Ukrainians expect Russia to launch a fresh offensive to strengthen its negotiating position

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian forces are preparing to launch a fresh military offensive in the coming weeks to maximize the pressure on Ukraine and strengthen the Kremlin’s negotiating position in ceasefire talks. That's according to Ukrainian government and military analysts. The Ukrainian officials said the move could give Russian President Vladimir Putin every reason to delay discussions about pausing the fighting in favor of seeking more land. The analysts and military commanders said the Kremlin is eyeing a multi-pronged push across the 1,000-kilometer (621-mile) front line as the spring fighting season draws near. Ukrainian leaders have argued repeatedly that Russia has no intention of engaging in meaningful dialogue to end the war.

Israel strikes Beirut for the first time since a ceasefire ended the latest Israel-Hezbollah war

BEIRUT (AP) — Israel has launched an attack on the Lebanese capital Beirut for the first time since a ceasefire ended the latest Israel-Hezbollah war in November. The attack Friday was the first strike on Beirut since a ceasefire took hold on Nov. 27, 2024 between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group, although Israel has struck targets in southern Lebanon almost daily since then. After the strike, Israel’s army said it attacked a Hezbollah drone storage facility in the area of Dahiyeh, which it called a key Hezbollah stronghold. Israel said it issued a warning in advance for people to leave.

Myanmar earthquake death toll jumps to nearly 700, according to government, state-run media reports

BANGKOK (AP) — The death toll from a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar has jumped to nearly 700 according to the government, state-run media. MRTV reported that 694 people have now been found dead and another 1,670 injured, with 68 others injured, according to a statement from the military-led government. The earthquake struck midday Friday with an epicenter not far from Mandalay, Myanmar’s second biggest city, sending buildings in many areas toppling to the ground and causing other widespread damage.

Private groups work to identify and report student protesters for possible deportation

NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump's efforts to deport foreign students who participated in pro-Palestinian demonstrations are getting help from private groups that use facial-recognition technology to identify masked protesters. That's so their names can be turned over to government officials. Other groups have called on supporters at universities to report protesters on their campuses to immigration authorities. After the arrest of a Columbia University grad student, the campaign to identify masked protesters and to turn them in has blurred the line between public law enforcement and private groups. The effort has also stirred anxiety among foreign students worried that activism could jeopardize their legal status.

Trump asks Supreme Court for permission to resume deporting Venezuelan migrants under wartime law

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is asking the Supreme Court for permission to resume deportations of Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador under an 18th century wartime law, while a court fight continues. The emergency appeal Friday follows a rejection of the Republican administration’s plea to the federal appeals court in Washington. A panel of appellate judges left in place an order temporarily prohibiting the deportations under the Alien Enemies Act. President Donald Trump invoked the law for the first time since World War II to justify the deportation of hundreds of people under a presidential proclamation calling the Tren de Aragua gang an invading force. A lawyer representing the migrants calls use of the wartime authority “unlawful.”

Vance accuses Denmark of underinvesting in Greenland as Trump presses for US takeover of the island

NUUK, Greenland (AP) — U.S. Vice President JD Vance says Denmark has “underinvested” in Greenland’s security and demands Denmark change its approach as President Donald Trump continues to talk of taking over the Danish territory. The pointed remarks came Friday as Vance visited U.S. troops at Pituffik Space Base on the mineral-rich, strategically critical island. The Republican vice president says the Trump administration's message to Denmark is very simple: “You have not done a good job by the people of Greenland.” Relations between the U.S. and the Nordic country have soured as Trump has repeatedly suggested the U.S. should control the territory.

Wall Street tumbles, and S&P 500 drops 2% on worries about slower economy and higher inflation

NEW YORK (AP) — Another wipeout slammed Wall Street as worries built about a potentially toxic mix of worsening inflation and a U.S. economy slowing because of households afraid to spend due to the global trade war. The S&P 500 dropped 2% Friday for one of its worst days of the last two years. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 715 points, and the Nasdaq composite tumbled 2.7%. Lululemon Athletica led the market lower after warning that its revenue growth may slow, in part because shoppers are spending less due to concerns about inflation and the economy. Treasury yields fell, even after a worse-than-expected inflation report.

Mahmoud Khalil's lawyers appear in New Jersey court over jurisdiction of Columbia activist's case

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Lawyers for Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate student facing deportation for his role in pro-Palestinian campus protests, appeared before a judge in New Jersey to debate where Khalil’s fight to be released from federal custody should play out. The Trump administration wants the case moved to Louisiana, where Khalil is being held in an immigration detention center. The judge said on Friday that he would consider the venue issues at play and issue a decision soon. The administration has cited a seldom-invoked statute authorizing the secretary of state to deport noncitizens whose presence in the country threatens U.S. foreign-policy interests.

Putin suggests putting Ukraine under UN-sponsored external governance

Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed putting Ukraine under external governance under the auspices of the U.N. as part of efforts to reach a peaceful settlement. It was a statement that reflected his determination to achieve his war goals. In televised remarks early Friday, Putin reaffirmed his claim that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whose term expired last year, lacks the legitimacy to sign a peace deal. Kyiv maintains that elections are impossible to hold amid a war. Putin claimed that any agreement that is signed with the current Ukrainian government could be challenged by its successors.

Utah bans fluoride in public drinking water, a first in the US

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah has become the first state to ban fluoride in public drinking water, despite widespread opposition from dentists and national health organizations. Republican Gov. Spencer Cox signed legislation late Thursday that bars cities and communities from deciding whether to add the mineral to their water systems. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that fluoride strengthens teeth and reduces cavities by replacing minerals lost during normal wear and tear. Utah lawmakers who pushed for a ban said putting fluoride in water is too expensive. Lawmakers in other states including Florida, Ohio and South Carolina, also have proposed restricting fluoride in public water.