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.

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.

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.

Conservatives block Trump's big tax breaks bill in a stunning setback

WASHINGTON (AP) — Conservatives have blocked President Donald Trump’s big tax breaks and spending cuts bill. House Republicans failed Friday to push it out of the Budget Committee. Four GOP conservatives initially voted against it, demanding further cuts to Medicaid and green energy tax breaks. A fifth switched his vote in a procedural step so it could be reconsidered later and says he's confident they'll “get this done.” Tallying a whopping 1,116 pages, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act is teetering at a critical moment. At the same time, lawmakers from high-tax states including New York are demanding a deeper local tax deduction. Democrats call the package “bad economics.” The Budget Committee plans to try again Sunday.

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.

Strike by New Jersey Transit train engineers leaves some 350,000 commuters in the lurch

Train engineers in New Jersey’s huge commuter rail system are on strike, leaving its 350,000 daily riders either working from home or seeking other means to transit the state or cross the Hudson River into New York City. People who normally rely on New Jersey Transit took to buses, cars, taxis and boats for the morning rush hour on Friday after trains ground to a halt at a minute past midnight. Some left extra early to avoid problems. A few, unaware that the strike was underway, showed up and waited for trains that weren’t going to arrive. Early indications were that the strike hadn’t resulted in major traffic jams or epic lines to get on buses. Friday’s rail commute is typically the lightest of the week.

The Latest: Singer Dawn Richard takes the stand

NEW YORK (AP) — Singer Dawn Richard took the witness stand late Friday afternoon after R&B singer Cassie testified for a fourth day in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex trafficking trial. Prosecutors allege that the hip hop mogul used his fame and fortune to orchestrate an empire of exploitation, coercing women into abusive sex parties. His lawyers argue that all the sexual acts were consensual, and although he could be violent, he never veered into sex trafficking and racketeering.

Thai construction magnate facing charge over Bangkok tower collapse surrenders to police

BANGKOK (AP) — A construction magnate and more than a dozen other people have surrendered to police on criminal negligence charges for the collapse of a Bangkok high-rise during a March 28 earthquake. Premchai Karnasuta, the president of Italian-Thai Development Co, the main Thai contractor for the building project, and 16 other people were charged with the felony of professional negligence causing death. All have denied wrongdoing. Ninety-two people were confirmed dead in the rubble of the building that had been under construction. The building, which was to become a new State Audit Office, was the only one in Thailand to collapse in the earthquake that was centered in neighboring Myanmar.

Russia-Ukraine peace talks end after less than 2 hours with deal to swap POWs but no ceasefire

ISTANBUL (AP) — The first direct Russia-Ukraine peace talks since the early weeks of Moscow’s 2022 invasion ended after less than two hours. While both sides agreed on a large prisoner swap, they clearly remained far apart on key conditions for ending the fighting. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he discussed the talks with President Donald Trump and the leaders of France, Germany, the U.K. and Poland. In a post on X from a European leadership meeting in Albania, he urged “tough sanctions” against Moscow if it rejects “a full and unconditional ceasefire and an end to killings.” At the brief Istanbul talks, Kyiv and Moscow agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war each in what would be their biggest such swap.