Japan fights forest fire that's damaged dozens of homes, caused hundreds to evacuate

Israeli hostages released from Hamas captivity are advocating for the return of those still held, with 59 remaining captives as of Passover. Former hostages, including Liri Albag and Gadi Moses, have shared their traumatic experiences and urged Israeli leaders to negotiate for their loved ones. Amid renewed military actions, hostages like Yarden Bibas have highlighted the personal tragedies faced, including the deaths of family members, as they push for a reinstatement of the ceasefire agreement...

Israeli aircraft struck a residential block in northern Gaza, killing at least 23 people, including women and children. The Israeli military targeted a senior Hamas militant in the Shijaiyah neighborhood, blaming the group for embedding itself in urban areas. The conflict, which resumed after a ceasefire collapsed, has resulted in a humanitarian crisis and ongoing violence in Gaza, with efforts to reach a resolution ongoing amidst international pressure. Full Article

A cold southerly snap brought freezing temperatures to parts of New Zealand this morning, with cool air from the south and clear skies contributing to the low temperatures. Kiwis woke up to chilly conditions, with Taumarunui hitting 0C, Christchurch at 1C, and other areas like Masterton, Taupō, Ashburton, Rotorua, Napier, Hamilton, Queenstown, and Wānaka experiencing lows ranging from 2C to 4C. MetService noted that these temperatures were not unusual as winter approached. Full Article

US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will now review social media posts to deny visas or residence permits to those who post anti-Semitic content, as stated by DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. Content supporting terrorist groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, and Houthis will be considered anti-Semitic, affecting student visas and Green Card requests immediately. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirms the revoking of visas for hundreds of international students, emphasizing that non-US citizens do not have...

Liberal Leader Mark Carney clarified that he did not endorse a supporter's claim of genocide in the Middle East at a rally in Calgary, his first appearance in the city since the election was called. The man shouted about Palestine during Carney's speech, to which Carney responded by acknowledging the situation and mentioning Canada's arms embargo. Carney later explained that Canada has restrictions on arms exports to Israel, except for the Iron Dome missile defence...

A woman was grabbed and robbed of her mobile phone by a man in London, with CCTV footage capturing the incident on April 2. Phone theft, particularly of Apple iPhones, has been on the rise in the city, with one phone stolen every six minutes in 2022. The Metropolitan Police is increasing patrols in areas like Westminster, where 40% of phone thefts occur, and making arrests to combat the issue. Full Article