World News

Congo displacement reaches 'devastating level' as violence escalates, aid groups warn

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(LONDON) -- Almost a million people have been forced to flee their homes in the Democratic Republic of Congo since the start of the year following an upsurge in violence in the east of the Central African nation, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, or UNHCR, has announced.

Humanitarian agencies are raising alarm at the "humanitarian and medical toll of the violence," saying the situation has reached a "devastating level" as thousands of weapon-wounded civilians pour in to hospitals in Goma, the capital of North Kivu, and surrounding areas.

In a dramatic resurgence of violence, the March 23 Movement armed rebel group has been expanding its territory and advancing towards Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, forcing thousands of civilians caught in the crossfire to flee as fighting intensifies between M23, the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and various other armed groups.

Xavier Collard de Macquerh, head of programs at the International Committee of the Red Cross, told ABC News that the situation is dire and "we are witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe."

"People are experiencing loss in a repetitive manner, displaced several times in a row," he said.

Collard de Macquerh says moving frontlines are triggering a wave of displacement, hospitals in Goma supported by the ICRC receiving more and more wounded civilians. "We are receiving more and more weapon-wounded and seeing a sharp increase in those wounded by shrapnel, explosives, which is a major concern."

Collard de Macquerh told ABC News many civilians are also fleeing north to hard-to-access areas for humanitarian organizations due to security.

"People are in need of access to basics such as food, water, hygiene and access to health," he told ABC News over the phone from Kinshasa, calling on armed actors to take all possible precautions to protect civilians caught in the crossfire.

According to the World Food Programme, around a quarter of the Central African nation’s population is facing "crisis levels of hunger or worse," with many living in poor conditions with no access to food, education or health services. It's a conflict-driven hunger crisis, WFP said in a statement last week.

Almost 300,000 people have arrived in Goma and its surroundings since "violent clashes" enveloped the town of Sake in Masisi territory in February, UNHCR spokesperson Matthew Saltmarsh said at a press briefing in Geneva. The mass displacement has caused spontaneous and official displacement to "swell" as civilians desperately seek refuge from "indiscriminate bombing and other human rights abuses."

The DRC now stands as the second-largest displacement crisis globally, second only to Sudan, the U.N. said, with over 7.1 million people internally displaced, including 800,000 in the last three months.

"Close to 10 million people are on the move," said Saltmarsh. "Poverty and hunger affect a quarter of the population or 25.4 million people. The spread of cholera and other infectious diseases pose significant threats to the populations health."

International Childrens charity Save the Children said the violence has also closed over 500 schools in the North Kivu region, creating chaos for children and "putting them at risk of being recruited by armed forces." There have been at least two cases of teachers being kidnapped.

The U.S. has called on warring parties to turn to the Luanda Process.

"There is no military-only solution to the crisis in eastern DRC," U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Robert Wood said in a briefing to the U.N. Security Council. "The United States strongly supports the efforts led by regional actors to resume the Nairobi and Luanda processes, which offer the most viable paths toward resolving this 30-year conflict."

"The United States calls on the leaders of Rwanda and the DRC to make the decision to pursue peace – for the sake of their people, the region, and the world," the ambassador said.

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AI could eliminate nearly 8 million jobs in UK, study shows

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(LONDON) --  Artificial intelligence could eliminate up to nearly 8 million jobs in the United Kingdom, according to a new study, which cautions that women and early-career employees are most at risk of being put out of work.

Government policy, however, could allow the U.K. to avert job losses and harness AI for a breakneck economic surge, according to the left-leaning Institute for Public Policy Research, the think tank that authored the report.

“The world of knowledge work will be transformed by generative AI,” the report said, referring to a type of AI that can create content, such as text or images. “We need to start preparing for this now.”

Researchers analyzed 22,000 tasks carried out by workers across the U.K. economy, finding that 11% are currently exposed to the threat of displacement by AI, the study said. The jobs at greatest risk include entry-level, part-time and administrative roles -- a set of positions disproportionately held by women, the study added.

The report describes a soon-to-begin phase of AI adoption during which some of these “low-hanging fruit” jobs will be replaced by the technology. The overall workforce impact over the period could be limited, the study said, but some roles will experience massive effects, such as the elimination of one-third of administrative jobs.

A second phase could bring much deeper integration of AI that will threaten up to 59% of tasks, the report said. If companies allow AI to access proprietary information and execute key tasks, the study said, the resulting disruption may slash a wider swathe of jobs, including a larger share of high-paying positions.

While offering up potential outcomes, the study acknowledged that a wide range of job-displacement scenarios remains possible, including the potential for job losses to be avoided entirely.

Experts who spoke to ABC News last year noted the absence of job losses during a surge of AI adoption over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.

While data on the scale of displacement remains limited, the experts said, anecdotes confirm that the technology eliminates some positions while creating others.

The increased sophistication and use of AI is expected to displace jobs over the coming years, the experts added. AI will enhance productivity and increase compensation for some jobs but it risks leaving out workers who fail to keep up, they said.

Artificial intelligence could displace roughly 15% of workers, or 400 million people, worldwide between 2016 and 2030, according to a McKinsey study released in 2018. In a scenario of wide AI adoption, the share of jobs displaced could rise to as much as 30%, the firm found.

The report out on Tuesday presented policy proposals that the authors believe could reduce the likelihood of job losses and heighten the possibility of an AI-induced economic boom.

A policy described by the report as “ringfencing,” for example, would mandate the continued use of human involvement for certain tasks, such as medical diagnoses. A combination of government incentives and public-private partnerships could help achieve the measure.

In its most optimistic potential scenario, the report outlines a future of AI adoption in which no jobs are lost and gross domestic product increases by 13%.

“There is no one predetermined path for how AI implementation will play out,” the report's authors said.

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More than one billion meals wasted per day in 2022, according to new UN report

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(NEW YORK) -- Global households are discarding an exorbitant amount of food every year, despite food insecurity remaining one of the top concerns in several regions around the world, according to a new report by the United Nationals Environment Programme.

Households across all continents wasted more than 1 billion meals per day in 2022, according to the UNEP's Food Waste Index Report, released Wednesday. The annual cost of the food wasted is estimated to be worth more than $1 trillion and weigh in at 1.05 billion tonnes, according to the report.

Nearly one-fifth (19%) of the food available to consumers at the retail, food service and household level was wasted, according to the report.

Most of the world’s food waste comes from households, accounting for approximately 60% (631 million tonnes) of the total food waste in 2022. Food service and retail sectors accounted for around 28% and 12% respectively, the authors estimated.

