A senior UN official says northern Gaza is now in ‘full-blown famine’

A senior UN official says northern Gaza is now in ‘full-blown famine’

WASHINGTON — A top U.N. official said Friday that hard-hit northern Gaza was now in “full-blown famine” after more than six months of war between Israel and Hamas and severe Israeli restrictions on food deliveries to the Palestinian territory. Cindy McCain, the American director of the U.N. World Food Program, became the most prominent international … Read more

Biden will give election-year roast at annual correspondents’ dinner amid protests

Biden will give election-year roast at annual correspondents’ dinner amid protests

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden is set to deliver an election-year roast Saturday night before a large crowd of journalists, celebrities and politicians against the backdrop of growing protests over his handling of the Israel-Hamas war. In previous years, Biden, like most of his predecessors, has used the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner to … Read more

Ukrainian duo heads to the Eurovision Song Contest with a message: We’re still here

Ukrainian duo heads to the Eurovision Song Contest with a message: We’re still here

KYIV, Ukraine — Even amid war, Ukraine finds time for the glittery, pop-filled Eurovision Song Contest. Perhaps now even more than ever. Ukraine’s entrants in the pan-continental music competition — the female duo of rapper alyona alyona and singer Jerry Heil — set off from Kyiv for the competition on Thursday. In wartime, that means … Read more

Soldiers who lost limbs in Gaza fighting are finding healing on Israel’s amputee soccer team

Soldiers who lost limbs in Gaza fighting are finding healing on Israel’s amputee soccer team

RAMAT GAN, Israel — When Ben Binyamin was left for dead, his right leg blown off during the Hamas attack on the Tribe of Nova music festival, the Israeli professional soccer player thought he would never again play the game he loved. “When I woke up,” the 29-year-old said, “I felt I was going to … Read more

In war saga ‘The Sympathizer,’ Vietnamese voices are no longer stuck in the background

In war saga ‘The Sympathizer,’ Vietnamese voices are no longer stuck in the background

Vietnamese journalist-turned-filmmaker Phanxinê remembers exactly when he decided to make movies in his native country rather than Hollywood. It was in 2008 but it could have been a satirical scene out of the Vietnam Era-novel “The Sympathizer.” Someone from a movie studio visiting his University of Southern California film class told him his story pitch … Read more

Several writers decline recognition from PEN America in protest over its Israel-Hamas war stance

Several writers decline recognition from PEN America in protest over its Israel-Hamas war stance

NEW YORK — Several authors have turned down awards and awards nominations from PEN America, citing unhappiness with the literary and free expression organization’s stance on the war in Gaza. This week, PEN announced its long lists in categories ranging from the $75,000 Jean Stein Award for best book to the $10,000 PEN/Hemingway award for … Read more

Happy ABBA-versary! Fans mark 50 years since ‘Waterloo’ took the world by storm

Happy ABBA-versary! Fans mark 50 years since ‘Waterloo’ took the world by storm

LONDON — It’s 50 years since ABBA won a major battle with “Waterloo.” A half-century ago on Saturday, the Swedish quartet triumphed at the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest with the peppy love song, which opens: “My my, at Waterloo, Napoleon did surrender, and I have met my destiny in quite a similar way.” The song … Read more

As Israel withdraws from raid on Shifa Hospital, accounts from military and witnesses differ wildly

As Israel withdraws from raid on Shifa Hospital, accounts from military and witnesses differ wildly

JERUSALEM — On Monday, the Israeli military withdrew from its second devastating raid on Gaza’s largest hospital, Shifa, leaving it in ruins, with the walls blown out and frame blackened. Despite the destruction, Israel claimed the battle as a victory in its battle against Hamas militants — and said it hadn’t harmed civilians sheltering inside … Read more

Doctors visiting a Gaza hospital are stunned by the war’s toll on Palestinian children

Doctors visiting a Gaza hospital are stunned by the war’s toll on Palestinian children

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza — An international team of doctors visiting a hospital in central Gaza was prepared for the worst. But the gruesome impact Israel’s war against Hamas is having on Palestinian children still left them stunned. One toddler died from a brain injury caused by an Israeli strike that fractured his skull. His cousin, … Read more

‘Civil War,’ an election-year provocation, premieres at SXSW film festival

‘Civil War,’ an election-year provocation, premieres at SXSW film festival

AUSTIN, Texas — AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — “Civil War,” Alex Garland’s election-year provocation, debuted Thursday at the SXSW Film and TV Festival, unveiling a violent vision of a near-future America at war with itself. “Civil War,” reportedly A24’s biggest budget release yet, is a bold gamble to capitalize on some of the anxieties that have … Read more