World News - The Morning Sun

A Muslim cleric walks along a former Byzantine church which formally opened as a mosque, in Istanbul, Turkey, Monday, May 6, 2024. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan formally opened a former Byzantine church in Istanbul as a mosque on Monday, four years after his government had designated it a Muslim house of prayer, despite criticism from neighboring Greece. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)

Turkey formally opens another former Byzantine-era church as a mosque

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has formally opened a former Byzantine church in Istanbul as a mosque. The move came four years after Erdogan's government had designated it a Muslim house of … more

5/6/24

The photos of the foreign surfers who disappeared are placed on the beach in Ensenada, Mexico, Sunday, May 5, 2024. Mexican authorities said Friday that three bodies were recovered in an area of Baja California near where two Australians and an American went missing last weekend during an apparent camping and surfing trip. (AP Photo/Karen Castaneda)

How a beach trip in Mexico's Baja California turned deadly for surfers from Australia and the US

Two Australians and an American were doing what they loved on the stunning, largely isolated stretch of Baja California’s Pacific coast. Their last images on social media showed them gazing at the … more

By MARK STEVENSON | 5/6/24

FILE - Palestinians line up to receive meals at Jabaliya refugee camp in the Gaza Strip, March 18, 2024. The head of the United Nations World Food Program says northern Gaza has entered “full-blown famine” after nearly seven months of war between Israel and Hamas. But a formal — and highly sensitive — famine declaration faces the complications of politics and of confirming how many people have died. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Essa, File)

The UN says there's 'full-blown famine' in northern Gaza. What does that mean?

The head of the United Nations World Food Program says northern Gaza has entered “full-blown famine” after nearly seven months of war between Israel and Hamas. But a formal famine declaration … more

By SAM MEDNICK and ELLEN KNICKMEYER | 5/6/24

People walk through the former Nazi German death camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau as they attend the annual Holocaust remembrance event, the "March of the Living" in memory of the six million Holocaust victims in Oswiecim, Poland, Monday, May 6, 2024. The event comes amid the dramatic backdrop of the violence of the Israel-Hamas war after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, the deadliest violence against Jews since the Holocaust, and as pro-Palestinian protests sweep U.S. campuses. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

The yearly memorial march at the former death camp at Auschwitz overshadowed by the Israel-Hamas war

U.S. university presidents have joined Holocaust survivors and thousands of Israelis for a yearly memorial march at the site of Auschwitz. The March of the Living honors the 6 million Jews killed by … more

By RAFAL NIEDZIELSKI and VANESSA GERA | 5/6/24

From left, Italian Foreign Press Association's member Costanze Reuscher hosts a press conference at the Association headquarters in Rome, Monday, May 6, 2024, with Italian state television RAI's journalists, Daniele Macheda, Serena Bortone, Vittorio di Trapani, and Sigfrido Ranucci. Journalists at Italy’s state-run RAI went on strike Monday to protest budget streamlining and what they said was an increasingly repressive atmosphere in Italy for media under the government of Premier Giorgia Meloni. (Cecilia Fabiano /LaPresse via AP)

Italy's RAI journalists strike over budget streamlining, complain of censorship and media repression

Some journalists at Italy’s state-run RAI are on strike to protest budget streamlining and what they say is an increasingly repressive atmosphere in Italy for media. The 24-hour RAI strike Monday … more

5/6/24

Chadian interim President Mahamat Deby Itno casts his ballot, in N'djamena, Chad, Monday, May 6, 2024, in a long delayed presidential election that is set to end three years of military rule. (AP Photo/Mouta)

Chad holds presidential election after years of military rule

Voters in Chad have headed to the polls on Monday to cast their ballot in a long delayed presidential election that is set to end three years of military rule under interim president, Mahamat Deby … more

By EDOUARD TAKADJI | 5/6/24

FILE - Deputy First Minister John Swinney delivers his address to delegates during the 2019 SNP autumn conference at the Event Complex in Aberdeen, Oct. 14. 2019. John Swinney was elected Monday, May 6, 2024 as leader of the SNP after no other candidates came forward. (Jane Barlow/PA via AP, File)

John Swinney expected to lead Scotland after being confirmed as Scottish National Party leader