An individual wastes, on average, approximately 79 kilograms -- or about 174 pounds -- of food annually, the report found.

The UNEP estimates that approximately 8% to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions are due to food waste and loss -- almost five times the total emissions from the aviation sector, according to the report.

There is more food waste per capita in households that are located in typically hotter countries around the world, the report states. Factors such as extreme heat events and overall higher seasonal temperatures make it more challenging to store, process, transport, and sell food safely, often leading to a significant volume of food being wasted.

The report also highlights that there are food waste disparities between rural and urban populations. In middle-income countries, rural populations are generally wasting less compared to more urban areas.

The report recommends focusing efforts to strengthen circularity in cities and enhance food waste reduction programs.

Only four G20 countries -- Australia, Japan, the U.K. the U.S. -- and the European Union have food waste estimates suitable for tracking progress to 2030, according to the report.

An additional two G20 countries -- Canada and Saudi Arabia -- have suitable household estimates with Brazil’s estimate expected later this year. This is related to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that were adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015 to "end poverty, reduce inequality and build more peaceful, prosperous societies by 2030."

Some countries, such as the U.K. and Japan, show that change on a national scale is possible. In Japan, total food waste has been reduced by 31% since 2008.

In the U.S., food is the single most common material sent to landfills, encompassing more than 24% of municipal solid waste, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Organic materials, including food waste, are responsible for 58% of fugitive methane emissions from municipal solid waste landfills, the EPA estimates.

Fugitive methane emissions include all of the methane that is released into the atmosphere from various sources. Like carbon dioxide, methane is a powerful greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming and is actually much more potent and effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere compared to carbon dioxide.

Methane is over 28 times more effective than carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere, according to the EPA. While methane only accounts for about 16% of global greenhouse gas emissions, it is responsible for around 30% of the rise in global temperatures since the Industrial Revolution, according to the International Energy Agency.

The concentration of greenhouse gases in Earth’s atmosphere reached record levels in 2022 and there is no end in sight to the rising trend, according to a 2023 report by the World Meteorological Organization.

Reducing methane emissions is seen as especially important because it is one of the most effective short-term ways to limit global warming. Unlike carbon dioxide, methane gas has a short lifespan in the atmosphere, decomposing in about a decade, according to the World Meteorological Organization.

A growing number of governments are embracing public-private partnerships to reduce food waste and its impacts on climate and the environment, according to the report, which suggests that governments, cities, municipalities and food businesses of all sizes should work together to reduce food waste and encourage households to take action.

But very few countries have collected robust food waste data, according to the UNEP, which calls on them to use the Food Waste Index to measure food waste in a consistent manner, track progress and develop national baselines. This enhanced data would help better understand the scale of the problem, target hotspots, and investigate the efficacy of possible interventions, according to the report.

"Food waste is a global tragedy. Millions will go hungry today as food is wasted across the world," said Inger Andersen, executive director of UNEP. "Not only is this a major development issue, but the impacts of such unnecessary waste are causing substantial costs to the climate and nature. The good news is we know if countries prioritize this issue, they can significantly reverse food loss and waste, reduce climate impacts and economic losses, and accelerate progress on global goals."

First published in 2021, this year's Food Waste Index Report, co-authored with WRAP, a climate action nonprofit, provides the most accurate global estimate on food waste at retail and consumer levels. The report also provides guidance for countries on improving data collection and suggests best practices in moving from measuring to reducing food waste.

The 2024 report builds on recent and greater datasets and provides an update on the scale of food wasted worldwide.

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Julian Assange extradition decision delayed by UK court, allowing time for appeal

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LONDON -- A court in the United Kingdom on Tuesday ordered a delay in the possible extradition of Julian Assange, allowing the WikiLeaks founder to continue his appeal fighting a transfer to the United States to face charges in connection with one of the largest thefts of classified government information in American history

Assange is accused of conspiring with Chelsea Manning, who was then an intelligence analyst in the U.S. Army, in a leak of hundreds of thousands of classified documents, including about 250,000 U.S. Department of State cables. WikiLeaks began publishing those documents in 2010.

The U.S. Department of Justice unsealed in 2019 an 18-count indictment accusing Assange of violating the Espionage Act by allegedly obtaining, receiving and disclosing classified information.

Those charges were unsealed following Assange's arrest after he spent seven years living in the Ecuadorian embassy in London. He's been incarcerated for the last five years in Belmarsh High Security Prison, a maximum-security facility in South London.

The British government approved the extradition after a hearing in London in June 2022.

Alice Jill Edwards, the United Nations special rapporteur on torture, said in February she had concerns about Assange's mental and physical wellbeing in prison. She said Assange "suffers from a depressive disorder."

"Any extradition to the United States is very likely to exacerbate his medical underlying conditions -- and there is a very real risk of suicide," she said, according to U.N. News.

Stella Assange, a longtime partner who married Assange in 2022, added that the WikiLeaks founder had "no prospect" for a fair trial under the U.S. court system.

A U.K. Home Office spokesperson said a statement when the extradition was approved that the U.K. courts had not found that an extradition to the U.S. would “be oppressive, unjust or an abuse of process.”

The spokesperson added, “Nor have they found that extradition would be incompatible with his human rights, including his right to a fair trial and to freedom of expression, and that whilst in the US he will be treated appropriately, including in relation to his health.”

Assange, an Australian citizen, had continued appealing the decision. A hearing in February in London's High Court was expected to be his final chance within the U.K. courts to stop the overseas transfer, although he may choose to continue his appeal with the European Court of Human Rights.

The 18 charges brought against Assange carry a potential penalty of up to 175 years in prison, according to the Department of Justice. Officials said in announcing the charges that "sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties."

A superseding indictment issued in 2020 added allegations that Assange had conspired with the Anonymous hacking group.

WikiLeaks published in 2010 and 2011 several caches of classified U.S. documents and other leaked material. Those included a U.S. military video published in 2010 that the group described as "depicting the indiscriminate slaying of over a dozen people in the Iraqi suburb of New Baghdad -- including two Reuters news staff."

The United Kingdom had as of 2022 denied at least 25 previous extradition requests made by the United States in separate cases, according to the Home Office.

"If Julian Assange is extradited, he will die," Stella Assange said ahead of the February hearing, according to WikiLeaks.

ABC News' Guy Davies, Mark Osborne, Jon Haworth, Lucien Bruggeman, Patrick Reevell and Joe Simonetti contributed to this story.

