Israeli strikes kill at least 85 in Gaza as Israel allows more aid into Palestinian territory

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israel is pressing ahead with its new military offensive in Gaza despite mounting international criticism. The Israeli military launched airstrikes Tuesday that health officials said killed at least 85 Palestinians. Israeli officials said they also allowed in dozens more trucks carrying aid. It was not immediately clear whether the desperately needed supplies were reaching any of the over 2 million people in Gaza, which has been under an Israeli blockade for nearly three months. Experts have warned about the high risk of famine. Under pressure, Israel agreed this week to allow a minimal amount of aid into the Palestinian territory.

With little progress after phone calls and talks, Ukraine’s allies hit Russia with new sanctions

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Kyiv’s European allies have slapped new sanctions on Moscow, a day after a phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin failed to produce a breakthrough on ending the 3-year-old war in Ukraine. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said the European Union expects an unconditional and immediate ceasefire from Russia. Diplomatic efforts have produced little progress in halting the fighting, including Monday’s phone call between Trump and Putin, and Friday’s direct talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said “it is obvious that Russia is trying to buy time to continue the war and occupation. We are working with partners to put pressure on the Russians to behave differently.”

Iran’s supreme leader rejects US stance on uranium enrichment

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran’s supreme leader has pushed back against U.S. criticism of the country’s nuclear program. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Tuesday that Tehran won’t seek permission from anyone to enrich uranium and called American statements “nonsense.” Khamenei made the comments during a memorial for the late President Ebrahim Raisi who died in a helicopter crash last year. Khamenei said that “no one in Iran is waiting for their permission” and that “the Islamic Republic has its own policies and direction.” His comments reflect Tehran’s growing frustration with the stalled nuclear discussions as well as the broader tensions that have defined U.S.-Iran relations in recent years.

How uproar over a Māori haka sowed chaos and gridlock in Parliament

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The haka, a chanting dance of challenge, is sacred to New Zealand’s Māori people but it’s become a beloved cultural institution among New Zealanders of all races. But one haka performed in protest in New Zealand’s Parliament by three legislators last November has provoked fierce division among lawmakers about whether it was appropriate. A vote to approve unprecedented, lengthy bans from Parliament for the Māori party lawmakers who enacted the protest was unexpectedly suspended on Tuesday. Debate will resume in June, when it threatens to gridlock the legislative agenda until all parties reach consensus on what punishment the lawmakers should receive.