A former head of the Scottish National Party is expected to be Scotland's next leader. John Swinney was confirmed Monday as leader of the SNP after no other candidate came forward. He's expected to … more

By BRIAN MELLEY | 5/6/24

FILE - Medics stand by the covered bodies of victims of a deadly blaze in Johannesburg, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023. A report into a building fire that killed 76 people in South Africa last year has concluded that city authorities should be held responsible because they were aware of serious safety issues at the rundown apartment block at least four years before the blaze. The nighttime fire at the five-story building in downtown Johannesburg on Aug. 31 was one of South Africa's worst disasters. At least 12 children were among the dead and another 86 people were injured. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay/File)

An inquiry into a building fire in South Africa that killed 76 finds city authorities responsible

A report into a building fire that killed 76 people in South Africa last year has concluded that city authorities should be held responsible because they were aware of serious safety issues at the … more

By GERALD IMRAY | 5/6/24

FILE — WWII veteran Charles Shay, pays tribute to soldiers during a D-Day commemoration ceremony of the 78th anniversary for those who helped end World War II, in Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer, Normandy, France, Monday, June 6, 2022. On D-Day, Charles Shay was a 19-year-old Native American army medic who was ready to give his life — and actually saved many. Now 99, he's spreading a message of peace with tireless dedication as he's about to take part in the 80th celebrations of the landings in Normandy that led to the liberation of France and Europe from Nazi Germany occupation. (AP Photo/ Jeremias Gonzalez, File)

On D-Day, 19-year-old medic Charles Shay was ready to give his life, and save as many as he could

D-Day veteran Charles Shay is about to take part next month in the 80th celebrations of the landings in Normandy that led to the liberation of France and Europe from Nazi Germany occupation. Then a … more

By JEFFREY SCHAEFFER and SYLVIE CORBET | 5/6/24

In this image from a video, Western Australian Police Commissioner Col Blanch speaks at a press conference in Perth, Australia Sunday, May 5, 2024. A 16-year-old boy armed with a knife was shot dead by police after he stabbed a man in the Australian west coast city of Perth, officials said Sunday. (Australian Broadcasting Corporation via AP)

Boy shot dead after Perth stabbing was in deradicalization program, but no ties seen to Sydney teens

Authorities say a 16-year-old boy who was shot dead by police after stabbing a man in western Australia had been in a deradicalization program for two years but had no ties to an alleged network of … more

By ROD McGUIRK | 5/6/24

FILE - Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, and France's President Emmanuel Macron talk prior to a tea ceremony at the Guandong province governor's residence in Guangzhou, China, on April 7, 2023. French President Emmanuel Macron will seek to press China's Xi Jinping to use his influence to move Russia toward ending the war in Ukraine during a two-day state visit to France. Both leaders were also expected to discuss trade disputes over electric cars, cognac and cosmetics. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, Pool, File)

Macron sets Ukraine as top priority as China's Xi Jinping pays a state visit to France

French President Emmanuel Macron is welcoming China's Xi Jinping for a two-day state visit to France. He is seeking to press Xi to use his influence on Moscow to move toward ending the war in … more

By SYLVIE CORBET | 5/6/24

Presidential candidate Jose Raul Mulino, left, stands beside Marta Linares de Martinelli, the wife of former Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli, as he addresses supporters after winning on the day of the general electing in Panama City, Sunday, May 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Last-minute candidate José Raúl Mulino heads to victory in Panama's presidential election

José Raúl Mulino, the stand-in for former President Ricardo Martinelli in Panama's presidential election, is on his way to becoming the new leader of the Central American nation. With nearly 90% of … more

By JUAN ZAMORANO and MEGAN JANETSKY | 5/5/24

A demonstrator holding a bodyboard written in Spanish " I don't want to die" protests the disappearance of foreign surfers in Ensenada, Mexico, Sunday, May 5, 2024. Mexican authorities said Friday that three bodies were recovered in an area of Baja California near where two Australians and an American went missing last weekend during an apparent camping and surfing trip. (AP Photo/Karen Castaneda)

Thieves apparently killed 2 Australians and American to steal their truck, Mexican authorities say

