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MILAN (AP) — Venice’s renowned La Fenice opera house is breaking ties with the controversial incoming music director with ties to Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni following months of protests by musicians.

General manager Nicola Colabianchi cited Beatrice Venezi’s “repeated and serious public statements that were offensive and harmful” to the theater and its orchestra for the decision to cancel future collaboration, the theater’s foundation said Sunday.

Italy’s Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli said that he hoped the move would “clear misunderstandings, tensions and manipulations,” that had surrounded Venezi’s selection.

Musicians, singers and backstage hands had vociferously opposed her appointment, citing a lack of transparency and lack of experience necessary to lead the theater.

Their escalating protests included a strike that forced the cancellation of a performance and a march through Venice joined by workers from other opera houses, reflecting concerns of political interference in artistic decisions.

The audience and orchestra erupted in applause during a performance Sunday night at the news that Venezi’s appointment had been blocked, according to video circulated by Italian media.

Colabianchi, who appointed Venezi on Sept. 22, initially defended the move, saying her youth and dynamism would attract a younger audience to the theater. Giuli had also supported the move.

Venezi, 36, was appointed as an adviser to the culture minister after Meloni came to power in 2022. She previously was principal conductor of the Nuova Orchestra Scarlatti Young and guest conductor of the Orchestra della Toscana, and has conducted internationally, including in Armenia, Uruguay and Argentina.

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By Joshua McElwee and Muvija M

VATICAN CITY, April 27 (Reuters) – Pope Leo and new Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally met for the first time on Monday, in a symbolic encounter at the Vatican in which the leaders of the long-separated Catholic Church and Church of England exchanged gifts and prayed together.

Mullally, the first woman to serve as spiritual leader of the world’s 85 million Anglicans, was welcomed by Leo, the first U.S. leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, into his formal office at the Vatican’s ornate apostolic palace.

The two, who lead Christian denominations that split from each other in acrimony in 1534, met privately before going together to a 17th century chapel where they recited prayers in unison.

In formal remarks to Leo, Mullally thanked the pope for his new, forceful speaking style, which the pontiff used on a four-nation Africa tour to sharply denounce war and despotism and which attracted the ire of U.S. President Donald Trump.

“The world needed this message at this time – thank you,” the archbishop said. “It reminded us that despite our sufferings, people long for life in all its fullness, and countless people are working each day for this vision of the common good.”

Leo told Mullally that progress had been made in drawing the Catholic Church and Church of England together but lamented that “new problems have arisen in recent decades,” without specifying those problems.

“We must not allow these continuing challenges to prevent us from using every possible opportunity to proclaim Christ to the world together,” said the pope.

MULLALY MARKS HISTORIC SHIFT FOR ANGLICANS

Mullally, visiting Rome this week, was installed as the new Archbishop of Canterbury in March, in a historic shift that was met with mixed reactions from the global Anglican Communion, particularly among more conservative provinces in Africa and Asia.

Ahead of the meeting, Mullally told ITV News that she felt “very humbled, very privileged” to meet Leo.

“There is a long relationship and fellowship between the Anglican Church and the Roman Catholic Church … we will continue to build on that relationship,” she said.

The Church of England broke away from the Catholic Church in 1534, sparked by Pope Clement VII’s decision to refuse King Henry VIII’s request for an annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon.

The two denominations were strongly opposed to each other for centuries but have moved closer in recent decades.

Their teachings align on many major issues, though the Catholic Church does not ordain women and generally does not allow priests to marry.

Mullally promised in her remarks to the pope on Monday that she would remain united with him in prayer.

“We receive from one another gifts we cannot generate alone: depth in prayer, courage in witness, perseverance in suffering, and faithfulness in service,” she said.

King Charles III, the supreme governor of the Church of England, made a state visit to the Vatican in October.

He and Leo prayed together during that visit in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel, in the first such joint worship including a pope and British monarch since Henry VIII’s reign.