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'Unimaginable situation': Doctors report malnourished patients dying from infections at Gaza hospital

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(GAZA) -- Doctors with aid organizations have described an "unimaginable situation" at European Gaza Hospital amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

An emergency medical team with Medical Aid for Palestinians, the International Rescue Committee and the Palestine Children's Relief Fund issued a release on Monday reporting patients are suffering from serious malnutrition and dying from infections at the hospital, located near the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis.

While surgeons said they have been able to complete both vascular and orthopedic surgeries, not all patients have been able to receive post-operative care, which led to some of them dying, the team said. Surgeons said they also had to administer emergency nutritional supplies because the malnutrition was affecting patient care.

"The situation is unimaginable," Dr. Konstantina Ilia Karydi, an anesthetist with the team, said in a statement. "This hospital had an original capacity of just 200 beds and, at the moment, it has expanded to 1,000 beds. There are around 22,000 people that have been displaced from other parts of Gaza sheltering in the corridors and in tents inside the hospital, because people feel that it's safer to be here than anywhere else."

The team said the hospital has suffered significant damage as a result of fighting and there is a severe shortage of medical equipment, supplies and medicine, affecting the ability to provide care.

Dr. Husam Basheer, an orthopedic surgeon with the team, said hospitals are "managing with the bare minimum of resources."

"One day we wanted to do a plate and screw, which is a standard procedure for bone fixation, but we didn't have the right equipment," he said in a statement. "Sometimes we've also lacked gauze which is a basic supply for surgery. We worked around the challenges we faced and managed in a different way, but the staff here are overwhelmed."

There are no fully functioning hospitals in Gaza and 12 are partially functioning, according to the team.

Over the last week, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has been conducting an operation at Al-Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza, claiming the hospital is being used by Hamas terrorists to "conduct and promote terrorist activity." Troops say there have been 170 "gunmen" killed and about 480 Hamas and Islamic Jihad "militants" have been detained.

Hamas has denied claims it is operating from within the hospital while Gaza health officials have said at least five patients have died as a result of the raid.

Additionally, the Palestinian Red Crescent (PRC) said IDF troops suddenly stormed Al Amal and Nasser hospitals, the latter of which has been largely abandoned and is not functional, according to the World Health Organization. The PRS said Monday that staff and wounded patients at Al-Amal Hospital were forced to evacuate on Sunday amid ongoing fighting. The IDF has not commented on the claims.

Meanwhile, groups have struggled to get aid into Gaza amid warnings that famine is "imminent" in some areas.

Israel, with the support of Egypt, has restricted the movement of goods and people in and out of Gaza since Hamas came to power in 2007. Those restrictions have tightened since Hamas' terrorist attack in Israel on Oct. 7, with authorities claiming they are trying to limit Hamas' access to weapons.

United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), the main aid agency operating inside Gaza, said on Sunday that Israeli authorities informed the U.N. they would no longer approve any UNRWA food convoys to northern Gaza. The agency has come under intense scrutiny since the end of January when Israel presented a dossier alleging 12 members of UNRWA's staff participated in the Oct. 7 terror attack on Israel, leading to several countries pausing UNWRA funding.

"UNRWA are part of the problem, and we will now stop working with them," David Mencer, an Israeli government spokesman, said Monday. "We are actively phasing out the use of UNRWA because they perpetuate the conflict rather than try and alleviate the conflict."

Israeli officials have previously claimed Hamas steals aid meant for Gaza civilians and deny accusations they aren't letting enough aid in. Israeli officials have also said the U.N., its partners and other aid agencies have created logistical challenges, resulting in a bottleneck. The U.N. disputes these claims.

It comes as the U.N. Security Council voted Monday to adopt a resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire for the remaining days of Ramadan, the holy month observed by Muslims, and the immediate unconditional release of hostages being held by Hamas. The Council voted in favor 14-0 with the U.S. abstaining. Israel does have a vote on the Council.

Since Hamas' surprise terrorist attack, at least 1,200 people have been killed in Israel. More than 32,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 73,000 others have been injured in Gaza since Oct. 7, amid Israel's ongoing ground operations and aerial bombardment of the strip, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry.

ABC News' Naser Atta, Jordana Miller and Sami Zayara contributed to this report.

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Kate Middleton diagnosed with cancer: Sarah Ferguson, Harry and Meghan, more react

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(LONDON) -- Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have offered their support for Kate, the Princess of Wales, after she opened up about her cancer diagnosis on Friday.

"We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace," Harry and Meghan said in a statement shared with ABC News.

The Sussexes, who stepped down as senior working royals in 2020, are among several family members who have rallied around Kate, including King Charles III, who shared in a statement on Friday that he is "so proud" of his daughter-in-law.

"His Majesty is 'so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did,'" a Buckingham Palace spokesman said Friday. "Following their time in hospital together, His Majesty has 'remained in the closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law throughout the past weeks.'"

"Both Their Majesties 'will continue to offer their love and support to the whole family through this difficult time,'" the spokesman added.

In a video message shared on Friday, Kate, who is married to Prince William, said that after undergoing abdominal surgery in January, tests found "cancer had been present."

"My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment," she said. "This of course came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family."

Kate's diagnosis was revealed less than two months after Buckingham Palace announced Charles had also been diagnosed with cancer.

Like Kate, Charles is currently undergoing cancer treatment, though the palace has not said what type of cancer he has nor what type of treatments he is undergoing.

Kate's announcement of her cancer diagnosis last week sparked reactions from high-profile figures around the world.

Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York

Sarah Ferguson, the ex-wife of Prince Andrew, Charles' younger brother, said in a statement Monday that she is "full of admiration" for Kate.

"All my thoughts and prayers are with the Princess of Wales as she starts her treatment," Ferguson said in the statement, which was shared on X. "I know she will be surrounded by the love of her family and everyone is praying for the best outcome."

Ferguson, the mother of Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, was diagnosed with cancer herself twice in the past year.

She was diagnosed last summer with breast cancer, for which she underwent a mastectomy, and then in January revealed she had also been diagnosed with malignant melanoma.

"As someone who has faced their own battles with cancer in recent months, I am full of admiration for the way she has spoken publicly about her diagnosis and I know it will do a tremendous amount of good to raise awareness," Ferguson wrote of Kate. "I hope she will now be given the time, space and privacy to heal."

Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex

"We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace," Prince Harry and Meghan said in a statement.

James Middleton

James Middleton, Kate's brother, also shared words of support for her in an Instagram post.

