AP-Newswatch

Many weary Ukrainians long for an end to the war but now fear it will come on unfavorable terms

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — After nearly three years of living under constant threat of Russian airstrikes while their troops fight a grinding campaign against Russia’s invasion, many Ukrainians long for an end to the war. But they now fear it could come on unfavorable terms. Top U.S. and Russian officials plan to meet Tuesday in Saudi Arabia to discuss an end to the war. Kyiv won’t participate. That rankles some Ukrainians who worry they will be sidelined. While Ukraine will not take part in Tuesday’s talks, U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said any actual peace negotiations would only take place with Ukraine’s involvement.

‘Life-threatening cold’ expected as polar vortex stretches across U.S. after deadly weekend flooding

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Harsh weather moved west as a polar vortex was expected to grip the Rockies and the northern Plains after winter storms pummeled the eastern U.S. over the weekend, killing at least 10 people, including nine victims in Kentucky who died during flooding from heavy rains. The National Weather Service warned of life-threatening cold into Tuesday, with temperatures in northeastern Montana predicted to dip as low as 45 degrees below zero. Weather forces in the Arctic are combining to push the chilly air that usually stays near the North Pole into the U.S. and Europe. In Kentucky, Gov. Andy Beshear said Sunday that at least 1,000 people stranded by floods had to be rescued.

Top Russian and American officials will hold talks on ending the Ukraine war without Kyiv

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — The Kremlin says senior American and Russian officials will hold talks on improving their ties and negotiating an end to the war in Ukraine. It would be the most significant meeting between the sides since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of its neighbor nearly three years ago. The talks are scheduled for Tuesday in Saudi Arabia. They mark another consequential step by the Trump administration to reverse U.S. policy on isolating Russia, and are meant to pave the way for a meeting between U.S. and Russian presidents. The moves have sent Kyiv and key allies scrambling to ensure a seat at the table amid concerns that Washington and Moscow could press ahead with a deal that won’t be favorable to them. France called an emergency meeting of European Union countries and the U.K.

European leaders hold emergency talks, fearing that Trump has abandoned age-old allies

PARIS (AP) — European leaders are seeking to form a united front at emergency talks in Paris, called after a U.S. diplomatic blitz on Ukraine which has thrown a once-solid alliance into turmoil and left the Europeans questioning the reliability of their key transatlantic partner. Shortly before the meeting, French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump, but Macron’s office would not disclose details about the 20-minute discussion. European leaders have been stunned by a weeklong diplomatic blitz on Ukraine from the Trump administration that seemed to embrace the Kremlin while it cold-shouldered many of its age-old European allies. Gen. Keith Kellogg, Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, underlined Monday that Europe has no place at the negotiating table.

Trump begins firings of FAA air traffic control staff just weeks after fatal DC plane crash

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration has begun firing several hundred Federal Aviation Administration employees, upending staff on a busy air travel weekend and just weeks after a fatal mid-air collision in Washington. Probationary workers were targeted in late night emails Friday notifying them they had been fired. That’s according to David Spero, president of the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists union. One air traffic controller told the Associated Press the fired workers include personnel hired for FAA radar, landing and navigational aid maintenance.

To these Black retirees, the federal civil service now under attack was a path to the middle class

WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal civil service that President Donald Trump and Elon Musk are dismantling has been a way for people of color, in particular Black Americans, to get a toehold into the middle class for decades, as other occupations were closed off because of racial discrimination or patronage. Now that pathway to economic security is being jeopardized by the Republican administration’s efforts to gut the workforce. Black retirees speaking from California, Florida and Georgia recall their own work in the federal civil service, getting hired or starting in the military at a time when few other career pathways existed for them.

The anti-Musk protest movement is expected to ramp up with Congress on recess

NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump’s billionaire top lieutenant, Elon Musk, is the focus for thousands of Democratic activists launching a massive protest campaign this week. The Democrats are outraged by the Republican administration’s push to gut federal health, education and human services agencies. Hundreds of protests are scheduled outside congressional offices and Tesla dealerships, with organizers hoping to send a pointed message to members of Congress who are on recess this week. Outraged left-wing activists want elected officials in both major political parties to push back against Musk, Tesla’s CEO. Trump has praised Musk’s work with his Department of Government Efficiency, saying it has found “shocking” evidence of wasteful federal spending.

Vatican says the pope has a ‘polymicrobial respiratory tract infection.’ What is that?

LONDON (AP) — Vatican authorities said Monday that Pope Francis has a complex infection in his respiratory system and will require more targeted drug treatment. Officials said the 88-year-old pope is suffering from a “polymicrobial respiratory tract infection,” but gave few details. Doctors not involved in his care said the pope likely has a mix of bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites growing in his lungs. Experts said that’s not uncommon in older people with prior medical problems and should be treatable with the right antibiotics, but it’s unclear how long that might take.

Auburn stays at No. 1 in AP Top 25 for 6th straight week, Florida up to No. 2; Louisville returns

Auburn is No. 1 in The Associated Press men’s college basketball poll for the sixth consecutive week. The Tigers claimed 59 of 60 first-place votes in the latest poll after beating then-No. 1 Alabama on the road. Florida claimed the other first-place vote and broke last week’s tie with Duke to move up to second. The Southeastern Conference has a national-best nine ranked teams. No. 25 Louisville returned to the poll for the week’s only new addition.