Ukraine-Russia political theatrics underscore stark realities on the ground as war grinds on
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian officials and analysts say Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has few options but to draw U.S. President Donald Trump’s ire against Vladimir Putin, while depending on Europe’s support. Ukraine’s strategy since U.S.-brokered peace talks were launched is to convince the Trump administration the Russian leader is unreliable and that only Kyiv is serious about peace. It’s a rhetorical game of pingpong in which both Kyiv and Moscow are trying to outmaneuver the other vis-à-vis the U.S. But the political theatrics underscore stark realities on the ground. In this war of attrition against Russia’s invasion, Ukraine’s position is poised to grow weaker as time goes on.
At least 7 people dead and widespread damage left in the wake of severe Midwest storms
ST. LOUIS (AP) — At least seven people died and authorities were searching from building to building for people who were trapped or hurt after severe storms including at least one possible tornado swept through Missouri. The storms were part of a severe weather system Friday that caused damage in Missouri, spawned tornadoes in Wisconsin, left thousands without power in the Great Lakes region and brought a punishing heat wave to Texas. St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer has confirmed five deaths in her city. City of St. Louis Fire Department Battalion Chief William Pollihan says three people had to be rescued after part of the church crumbled and one of those people died.
Republicans forge their tax bill in Trump's image, with 'MAGA accounts' and more
WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans are in the final rounds of negotiations over a sweeping budget plan that has been significantly influenced by President Donald Trump's priorities. Many GOP lawmakers expect the bill will only make it through the finish line if Trump personally weighs with members. It is not unusual in the modern era for a president to direct the legislative priorities in Congress, but many House Republicans see Trump’s role as singular and decisive as they aim to pass the bill before Memorial Day.
Supreme Court rejects Trump bid to resume quick deportations of Venezuelans under 18th-century law
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court has rejected the Trump administration’s appeal to quickly resume deportations of Venezuelans under an 18th-century wartime law. Over two dissenting votes, the justices acted Friday on an emergency appeal from lawyers for Venezuelan men who have been accused of being gang members. The administration says that designation makes them eligible for rapid removal from the United States under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. The high court had already called a temporary halt to the deportations from a north Texas detention facility in a middle-of-the-night order issued last month. Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas dissented.
Bernie Sanders and AOC are popular with Democrats. Here's a timeline of their alliance
A decade ago, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was a volunteer organizer for Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders' presidential campaign. Later, when she ran for a House seat from New York, she was assisted by progressive organizations, including some with ties to veterans of the Sanders’ presidential campaign. Today, AOC, as she's known, is perhaps the best positioned to be the 83-year-old Sanders’ successor atop his progressive movement. But that role comes with risks. President Donald Trump and Republicans have long made AOC a foil. And some Democrats, progressive and moderate alike, have argued she and Sanders are too disruptive and push for unrealistic policy ideas.
An alleged smuggler to Colombia's cartels had a secret ally: the DEA
MIAMI (AP) — A fugitive known as Colombia's “Contraband King” corrupted agents in the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration with expensive trips, fine dining and even prostitutes. That's according to an Associated Press investigation based on a trove of highly sensitive Justice Department files. The records show the DEA claimed Diego Marín was a top target, even as agents partied with him around the world. One agent helped Marín launder money as his business flourished into an empire generating up to $100 million a year, according to the Internal Revenue Service. Marín's lawyers declined to comment. The DEA did not respond to comment requests.
Supporters of Bolivia's ex-leader Morales clash with police in push to secure his candidacy
LA PAZ, BOLIVIA (AP) — Street clashes have erupted in Bolivia's capital of La Paz as hundreds of supporters of ex-President Evo Morales marched toward the country's top electoral court to push for their leader’s candidacy in presidential elections later this year. Friday's confrontations come in response to a ruling by Bolivia’s Constitutional Court that blocks Morales, the nation’s first Indigenous president who governed from 2006 until his ouster in 2019, from running again in August 17 elections. The turmoil escalates political tensions as Bolivia undergoes its worst economic crisis in four decades. Authorities say Friday's clashes between rock-throwing protesters and tear gas-lobbing police forces injured two officers, a journalist and a local merchant.
10 escape from New Orleans jail through hole in cell wall while lone guard left to get food
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Authorities say 10 men broke out of a New Orleans jail by fleeing through a hole behind a toilet. Eight of them are still on the lam. One was caught soon after the Friday morning escape. Another was caught later. Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson says there are indications that the men received help in their escape from people in the department. Authorities say the lone guard assigned to their cell pod was away getting food at the time. Jail officials first noticed the men were missing during a Friday morning headcount. Three employees have been placed on suspension pending the outcome of an investigation.
Key moments from first week of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ sex trafficking trial
NEW YORK (AP) — Testimony in the Sean “Diddy” Combs sex trafficking trial has opened a window into what prosecutors say was the sordid world of group sex, drugs and violence beneath his glittering, jet-set persona. Much of the testimony that began on Monday was hard to watch. Combs ex-girlfriend, Cassie, recounted being beaten and pressured into degrading sexual performances with strangers. A lawyer for the Bad Boy Records founder conceded Combs was a jerk and a swinger prone to violence, but argued he wasn't a sex trafficker.
Eurovision explained as the extravagant pop contest reaches its grand final
BASEL, Switzerland (AP) — The 69th Eurovision Song Contest is approaching its grand final in the Swiss city of Basel. Musical acts from 26 countries will take the stage at the St. Jakobshalle arena on Saturday in a spectacular, sequin-drenched competition that has been uniting and dividing Europeans since 1956. Eleven countries were eliminated in two semifinals this week. Oddsmaker say the favorites are KAJ, representing Sweden with sauna song “Bara Bada Bastu." Eurovision historian Dean Vuletic says the competition is Europe’s biggest cultural event and "a reflection of the zeitgeist in Europe.”