"Over the years, we have climbed many mountains together," he said. "As a family, we will climb this one with you too."

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak

U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak wished Kate a "speedy recovery" in a message he shared on social media on Friday.

"My thoughts are with the Princess of Wales, Prince of Wales, the Royal Family and in particular her three children at this difficult time," Sunak said. "The Princess of Wales has the love and support of the whole country as she continues her recovery."

"She has shown tremendous bravery with her statement today," he continued. "In recent weeks she has been subjected to intense scrutiny and has been unfairly treated by certain sections of the media around the world and on social media. When it comes to matters of health, like everyone else, she must be afforded the privacy to focus on her treatment and be with her loving family."

"I know I speak for the whole country in wishing her a full and speedy recovery and look forward to seeing her back in action when she's ready," he added.

White House

During a White House press briefing on Friday, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters the White House sends its thoughts to Princess Kate and is “incredibly sad” to her the news of her cancer diagnosis.

"Our thoughts are with [Catherine] and her family members and friends during this incredibly difficult time and certainly we wish her a full recovery and I think it’s important that we respect their privacy, especially at this time,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters.

Jill Biden

First Lady of the United States, Jill Biden, shared a message for Kate in a post on X.

"You are brave, and we love you," she said.

President Joe Biden

President Joe Biden also shared a message on X for Kate and said, "Jill and I join millions around the world praying for your full recovery, Princess Kate."

Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey, where Princess Kate and Prince William married in 2011, also shared their well wishes to Kate in a post on X following the news of her cancer diagnosis.

Olivia Munn

In the comments section of the video shared by the Prince and Princess of Wales on Instagram, Olivia Munn wished Kate "all the best." Last week, Munn revealed in an Instagram post that she was diagnosed with breast cancer and a double mastectomy.

"Thank you for showing what it's like to fight with grace and determination for yourself and for your family," Munn said. "Wishing you all the best."

Catherine Zeta-Jones

Catherine Zeta-Jones, who is from South Wales, also took to Instagram to offer support for Kate.

"Wales and the World is with you," Zeta-Jones said. "HRH Princess of Wales. Love to you always."

Ivanka Trump

Ivanka Trump, the daughter and former advisor to former President Donald Trump, said she is "deeply saddened to hear about Princess Kate's diagnosis," in a statement she shared on X, formerly Twitter.

"Amidst the trials she faces, her strength and grace continue to shine brightly," Trump said. "It's disheartening to see the speculation that has surrounded her, particularly during a time when support and kindness are most needed."

"During this challenging period, my thoughts and prayers are with Kate and her family," she continued. "I hope for her swift and full recovery, and I look forward to seeing her continue to inspire and make a positive impact in the lives of others. Let us all show our support by respecting her privacy and focusing on sending positive thoughts her way."

Katie Couric

Katie Couric took to Instagram to send Kate and her family "healing thoughts" and to share how Kate's news resonated with her and her own experience with cancer.

"Catherine, Princess of Wales, revealed Friday that she has been diagnosed with cancer and is being treated with preventative chemotherapy," Couric said. "As someone who has experienced cancer, I was deeply moved by her comments. Sending her and her family healthing thoughts."

Mia Farrow

In a message on X, actress Mia Farrow also sent her prayers for Kate during this difficult time for the princess.

"Prayers for a swift and complete recovery for lovely Princess Kate and for everyone and every family now dealing with a tough diagnosis," Farrow said.

Billie Jean King

Tennis legend Billie Jean King shared a message on X sending her support for Kate.

"Sending our love, support, and best wishes for a full and complete recovery to Catherine, The Princess of Wales," King said.

Keir Starmer

Keir Starmer, the party leader of the Labour Party, sent his "best wishes" to Kate in a message on X.

Meghan McCain

Meghan McCain also took to X to share her well wishes to Kate.

"America is sending Princess Kate and the entire royal family strength and support during this challenging time," McCain said. "Princess Kate has always been the epitome of class and grace -- never more so than now."

Humza Yousaf

First Minister of Scotland, Humza Yousaf, said he is "saddened to hear the news about the Princess of Wales/Duchess of Rothesay," in a message he shared on X.

"I am praying for her swift recovery," he said. "It must be an incredibly difficult time for the whole family. Royalty or otherwise, she has a right to privacy, which I hope will be respected."

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UN Security Council adopts Gaza cease-fire resolution

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(NEW YORK) -- The U.N. Security Council voted Monday to adopt a resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza for the remaining days of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and the unconditional release of hostages being held by Hamas terrorists.

The Security Council said the resolution could lead to a lasting sustainable cease-fire in the nearly five-month conflict.

The Security Council voted 14-0 with the United States abstaining.

Ramadan, a month of fasting, prayer and reflection observed by Muslims worldwide, began on March 10 and runs through April 9.

The vote came as the U.S. withdrew from its consistent position in the Security Council where only a few days ago it linked a cease-fire with the release of the abductees.

On Friday, China and Russia vetoed the previous cease-fire resolution partly because they supported a cease-fire without the release of the abductees.

Russia and China supported the current decision, along with Algeria and other countries.

The United States did not exercise its option to veto Monday's vote.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made it clear Sunday night that if the United States withdrew from its principled position, he would not send a high-level Israeli delegation to Washington. The delegation was poised to travel to Washington to discuss Israel's planned military operation in Rafah, a city in the southern Gaza Strip.

Following Monday's vote, Netanyahu made good on his promise to cancel the Israeli delegation's trip to Washington.

The U.S. decision to abstain from voting and not to veto Monday's resolution is a "clear retreat" from the consistent position it has held in the Security Council since the beginning of the war, Netanyahu said.

"This withdrawal hurts both the war effort and the effort to release the hostages because it gives Hamas hope that international pressure will allow them to accept a ceasefire without the release of our hostages," Netanyahu's office said in a statement.

A White House official said Netanyahu canceled the Israeli delegation's visit to Washington without calling or consulting President Joe Biden on his decision. Biden has not called Netanyahu and has no plans to do so, the official said, adding that the White House is perplexed by the Israeli prime minister's assertion that the U.S. had changed its policy.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the position the U.S. took on Monday's vote "reaffirms the U.S. position that a cease-fire of any duration come as part of an agreement to release hostages in Gaza."

"While we do not agree with all provisions included in this text, adjustments made by the resolution’s sponsors over recent days are consistent with our principled position that any ceasefire text must be paired with text on the release of the hostages," Blinken said in a statement.

