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London — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Sunday he would speak with King Charles III about defending Canada’s sovereignty, as President Donald Trump repeatedly calls for it to become the 51st U.S. state. Trump’s comments have been met with outrage in Canada, with officials firmly rejecting any discussion of it ever becoming a part of the United States. When he meets Monday with King Charles, who is Canada’s head of state, Trudeau said he hopes to “discuss matters of importance to Canada and to Canadians.” “And I can tell you that nothing is more important to Canadians right now than standing up for our sovereignty and our independence as a nation,” said the prime minister, while in London for a summit on Ukraine. Trump has been particularly transfixed on Canadian sovereignty since winning a new term in November. He regularly refers to Canada as the “51st state,” and has demeaned Trudeau by calling him “governor,” instead of prime minister. Trump has ordered tariffs against the major U.S. trading partner, set to go into effect Tuesday, while saying they could be avoided if Canada were part of the United States. Trudeau last month warned that Trump’s persistent talk about absorbing Canada to access its natural resources was “a real thing.” Some Canadians have wondered aloud why King Charles has not spoken out in defense of Canada. It is custom that the monarch acts only on the advice of the prime minister in matters involving the Commonwealth nation. Last week, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer invited Trump for an unprecedented second state visit to the U.K., which could provide an opportunity for the king to raise the issue of Canadian sovereignty. At the London summit on Ukrainian security Sunday, Trudeau also reiterated Canada’s strong and unwavering support for Ukraine and announced new sanctions against Russia. …

Tbilisi, Georgia — The acting leader of Abkhazia has won a presidential election in the breakaway Georgian region, state media said Sunday, months after his predecessor was driven from office following protests over an investment deal with Russia. Acting President Badra Gunba took almost 55% of the vote in Saturday’s election in the Russia-backed territory, ahead of opposition leader Adgur Ardzinba on just under 42%, Abkhazian state news agency Apsnypress reported, citing preliminary results from the electoral commission. Georgia, of which Abkhazia is recognized as being part of by all but a handful of countries, called the election “another flagrant violation of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.” In footage published by state media, Gunba thanked voters and said he would work to make Abkhazia “independent, free and prosperous.” Abkhazia has in recent months been plagued by an electricity crisis, with blackouts blamed on low water levels at a key hydroelectric plant and large-scale cryptocurrency mining, which requires large amounts of energy. Gunba, Abkhazia’s vice president since 2020, took over as acting leader in November after his ally Aslan Bzhania resigned days after protesters seized government buildings and forced him to scrap an unpopular deal with Russia. It was the third time since 2014 that an Abkhazian leader had been driven from office by mass protests. A lush, Black Sea coastal territory of about 240,000 people, Abkhazia broke away from Georgia after a war in the early 1990s, with the support of Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Gunba on the election win Sunday, Russian media cited the Kremlin as saying. Moscow recognized Abkhazia as independent territory after another war in 2008. Tens of thousands of ethnic Georgians were expelled from the region in successive conflicts. Though the territory is politically and economically dependent on Russia, some Abkhazians have been critical of what they see as Moscow’s growing influence. …

Warsaw — Polish cybersecurity services have detected unauthorized access to the Polish Space Agency’s (POLSA) IT infrastructure, Minister for Digitalization Krzysztof Gawkowski said Sunday. “In connection with the incident, the systems under attack were secured … Intensive operational activities are also underway to identify who is behind the cyberattack,” Gawkowski wrote on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.  Warsaw has repeatedly accused Moscow of attempting to destabilize Poland because of its role in supplying military aid to its neighbor Ukraine, allegations Russia has repeatedly dismissed.  The agency confirmed to news agency PAP that a cybersecurity incident had occurred. The situation is being analyzed, and in order to secure data, the POLSA network was immediately disconnected from the Internet, it told PAP.  Last month, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk accused Russia of planning acts of sabotage worldwide that included “acts of air terror” against airlines.  Tusk made the statement at a news conference in Warsaw on January 15.  “I will not go into details, I can only confirm the validity of fears that Russia was planning acts of air terror, not only against Poland, but against airlines around the world,” Tusk said.  The Kremlin has dismissed previous Western claims that Russia sponsored acts of sabotage and attacks in Europe.  Western security officials suspect Russian intelligence was behind a plot to put incendiary devices in packages on cargo planes headed to North America, including one that caught fire at a courier hub in Germany and another that ignited in a warehouse in England last year.  Some information in this report is from The Associated Press.   …

