Here is today’s selection of top stories from The Associated Press at this hour to begin your day. 

Today’s Headlines

Occupied Ukrainian city fears sham Russian referendum plans

LVIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ever since Russian forces took the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson in early March, residents sensed the occupiers had a special plan for their town. Now, amid a crescendo of…Read More

European leaders blast cutoff of Russian gas as ‘blackmail’

POKROVSK, Ukraine (AP) — European leaders blasted Russia’s decision to cut natural gas shipments to Poland and Bulgaria as ”blackmail,” saying the cutoff and the Kremlin’s warning that it might…Read More

More Beijing classes go online in tightening of virus rules

BEIJING (AP) — Beijing shifted more classes online Thursday in a further tightening of COVID-19 restrictions, as China’s capital seeks to prevent a wider outbreak. The city of 21 million has already…Read More

A political reckoning in Sri Lanka as debt crisis grows COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sherry Fonseka joined millions in 2019 in electing President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, a military strategist whose brutal campaign helped end Sri Lanka’s 30-year civil war 10 years…Read More

A chilling Russian cyber aim in Ukraine: Digital dossiers BOSTON (AP) — Russia’s relentless digital assaults on Ukraine may have caused less damage than many anticipated. But most of its hacking is focused on a different goal that gets less attention but…Read More

Israel halts for Holocaust day, honors 6 million Jews killed TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Sirens blared across Israel early Thursday as the country came to a standstill in an annual ritual honoring the 6 million Jews murdered during the Holocaust. People halted…Read More Cross Section In NYC, ads for jobs will have to say what they pay NEW YORK (AP) — Help wanted. The job: putting one of the nation’s most far-reaching salary disclosure laws into practice. Location: New York City. Just four months ago, city lawmakers overwhelmingly…Read More NFL draft class faced major challenges in COVID-19 battles INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — This year’s NFL draft prospects reluctantly recall their personal COVID-19 experiences. Some consider them inspirational reminders of obstacles already overcame. Others sound more…Read More Rob Kardashian testifies that Blac Chyna put gun to his head LOS ANGELES (AP) — Rob Kardashian testified Wednesday that he feared for his life on a night in 2016 when his then-fiancée Blac Chyna pointed a gun at his head, pulled a phone-charging cable around…Read More