(Reporting by Joshua McElwee and Muvija M in London; Editing by Aidan Lewis)

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NEW DELHI (AP) — India and New Zealand on Monday signed a free trade agreement to deepen economic ties and expand market access, as both countries navigate mounting global trade disruptions.

The deal comes as New Delhi moves to diversify export markets to offset the impact of steep tariffs imposed by the United States and instability in shipping and energy routes due to the Iran war. For New Zealand, the agreement is part of a broader push to reduce reliance on China, its largest trading partner.

The agreement was signed in New Delhi by India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and visiting New Zealand Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay.

Negotiated over nine months and agreed in December, the deal will cut or eliminate tariffs on 95% of New Zealand’s exports to India, while making all Indian exports to New Zealand duty-free. Wellington has also committed to invest $20 billion in India over the next 15 years.

McClay said the deal marked a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity to deepen economic ties at a time of rising global trade tensions and uncertainty. India is New Zealand’s 12th-largest export market, with bilateral trade valued at $2.15 billion in the year through June 2025, according to official data.

“This agreement is also being concluded at a time of heightened global and regional uncertainty. In this context, strong, reliable partnerships matter more than ever before,” McClay said.

Goyal called the deal a “defining milestone” and said India and New Zealand had “chosen each other” at a time ”when the world economy is being recast.” He said the agreement offers market access across sectors and creating frameworks for investment and regulatory cooperation.

Indian sectors expected to see expanded market access include textiles and apparel, engineering goods, leather and footwear, and marine products. New Zealand is likely to register increased exports in horticulture, timber, coal, wool and meat.

India has excluded dairy and certain agricultural products from the deal to protect its farming sector.

Indian exporters have been under pressure from higher U.S. tariffs since August last year, particularly in labor-intensive sectors such as textiles, auto components and metals, even as New Delhi continues negotiations with Washington on a separate bilateral agreement.

New Zealand’s trade deals are usually bipartisan. The agreement now requires ratification by parliament and is expected to pass after the opposition New Zealand Labour Party backed it, despite resistance from coalition partner and populist minor party New Zealand First.

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Graham-McLay reported from Wellington, New Zealand.

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N’DJAMENA, Chad (AP) — At least 42 people were killed in eastern Chad after a clash between two families over a water point escalated into a cycle of reprisals, the country’s deputy prime minister said late Sunday.

Limane Mahamat said during a visit to the village of Igote, in the Wadi Fira province, near the border with Sudan, where the clashes occurred on Saturday, that 42 people were killed and 10 wounded. He said those injured were evacuated to the provincial health center.

Mahamat said the cycle of reprisals had spread over a fairly large area, prompting an intervention by the army. He said the “swift response” by the military helped contain the clashes and that the situation is now “under control.”

The deputy prime minister announced the launch of a ‘customary mediation’ process in the village and of judicial proceedings to determine criminal responsibility.

Intercommunal clashes over resources are common in the Central African country. Last year, clashes between farmers and herders in southwestern Chad left 42 people dead and several homes burned.

Mahamat said the government will take “all necessary measures” to prevent a destabilization of the border area, where the clashes took place.

Chad’s eastern provinces have for several months been hosting refugees fleeing the war in Sudan and are facing increasing pressure on resources and security. Hundreds of thousands of Sudanese refugees have poured across the border into Chad since the conflict began.

In February, Chad closed its border with Sudan “until further notice,” calling it an attempt to limit the spread of conflict into its territory after multiple crossings by fighters with the warring Sudanese factions.

The war in Sudan has killed more than 40,000 people, according to United Nations figures, but aid groups say the true number could be many times higher.

The conflict has created the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, with over 14 million people forced to flee their homes. It also has fueled disease outbreaks and pushed parts of Sudan into famine.

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LONDON, April 26 (Reuters) – Buckingham Palace said on Sunday that the four-day trip to the United States by King Charles and Queen Camilla would go ahead as planned following a shooting at a dinner attended by President Donald Trump.

