Experts group says abortion in Germany should be decriminalized

BERLIN (AP) — An independent experts commission has recommended that abortion in Germany should no longer fall under the country’s penal code and be made legal during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Currently, abortion is considered illegal in Germany, but not punishable if a woman undergoes mandatory counseling and a three-day wait period before she has the procedure. The ruling coalition had tasked the experts’ commission to look into this issue, which has been a hotly debated topic over decades. The country’s approach to abortion has been more restrictive than in many other European countries. While the commission’s recommendation Monday to decriminalize the current abortion law is nonbinding, it is likely to heat up discussion over the issue again.

Australian police probe why man stabbed 6 people to death in a Sydney mall

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Australian police are examining why a lone assailant who stabbed six people to death in a busy Sydney shopping mall and injured more than a dozen others targeted women while avoiding men. New South Wales state Police Commissioner Karen Webb said on Monday detectives would question the family of assailant Joel Cauchi in a bid to find his motive. She said CCTV footage from the mall shows Cauchi targeted women. Police shot Cauchi dead during the knife attack in the Westfield Bondi Junction mall on Saturday near world-famous Bondi Beach. Police have ruled out terrorism and said the 40-year-old had a history of mental illness. Only one man was killed.

World donors pledge $2.1 billion in aid for war-stricken Sudan

PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that world donors are pledging more than $2.1 billion in aid for Sudan. A year of war has pushed the African country’s population to the brink of famine. Macron spoke Monday at the end of an international conference in Paris aimed at drumming up support for Sudan’s people. Sudan’s warring parties didn’t take part. Top diplomatic envoys, U.N. officials and aid agencies gathered at the conference urged them to stop committing human rights violations and allow access for humanitarian aid.

Lightning, rains kill 49 in Pakistan as authorities declare a state of emergency

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Officials say lightning and heavy rains have killed at least 49 people across Pakistan in the past three days. Most of the people died because of collapsing of rooms and lighting. Authorities have declared a state of emergency in southwestern Baluchistan province. More rains are expected this week. And an official says heavy flooding from seasonal rains in Afghanistan has killed 33 people and injured 27 others in the past three days. A Pakistani environmental expert says such heavy April rainfall is unusual and cites climate change.