Blinken delivers some of the strongest US public criticism of Israel's conduct of the war in Gaza

Separatist parties appear to be in danger of losing their decade-long hold of power in Spain's northeastern region of Catalonia. The pro-union Socialist Party is poised to win the most votes in Sunday’s Catalan regional election with 85% of ballots counted. The four pro-independence parties are set to total 61 seats. That is short of the key figure of 68 seats needed for a majority in the chamber. The Socialists led by former health minister Salvador Illa are set to win 42 seats. They will still need to earn the backing of other parties to put Illa in charge. Dealmaking will be key to forming a government and new elections out of the question.

“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” has reigned over the weekend box office. Studio estimates Sunday said the latest installment in the “Apes” franchise brought in $56.5 million in North American theaters. It was a much-needed surge for what could be an uncertain summer in theaters. Ryan Gosling's “The Fall Guy” underperformed in ticket sales last week. This week it was No. 2 with $13.7 million. Zendaya's tennis thriller “Challengers” was third with $4.7 million. “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” had the third best opening of 2024 so far, after “Dune: Part Two” and “Kung Fu Panda 4.”

Federal agency says a second, if weaker, solar storm surge is likely Sunday

The controlled demolition of the largest remaining steel span of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore has been postponed because of weather conditions. The explosives are now expected to be detonated Monday evening. The steel span landed on the bow of a massive container ship that lost power and crashed into one of the bridge’s support columns shortly after leaving Baltimore on March 26. Since then, the ship has been stuck amid the wreckage and Baltimore’s busy port has been closed to most maritime traffic. The controlled demolition will allow the ship Dali to be refloated and restore traffic through the port.

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin began a Cabinet shakeup, proposing the replacement of Sergei Shoigu as defense minister as he begins his fifth term in office. In line with Russian law, the entire Russian Cabinet resigned on Tuesday following Putin’s glittering inauguration in the Kremlin, and most members have been widely expected to keep their jobs. Putin signed a decree on Sunday appointing Shoigu as secretary of Russia’s national security council, the Kremlin said. The appointment was announced shortly after Putin proposed Andrei Belousov to become the country’s defense minister in place of Shoigu. Shoigu’s deputy was arrested last month on bribery charges and was ordered to remain in custody pending an official investigation.

Catalan separatists lose majority in a regional election in a boost to Spain's prime minister, preliminary results show.