National and International News in Focus: May 20

Putin and Xi hail their friendship and growing energy trade at their meeting in Beijing

BEIJING (AP) — Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin have hailed their strategic ties and energy trade during a meeting in Beijing. They oversaw the signing of over 40 cooperation agreements in trade, technology, and media on Wednesday. Xi described their relationship as being at the highest level in history. He also stressed the need for peace in the Middle East to ensure energy stability. China has become Russia’s top trading partner since the Ukraine invasion, despite sanctions. Both leaders highlighted their united front on international affairs. They praised each other as friends.

Takeaways from Tuesday’s primaries: Massie’s loss leaves no doubt about Trump’s power over the GOP

NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump has scored another win against a Republican rival, purging Rep. Thomas Massie in Kentucky's primary and knocking out one of his most outspoken critics on Capitol Hill. Massie has been a particularly difficult thorn in Trump's side. He pushed for the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files, opposed the war with Iran and voted against Trump's signature tax legislation last year. He lost Tuesday to Trump-backed challenger Ed Gallrein following the most expensive U.S. House primary in history. Party primaries were also being decided in Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Oregon and Pennsylvania.

Where Trump stands with Republicans nationally, according to the latest AP-NORC poll

WASHINGTON (AP) — A new poll finds that Republicans are unhappier with President Donald Trump's handling of the economy than they were a few months ago, but they're largely continuing to stand behind him as the war with Iran continues. About 6 in 10 Republicans approve of how Trump is handling the economy, according to the AP-NORC poll. That's down from about 8 in 10 in February, before the war began. That erosion isn't translating to his overall job approval — roughly 7 in 10 Republicans approve of how he's handling the presidency, similar to earlier this year — and he's recovered some ground on immigration. The findings highlight Trump's strength within the Republican Party, even as economic frustration grows among some of his supporters.

Residents of Lithuania’s capital told to shelter as drone alarm underlines NATO’s eastern jitters

VILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) — Lithuania’s president and prime minister were taken to safe locations Wednesday after a suspected drone was detected near the Belarus border. Residents of Vilnius were told to take shelter, and airspace over Vilnius Airport was closed for about an hour. The alert came after military reports of drone activity in Belarus, though no drones were seen over Lithuania. This marks the first major alert in a NATO capital since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Lithuanian officials accuse Russia of redirecting Ukrainian drones into Baltic airspace to sow chaos and distract from Ukraine’s military successes.

In Iran’s capital, weapons demonstrations send a signal at home and abroad as threat of war remains

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Weapons are now regularly brandished in Tehran in an increasing show of defiance. This comes as U.S. President Donald Trump threatens he could restart the war with Iran should negotiations break down and the Islamic Republic refuses to release its grip on the Strait of Hormuz. The weapons displays reflect the genuine threat Iran faces: Trump has suggested American forces could seize Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium by force and previously said that he sent arms to Kurdish fighters to pass onto anti-government protesters. But they also offer reassurance and motivation to hard-liners and provide rare entertainment at a time of great uncertainty. Suggesting more hard-liners will be armed could also help suppress any new demonstration against Iran's theocracy.

Rare Ebola outbreak poses low risk globally but worries mount about its spread in Congo

BUNIA, Congo (AP) — The World Health Organization says the new Ebola outbreak in Congo and Uganda poses a low global risk but responders on the ground feel underprotected and undertrained. The outbreak involves the rare Bundibugyo type of Ebola, with over 130 suspected deaths. WHO has declared it a public health emergency, requiring a coordinated response. The outbreak’s scale and speed are concerning, with 51 confirmed cases in Congo and two in Uganda. Residents in eastern Congo report rising prices for masks and disinfectants. The U.S. says it plans to support the response with funding for emergency clinics in affected areas.

Israeli minister orders West Bank hamlet evicted after hearing he may face arrest warrant overseas

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel's finance minister has ordered the eviction of a Palestinian village in the West Bank. He says it is a response to reports that he may be a target of international war crimes prosecutors. It is not clear whether the International Criminal Court is mulling an arrest warrant for the minister, named Bezalel Smotrich. The Hague court says it keeps requests and plans for warrants confidential. Smotrich has reacted defiantly, saying he is ordering the eviction of Khan Al-Ahmar, a village of Palestinian Bedouins long caught up in a legal battle to remain on their land.

Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie charted his own way, until toppled by Trump

Thomas Massie, a Republican congressman from Kentucky, has lost his primary bid for reelection. President Donald Trump had launched a costly attack against him, showcasing the president’s power to remove his GOP adversaries. Massie, known for his independent voting and willingness to oppose Trump, was a prominent figure in the House. He opposed Trump's tax cuts and military actions, and pushed for the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files. Massie, an engineer and libertarian-leaning politician, first joined Congress in 2012. Despite his popularity in his district, Trump’s relentless criticism ultimately led to Massie’s defeat.

US government agrees to drop tax claims against Trump in broadening of IRS lawsuit settlement

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. government has agreed to permanently drop tax claims against President Donald Trump, according to a settlement document that is part of a deal to resolve Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service over the leak of his tax returns. As part of the settlement agreement, the U.S. is “forever barred and precluded†from examining or prosecuting Trump, his sons and the Trump organization's current tax issues, according to a one-page document posted to the DOJ website on Tuesday.

Stephen Colbert’s long goodbye is coming to an end, leaving a void

NEW YORK (AP) — Stephen Colbert’s run on “The Late Show†ends Thursday, marking the conclusion of his on-air feud with President Donald Trump. Colbert began hosting in 2015 and often criticized Trump and his policies. CBS announced last summer that the show would end in May, citing economic reasons. However, Colbert and others suspect political pressure played a role. The decision follows Paramount’s settlement of Trump’s lawsuit and its pending sale to Skydance Media. Colbert’s departure leaves a void in late-night TV, with fans missing his unique perspective and humor. Other hosts like Jimmy Kimmel have shown support.