Mexican authorities say thieves apparently killed two Australians and an American on a surfing trip in Baja California to steal their truck. State prosecutors released grisly details of the slaying, … more

5/5/24

FILE - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a press conference in the Kirya military base in Tel Aviv, Israel on Oct. 28, 2023. Netanyahu pledged Tuesday, April 30 to launch an incursion into the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are sheltering from the almost 7-month-long war, just as cease-fire negotiations between Israel and Hamas appear to be gaining steam. (Abir Sultan/Pool Photo via AP, File)

Netanyahu uses Holocaust ceremony to brush off international pressure against Gaza offensive

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected international pressure to halt the war in Gaza in a fiery speech marking the country’s annual Holocaust memorial day. Netanyahu told a … more

5/5/24

Actor Bernard Hill arrives for the U.K. Premiere of "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey," at the Odeon Leicester Square, in London, Dec. 12, 2012. Hill, who delivered a rousing battle cry before leading his people into battle in “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" and went down with the ship as captain in “Titanic,” has died. Hill, 79, died Sunday morning, May 5, 2024, agent Lou Coulson said. (Dominic Lipinski/PA via AP)

Actor Bernard Hill, of 'Titanic' and 'Lord of the Rings,' has died at 79

Actor Bernard Hill who starred in “Titanic,” and “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy has died. Hill's agent Lou Coulson says he died Sunday at age 79. Hill delivered a rousing cry before leading … more

By BRIAN MELLEY | 5/5/24

The Israeli prime minister said Sunday that the if Israel agrees to Hamas’ “extreme positions”, then the “next 7th of October is only a matter of time.” Netanyahu’s comments came as a Hamas delegation was in Cairo for cease-fire talks. But Israel hasn’t sent a delegation and a senior Israeli official downplayed prospects for a full end to the war.

Israel says Hamas attacks a crossing point into Gaza, wounding 10 Israelis and forcing its closure

Israel says a major crossing point used to deliver humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip has come under fire by Hamas militants, forcing it to close. The Israeli military reported 10 launches at the … more

By JOSEF FEDERMAN and KAREEM CHEHAYEB | 5/5/24

An Ukrainian serviceman of the 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigade, lights candles during a Christian Orthodox Easter religious service, in Donetsk region, Ukraine, Saturday, May 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Ukraine marks its third Easter at war under fire from Russian drones

Russia has launched a barrage of drones on eastern Ukraine as the country marks its third Easter at war. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged Ukrainians in an Easter address to be “united in one … more

5/5/24

In this image made from video, Mexico's police officers stand guard at the Ensenada station in Ensenada, Mexico, Thursday, May 2, 2024. Mexican authorities said Thursday they have found tents and questioned a few people in the case of two Australians and an American who went missing over the weekend in the Pacific coast state of Baja California. (AP Photo)

3 bodies recovered likely those of 2 Australians and American who went missing, prosecutors say

The state prosecutor’s office says three bodies recovered in an area of Mexico's Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a … more

By MARK STEVENSON | 5/4/24

London Mayoral Labour Party candidate Sadiq Khan and his wife Saadiya Ahmed pose for the media as they arrive to vote in London, Thursday, May 2, 2024. Khan, is seeking re-election, and standing against 12 other candidates for the post of Mayor of London. There are other Mayoral elections in English cities and as well as local council elections. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

London, meet the new boss, same as the old boss. Mayor Sadiq Khan wins historic third term

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has won a historic third term in office. The win announced Saturday marks his staying power despite unhappiness among some voters, who blame him for a lot of the capital's … more

By BRIAN MELLEY | 5/4/24

This drone footage obtained by The Associated Press shows the village of Ocheretyne, a target for Russian forces in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine. Ukraine’s military has acknowledged the Russians have gained a “foothold” in Ocheretyne, which had a population of about 3,000 before the war, but say fighting continues. No people could be seen in the footage, and no building in Ocheretyne appeared to have been left untouched by the fighting. (Kherson/Green via AP)

Drone footage shows Ukrainian village battered to ruins as residents flee Russian advance

Drone footage obtained by The Associated Press shows the devastation inflicted on the Ukranian village of Ocheretyne. It has been a target for Russian forces as they continue to advance in the … more

By JILL LAWLESS | 5/4/24