European leaders met in London Sunday to discuss the Ukraine-Russia war. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy received a warm welcome after being asked to leave the White House following a heated exchange with President Donald Trump Friday. VOA’s Arash Arabasadi has more. …

The need to end the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. The United States imposing tariffs on other countries, and the downsizing of the U.S. federal government. Those are some of the topics that President Donald Trump is expected to highlight when he delivers the first address of this second term in office to Congress this week. VOA’s Veronica Balderas Iglesias reports. …

The state of Russia’s three-year war against Ukraine remained deeply unsettled Sunday, with the U.S. saying it does not know whether peace is possible while European leaders met in London to voice their ongoing support for Kyiv’s forces. The new developments came two days after Friday’s explosive Washington meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that devolved into an intense confrontation as the U.S. leader ordered his counterpart to leave the White House and a prospective U.S.-Ukraine rare earth minerals deal was left unsigned. “We need a very radical reset,” Lord Peter Mandelson, the British ambassador to the United States, told ABC’s “This Week” show. No peace negotiations are scheduled. Mandelson’s assessment came as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer convened a group of more than a dozen European leaders, alongside Zelenskyy, to pledge their continuing arms support for Ukraine’s fighters even as the U.S. wavers. Starmer, as he sat next to Zelenskyy and in front of the flags of Ukraine and European nations, said it was “a once-in-a-generation moment for the security of Europe and we all need to step up.” “I hope you know that we are all with you and the people of Ukraine for as long as it takes, everyone around this table,” Starmer told the Ukraine leader. “We need to agree what steps come out of this meeting to deliver peace through strength for the benefit of all.” But Trump told Zelenskyy on Friday he was only welcome to return to the White House “when he is ready for Peace.” Trump’s national security adviser, Michael Waltz, speaking about Zelenskyy, told CNN’s “State of the Union” show, “What was not clear to us was whether he shared our goal of ending this war. It was not clear he was ready to go to peace.” Waltz said that eventually Russia and Ukraine will have to make negotiating concessions to reach a peace deal. “There will be all kinds of carrots and sticks to get this done,” he said. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also stressed the importance of both sides coming to the negotiating table. “We are trying to end a war,” Rubio said. “You cannot end a war unless both sides come to the table, starting with the Russians. And that is the point the president has made. And we have to do whatever we can to try to bring them to … “Russia-Ukraine war remains deeply unsettled “ →

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis is in a stable condition as he fights double pneumonia in hospital for the 17th day, and is resting having had a peaceful night, the Vatican said on Sunday. The Vatican said on Saturday evening that the 88-year-old pontiff’s condition had stabilized, following an “isolated” breathing crisis a day earlier. “The night was peaceful, the pope is still resting,” said a one-line note from the Vatican on Sunday morning that did not provide more details. A full medical update on the pope’s condition is expected Sunday evening. Francis was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Feb. 14 with severe respiratory problems that swiftly degenerated into double pneumonia – a serious infection in both lungs that can inflame and scar them, making it difficult to breathe. The pope suffered a constriction of his respiratory airways on Friday, akin to an asthma attack. However, in a more upbeat tone on Saturday, the Vatican said the pope did not have a fever and did not show signs of an increased white blood cell count, adding that his blood flow and circulation remained stable. An elevated white blood cell count often indicates the presence of an active infection or inflammation. “The Holy Father’s clinical condition remained stable,” the Vatican said on Saturday, adding that the prognosis was still guarded, meaning he was not yet out of danger. The Vatican added on Saturday that for a second day running the pope required noninvasive, mechanical ventilation, alternating between this and “long periods of high-flow oxygen therapy.” Francis has experienced several bouts of ill health over the last two years and is prone to lung infections because he had pleurisy as a young adult and had part of one lung removed. The pope has not been seen in public since entering hospital, his longest absence from view since his papacy started in March 2013, and his doctors have not said how long his treatment might last. Francis will not lead his usual Sunday prayer with pilgrims for the third week running. The text of the prayer will be published rather than read out by the pontiff.  …

LONDON — More than a dozen European leaders gather in London on Sunday for crisis talks, looking to boost security cooperation and support for Ukraine after an astonishing blowout between Kyiv and Washington. Ukraine’s allies have been underscoring their steadfast commitment to counter growing concerns that U.S. President Donald Trump is about to sell Kyiv short in negotiations with Russia. The day after he was kicked out of the White House, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was warmly welcomed to Downing Street on Saturday. He twice embraced the British prime minister in front of cameras and secured a loan to strengthen defenses depleted by more than three years of fending off Russia’s invasion. “I thank the people and government of the United Kingdom for their tremendous support from the very beginning of this war,” Zelenskyy said. “We are happy to have such strategic partners and to share the same vision of what a secure future should look like for all.” He is due to meet King Charles III on Sunday before joining a cohort of European allies at a security summit. The meeting brings together leaders from around continental Europe, including France, Germany, Denmark and Italy as well as Turkey, NATO and the European Union. “Now is the time for us to unite in order to guarantee the best outcome for Ukraine, protect European security, and secure our collective future,” U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said. Downing Street said Sunday’s summit would again stress the need for a “strong lasting deal that delivers a permanent peace” and discuss “next steps on planning for strong security guarantees.” With fears growing over whether the United States will continue to support NATO, the gathering in the U.K. will also address the need for Europe to increase defense cooperation. ‘Very welcome’ As Zelenskyy’s convoy swept into London on Saturday, a crowd of supporters cheered. “You’re very, very welcome here in Downing Street,” Starmer told Zelenskyy before their 75-minute closed-door talks. The pair discussed Ukraine’s position and how to end the war “with a lasting and just peace … that will not allow Russia to use the ceasefire to rearm and attack again,” according to a statement released by Zelenskyy’s office. They also unveiled a $2.84 billion loan agreement to support Ukraine’s defense capabilities, to be paid back with the profits of immobilized sovereign Russian assets. “The funds will be directed toward weapons production in Ukraine,” Zelenskyy … “European leaders look to boost support for Ukraine at London summit” →

berlin — Forget SpongeBob SquarePants, Sesame Street and the sourdough starter craze — a depressed German loaf of bread named Bernd das Brot is celebrating his 25th anniversary as the reluctant star of a children’s television program that accidentally became equally popular with adults.   A cult classic in Germany, Bernd das Brot (Bernd the Bread) is a puppet renowned for his deep, gloomy voice, his perpetual pessimism and his signature expression, “Mist!” (Think “Crap!” in English.)   Played and voiced by puppeteer Jorg Teichgraeber, Bernd is a television presenter who wants nothing to do with TV and can’t wait to go home to stare at the wallpaper. This year, his friends — a sheep and a flower bush — are urging him to become a bread influencer.   Born as a sketch on the back of a napkin in a pizzeria, Bernd was drawn by Tommy Krappweis, who modeled it after co-creator Norman Coster’s face. The duo had been asked to come up with mascots for KiKA, a German children’s public television channel. Comic artist Georg Graf von Westphalen designed Bernd as a pullman loaf — white bread typically sliced for sandwiches — with short arms and a permanent scowl. Bernd channels German stereotypes with his grumpy disposition, penchant for complaining, and dry sense of humor and irony.   Bernd’s first episode aired on KiKA in 2000 alongside his more optimistic pals, Chili the Sheep and Briegel the Bush.  A reluctant popularity   Because KiKA is a children’s channel, there was typically dead air from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.  On Jan. 1, 2003, the network put Bernd’s short episodes into the night loop for the first time. The move brought an adult audience into Bernd’s world, often those sitting at home and smoking pot, or returning after a long night of partying.   The night loop cemented his popularity as a German cult classic.   In 2004, Bernd won the Adolf Grimme Prize, the German television equivalent of an Emmy. The jury said he represents “the right to be in a bad mood.”   “Bernd shows you that you are less vulnerable with humor and self-irony. And perhaps the most important point is: It’s totally OK if you don’t feel well sometimes. That’s completely fine,” Krappweis said in a KiKA Q&A about Bernd’s anniversary.   Bernd’s broken heart  Bernd is depressed for a multitude of reasons, including his failed … “‘Bernd das Brot,’ a depressed German loaf of bread, has spent 25 years as a TV cult classic” →

LONDON — Singer Charli XCX, whose album Brat inspired a cultural phenomenon last summer, was the big winner at the BRIT Awards, Britain’s pop music honors, in London on Saturday, picking up five prizes. Brat, which inspired fans to film themselves dancing to its tracks and whose lime green cover look was adopted by U.S. presidential hopeful Kamala Harris’ campaign on social media after the singer referenced her in a post, won the coveted album of the year category. Charli XCX, who had led nominations, was also named artist of the year and best dance act. Her single Guess, featuring Billie Eilish, won song of the year, beating tracks including the Beatles’ Now and Then.  The 32-year-old pop star won her first BRIT, songwriter of the year, earlier this week. “I’ve always felt like an outsider in the industry but particularly in the British music industry and so it feels really nice to be recognized on this album,” she said as she received the album of the year award. “I would just like to share this with all artists who have ever felt that they need to compromise to be recognized and to have their moment in the sun because I think I’m living proof that maybe it takes a long time, but … you don’t need to compromise your vision.” Jazz quintet Ezra Collective was named group of the year. “This moment right here is because of the great youth clubs and great teachers and the great schools that support young people playing music,” drummer Femi Koleoso said in one of several of the night’s acceptance speeches that called for more support for young musicians and grassroots venues. U.S. singer Chappell Roan won international artist of the year while her track Good Luck, Babe! won international song of the year. Espresso singer Sabrina Carpenter was named as the first international recipient of the global success award, which recognizes artists with “phenomenal global sales,” following in the footsteps of One Direction, Adele, Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith. The ceremony also featured a tribute dedicated to late One Direction singer Liam Payne, who died in October after falling from a third-floor hotel room balcony in Buenos Aires, shocking fans of the boy band, one of the most popular of all time.  …

LONDON — U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Saturday gave Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a warm welcome in London, a day after the Ukrainian leader’s clash with U.S. President Donald Trump.  The two countries also unveiled a $2.84 billion loan agreement to support Ukraine’s defense capabilities, to be paid back with the profits of immobilized sovereign Russian assets.  Supporters cheered as Zelenskyy’s convoy swept onto Downing Street, where he was embraced by Starmer and posed for photographs before heading inside the U.K. leader’s home.  “You’re very, very welcome here in Downing Street,” Starmer told Zelenskyy. “And as you’ve heard from the cheers street outside, you have full backing across the United Kingdom, and we stand with you with Ukraine for as long as it may take,” he added.  “I want to thank you, the people of the United Kingdom, for such big support from the very beginning of this war,” responded Zelenskyy, who is due to meet King Charles III on Sunday.  The pair met behind closed doors for around 75 minutes and embraced again as Starmer escorted Zelenskyy to his car.  Earlier Saturday Zelenskyy had stressed that Trump’s support was still crucial for Ukraine despite their row the previous day.  The clash was a further shock to Kyiv’s European allies, still adjusting to Washington’s new stance on the war.  On Friday, Trump berated Zelenskyy for not being ready for peace with Russia, triggering alarm across Europe.  “Yesterday evening underlined that a new age of infamy has begun,” said Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock.  Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Starmer were among several other European leaders who reiterated their support for Kyiv after the row.  In an interview with the BBC, NATO chief Mark Rutte said that he had told Zelenskyy he had to “find a way” to restore his relationship with Trump.  Russian politicians were delighted, however.  Russia’s former President Dmitry Medvedev called Zelenskyy an “insolent pig” who had received “a proper slap down in the Oval Office.”  Although Zelenskyy left the White House without having signed the deal on Kyiv’s rare minerals, he insisted he was still ready to sign it as “the first step toward security guarantees.”  “It’s crucial for us to have President Trump’s support. He wants to end the war, but no one wants peace more than we do,” Zelenskyy said in a post on social media platform X.  On Sunday, Zelenskyy will attend emergency talks … “Ukraine’s Zelenskyy gets warm welcome from UK’s Starmer” →

ISTANBUL — Outlawed Kurdish militants Saturday declared a ceasefire with Turkey following a landmark call by jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan asking the group to disband and end more than four decades of armed struggle.   President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who backed the peace process initiated by a close nationalist ally, warned that Turkey would pursue the anti-PKK fight unless the group kept their pledge to disband.  “In order to pave the way for the implementation of (Ocalan’s) call for peace and democratic society, we are declaring a ceasefire effective from today,” the PKK executive committee said, quoted by the pro-PKK ANF news agency.  It was the first reaction from the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) after Ocalan this week called for the dissolution of the group and asked it to lay down its arms.  “We agree with the content of the call as it is and we say that we will follow and implement it,” said the committee, which is based in northern Iraq.   “None of our forces will take armed action unless attacked,” it added.  The PKK is designated a terrorist group by Turkey, the United States and the European Union. It has waged an insurgency since 1984.  The group’s original aim was to carve out a homeland for Kurds, who make up about 20% of Turkey’s 85 million people.  Recently however, the group has called for more autonomy and cultural and linguistic rights, rather than independence.   Since Ocalan was jailed in 1999 there have been various attempts to end the bloodshed, which has cost more than 40,000 lives.   After several meetings with Ocalan at his island prison, the pro-Kurdish DEM party relayed his appeal Thursday for PKK to lay down its weapons and convene a congress to announce the organization’s dissolution.   The PKK said Saturday it was ready to convene a congress but “for this to happen, a suitable secure environment must be created” and Ocalan “must personally direct and lead it for the success of the congress.”  The group also said Ocalan’s prison conditions must be eased.  He “must be able to live and work in physical freedom and be able to establish unhindered relationships with anyone he wants,” said the group.  Hours after the PKK declared a ceasefire, Erdogan warned: “If the promises given are not kept … we will continue our ongoing operations.”   He was speaking from Istanbul at a meal … “PKK declares ceasefire with Turkey after 40 years of armed struggle” →

