Mamdani holds to

Trump criticism

WASHINGTON (AP) — New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani is standing by his past criticisms that President Donald Trump acted like a despot and a fascist.

This comes after a surprisingly friendly White House meeting between the two on Friday. The democratic socialist and the Republican president have fiercely criticized each other in the past.

Despite their differences, they emerged smiling after the meeting and spoke of shared goals. Mamdani said his views remained unchanged during a “Meet the Press” interview that aired Sunday. Trump had earlier brushed aside Mamdani’s criticisms and even jumped in on his defense several times Friday.

US boycotts

G20 summit

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — The Group of 20 summit in South Africa has ended with the glaring absence of the United States — the next country to lead the bloc. The Trump administration boycotted the two days of talks involving leaders of the world’s richest and top developing economies.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa declared the summit in Johannesburg closed Sunday by banging a wooden gavel on a block like a judge would, in a G20 tradition.

The gavel would normally be handed over to the leader of the next country to hold the rotating presidency, but no U.S. official was there to receive it.

Hezbollah official

killed in Beirut

HARET HREIK, Lebanon (AP) — Israel has struck Lebanon’s capital for the first time since June, saying it killed Hezbollah’s chief of staff and warning the Iran-backed militant group not to rearm and rebuild.

Sunday’s strike in Beirut was launched almost a year after a ceasefire ended the latest Israel-Hezbollah war. Hezbollah confirmed the killing of Haytham Tabtabai and said the strike threatened an escalation of attacks.

The strike came days before Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to visit Lebanon. Lebanon’s Health Ministry said five people were killed and 25 wounded. Israeli airstrikes over southern Lebanon have intensified while it pressures Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah.