Trump says Russia and Ukraine have agreed to his request for a 3-day ceasefire and a prisoner swap
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says the leaders of Russia and Ukraine have agreed to his request for a three-day ceasefire and an exchange of prisoners. Trump said Friday that such a halt to hostilities could be the “beginning of the end” of the long war between them. He told reporters at the White House that he asked for the ceasefire and both presidents agreed. Trump announced on social media that the ceasefire would run Saturday through Monday. Saturday is Victory Day in Russia, a holiday that commemorates the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
Alabama lawmakers pass plan for new US House primary if courts allow different districts
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama lawmakers have approved a plan for new U.S. House primaries if courts allow the state to use different congressional districts in this year’s elections. Republican Gov. Kay Ivey signed the measure into law Friday shortly after the legislature approved it. The action came on the same day that the Virginia Supreme Court dealt a major setback to Democrats by overturning a redistricting plan that could have helped Democrats win as many as four additional House seats. The Alabama law could set aside the results of the May 19 primaries, if courts lift an injunction requiring it to use a map with two districts that have large Black populations.
US fires on and disables 2 more Iranian tankers as tensions rise in the Strait of Hormuz
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The U.S. military says its forces fired on and disabled two Iranian oil tankers after exchanging fire with Iranian forces in the Strait of Hormuz overnight. The United Arab Emirates, meanwhile, reported another missile and drone attack Friday. The violence further undermines a month-old ceasefire that U.S. officials insist remains in effect. Iran says the U.S. strikes violate the truce. Washington is awaiting Tehran's response to the latest U.S. proposal aimed at ending the war launched by the U.S. and Israel on Feb. 28.
Bright lights and hot orbs: UFO files shed light on sightings but leave interpretation to the public
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon has begun releasing files on UFOs, tapping into public curiosity about unidentified phenomena. The files feature intriguing sightings, such as a bright object making 90-degree turns over Kazakhstan and Buzz Aldrin observing a light source during Apollo 11. The release aims to promote transparency, though experts warn these videos can be misinterpreted. Some members of Congress are pushing for further disclosure, while the Pentagon's recent report found no evidence of alien technology. President Donald Trump says in a Truth Social post on Friday the release of the files allows people to decide for themselves, “WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?”
On the cruise ship hit by hantavirus, some fear what awaits them at home
MADRID (AP) — A hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean has sparked fear among Spanish passengers, not from illness, but from potential stigma upon returning home. Sensational news and memes have fueled anxiety, with many joking online about the ship being sunk. The World Health Organization emphasizes that hantavirus is not like COVID-19 and poses low public risk. However, some Spanish politicians express concern. Despite the ordeal, two Spanish passengers interviewed by The Associated Press remain optimistic about future cruises, viewing the event as a rare misfortune.
US stocks rise to records after a solid jobs report overshadows higher oil prices
NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks rose to records following the latest sign that the nation’s job market is doing better than economists expected. The S&P 500 climbed 0.8% Friday to an all-time high after a report said employers added more jobs last month than expected, even though the war with Iran is raising fuel costs and uncertainty. The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged up less than 0.1%, and the Nasdaq composite rallied 1.7% to its own record. Monster Beverage and Akamai Technologies helped lead the market after reporting better profits for the latest quarter than analysts expected. Oil prices climbed on uncertainty about the war with Iran.
Canvas system is online after a cyberattack disrupted thousands of schools
A key online learning system used by thousands of schools and universities is back after a cyberattack knocked it offline, creating chaos as students tried to study for finals. A cybersecurity threat analyst says a hacking group called ShinyHunters claimed responsibility for breaching Canvas. Instructure, the company behind Canvas, said late Thursday that the system was available for most users. An expert says the hackers posted online that nearly 9,000 schools worldwide were affected, with billions of private messages and other records accessed. Teachers had to find workarounds to help students study for exams and submit final assignments, and some schools pushed back finals.
Suspect in Navajo woman’s disappearance sentenced to 5 years for robbery after plea deal
PHOENIX (AP) — The only person ever charged in the unsolved 2021 disappearance of Navajo elder Ella Mae Begay has been sentenced to five years in federal prison. Begay’s case became emblematic of a crisis fueled by disproportionately high rates of violence faced by Native Americans. Preston Henry Tolth pleaded guilty to robbing Begay and driving off in her pickup truck. Under an agreement with prosecutors, he faced a maximum of five years in prison with credit for three years’ time served. Tolth’s sentencing comes amid a week of awareness for Native Americans who are missing or have been killed.
Evidence points to human remains at home linked to Kristin Smart's killing, sheriff says
ARROYO GRANDE, Calif. (AP) — A California sheriff says that evidence suggests human remains were present at a home connected to the man convicted of killing 19-year-old college student Kristin Smart in 1996. San Luis Obispo County Sheriff Ian Parkinson said Friday that they cannot say whether the remains are those of Smart. The office served a warrant this week on the home of Susan Flores but has not said what prompted the search. Her son Paul Flores was convicted in 2022 of killing Smart, whose body was never found. Scientists took soil samples from outside the house and in a neighbor’s yard this week.
NFL and referees agree on a 7-year collective bargaining agreement, avoiding potential work stoppage
The NFL and the NFL Referees Association have agreed on a new seven-year collective bargaining agreement that avoids a potential work stoppage and use of replacement officials. The deal runs through the 2032 NFL season. The league began the onboarding process for replacement officials last month because negotiations weren’t progressing. But they won’t be necessary. A stalemate in 2012 resulted in a 110-day lockout and replacement referees were used.
