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I'm VOA's Joe Ramsey with this worldwide news update.
European leaders met in London Sunday to discuss Russia's war in Ukraine. Ukraine's president received a warm welcome days after being asked to leave the White House following a heated exchange with U.S. President Donald Trump. VOA's Arash Arabasadi has more. World leaders gathered in London Sunday for a summit to discuss the future of Ukraine's war with Russia. Three years into the bloody conflict, leaders at a roundtable discussion told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy he would have their continued support. The warm welcome in Europe stood in contrast to U.S. President Donald Trump's heated exchange with Zelenskyy in the Oval Office during his visit last week. Ukraine's president was there to sign a rare earth mineral deal with the U.S. "But you're either gonna make a deal, or we are out. And if we're out, you'll fight it out. I don't think it's gonna be pretty, but you'll fight it out. But you don't have the cards. But once we sign that deal, you're in a much better position. But you're not acting at all thankful and that's not a nice thing." Democrats in the United States Congress say this is the wrong time to abandon an ally. Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar speaking Sunday on ABC's "This Week" as provided by X. "... the soldiers that I just saw last weekend from Ukraine who were getting medical help with hook arms trying to stand up for the Ukrainian national anthem with one leg. You know, this is not the time for us to undermine these brave Ukrainians." For the Ukrainian soldiers, some badly injured, still staffing the front lines, a peace deal may not come soon enough. Arash Arabasadi, VOA News. This is VOA News. Israel blocked the entry of aid trucks into Gaza on Sunday as a standoff over the truce that has halted fighting for the past six weeks escalated, with Hamas calling on Egyptian and Qatari mediators to intervene. Reuters correspondent Diane To reports. The first phase of the previously agreed cease-fire expired on Saturday, and talks for a second phase have yet to begin. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a cabinet meeting on Sunday the country has agreed to a U.S. proposal for a temporary cease-fire in Gaza. The truce proposes to halt fighting until after the Muslim Ramadan holy month and the Jewish Passover holiday ending around April 20. Ramadan began on Saturday with thousands of Palestinians seen sitting together between piles of rubble in Gaza for the first break of their daily fast in the evening. The proposed truce requires Hamas to release half of the living and dead hostages on the first day. The remainder are to be released at the end if a deal is reached on a permanent cease-fire. But Hamas has rejected the idea of a temporary extension and called on mediators Egypt and Qatar to intervene. It said it was committed to the originally agreed cease-fire with second phase talks aimed at a permanent end to the war. Reuters correspondent Diane To. The Vatican says Pope Francis remains in stable condition and no longer needs oxygen from a ventilator, a sign that his respiratory function is improving as he continues his recovery from double pneumonia and a respiratory crisis. The 88-year-old pope did continue to receive high flow supplemental oxygen on Sunday after a coughing episode on Friday, which sparked fears of a new infection. Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced that he is running for mayor of New York City. AP correspondent Julie Walker reports. Cuomo Sunday holding a rally at the carpenters union. "We are here because we love New York and we know New York City is in trouble." He stepped down following sexual harassment allegations from at least 11 women, which he denies. His critics also point to nursing home death during COVID. But Cuomo criticizes his opponents and says he is the right candidate out of the crowded Democratic field. "We are here because we know we can turn New York City around." Cuomo wants more police and tougher action on crime and homelessness. His biggest challenger right now, Mayor Eric Adams, who's trying to get his federal corruption charges dismissed. Julie Walker, New York. That wraps up this update, but the world and news never stop. For additional updates, visit our website, voanews.com. I'm Joe Ramsey, VOA News. |