AP-Newswatch

Western leaders visit Kyiv and pledge military support against Russia on the war’s 3rd anniversary

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine is marking the bleakest anniversary yet of its war against the Russia invasion. The country’s forces are under severe pressure on the battlefield, and U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration apparently embracing the Kremlin in a reversal of U.S. policy. The three-year milestone drew more than a dozen Western leaders to Kyiv for commemorative events in a conspicuous show of support. Hours after the anniversary observances, Trump said Russian President Vladimir Putin would accept European peacekeepers in Ukraine as part of a potential deal to end the war. Separately, Putin suggested that European countries could be part of a settlement, but he also said that he has not discussed resolving the conflict in detail with Trump.

Trump expresses hope Russia’s war in Ukraine is nearing an endgame as he meets with France’s Macron

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he’s hopeful Russia’s war in Ukraine is nearing an endgame as he meets with French President Emmanuel Macron on the third anniversary of the Russian invasion. Trump in broad-ranging comments Monday on the state of the conflict said he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin would accept European peacekeepers in Ukraine to keep the peace. Trump also expresses hope the conflict can end within weeks and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will soon come to the U.S. to sign a deal to give the U.S. access to Ukraine’s critical minerals to help repay some of the $180 billion in American aid that’s been sent to Kyiv since the start of the war..

Federal workers return to offices amid threat from Elon Musk

Many federal employees across the country are back at agency offices under President Donald Trump’s return-to-office mandate. Trump advisor Elon Musk warned on his platform X Monday that workers who don’t comply will be placed on administrative leave. At least some federal agencies are not fully prepared for all remote workers to return to the office. In an email to U.S. Department of Education Federal Student Aid employees on Friday, agency officials noted that some regional offices in Boston, Chicago, New York and San Francisco were not ready for workers to return.

Trump administration in court over AP lawsuit on White House access

WASHINGTON (AP) — A judge is hearing in The Associated Press’ lawsuit against three staff members of President Donald Trump, whose administration has barred the news agency from presidential events. The AP is appearing in federal court in Washington over its emergency motion. It wants the court to undo the administration’s move to shut its journalists out of the Oval Office, Air Force One and other areas. The dispute stems from the news agency’s refusal to conform to Trump’s renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America.” The AP says it is adhering to the “Gulf of Mexico” terminology because its audience is global and the waters are not only in U.S. territory, but it is acknowledging Trump’s rechristening as well.

Pope Francis shows slight improvement and resumes some work, while still critical, Vatican says

ROME (AP) — The Vatican says Pope Francis remains in critical condition but has shown slight improvement in laboratory tests. He has resumed some work activities, including calling a parish in Gaza City that he has kept in touch with since the war there began. The Vatican’s evening bulletin was more upbeat than in recent days. It said the 88-year-old Francis. suffering from pneumonia in both lungs, hadn’t had any more respiratory crises. The slight kidney insufficiency detected on Sunday was of no concern. He is continuing to receive supplemental oxygen and doctors say his prognosis remains guarded. He received the Eucharist in the morning and resumed working in the afternoon.

Merz prioritizes Ukraine and US, vows to tackle migration and economy after German election win

BERLIN (AP) — Provisional results confirm that mainstream conservatives led by Friedrich Merz won Germany’s national election, while a far-right party surged to become the nation’s second-largest. Merz at the helm will ensure that Ukraine has an even stronger supporter in the European Union’s largest country and creates hopes for renewal in an economic powerhouse that has been badly battered. The campaign was dominated by worries about the yearslong stagnation of Europe’s biggest economy and pressure to curb migration. It took place against a background of growing uncertainty over the future of Ukraine and Europe’s alliance with the United States.

Roberta Flack, Grammy-winning ‘Killing Me Softly’ singer with an intimate style, dies at 88

NEW YORK (AP) — Roberta Flack has died at 88. The Grammy-winning singer and pianist was known for her intimate vocal and musical style on “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” and other hits. Her publicist says she died Monday, surrounded by her family. Flack became an overnight star in the early 1970s after Clint Eastwood used “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” in his film “Play Misty for Me.” Flack’s other hits included “Feel Like Makin’ Love” and a duet with former Howard University classmate Donny Hathaway, “Where is the Love?”

Starbucks lays off 1,100 corporate employees as coffee chain streamlines

Starbucks plans to lay off 1,100 corporate employees globally as new Chairman and CEO Brian Niccol streamlines operations. In a letter to employees released Monday, Niccol said the company will inform employees who are being laid off by midday Tuesday. Niccol said Starbucks is also eliminating several hundred open and unfilled positions. Niccol said the Seattle coffee giant needs to operate more efficiently and reduce complexity. Baristas in Starbucks’ stores aren’t impacted by the layoffs.

Lester Holt to step down as anchor of NBC’s flagship ‘Nightly News’ after a decade

NEW YORK (AP) — NBC’s veteran anchor Lester Holt will soon be stepping down from the network’s flagship “Nightly News” broadcast. Holt, who has been anchoring “Nightly News” for a decade, will still remain at NBC. In a Monday note to staff, he will be said he would be expanding his duties for the network’s “Dateline” show to take on a full-time role. The transition is expected to arrive at the start of the summer. No firm date or successor for “NBC Nightly News” has been named yet. Holt joined NBC back in 2000. He became the permanent anchor of the network’s flagship “Nightly News” cast in June 2015 — and has been the principal anchor of “Dateline” since September 2011, per NBC.

Oscar performers include Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande and Lisa. Here’s what to know about the show

After devastating wildfires tore through Los Angeles, the 97th Academy Awards are going forward. Performers were added to the bill Monday, including Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Queen Latifah, Blackpink’s Lisa, Doja Cat and RAYE. Presenters include Selena Gomez, Oprah Winfrey, and last year’s acting winners. Those include Emma Stone, Robert Downey Jr., Cillian Murphy and Da’Vine Joy Randolph. The 97th Academy Awards will be held on Sunday, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Conan O’Brien is hosting for the first time. In another first, the Oscars will be streamed live on Hulu.