Blinken added, "Because the final text does not have key language we view as essential, notably a condemnation of Hamas, we could not support it. Failure to condemn Hamas is particularly difficult to understand coming days after the world once again witnessed the horrific acts terrorist groups commit."

White House national security communications adviser John Kirby expressed disappointment in Netanyahu's decision to cancel the Israeli delegation's visit to Washington.

"We're very disappointed that they won’t be coming to Washington, D.C., to allow us to have a fulsome conversation with them about viable alternatives to going in on the ground in Rafah," Kirby told reporters Monday.

Kirby added that the U.S. had been "looking forward to having an opportunity to speak to an Israeli delegation later this week about exploring viable options and alternatives to a major ground defensive in Rafah" but pledged that conversations with Israeli counterparts would continue.

Kirby said scheduled meetings with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Monday and Tuesday were still on and he expected them to include "ample" discussion on Israel's plan for Rafah.

Following the passage of the resolution, U.S. ambassador to the U.N., Linda Thomas-Greenfield, explained why the U.S. abstained, saying that while she "appreciated the willingness" of the council to incorporate feedback, "certain key edits were ignored, including our request to add a condemnation of Hamas."

"We did not agree with everything in the resolution," Thomas-Greenfield said. "For that reason, we were unable to vote yes."

Thomas-Greenfield spoke before the latest developments from the Israeli side came to light. She argued that the resolution supported efforts to secure the release of hostages in Gaza in exchange for peace through a diplomatic arrangement.

"The United States' support for these objectives is not simply rhetorical," Thomas-Greenfield said.

She added that negotiators were making progress on securing a hostage deal, but that Hamas was still reluctant.

The ambassador implored all U.N. members to "speak out and demand unequivocally" that Hamas accept the deal on the table.

"This is the only path to securing a cease-fire and the release of hostages," Thomas-Greenfield said. "That is what this resolution means, a cease-fire of any duration must come with the release of hostages. This is the only path."

Hamas officials issued a statement Monday, saying it "welcomes the U.N. Security Council's call today for an immediate cease-fire, and we stress the necessity of reaching a permanent cease-fire that leads to the withdrawal of all Zionist forces from the Gaza Strip, and the return of the displaced to the homes from which they left."

"We also affirm our readiness to engage in an immediate prisoner exchange process that leads to the release of prisoners on both sides," Hamas said in its statement.

Russia objected to the vote, complaining that the original copies of the draft called for a "permanent cease-fire" following the truce through Ramadan, but that it had been scrubbed just an hour before the council convened for the vote.

An official familiar with pre-vote negotiations said that council members were negotiating up to the wire, as the U.S. haggled for revisions that would allow it to abstain from the vote rather than veto the resolution.

The resolution is the first passed by the Security Council since the Israel-Hamas conflict began and it was introduced by the 10 non-permanent members of the council -- Algeria, Ecuador, Guyana, Japan, Malta, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, South Korea and Switzerland.

Monday's Security Council meeting began with a minute of silence for Russia and the victims of Friday’s terrorist attack at Moscow's Crocus City Hall shopping and entertainment complex that left 137 people, including three children, dead. The terrorist group ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack.

"At the top, I want to express my deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of last week’s terrorist attack in Moscow," Thomas-Greenfield said. "We condemn terrorism in all its forms and stand in solidarity with the Russian people in grieving the loss of life from this horrific event."

ABC News' Shannon Crawford and Selina Wang contributed to this report.

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Parents of reporter Evan Gershkovich speak out 1 year into his Russian detainment: Exclusive

ABC News

This week marks one year since The Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was arrested in Russia on espionage charges while on a reporting trip.

A year into what the U.S. State Department has declared to be a wrongful detainment, Evan Gershkovich's parents say they are optimistic.

"We know that the U.S. government is taking Evan's case very seriously," his mother, Ella Milman, told "Good Morning America" co-anchor George Stephanopoulos in an exclusive sit-down interview.

"I think if you let the pessimism in ... the game is over," she said. "And our saying in the family is we're moving forward. Moving forward."

"And he says that he's fighting. He's fighting," she added.

The 32-year-old American was working as a reporter for the Moscow bureau of The Wall Street Journal and had been accredited by Russia's foreign ministry to work as a journalist when he was arrested on March 29, 2023, on espionage charges. Evan Gershkovich, the U.S. government and The Wall Street Journal firmly deny the allegations.

He has pleaded not guilty and faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted. A Russian court denied his latest appeal on Feb. 20, extending his pretrial detainment through March 30, more than a year after his initial arrest.

In December, the U.S. State Department said that Russia rejected a proposal that would have included the release of Evan Gershkovich and former Marine Paul Whelan. Russian President Vladimir Putin has recently suggested that he could be open to a prisoner swap involving the journalist. In an interview with former Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson last month, Putin said he believed "an agreement can be reached" on his release.

His parents said they are encouraged by that.

"We were happy that both governments have expressed willingness to negotiate," his father, Mikhail Gershkovich, told Stephanopoulos. "We are confident that [the White House is] doing everything they can, and we want them to continue to do that."

Evan Gershkovich's parents both attended President Joe Biden's State of the Union address in February, during which the president said the administration is "working around the clock to bring home Evan" and other Americans being "unjustly detained by the Russians."

His father said the address was a sign that "everybody in the U.S. government -- the Senate and Congress and the White House -- are taking the freedom of the press seriously, and that's important."

"We're still holding up," Milman said. "We have President Biden's promise delivered to us personally, and in the State of the Union."

The Wall Street Journal Editor-in-Chief Emma Tucker told Stephanopoulos she believes that their reporter will be eventually freed.

"Evan will be released, but it's complicated to get there," she said. "There are a lot of different people and governments involved. So I think, you know, we just have to be patient, and optimistic."

Tucker said their main focus has been keeping his story "front of mind."

"To remind people that an innocent journalist is behind bars, in prison, for doing his job," she said.

Evan Gershkovich's parents said they have continued to write their son letters and receive updates on him from Lynne Tracy, the U.S. ambassador to Russia. He also sends his parents and friends gifts, they said.

"He remembers his friends' birthdays. We received flowers from him for International Women's Day on March 8," Milman said. "He really cares. He wants to thank people for their care about him, for keeping his story front and center."

His father has even been playing long-distance chess with him.

"He's teaching me," Mikhail Gershkovich said. "It's a friendly game. It's not a competition, and especially because he is so much better than I am at it."

"I will be just happy to play a face-to-face game of chess with him," he said.

