Tuesday, May 27, 2025

5 things to know for May 27: Russia-Ukraine, Israel, Liverpool crash, National Security Council, Mass shootingsNew Foto - 5 things to know for May 27: Russia-Ukraine, Israel, Liverpool crash, National Security Council, Mass shootings

The manhunt continues forthe last two of 10 inmates who escapedfrom a New Orleans jail earlier this month. Authorities are also searching fora former police chiefserving time for rape and murder who fled from an Arkansas prison on Sunday. What prompted these prison breaks? CNN's Zoe Sottilediscovered several factors, including staffing shortages, aging facilities and "nothing to lose." Here's what else you need to know toGet Up to Speed and On with Your Day. Russia launched overnight attacks on Ukraine on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, killing at least 29 people — including children— and wounding dozens more. The Kremlin'sintensified aerial bombardmentcame as international pressure mounted on Russian President Vladimir Putin to accept a ceasefire proposal. Even President Donald Trump took issue with Putin's recent actions. "I've always had a very good relationship with Vladimir Putin of Russia, but something has happened to him. He has gone absolutely CRAZY!" Trumpposted on Truth Social. On Monday, the Kremlin downplayed Trump's remarks, categorizing them as "emotional reactions." Also on Monday, Germany and other Ukrainian allieslifted restrictionson Kyiv firing long-range missiles into Russia following the massive aerial attacks, a move the Kremlin slammed as a "dangerous" decision. A rally over the weekend in Tel Aviv's Hostage Square demanding the return of captives from Hamas included a special speaker:an Israel Defense Forces soldierwho was freed during a ceasefire hostage deal in January. On Sunday, Na'ama Levy said one of her biggest fears in captivity involved the Israeli airstrikes. "They (strikes) come unexpectedly. At first you hear the whistles, you pray that it won't fall on us, and then — the explosions, a noise so loud that it paralyzes the body, and the ground shakes," Levy told a crowd of thousands. "Every time, I was sure that this was the end of me. It was one of the scariest things I experienced there and that's also what endangered me more than anything." Earlier this month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that defeating Israel's enemies was the"supreme objective,"more important than securing the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza. His comments drew backlash from representatives of hostage families. A 53-year-old British man was arrested on Monday after he allegedly drove into a crowd of fans attending the Liverpool Football Club's Premier Leaguevictory parade. Dozens of people, including four children, were injured in the incident. The event was just winding down when a gray minivan plowed into the soccer team's supporters, video from social media appeared to show. The angry crowd then surrounded and attacked the vehicle. Four people — three adults and one child — had to be removed from underneath the vehicle, according to officials. Police said they were not looking for any other suspects and werenot treating the incident as terrorism. The crash "has cast a very dark shadow over what had been a joyous day," Liverpool city council leader Liam Robinson said in a post on X. The Trump administration has placed more than 100 officials at the National Security Councilon administrative leave. The NSC is staffed by experts from across the government who help to coordinate the president's foreign policy agenda. Late Friday, the affected staffers received an email titled "Your return to home agency." The email stated they were dismissed and had 30 minutes to clean out their desks. Those put on leave included career officials as well as political hires made during the Trump administration. The move was reportedly part of a restructuring under interim national security adviser and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The terrible toll from mass shootings in America continues to climb. At least10 people were shotin Little River, South Carolina, on Sunday after a holiday weekend gathering turned violent. Police released few details about the incident, including what prompted the gunfire, but did say that some of the injured were in critical condition. Detectives are still trying to determine who was responsible. Then on Monday night,two people were killed and nine others injuredin a mass shooting in Philadelphia's Fairmount Park, authorities said. The names of the victims have not been released, but Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said an adult man and an adult woman had died. According to theGun Violence Archive, as of May 27, there have been 122 mass shootings in the US this year. Team USA takes gold in SwedenFor the first time since 1933, the US men's hockey teamtriumphedat the IIHF World Championship tournament. During the trophy presentation, Team USA held up the jersey of Johnny Gaudreau, the former USA and NHL player who died last year, along with his brother, after they were fatally struck by a suspected drunken driver. Billie Eilish triumphs at AMAsAlthough she didn't attend the American Music Awards ceremony in Las Vegas, Eilishwon all seven awards she was nominated for, including artist of the year, album of the year and song of the year. And the Palme d'Or goes to …Iranian director, screenwriter and producer Jafar Panahi, who had previously been imprisoned by the Iranian government,received the top prizeat the Cannes Film Festival for his new movie. 'Trayvon Martin of the 1930s in Atlanta' honoredImam Plemon El-Amin recently took the stage at Morehouse College toaccept his late uncle's honorary bachelor's degreein religion. El-Amin's uncle, Dennis Hubert, was an 18-year-old Black divinity student in 1930 when a mob of seven White men lynched him on the playground of an Atlanta school. Lorde of the danceFans attending a Lorde-themed club night in Sydney, Australia, wereshocked and thrilledwhen the Grammy-winning singer showed up. Trailblazing New York congressman Charles Rangel dies at 94A civil rights activist and war hero, Rangel became one of the most influential Black politicians in modern history. The Democrat was elected to Congress in 1970 andwould eventually serve 23 terms. He also co-founded the Congressional Black Caucus and became the first Black member and later chairman of the influential House Ways and Means Committee. 114 billionThat's about how many pennies arecurrently in circulationin the US. Although the Treasury Department recently announced plans to stop production of the one-cent coin, the penny will remain legal tender. "As you navigate the world of bright possibilities that awaits you, I urge you to take on the challenge and the opportunity to serve your fellow citizens. Fifty years from now, you will want to be able to look in the mirror and know that you did what you thought was right, in every part of your life. At the end of the day, your integrity is all you have. Guard it carefully." — Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell,in a speech at a pre-graduation ceremonyat Princeton University amid months of unrelenting personal attacks from President Trump. Check your local forecast here>>> Teens save family from fireTwo New York teens were on their way home from the junior prom when theyspotted a large garage fire. They immediately began banging on the front door to warn the family inside. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account atCNN.com

