Greece
Burning effigy of Judas
is an Easter tradition
ERMIONI — A town on Greece’s Peloponnese Peninsula has observed Orthodox Easter by burning an effigy of Judas.
A fleet of about 20 small boats circled around a raft bearing a wire model of the apostle who betrayed Jesus Christ, then set the figure alight.
The ritual burning of Judas, a custom also observed in parts of Latin America, is a symbolic punishment for treason and avarice. In the New Testament, Judas betrays Christ for money.
In some places, the tradition dates back centuries. In Ermioni, it has been observed for the past 25 years.
Canada
Trans Mountain pipeline construction is suspended
TORONTO — Kinder Morgan said Sunday it is suspending all non-essential activities and related spending on its controversial Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project that would nearly triple the flow of oil from Canada’s oil sands to the Pacific Coast.
The company said its decision is based on the British Columbia government’s opposition to the project, which has also been the focus of sustained protests at Kinder Morgan’s marine terminal in Burnaby, British Columbia.
Kinder Morgan says it will consult with “various stakeholders” to try to reach an agreement by May 31 that might allow the project to proceed.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has insisted the project should be completed despite angry protests and the British Columbia government’s continued battle against it in the courts.
The pipeline expansion would dramatically increase the number of oil tankers traveling the shared waters between Canada and Washington state.
Congo
Gunmen kill priest
after Sunday Mass
KINSHASA — A Catholic leader in Congo says gunmen have killed a parish priest after a Mass in Congo’s eastern region.
The Rev. Emmanuel Kapitula in Kitchanga said armed men entered a room in Masisi where the priest, Etienne Nsengiunva, was eating with others on Sunday and shot him dead.
Roman Catholic churches and activists have led nationwide demonstrations this year against Congolese President Joseph Kabila’s extended rule.
Israel
Court says acts on Gaza border may be war crimes
JERUSALEM — The chief prosecutor for the International Criminal Court raised concerns Sunday that Israel and Hamas may have committed war crimes during a current flareup of violence in the Gaza Strip.
In a statement, Fatou Bensouda’s office expressed “grave concern” over the shootings of Palestinians by Israeli troops during mass protests along Gaza’s border with Israel.
Her office said that Israel’s “violence against civilians — in a situation such as one prevailing in Gaza” may constitute war crimes. But in an apparent reference to Gaza’s Hamas rulers, she also said using “civilian presence for the purpose of shielding military activities” could also be a war crime.
North Korea
Hundreds of foreigners join Pyongyang race
PYONGYANG — Hundreds of foreigners joined in the annual Pyongyang marathon on Sunday despite political tensions that have only recently begun to ease and a ban on U.S citizens traveling to the country that is still in effect.
Approximately 400 foreign amateurs took part this year, less than half the number that came last year. They came from approximately 43 countries and territories around the world.
Disabled people were allowed to join for the first time.
Thirteen foreign professional runners from Africa participated in the elite category of the race.
Brazil
Still popular, Lula starts serving jail sentence
CURITIBA — Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva woke up in jail Sunday, becoming the first current or former president in Brazil’s modern history to be incarcerated .
Foreshadowing possible unrest to come, about 500 supporters remained outside of the jail hours after police shot rubber bullets and sprayed tear gas to disperse the crowd.
The Workers’ Party said eight people were injured during the previous night’s clashes and one was hospitalized.
Da Silva’s fall from grace has unfolded steadily over the past week after the Supreme Federal Tribunal, the country’s top court, ruled against his petition to remain free while he appealed his 12-year sentence for money laundering and corruption.
Brazilian news site G1 reported that da Silva’s room has enough space for a single bed and a small table and a private bathroom with a toilet and shower.