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2 terror attack suspects plead guilty in Moscow court, as Putin questions motives

ABC News

MOSCOW and LONDON -- Two suspects have pleaded guilty after Friday's terror attack at a Moscow concert venue that killed at least 137, as Russian President Vladimir Putin raised questions about the alleged attackers' motives.

Each of the four suspects was arrested and charged with committing a group terrorist attack resulting in the death of others, a charge that carries a maximum penalty of life in prison. All appeared in court with visible injuries.

Russian investigators said at least three children were among the scores killed in the attack at Moscow's Crocus City Hall.

Another 182 people were injured and at least 97 were being treated in hospitals as of Monday morning, the Russian Investigative Committee said. Many victims have yet to be identified.

ISIS-K, a group associated with the Islamic State group, has claimed responsibility for the attack. The Islamic State group-linked news agency Amaq released footage that it claimed was body camera video.

Dalerdzhon Mirzoyev, 32, and Saidakrami Rachabalizoda, 30, pleaded guilty, according to the press service of the Moscow courts. That service identified the other two suspects as Shamsidin Fariduni, 25, and Mukhammadsobir Faizov, 19. All four men are citizens of Tajikistan, according to Russian officials.

Putin claimed that following the terrorist attack the four suspects headed towards the Ukrainian border, a claim for which neither Putin nor the Kremlin provided evidence.

Videos aired on Russian state TV appeared to show people being detained by officers with the Federal Security Service, or FSB, close to the highway that leads from Moscow to Russia's border with Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected the claim that his country had been involved in the attack.

"What happened in Moscow yesterday is obvious, and Putin and other scums are trying to shift the blame to someone else," he said on Saturday.

Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesperson, on Monday said the Russian government had had "no contacts" with Western leaders following the terror attack.

"There are no contacts with the West right now," Peskov said, according to TASS, a state-run news service.

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Russian diplomat says US didn't pass along 'concrete' info before attack

ABC News

Russia's ambassador to the United States claimed on Sunday that the U.S. Administration didn't pass "concrete information" through the Russian Embassy in Washington about possible preparations for the terror attack at Moscow's Crocus City Hall.

"Nothing was passed," Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov told Russian state news agency TASS while answering a question about whether any information was handed over by the U.S. side before the terrorist act.

He added, "No concrete information, nothing was transferred to us."

A U.S. State Department official said Saturday that the U.S. government had shared information on a possible attack with Russian authorities in accordance with its longstanding "duty to warn" policy.

That information sharing came ahead of Friday's deadly attack on a Moscow venue, which Russian investigators said killed at least 137, including three children. Dozens more were injured. The search for bodies under the rubble of the complex continued on Sunday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin was informed Saturday that four suspected gunmen responsible for the attack were arrested near Russia's western border with Ukraine, Russian news agencies reported.

Seven others have been detained and the search for other accomplices is ongoing, the state news outlets reported.

ISIS claimed responsibility for the deadly attack Friday night, in which gunmen opened fire on concertgoers at one of Moscow's largest entertainment complexes. The attackers then set the complex on fire.

Antonov described the official Washington reaction to the attack on Friday as "rather muffled," adding that the administration followed on Saturday with a "clear" statement. But it was unclear how much information Washington officials had passed on prior to the attack, he said.

"The question arises whether U.S. officials passed all the available information to the Russian side, as they state," the ambassador said.

ABC News' Shannon K. Crawford contributed to this story.

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What an Israeli invasion of Rafah would mean for civilians: 'Catastrophically serious'

ABC News

As Israel continues to indicate plans to launch a ground offensive into Rafah, aid organizations warn that an invasion would be a "bloodbath" for civilians and deepen the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.

Some 1.4 million Palestinians are believed to be in Rafah, the southern city of Gaza bordering Egypt. More than 1 million Palestinians have fled there to seek shelter during the Israel-Hamas war, according to the United Nations.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last week that a victory against Hamas is "impossible" without the Israel Defense Forces entering Rafah to eliminate the rest of the terrorist group's battalions.

Netanyahu said he has approved the IDF's plan to evacuate the civilian population from the "battle zones," though it's not clear when or how that would occur. The IDF has said they plan to push civilians toward "humanitarian islands" in the center of the Gaza Strip in advance of an offensive in Rafah.

The U.S. has said it opposes a major operation in Rafah, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken saying during his Middle East trip last week that it would be a "mistake" and "something we can't support."

"A major ground operation there would mean more civilian deaths. It would worsen the humanitarian crisis," Blinken said during a press conference in Egypt on Thursday. "There is a better way to deal with the threat, the ongoing threat posed by Hamas."

Blinken has described this week's planned meetings in Washington between the U.S. as a chance to persuade Israeli officials to take "alternative actions" in Rafah, which an administration official said would consist of more targeted, high-value counterterrorism missions to eliminate Hamas.

Humanitarian groups working in Gaza have also continued to speak out against an incursion in Rafah.

"A military operation in Rafah would be an absolute bloodbath with consequences more devastating than we can imagine," Deepmala Mahla, the chief humanitarian officer for CARE, an international humanitarian organization that targets global poverty and hunger, told ABC News.

With about two-thirds of the entire population in the Gaza Strip sheltering in Rafah, an offensive would result in a "terrible loss of life," Mahla said.

"We are basically talking somewhere around 1.5 million people in Rafah -- there is no safe way to evacuate them," she said.

The city's population includes some 600,000 children, according to UNICEF.

"This is a city of children," UNICEF spokesperson James Elder told ABC News. "A military offensive here would be absolutely catastrophic for children. It cannot be allowed to occur."

Even if civilians were able to evacuate out of Rafah, there is "no safe place" for them to go in Gaza, Mahla said.

Bob Kitchen, the vice president for emergencies for the International Rescue Committee, an organization that aids people affected by humanitarian crises, said the risk of loss of life in a Rafah invasion is "very significant."

"We're incredibly fearful of the humanitarian impact and also just the loss of life should a ground offensive happen," he told ABC News.

The IDF has pushed the population south in the Gaza Strip as the frontline has moved, with a "huge concentration" in Rafah against the Egyptian border, "which is firmly closed," he said.

"There's nowhere else for them to run," Kitchen said.

Israel has designated a safe zone in Al Mawasi, on the southern coast of the Gaza Strip, though that has been "bombed indiscriminately," Kitchen said.

"There's no safe place," he said. "If the offensive moved forward, it will be catastrophically serious."

With most humanitarian organizations in Gaza working out of Rafah, Mahla said, an incursion there would also bring aid operations in the territory "to a standstill" for a population facing hunger and disease.

"The life-saving work will not happen," she said. "We will not be able to alleviate suffering and save people."

Mahla said CARE has been delivering necessities like drinking water, hygiene kits and first aid kits under already challenging circumstances, and that it has been difficult to reach northern Gaza with aid amid the war.

Last week, a report from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification initiative found that the entire population of the Gaza Strip, about 2.23 million people, is facing high levels of food insecurity and, in the most likely scenario, an estimated 1.1 million people -- half of the population -- will be experiencing famine levels of hunger by mid-July.

"The speed at which health and hunger have deteriorated I've not seen before," Kitchen said. "I've not seen a population go from being basically food secure to facing now famine in the space of five months."

Israeli officials have said Hamas steals aid once it enters Gaza and claim looting is also a problem. Israel continues to deny all accusations that it isn't letting enough aid into Gaza and encourages other countries to send in aid, with Israeli officials saying the U.N., its partners and other aid agencies have created logistical challenges, resulting in a bottleneck. The U.N. disputes these claims.

Access to the Gaza Strip became increasingly limited following Hamas' surprise terrorist attack in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. More than 1,200 people have been killed in Israel since then, according to the Israeli Prime Minister's Office. More than 32,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 74,000 injured over the same period, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry.

Many humanitarian aid organizations, including CARE, the International Rescue Committee and UNICEF, have called for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza to spare civilian lives and allow for unimpeded humanitarian access.

"The population is just growing more and more vulnerable," Kitchen said. "A cease-fire is the first thing that's absolutely needed immediately. And then we also need to just see a change of how aid is allowed in."

A U.S.-sponsored resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza tied to a release of hostages held by Hamas failed Friday in the United Nations Security Council, with Russia, China and Algeria voting against it.

The U.S. resolution draft emphasized concern that a ground offensive into Rafah "would result in further harm to civilians and their further displacement including potentially into neighboring countries."

The representatives from Russia and China both argued that they saw the resolution as overly supportive of Israel, while Algeria's representative said the draft resolution failed to adequately address the suffering of the Palestinian people. The U.S. ambassador to the U.N., meanwhile claimed that Russia and China could not bring themselves to condemn Hamas for the Oct. 7 attack in Israel.

A day after the resolution failed, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire and said it is time to "truly flood Gaza with lifesaving aid" during a press address on the Egyptian side of the border, not far from Rafah.

"Here from this crossing, we see the heartbreak and heartlessness of it all. A long line of blocked relief trucks on one side of the gates. The long shadow of starvation on the other," he said Saturday.

"Any further onslaught will make everything worse. Worse for Palestinian civilians. Worse for hostages. And worse for all people of the region," he added.

ABC News' Shannon K. Crawford and Sami Zayara contributed to this report.

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Moscow terror attack: 4 gunmen arrested, death toll rises to 137

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(MOSCOW) -- The death toll in the terror attack at Moscow's Crocus City Hall has risen to 137 people, including three children, Russia's Investigative Committee said Sunday, as the search operation continues for bodies under the rubble.

Russian President Vladimir Putin was informed Saturday that four suspected gunmen responsible for the attack were arrested near Russia's western border with Ukraine, Russian news agencies reported.

Seven others have been detained and the search for other accomplices is ongoing, the state news outlets reported.

ISIS claimed responsibility for the deadly attack Friday night, in which gunmen opened fire on concertgoers at one of Moscow's largest entertainment complexes. The attackers then set the complex on fire.

Earlier, Russian media posted unverified photos of a car they said belonged to some of the attackers near Russia's western border, and a Russian MP said at least two suspects were detained after a car chase and a shootout, though neither of these has been verified or confirmed by Russian authorities.

The death toll as a result of the terrorist attack has increased to 137, Russian investigators said Sunday, adding that three of the victims are children. The search for bodies under the rubble of the complex continues. Authorities said earlier that the toll could rise significantly. The local governor said 121 people remain hospitalized.

Investigators said more than 500 rounds of ammunition and 28 magazines, as well as two Kalashnikov assault rifles, were found at the scene.

Preliminary data shows the causes of death were gunshot wounds and poisoning by smoke products, according to a statement from the Investigative Committee.

"The terrorists used automatic weapons during the attack, which, along with the ammunition they left behind, were discovered and seized by the investigators," it added.

"The terrorists also used flammable liquid to set fire to the premises of the concert hall, where there were spectators, including the wounded," the statement said.

Putin spoke out publicly for the first time about the attack on Saturday, promising to exact "retribution" on anyone involved in it.

Putin did not acknowledge the ISIS claim for the attack, saying Russia was still investigating. But he sought to suggest that Ukraine could bear some responsibility, saying the suspected attackers had been detained while trying to cross the border to Ukraine and claiming they may have received some help from there.

"According to the preliminary data, they had a crossing of the border prepared from the Ukrainian side," Putin said.

Ukrainian officials vehemently denied any involvement and warned that the Kremlin would try to exploit the attack by falsely blaming Ukraine to drum up greater support for its war.

Putin's comments followed several statements by some leading Kremlin figures directly accusing Ukraine and Western countries of being behind the attack, despite the ISIS claim.

The U.S. said it shared intelligence with Russia that warned that ISIS was preparing similar attacks on concerts in Moscow just two weeks ago. A U.S. State Department official said Saturday that the U.S. government had shared information on a possible attack with Russian authorities in accordance with its longstanding "duty to warn" policy.

The U.S. Embassy in Moscow issued a warning on March 7, advising U.S. citizens to avoid large gatherings for 48 hours, saying extremists have "imminent plans" to target large-scale gatherings in Moscow.

"The United States strongly condemns yesterday's deadly terrorist attack in Moscow," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement Saturday. "We send our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those killed and all affected by this heinous crime. We condemn terrorism in all its forms and stand in solidarity with the people of Russia in grieving the loss of life from this horrific event."

Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov said the U.S. didn't pass along any "concrete information" prior to the attack.

"Nothing was passed," Antonov told Russian state news agency TASS while answering a question about whether any information was handed over by the U.S. side before the terrorist act.

He added, "No concrete information, nothing was transferred to us."

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Shooting, explosion reported at concert hall in Moscow, according to Russian state media

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(MOSCOW, Russia.) -- A shooting followed by an explosion were reported at Moscow's Crocus City Hall -- one of the biggest shopping and entertainment complexes in Russia -- on Friday evening, according to Russian state media.

