Tel Aviv (AFP) – Thousands of demonstrators take to the streets of Tel Aviv for the 13th consecutive week, some blocking one of the major highways in the coastal city, to protest against Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposal to overhaul the justice system, even after the prime minister paused the process for a month. Critics say the proposed reforms, which would limit the power of the supreme court, threaten Israel’s democracy.
Vatican City (AFP) – Pope Francis thanks those who prayed for him during his illness, as he kicks off the holiest week in the Christian calendar just a day after leaving hospital following a bout of bronchitis. “I thank you for your participation and also for your prayers… Thank you!”, he tells the throng gathered for Palm Sunday in St Peter’s Square.
Madrid (AFP) – Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti says the rumour that the Brazilian national team is interested in him “excites him”. Speaking ahead of Madrid’s La Liga tie against Valladolid, Ancelotti says “I love that” before adding he has a “contract that I want to respect.”
Guatemala City (AFP) – Guatemalan President, Alejandro Giammattei, describes Taiwan as “the only true China” during a visit by the island nation’s President Tsai Ing-wen to Guatemala City. Giammattei calls Taiwan “an independent nation” with which his country shares the “democratic values of mutual respect and historic brotherhood.”
Rome (AFP) – Pope Francis leaves Gemelli hospital in Rome following a three-night stay for bronchitis, greeting and blessing well-wishers gathered outside. The 86-year-old was admitted on Wednesday after suffering breathing difficulties for his second hospitalisation since 2021. Increasingly frequent health issues over the past year have raised widespread concerns for the pontiff and led to speculation that he could retire from the post rather than hold it for life.
Bucharest (AFP) – Controversial influencer Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan are released after three months of pre-trial detention in Romania and moved to house arrest while they continue to be investigated for allegedly “forming an organised criminal gang, human trafficking and rape”. The transfer comes after an appeals court rejected a further extension of the Tates’ detention and ordered that the pair were released with restrictions. A former professional kickboxer, Andrew Tate’s videos on social media — which often contain misogynistic and violent themes — are watched by an audience of millions, comprised predmoninantly of teenage boys.
New York (AFP) – Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg leaves his office in New York a day after a grand jury indicted former US President Donald Trump in a hush-money payment case.
New York (AFP) – A man impersonating former US President Donald Trump pretends to direct traffic outside the Trump Tower in New York City. Trump, who was indicted by a grand jury on Thursday, is expected to surrender to the authorities in New York on Tuesday to face charges over a hush-money payment to a porn star.
West Palm Beach (United States) (AFP) – Views of former US President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in West Palm Beach, Florida after a New York grand jury indicted him in a hush-money payment case. IMAGES
Paris (AFP) – At 108, pianist Colette Maze is still practising her art on one of the three pianos that adorn her living room. The pianist who is due to celebrate her 109th birthday in June is adamant that she is “young”, hates “jaded” people and owes her longevity to dancing.
Bucha (Ukraine) (AFP) – A year after its liberation by Ukrainian forces, Bucha and its people are still confronted by the atrocities blamed on Russian forces during their occupation of the city. But the community is slowly rebuilding despite their collective trauma.
Bucha (Ukraine) (AFP) – Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky visits Bucha with various European leaders — from Croatia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Moldova — one year after Moscow’s troops withdrew from the Ukrainian town synonymous with war crimes allegations.
