Destruction by Sudan's rebels bears 'hallmarks of genocide'

GENEVA (AP) – A “campaign of destruction” in October by Sudanese paramilitary forces against non-Arab communities in and near a city in the country’s western region of Darfur shows “hallmarks of genocide,” U.N.-backed human rights experts reported Thursday, a dramatic finding in the country’s devastating war.

Wall Street calm after Supreme Court strikes down Trump's tariffs

NEW YORK (AP) - Wall Street kept calm after the Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs, and stocks ticked higher. The S&P 500 added 0.7% Friday following discouraging reports showing slowing growth for the U.S. economy and faster inflation. The Dow Jones added 0.5%, and the Nasdaq composite rose 0.9%.

Trump gets $7 billion for Gaza reconstruction at inaugural Board of Peace

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump announced Thursday at the inaugural Board of Peace meeting that nine members have agreed to pledge $7 billion toward a Gaza relief package and five countries have agreed to deploy troops as part of an international stabilization force for the war-battered Palestinian territory.

Top Asia Pacific Breaking News: Morning Edition

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un lauded his nation’s improving economy and regional standing as he opened the country’s most important political event, where he is expected to set his domestic and foreign policy agenda for the next five years and further entrench his family’s authoritarian rule.

A Kenyan school like no other may be an African education blueprint

KITENGELA, Kenya (AP) – At a special school in Kenya, the classrooms look like few others. Instead of standing and lecturing at Rare Gem Talent School, teachers use hands-on lessons focused on sights, sounds, and feelings designed for a unique type of learner: students with dyslexia.

US economic growth weaker than thought in fourth quarter

WASHINGTON (AP) – U.S. economic growth slowed in the final three months of last year, dragged down by the six-week shutdown of the federal government and a pullback in consumer spending. The nation’s gross domestic product – the total output of goods and services – increased at a 1.4% annual rate in the fourth quarter.

Pope's grand tour of Italy takes him to Lampedusa and beyond

ROME (AP) – Pope Leo XIV will visit ground zero of Europe’s migration drama, the Sicilian island of Lampedusa, in May and also minister to Italians poisoned by years of toxic dumping by the mafia, according to travel plans announced on Thursday by the Vatican.

Editorials from The Washington Post, New York Times, The Guardian and others

Excerpts from recent editorials in the United States and abroad:

Frenchman investigated over abuse of 89 boys in Morocco

KHENIFRA, Morocco (AP) – For decades in the Moroccan town of Khenifra, Jacques Leveugle was simply known as the thin Frenchman who swept the streets at dawn, offered free language lessons and organized outings for schoolchildren.