“Following discussions on both sides of the Atlantic through the day, and acting on advice of government, we can confirm the state visit by their majesties will proceed as planned,” a palace spokesperson said.

“The king and queen are most grateful to all those who have worked at pace to ensure this remains the case and are looking forward to the visit getting underway tomorrow.”

(Reporting by Michael HoldenEditing by Alexandra Hudson)

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DAKAR, April 26 (Reuters) – Mali Defence Minister Sadio Camara was killed in an attack carried out by insurgents on Saturday, a government spokesperson said on Sunday on state television, confirming earlier reports by media and relatives.

Camara was killed when assailants targeted Camara’s house, the spokesperson, Issa Ousmane Coulibaly, said in a statement.

West Africa’s al Qaeda affiliate has claimed responsibility for the attack.

(Reporting by Jessica Donati; Editing by Robbie Corey-Boulet)

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(Fixes typos in paragraphs 1-2)

WASHINGTON, April 26 (Reuters) – President Donald Trump said on Sunday that Iran can reach out to the United States if it wants to negotiate an end to the war between the two countries.

“If they want to talk, they can come to us, or they can call us. You know, there is a telephone. We have nice, secure lines,” Trump said in an interview on Fox News’ “The Sunday Briefing.”

Trump canceled a trip by his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Pakistan on Saturday, dealing a new setback to peace prospects after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi departed Islamabad after speaking only to Pakistani officials.

Araqchi has since returned to Pakistan despite the absence of U.S. counterparts.

(Reporting by Katharine Jackson and Ryan Patrick Jones; Editing by Caitlin Webber)

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By Maayan Lubell

JERUSALEM, April 26 (Reuters) – Two of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s most formidable political rivals said on Sunday they were joining forces in a bid to oust his coalition government in the upcoming election expected later this year.

The former prime ministers – right-wing Naftali Bennett and centrist Yair Lapid – issued statements announcing the merger of their parties, Bennett 2026 and There is a Future.

“We are standing here together for the sake of our children. The State of Israel must change direction,” Lapid said standing alongside Bennett at a joint news conference.

Bennett said the new party will be called Together, and that he will be its leader. “After 30 years it is time to part with Netanyahu and open a new chapter for Israel,” he said.

Since his first term in the 1990s, Netanyahu has become a polarising figure at home and abroad.

JOINING FORCES ONCE MORE

Bennett and Lapid have joined forces before, putting an end to Netanyahu’s successive 12-year tenure in a 2021 election, only to form a coalition government that with a thin majority and deeply divided over major issues like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, survived barely 18 months.

Their coalition included for the first time in Israel’s history a party drawn from the country’s Arab minority – Palestinian by heritage, Israeli by citizenship – the United Arab List (UAL).

Before that the duo muscled their way into his 2013 coalition government in a move that left Netanyahu’s traditional ultra-Orthodox Jewish allies out.

Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, made a comeback when he won the November 2022 election and formed the most right-wing government in Israel’s history.

But Hamas’ 2023 attack on southern Israel, which plunged the Middle East into turmoil and saw Israel fighting on multiple fronts, left Netanyahu’s security credentials in tatters and polls since then have predicted that he will lose the next election, due by the end of October.

Netanyahu, the most dominant Israeli politician of his generation, has shown remarkable political survival skills in the past, however.

On Sunday, he posted a 2021 photo of Bennett and Lapid with UAL head Mansour Abbas. “They did it once, they’ll do it again,” Netanyahu’s Telegram post said, an apparent swipe at their short-lived 2021 coalition that included UAL.

Bennett said that he will not seek a coalition with Arab parties again and ruled out ceding any land to enemies, an apparent reference to the Palestinians’ goal of establishing an independent state in territories occupied by Israel.

SHIFTING POLITICAL MAP

Bennett, 54, a pugnacious former army commando turned tech millionaire, has been trailing Netanyahu in election polls. An April 23 survey by Israel’s N12 News found Bennett securing 21 of the Knesset’s 120 seats, against 25 seats for Netanyahu’s Likud.