5 things to know for May 27: Russia-Ukraine, Israel, Liverpool crash, National Security Council, Mass shootings

5 things to know for May 27: Russia-Ukraine, Israel, Liverpool crash, National Security Council, Mass shootings The manhunt continues forthe...
17 EU countries sound alarm over Hungarian LGBTQ+ lawsNew Foto - 17 EU countries sound alarm over Hungarian LGBTQ+ laws

By Lili Bayer and Andrew Gray BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Seventeen European Union countries accused Hungary on Tuesday of contravening fundamental EU values by passing laws that target LGBTQ+ people, as tensions deepen between Budapest and a majority of member states. Hungary's parliament passed legislation in March that creates a legal basis to ban Pride marches there and lets police use facial recognition cameras to identify people who attend. It also approved constitutional changes in April stipulating that Hungary recognises only two sexes, male and female. "We are highly alarmed by these developments which run contrary to the fundamental values of human dignity, freedom, equality and respect for human rights," the governments of the 17 countries said in a joint statement. They called on Hungary to revise the measures and asked the European Commission to make full use of its powers if Budapest does not do so. The Commission can take legal action against member states if it believes they are violating EU law. The statement was backed by Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. The declaration came ahead of a hearing on Tuesday in a long-running process where EU ministers examine concerns that Hungary is at risk of breaching core EU values. The process could in theory lead to Hungary being stripped of its right to vote on EU decisions. But diplomats say there is not sufficient support among the 27 EU member states to take that step. 'MORE NUANCED VIEW' Arriving at the meeting, Hungary's Minister for European Union Affairs Janos Boka said: "There is no such thing in Hungary as a Pride ban". "I hope that after these discussions my colleagues around the table will walk out with a more nuanced view on the Hungarian legislation," he said. But activists say the measures amount to a de-facto ban. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has said that Pride organisers "should not even bother" this year, while his chief of staff Gergely Gulyas has said Hungary "does not have to tolerate Pride marching through downtown Budapest". Orban, who has been in power since 2010, has repeatedly clashed with the EU and its member countries over democratic standards, minority rights and foreign policy. Critics have accused Orban of undermining the rule of law, which the Hungarian government denies. His ruling Fidesz party has said the Pride march could be considered harmful to children and that protecting them would supersede the right to assemble. European Commissioner Michael McGrath, who oversees democracy, justice and rule of law issues, said on Tuesday there were serious concerns about the situation in Hungary. "Freedom of assembly is a fundamental right," he told reporters. "It is not a threat to children. It's not a threat to anyone, and it must be protected and upheld at all times, and so the Commission is examining all of its options," he said. (Reporting by Lili Bayer and Andrew Gray in Brussels and Krisztina Than and Anita Komuves in Budapest; Editing by Hugh Lawson and Gareth Jones)

17 EU countries sound alarm over Hungarian LGBTQ+ laws

17 EU countries sound alarm over Hungarian LGBTQ+ laws By Lili Bayer and Andrew Gray BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Seventeen European Union countries...
Putin and Trump agree to prisoner exchange, Russia saysNew Foto - Putin and Trump agree to prisoner exchange, Russia says

PresidentDonald Trumpand his Russian counterpart,Vladmir Putin,have agreed to an exchange of prisoners, Russia's foreign minister said Tuesday. "President Trump is a man who wants results,"Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrovsaid in Turkey, claiming that the American president's efforts were being "sabotaged" by some European countries as he refered to ongoing efforts to reach aceasefire in Ukraine. Lavrov did not provide further details on the exchange. The State Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Russia has maintained that it wants to end the war in Ukraine, which began when Putin launched an invasion in 2022, but has not backed off of maximalist demands that Ukraine disarm and handover swathes of territory. If the deal is confirmed by the State Department and comes to fruition, it will be the first exchange sinceAmerican teacher Marc Fogelreturned to the U.S. in February, having spent 3½ years in prison for a minor medical cannabis infraction. Going the other way in that exchange was convicted money laundererAlexander Vinnik. The swap came afterfour U.S. residentswrongly imprisoned in Russia — including journalistEvan Gershkovichand Marine veteranPaul Whelan— were released last August as part of a major multinational prisoner exchange the likes of which had not been seen since the Cold War. The massive deal, cut among seven nations, involved 24 people, including five Germans and seven Russian citizens held in Russia, andeight Russiansimprisoned in the U.S., Germany, Slovenia, Norway and Poland. A Russian-American woman,former-ballerina Ksenia Karelina,was freed in April this year after being imprisoned for treason by Russia, but no Russian prisoners headed the other way in that release.

Putin and Trump agree to prisoner exchange, Russia says

Putin and Trump agree to prisoner exchange, