Powerful quake rocks Myanmar and Thailand and kills more than 150 people

BANGKOK (AP) — A powerful earthquake has rocked Myanmar and neighboring Thailand, killing at least 150 people, mostly in Myanmar, where a bridge and a dam collapsed. In Thailand, Bangkok city authorities say 10 people were killed, 16 injured and 101 missing from three construction sites, including a high-rise that crumbled while under construction. Photos and video from two hard-hit cities in Myanmar showed many collapsed buildings and other destruction, raising fears that many more were killed or injured. The 7.7 magnitude quake had an epicenter near Myanmar’s second largest city of Mandalay. It struck Friday at midday and was followed by a strong 6.4 magnitude aftershock. The full extent of death, injury and destruction was not immediately clear.

Putin suggests putting Ukraine under UN-sponsored external governance

(AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed Friday to temporarily put Ukraine under external governance as part of efforts to reach a peaceful settlement, in remarks that reflected the Kremlin leader’s determination to achieve his war goals. In televised remarks broadcast early Friday, Putin reaffirmed his claim that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whose term expired last year, lacks the legitimacy to sign a peace deal. Under Ukraine’s constitution it is illegal for the country to hold national elections while it’s under martial law. Putin claimed that any agreement that is signed with the current Ukrainian government could be challenged by its successors and said new elections could be held under external governance.

Israel strikes Beirut for the first time since a ceasefire ended the latest Israel-Hezbollah war

BEIRUT, Lebanon (AP) — Israel has launched an attack on the Lebanese capital, Beirut, for the first time since a ceasefire ended the latest Israel-Hezbollah war in November. The attack was the first strike on Beirut since a ceasefire took hold on Nov. 27, 2024 between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group, although Israel has struck targets in southern Lebanon almost daily since then. After the strike, Israel’s army said it attacked a Hezbollah drone storage facility in the area of Dahiyeh, which it called a key Hezbollah stronghold. Israel said it issued a warning in advance for people to leave.

Vance and wife tour US military base in Greenland

NUUK, Greenland (AP) — U.S. Vice President JD Vance says Denmark has “underinvested” in Greenland’s security and demands Denmark change its approach as President Donald Trump continue to talk of taking over the Danish territory. The pointed remarks came Friday as Vance visited U.S. troops at Pituffik Space Base on the mineral rich, strategically critical island. The Republican vice president says the Trump administration’s message to Denmark is very simple: “You have not done a good job by the people of Greenland.” Relations between the U.S. and the Nordic country have soured as Trump repeatedly suggests the U.S. should control the mineral-rich territory.