Most of the building is engulfed in fire and the roof partially collapsed, Russian news agency Interfax reported. In Podolsk, near Moscow, public events were canceled due to the incident at Crocus City Hall, the head of the district said.

More than 70 ambulance teams were sent to the sight of the attack, the governor of the Moscow region reported.

Several gunmen burst into the concert hall and opened fire with automatic weapons, state news outlet RIA Novosti reported.

Attackers then threw a grenade or incendiary bomb, starting a fire in the hall, according to Russian state media.

No official numbers on deaths or injuries have been released.

The White House is aware of the incident in Moscow but has limited information as of now, according to National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby.

"The images are just horrible. And just hard to watch, and our thoughts, obviously, are going to be with the - the victims of this terrible, terrible shooting attack," Kirby said.

Kirby also reiterated the State Department's warning that all Americans in Moscow should avoid large gatherings, saying "they should stay put where they are, and stay plugged into the State Department for any additional updates and information."

The U.S. Embassy in Moscow had issued a warning on March 7, advising U.S. citizens to avoid large gatherings for 48 hours, saying extremists have "imminent plans" to target large scale gatherings in Moscow.


This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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Kate Middleton says she was diagnosed with cancer, is undergoing chemotherapy

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(LONDON) -- Kate, the Princess of Wales, was diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy, she said in a video message released on Friday.

The type of cancer has not been disclosed. She started chemotherapy in late February and the announcement comes as her father-in-law, King Charles, also undergoes cancer treatment.

"This of course came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family," Kate, 42, said in the video, which was filmed at Windsor on Wednesday. "As you can imagine, this has taken time. It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment."

The cancer was discovered in post-operative tests after her abdominal surgery in mid-January, Kate said.

Kate described it as a "major abdominal surgery," and said in her video, "at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous."

The type of surgery she underwent has not been released.

"The surgery was successful," Kate said. "However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present. My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment."

At the time of Kate's surgery, Kensington Palace said her condition was non-cancerous. The palace has provided little information on her condition since.

"It has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be ok," Kate said. "As I have said to them; I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits."

Kate said having her husband, William, the Prince of Wales, at her "side is a great source of comfort and reassurance."

"We hope that you will understand that, as a family, we now need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment. My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy and I look forward to being back when I am able, but for now I must focus on making a full recovery," Kate said. "I am also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer. For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone."

Kate will return to official duties when she’s cleared by her medical team.

Kate's father-in-law, King Charles, is also undergoing treatment for an undisclosed type of cancer.

The king's cancer diagnosis -- which came after he was treated for benign prostate enlargement -- was announced publicly by the palace on Feb. 5.

The type of treatment has not been revealed.


British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told the BBC in February that the king's cancer was "caught early."

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

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Russia launches massive air attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure

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(LONDON) -- Russia unleashed a massive aerial attack on Friday in what Ukrainian officials said was the largest and most destructive assault on its energy infrastructure since the start of the war.

Over 150 missiles and drones were involved in the bombardment, striking targets across the Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian air force, knocking out power to swathes of the country and badly damaging its largest hydroelectric power station. It was the second largest aerial attack on Ukraine since Russia began its invasion two years ago, the air force said.

At least three people were killed in the assault, and 15 others were injured, according to Ukraine’s prosecutor general’s office.

Ukraine’s military said air defenses destroyed around 90 of the projectiles but more than a third still managed to get through.

The strikes forced emergency shut downs of electricity in at least seven regions, including Odesa, Dnipro, Poltava, Zaporizhzhia and Kirovohrad, according to Ukraine’s state energy company. Officials in Ukraine’s second largest city, Kharkiv, said it was entirely without power following the attacks.


"The morning attack by the Russians on the energy system of Ukraine was the largest ever,” Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, the head of Ukrenergo said in a statement.

Kharkiv’s mayor Ihor Terekhov said it was also the largest attack on the city since the start of the war, with at least 20 missiles fired into energy infrastructure, calling the damage “too severe.”

Missiles also hit Ukraine’s largest hydroelectric power station, the Dnipro dam in Zaporizhzhia, setting off a huge fire there and causing critical damage, according to Ukrainian officials.

"We are losing the station,” Ihor Syrota, head of Ukraine’s state hydro-power company, Ukrhydroenergo, told RFE/RL in a live interview, saying that two missiles had struck the power plant.

Ukrainian officials said the structural integrity of the dam itself was not in danger, but local authorities warned people to stock up on water in case of possible shortages.


Friday’s attack involved more than 75 missiles, including seven advanced, hypersonic Kinzhal missiles, according to Ukraine’s air force.

The attack came as Ukraine is suffering increasingly severe shortages of air defense ammunition, amid delays in Western supplies and with more U.S. support blocked in Congress. A day earlier, Russia launched its largest missile attack on Ukraine’s capital Kyiv in months.

Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday said the attacks showed the cost of the delays in Western support.

Russian drones “don’t have indecision,” Zelensky said in a video address. “It’s important to understand the price of delays and decisions put off. Our partners definitely know what is necessary. They definitely can support. These decisions are needed.”

A new $60 billion military aid package that would include funding for air defense is currently stalled in Congress, blocked by hard right Republicans close to former President Donald Trump. The bill was approved by a bipartisan majority in the Senate in December but Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson has refused to put it to a vote.


Russia has largely avoided striking Ukraine’s energy infrastructure for the past few months, instead focusing on military production targets. But Ukraine increasingly faces a choice of using its limited air defenses to protect large cities and civilian infrastructure or deploy it to the frontline, where Russia is regaining air superiority.

Ukraine has used the advanced handful of Patriot air defense batteries provided by the U.S. and European countries to shield Kyiv, but does not have enough to protect key cities elsewhere.

Ukrainian officials on Friday also defended recent Ukrainian attacks on Russia’s oil industry, following reports that U.S. officials have urged Ukraine to halt them over fears it is driving up oil prices globally.

Ukrainian drones have repeatedly struck major Russian oil refineries in recent weeks, in an apparent campaign to undermine Russia’s income for its energy sector, a crucial source of revenue for the Kremlin.

The Financial Times on Friday reported that U.S. officials have warned officials at Ukraine’s intelligence service the attacks should stop.


But Ukrainian deputy prime minister Olha Stefanishyna told a security forum Friday the strikes were legitimate.

"These are absolutely legal goals from a military point of view. We understand the appeals of American partners. At the same time, we are fighting with the capabilities, resources, and practices that we have today," she said at the Kyiv Security Forum.

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