At least 18 killed as severe weather lashes Kentucky, and 9 more die elsewhere
LONDON, Ky. (AP) — Severe storms across parts of the U.S. Midwest and South have left at least 27 people dead. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said Saturday that there were 18 weather-related deaths in his state. Ten others in the state were hospitalized in critical condition. A devastating tornado in Kentucky damaged homes, tossed vehicles and left many people homeless. Seventeen of the deaths were in Laurel County, located in the state’s southeast. The other was in Pulaski County: Fire Department Maj. Roger Leslie Leatherman, a 39-year veteran who was fatally injured while responding to the deadly weather. Beshear said parts of two dozen state roads were closed, and some could take days to reopen.
The FBI is investigating the explosion at a California fertility clinic as an act of terrorism
A law enforcement official says the person believed responsible for an explosion at a California fertility clinic posted online ramblings including a belief that the world should not be populated. The official is not authorized to discuss details of the attack and has spoken to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. The suspect died in the blast Saturday that ripped through the clinic in the upscale city of Palm Springs. The FBI says it is investigating the attack as terrorism. The agency has not released the suspect's name and investigators are still piecing together a motive.
Mexican tall ship strikes Brooklyn Bridge, snapping masts and injuring sailors
NEW YORK (AP) — A Mexican navy sailing ship hit the Brooklyn Bridge during a promotional tour in New York City. The top of the ship's three masts has slammed into the iconic span Saturday evening and partially collapsed as the boat floated in the East River. New York City Mayor Eric Adams says 19 people were injured, four seriously. But he says the 142-year-old bridge has been spared major damage. The cause of the collision is under investigation. The Mexican navy says in a post on the social media platform X that Saturday's incident involves the Cuauhtemoc, an academy training vessel.
Trump says he will call Putin, then Zelenskyy, on Monday to push for Ukraine ceasefire
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump says he plans to speak by phone Monday with Russian leader Vladimir Putin about ending the war in Ukraine. Trump will then talk with Ukraine’s president and NATO allies. Trump’s remarks on Saturday came less than a day after the first direct talks between Moscow and Kyiv in years failed to yield a ceasefire. A Russian drone hit a bus evacuating civilians from a front-line area in Ukraine’s northeastern Sumy region earlier Saturday. Nine people were killed. The strike came hours after Russian and Ukrainian delegations left the talks in Istanbul after agreeing to a large exchange of prisoners of war but no truce.
Israel launches a new military operation in Gaza. Netanyahu tells negotiating team to stay at talks
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel says it has launched a major military operation in Gaza to pressure Hamas to release remaining hostages. An Israeli official says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told a negotiating team to remain in Qatar for indirect talks with the militant group. Saturday's operation came a day after U.S. President Donald Trump concluded his trip to the Middle East without a visit to Israel. There had been hope that Trump’s trip could increase the chances of a ceasefire deal. Gaza is in the third month of an Israeli blockade. Food security experts say Gaza will be in famine if it isn’t lifted.
Ritual, symbol and a popemobile tour mark Pope Leo XIV's installation Mass
VATICAN CITY (AP) — About 150 official delegations are expected at the formal installation Mass for Pope Leo XIV. Sunday's ceremony in St. Peter's Square blends ancient ritual, evocative symbols and a nod to modern-day celebrity. Leo will start the day by taking his first tour through the piazza in the popemobile. The open-topped vehicle has become synonymous with the papacy’s global reach and mediatic draw. Leo will receive the two potent symbols of the papacy during the Mass. They are the lambswool stole known as a pallium. And the fisherman’s ring.
Romanians cast ballots in a tense presidential runoff that pits nationalist against pro-EU centrist
BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Romanians are casting their ballots in a tense presidential runoff between a hard-right nationalist and a pro-Western centrist. It's a high-stakes election rerun that could determine the geopolitical direction of the European Union and NATO member country. Sunday’s race pits front-runner George Simion, the 38-year-old leader of the hard-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians, and incumbent Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan. It comes months after the previous election was annulled and plunged Romania into its worst political crisis in decades. Polls opened at 7 a.m. local time and will close at 9 p.m.
Trump warns Walmart: Don't raise prices due to my tariffs but do eat the costs from those taxes
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has ripped into Walmart, saying on social media that the retail giant should eat the additional costs created by his tariffs. As Trump has jacked up those import taxes, he's tried to assure a skeptical public that foreign producers would pay for those taxes and that retailers and automakers would absorb the additional expenses. Most economic analyses are deeply skeptical of those claims and have warned that the tariffs would worsen inflation. Walmart said on Thursday that everything from bananas to children’s car seats could increase in price.
FDA approves Novavax COVID-19 shot but with unusual restrictions
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Food and Drug Administration has approved Novavax's COVID-19 vaccine but with unusual restrictions. Novavax makes the nation's only traditional protein-based coronavirus vaccine and while it has long been authorized for use, it had expected full approval last month. Late Friday, the FDA licensed the vaccine but for use only in adults 65 and older — or those 12 to 64 who have at least one health problem that puts them at increased risk from the virus. Novavax also is required to do additional clinical trials of the shot.
Wes Anderson talks 'The Phoenician Scheme,' Gene Hackman and his Cannes bus
CANNES, France (AP) — With remarkable regularity, Anderson has been crafting movies uniquely his own since his 1996 debut, “Bottle Rocket.” There are variations. Some are expansive family dramas (“The Royal Tenenbaums”). Some are more intimate (“Rushmore”). Some are more densely layered (“Asteroid City”). “The Phoenician Scheme,” a leaner tale which Focus Features will release May 30, is Anderson working in high comic gear. A playful and poignant kind of thriller, it stars Benicio Del Toro as the tycoon Zsa-Zsa Korda, who decides to name his daughter heir to his dubiously accrued fortune.