BUCHAREST, ROMANIA — Tens of thousands of protesters gathered in Romania’s capital Saturday in the latest antigovernment demonstration by far-right groups after a top court canceled a presidential election in the European Union country last year.  Protesters converged in front of the government building in Bucharest, waving Romania’s tricolor flag and chanting slogans such as “Down with the Government” and “Thieves.” Many expressed support for Calin Georgescu, who emerged as the front-runner in December’s canceled election, and demanded they be resumed from the second round.  George Simion, the leader of the far-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians, which organized the protest, told supporters Saturday: “We are united, we are strong. We are here because our vote was stolen. Because democracy was trampled on.”  Simion told reporters that the protest aimed to “restore democracy and free elections” and demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu.  “We do not trust that the upcoming elections will be free and fair,” he said.  A no-confidence vote on Friday, which was backed by AUR and two other far-right opposition parties, failed to unseat Ciolacu’s pro-Western coalition government, which was formed after a Dec. 1 parliamentary election.  Election rerun scheduled for May 4  Romania has seen recurring protests after the Constitutional Court made the unprecedented move to annul the election two days ahead of the Dec. 8 runoff following Georgescu’s surprise first-round win. The far-right populist had polled in single digits and declared zero campaign spending. Allegations of electoral violations and Russian interference quickly emerged. Moscow has denied it meddled in Romania’s election.  On Wednesday, Romanian prosecutors launched a criminal investigation against Georgescu, accusing him of supporting fascist groups, “incitement to actions against the constitutional order,” and false declarations regarding electoral campaign financing and asset disclosures. Prosecutors have placed him under judicial control, according to his lawyers.  Georgescu, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, attended Saturday’s protest where he told supporters that “the system has maliciously tried to divide us” and that “old and new cronies tried to block my candidacy.”  The first round of the rerun of the election is scheduled for May 4. If no candidate gets more than 50% of ballots, a runoff will follow on May 18.  It isn’t yet clear whether Georgescu will be able to participate in the new election.  …

ROME — Pope Francis had coffee and was reading newspapers Saturday after an alarming setback in his two-week recovery from double pneumonia: Doctors had to put him on noninvasive mechanical ventilation following a coughing fit in which he inhaled vomit that needed to then be extracted. Doctors said it would take a day or two to evaluate how and if the Friday afternoon episode affected Francis’ overall clinical condition. His prognosis remained guarded, meaning he wasn’t out of danger. In its morning update Saturday, the Vatican said the 88-year-old pope didn’t have any further respiratory crises overnight: “The night has passed quietly, the pope is resting.” He had coffee in the morning for breakfast, suggesting that he was not dependent on a ventilation mask to breathe and was still eating on his own. In the late Friday update, the Vatican said Francis suffered an “isolated crisis of bronchial spasm,” a coughing fit in which Francis inhaled vomit, which resulted in a “sudden worsening of the respiratory picture.” Doctors aspirated the vomit and placed Francis on noninvasive mechanical ventilation. The pope remained conscious and alert at all times and cooperated with the maneuvers to help him recover. He responded well, with a good level of oxygen exchange, and he was continuing to wear a mask to receive supplemental oxygen, the Vatican said. The episode, which occurred in the early afternoon, marked a setback in what had been two successive days of increasingly upbeat reports from doctors treating Francis at Rome’s Gemelli hospital since Feb. 14. The pope, who had part of one lung removed as a young man, has lung disease and was admitted after a bout of bronchitis worsened and turned into pneumonia in both lungs.   Doctors say episode is ‘concerning’ The Vatican said the episode was different from the prolonged respiratory crisis on Feb. 22 that was said to have caused Francis discomfort. Dr. John Coleman, a pulmonary critical care doctor at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago, said the isolated episode Friday as relayed by the Vatican was nevertheless alarming and underscored Francis’ fragility and that his condition “can turn very quickly.” “I think this is extremely concerning, given the fact that the pope has been in the hospital now for over two weeks, and now he’s continuing to have these respiratory events and now had this aspiration event that is requiring even higher levels of support,” he told The … “Pope has coffee, rests after setback in recovery” →