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- [00:01]
Korva Coleman
Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared a temporary unilateral ceasefire in Russia's war in Ukraine. It's linked to Russia's celebration marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The Kremlin is calling on Ukraine to follow suit. A similar Russian ceasefire for Easter failed to hold. Meanwhile, North Korea is acknowledging it sent troops to Russia to help Moscow with its war with Ukraine, as NPR's Anthony Kuhn reports from Seoul. North North Korea had first rejected initial reports that it had deployed its troops there.
- [00:33]
Anthony Kuhn
State media reported that leader Kim Jong Un ordered the deployment based on his country's mutual defense treaty with Russia and in line with the United Nations Charter. Kim praised North Korean troops efforts to liberate Russia's Kursk region from Ukrainian forces. He also commended the troops heroism and military prowess to which North Korea will build a monument in Pyongyang. Russia officially confirmed the deployment on Saturday. South Korea said last October that Pyongyang had dispatched more than 10,000 troops last year. It added that North Korea has now admitted to committing criminal acts. The U.S. state Department said that third parties, including North Korea, that have perpetuated the war will bear responsibility for it. Anthony Kuhn, NPR News, Seoul.
- [01:19]
Korva Coleman
A Wisconsin county judge is scheduled to have a preliminary hearing next month. Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested last Friday by federal authorities. She was charged with helping a migrant who was in the US Illegally to avoid arrest. Wisconsin Democratic officials say the arrest is a deliberate effort to intimidate the third and co equal branch of American government, the judiciary. President Trump says officials need to take action.
- [01:46]
Donald Trump
You know, we have a country, we have to be proud of our country. We can't let these people stay and the courts are allowing them to stay and we're not going to. We're just not going to allow it. So hopefully the Supreme Court come to the rescue of our country.
- [01:58]
Korva Coleman
Meanwhile, Judge Dugan has issued a statement through an attorney. She says she is committed to the rule of law and the principles of due process. Dugan says she will defend herself vigorously. The Vatican says that the Roman Catholic College of Cardinals will officially start its work to choose a New Pope on May 7. NPR's Jason DeRose reports. That's when the conclave will begin.
- [02:22]
Jason DeRose
Pope Francis was elected in one of the shortest conclaves in history. That one lasted just over a day. The longest papal election process took place in the 13th century and lasted nearly three years. So long some cardinals actually died while it was taking place as a result, the man elected Gregory X created rules for what's come to be known today as the conclave. They were designed to speed things along and include sequestering cardinal electors until a decision is made. Jason DeRose, NPR News, Rome.
- [02:54]
Korva Coleman
On Wall street and premarket trading, Dow futures are lower. This is npr. There's been a huge power outage affecting much of Spain and Portugal. The widespread blackout has affected both countries capitals Madrid and Lisbon. The main Spanish transmission operator manages electricity flow. It says that it has activated protocols to restore electricity supplies. The militaries of the US and the Philippines have practiced firing missiles. This came after China said it had seized a disputed reef in contested waters in the area. NPR's Emily Feng has more.
- [03:31]
Emily Feng
China said it had taken control of Sandy Cay, a tiny spit of land in the middle of the South China Sea, much of which China says is its territory. Despite multiple overlapping claims from countries like the Philippines and Brunei. Sandy Cay, while small, is highly strategic. It's only a few miles from the Philippines largest coast guard out post in the contested seas. Meanwhile, over the last few years, the US has stepped up its military presence there as well, and it is finishing up the last week and a half of scheduled annual military exercises. The Balikatan exercises, as they are called, have gotten bigger with more troops as China has fortified its claims in the South China Sea. Emily Fang and PR News.
- [04:13]
Korva Coleman
The International Court of Justice is holding hearings about whether Israel is obligated to facilitate relief aid reaching Palestinians in Gaza. Israel has blocked all aid since March. Relief groups say Palestinians risk starvation. Israel's foreign minister says the hearings are part of the systematic persecution and delegitimization of his country. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News, from Washington.