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.
What to know about the latest wave of changes to congressional districts
The congressional map appears to be tilting more red amid the latest flurry of redistricting developments across the U.S. Virginia's supreme court this week rejected a new districting plan on procedural grounds. It could have helped Democrats pick up as many as four more seats. Other Southern states are moving to erase majority-Black districts as a result of a recent Supreme Court decision. Tennessee this week became the first of those to adopt a new map. With mid-decade redistricting to date, the GOP has created 14 more districts party leaders believe they can win and Democrats have added six.
Chaos marks the Venice Biennale after the jury quits over Israeli and Russian participation
VENICE, Italy (AP) — Geopolitical tensions have spilled over into the Venice Biennale contemporary art exhibition. This year's edition is chaotic and contested, with no Golden Lions awarded after the jury quit in protest of Israel’s and Russia’s participation. Visitors will vote for the best national pavilion and best participant in the main show, “In Minor Keys,” with winners announced Nov. 22. Highlights include Koyo Kouoh’s focus on minority perspectives, Lubaina Himid’s exploration of life as a newcomer, the Vatican’s Mystic Garden offering spiritual respite, and Austria’s provocative performance art by Florentina Holzinger.
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.
Handwriting on newly released note matches one found after Epstein's death, experts tell AP
NEW YORK (AP) — A note that a former cellmate says he discovered after Jeffrey Epstein’s first suspected jail suicide attempt was liked penned by the same person as a note that authorities found in the millionaire sex offender’s cell after he killed himself three weeks later. That's according to handwriting experts who reviewed the notes at the request of The Associated Press. The three forensic document examiners concluded that the notes have or appear to have common authorship, with characteristics similarities such as the same spacing, letter shapes, usage of capital letters and unique punctuation.
US military strike on alleged drug boat in the eastern Pacific kills 2, leaves a survivor
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military’s latest strike on an alleged drug-trafficking boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean has killed two men while leaving one survivor. Video posted on social media Friday by U.S. Southern Command shows a black, boat-shaped image before what appears to be an explosion, followed by a column of fire rising from the ocean. Southern Command said it “immediately notified the U.S. Coast Guard to activate the Search and Rescue system for the survivor.” The Trump administration’s campaign of blowing up alleged drug-trafficking vessels in Latin American waters has gone on since early September and killed at least 193 people in total. The military has not provided evidence that any of the vessels were carrying drugs.
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?”
Fuel shortages and high prices push adoption of EVs in Africa, led by Ethiopia
Nairobi, KENYA (AP) — Use of electric vehicles in Africa is surging, led by Ethiopia, as soaring prices and fuel shortages compel countries to opt for cleaner and cheaper transport. More than 115,000 EVs are now on Ethiopia’s roads, accounting for about 8% of the national fleet. In 2025, it imported a third of Africa’s imports from China, ahead of other major markets in South Africa, Egypt, Morocco and Nigeria. The country has enough renewable power capacity to support the transition away from fuel-burning engines, but gaps in charging infrastructure, affordability and grid reliability pose challenges. Officials say expanding EV adoption could reduce oil dependence and shield the country from global supply shocks.
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.