It found Lapid’s party securing only seven seats, down from the 24 it currently holds, but with Netanyahu’s coalition of right-wing and religious parties commanding only 50 seats, against at least 60 seats for Bennett and Lapid’s likely coalition that would include several smaller factions.

The survey was on par with previous polls by academic institutions and other Israeli media, which have put Bennett as the top contender against Netanyahu, though the political map could still shift and change.

Lapid, 62, a telegenic former TV news anchor who writes pop songs and thrillers, speaks as the voice of Israel’s secular middle class, which has become increasingly incensed by what it sees as an unfair tax and military service burden.

Netanyahu’s ultra-religious political allies have been seeking an exemption for their communities – who have low employment and many state benefits – from the conscript military.

It is a hot-button issue in Israel that has become all the more pressing since the military has warned of being over-stretched and with the last two years exacting the highest military death toll in decades.

Both Lapid and Bennett have made it a central issue for their campaign. They have also criticised Netanyahu for failing to leverage military gains into strategic wins over Iran and the groups it supports in Lebanon and Gaza – Hezbollah and Hamas.

(Reporting by Maayan Lubell;Editing by Helen Popper, Alexandra Hudson)

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LIMA, April 26 (Reuters) – Right-wing candidate Keiko Fujimori is heading for a dead-heat presidential runoff against leftist Roberto Sanchez, a new poll showed on Sunday, as Peru’s vote count drags on amid fraud allegations and a razor-thin battle for second place.

The daughter of late President Alberto Fujimori would tie with Sanchez at 38% each in a June 7 runoff, polling firm Ipsos Peru said, in the first survey since the April 12 first round.

• The slow count has sparked fraud allegations from ultra-conservative Rafael Lopez Aliaga, who trails Sanchez by about 24,000 votes in the fight for second place – a gap that has widened in recent days.

• Lopez Aliaga has demanded thousands of votes be annulled as fraudulent, but European Union observers said they found no evidence to support the claims.

• With 95.8% of votes counted, Fujimori leads with 17%, while Sanchez has 12% and Lopez Aliaga 11.9%.

• If Fujimori faces Lopez Aliaga instead, she would lose 31%-34%, the poll showed.

• The Organization of American States on Friday backed the electoral board’s rejection of demands for supplementary elections, and called for “unrestricted respect for the popular will.”

• Sanchez served as a minister under jailed former President Pedro Castillo.

(Reporting by Marco AquinoEditing by Bill Berkrot)

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MOSCOW, April 26 (Reuters) – A fertiliser plant in Russia’s Vologda region was damaged in a Ukrainian drone attack on Sunday, local governor Georgy Filimonov said.

Filimonov said a high‑pressure sulphuric acid pipeline was damaged in the city of Cherepovets at an Apatit complex, a subsidiary of PhosAgro, one of the world’s largest producers of phosphate-based fertilisers.

The leak has been contained and there were no releases of hazardous chemicals, he said, adding that five people were injured.

According to PhosAgro, Apatit is Europe’s biggest producer of phosphate-based fertilisers, as well as phosphoric and sulphuric acids.

MAJOR ATTACK

Russia’s defence ministry said that from 2000 Moscow time (1700 GMT) on Saturday to 0900 on Sunday, Russian air defences shot down more than 250 Ukrainian drones over more than a dozen regions.

Sevastopol governor Mikhail Razvozhayev said the city was targeted in one of the heaviest attacks to date, with 71 drones destroyed.

One person was killed and four were injured, while residential buildings, shops and cars were damaged. Parts of downed drones fell on railway tracks.

In the Yaroslavl region, where Ukraine has frequently targeted oil refineries, Russian air defences repelled another large‑scale drone attack, governor Mikhail Yevrayev said, without providing details.

(Reporting by Maxim RodionovEditing by Ros Russell, Elaine Hardcastle)

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