After tank pledges, Ukraine seeks Western fighter jets

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine is pushing its Western allies to provide it with fighter jets. The move comes a week after winning pledges of sophisticated modern tanks to help Ukraine beat back Russia’s invasion force after almost a year of fighting. Ukraine’s defense minister was due in Paris on Tuesday where discussions about the possible delivery of fighter jets to Ukraine was expected to be on the agenda. After months of haggling, Ukrainian authorities last week persuaded Western allies to send the tanks. There was no indication that a decision on warplanes to Ukraine might come any time soon and no sign that Western countries have changed their earlier stance on the issue.

In Haiti, gangs take control as democracy withers PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — At a time when democracy has withered in Haiti and gang violence has spiraled out of control, armed men like Jimmy Cherizier – known by the nickname Barbecue – have filled the power vacuum left by a crumbling government. The U.N. estimated in December that gangs controlled 60% of Haiti’s capital, but nowadays most on the streets of Port-au-Prince say that number is closer to 100%. While gangs profit from the chaos, at least 155,000 people have been forced to flee the violence. Pope’s Africa trip spotlights conflict, and church’s future KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — Pope Francis has started a six-day visit to Congo and South Sudan where he’ll bring a message of peace to countries riven by poverty and conflict. Aid groups are hoping Francis’ trip will shine a spotlight on some of the world’s forgotten conflicts. But Francis’ trip will also bring him face-to-face with the future of the Catholic Church: Africa is one of the only places in the world where the Catholic flock is growing, in terms of practicing faithful as well as of fresh vocations to the priesthood and religious life. That makes his trip particularly important as Francis nears the 10-year-mark in his papacy.