Israeli probe into the killings of 15 Palestinian medics in Gaza finds 'professional failures'

JERUSALEM (AP) — An Israeli investigation into the killings of 15 Palestinian medics last month in Gaza by Israeli forces says it has found “professional failures.” A deputy commander will be fired in one of the most severe punishments of the 18-month war. Israel at first claimed that the medics’ vehicles did not have emergency signals on when troops opened fire. Cellphone video recovered from one medic contradicted Israel’s initial account, and Israel backtracked. The military investigation said Sunday that the deputy battalion commander assessed that the ambulances belonged to Hamas “due to poor night visibility." The probe asserted that six of those killed were Hamas members. It said no paramedic was armed.

Pope Francis emerges from convalescence on Easter, delights crowd with popemobile tour

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis has emerged from his convalescence on Easter Sunday to bless people in St. Peter’s Square and treat them to a surprise popemobile romp through the square. The crowd erupted in cheers of “Viva il Papa!” (Long live the pope) and “Bravo!” as Francis looped through the square in his open-topped popemobile. He stopped occasionally to bless babies brought up to him. It was a scene that was common in the past but unthinkable just a few weeks ago as the 88-year-old Francis fought for his life. Francis' voice sounded stronger than it has since his hospitalization. He said “Brothers and sisters, Happy Easter!” On his way there, Francis met briefly with U.S. Vice President JD Vance.

Zelenskyy says Russia is trying to create an 'impression of a ceasefire' as attacks continue

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of trying to create an “impression of a ceasefire,” saying Russian forces continued attacks after President Vladimir Putin’s declaration of an Easter truce. Zelenskyy reported on Sunday 59 instances of shelling and multiple drone strikes. He reiterated Ukraine’s offer to extend the truce for 30 days but said his country would respond based on the situation on the battlefield. Russia’s Defense Ministry says Ukrainian forces launched overnight attacks in the Donetsk region despite the ceasefire and had sent 48 drones into Russian territory.

Alito's dissent in deportation case says court rushed to block Trump with middle-of-the night order

WASHINGTON (AP) — Justice Samuel Alito has written a sharp dissent that castigates the seven-member majority for blocking the Trump administration from deporting any Venezuelans held in northern Texas under an 18th-century wartime law. The dissent was released Saturday night, hours after the court’s intervention against the Republican administration. Alito says the Supreme Court acted “literally in the middle of the night” and without sufficient explanation. Alito says there was “dubious factual support” for granting the request in an emergency appeal from the American Civil Liberties Union. That group contends that immigration authorities appeared to be moving to restart such removals under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798.

This Midwestern city has long been a federal hub. The pain from DOGE’s cuts is everywhere

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City, Missouri, metropolitan area has long been a regional hub for the federal government, and the pain from the Trump administration's cuts can be seen everywhere. Thousands of federal workers fear they'll lose their jobs. Some have been let go. Many are considering early retirement or buyouts. One researcher expects the region could lose as many as 6,000 good-paying federal jobs, which in turn would eliminate thousands more in other industries. Cuts to food aid programs have affected a farmers market and food pantry in a low-income neighborhood. And the city has paused plan to upgrade its public health laboratory after federal grants were abruptly canceled.

Man who fatally shot 23 at El Paso Walmart set to plead guilty to murder nearly 6 years on

DALLAS (AP) — Nearly six years after a man fatally shot 23 people in a racist attack targeting Hispanic shoppers at a Walmart in Texas near the U.S.-Mexico border, the gunman's criminal case is set to come to a close. Patrick Crusius is expected to enter a guilty plea Monday in state district court to capital murder in the El Paso massacre, which is one of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history. Crusius is now 26 and is expected to receive a life sentence with no possibility of parole. He has already been sentenced to 90 consecutive life sentences by a federal judge.

Strollers and other baby products will get more expensive -- and harder to find -- with tariffs

Raising a child in America has never been cheap. In the first year alone, it costs an average of $20,384, according to parenting website Baby Center. But President Donald Trump's new tariffs will make it many times more expensive. The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association estimates that 90% of the core products used to care for babies are made in Asia. That includes strollers, bottles, diaper pails and car seats The association has asked the Trump administration to exempt baby products from import taxes. Trump gave car seats and high chairs an exemption during his first administration, but it's unclear if he will do that again.

15 years after Deepwater Horizon oil spill, lawsuits stall and restoration is incomplete

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Fifteen years after the Deepwater Horizon disaster off the Gulf Coast, the effects of the largest oil spill in U.S. history are still being felt. Oil company BP has paid billions of dollars in damages, propelling ambitious coastal restoration projects. Yet cleanup workers and local residents who suffered health impacts they attribute to the spill have struggled to have their cases heard in court. Few have received significant compensation. Conservation groups say the spill catalyzed successful restoration work across the Gulf Coast, but are alarmed at the recent halt of a flagship land-creation project in southeast Louisiana.

Marijuana holiday 4/20 coincides with Easter and Passover this year. Here's what to know

Marijuana culture’s high holiday known as 4/20 falls this year on Easter, as well as the last day of Passover. That means cannabis fans can celebrate in some unusual ways, including an Easter nug hunt in Los Angeles, kosher-style THC gummies in New York and a blaze and praise drag brunch in Portland, Oregon. Some 300 people are expected to partake in the Easter nug scavenger hunt this weekend, aided by a mobile app leading them through participating dispensaries, trivia challenges and so-called stoner activities. The origin of the term 4/20 dates to the 1970s and a group of bell-bottomed buddies at a high school north of San Francisco who called themselves the Waldos.

Queen Elizabeth II's favorite dogs race for glory in Britain's Corgi Derby

LONDON (AP) — Some of the fastest canines on four very short legs have raced for glory in Scotland’s annual Corgi Derby. The Musselburgh Racecourse Corgi Derby was first held in 2022 to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s 70 years on the throne. The late monarch was a devoted corgi fan who owned almost 30 of the breed over the decades. Four-year-old Juno beat a 16-strong field of dashing dogs dressed in bright sweaters over the 230-foot race on Saturday. The winner was were presented with a trophy and dog treats by tennis coach Judy Murray, mother of Scottish star Andy Murray.