia. Continue reading
May 01 South Korea’s acting leader resigns amid reports he’s launching his presidential campaign By Hyung-Jin Kim, Associated Press South Korea’s acting leader, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, says he is resigning amid reports he will run in next month’s presidential election. Continue reading
May 01 UN official calls Israel’s Gaza aid blockade ‘cruel collective punishment’ By Elena Becatoros, Wafaa Shurafa, Associated Press Israel has blocked any humanitarian aid from entering Gaza since the end of a ceasefire two months ago. That has thrown Gaza into what is believed to be the worst humanitarian crisis in nearly 19 months of war. Continue reading
May 01 From Taipei to Turkey, ‘Trumpization’ looms over international May Day marches By Sophia Tareen, Thomas Adamson, Yuri Kageyama, Associated Press Hundreds of thousands of people in the U.S. and around the world rallied Thursday in May Day protests that united many in anger over President Donald Trump’s agenda from aggressive tariffs that are stoking fears of global economic turmoil to… Continue reading
Apr 30 Kuwait frees 10 more detained Americans in second release since March, officials say By Eric Tucker, Associated Press Kuwait has released an additional 10 American detainees, bringing to nearly two dozen the total number freed by the country in the past two months, U.S. officials told The Associated Press on Wednesday. Continue reading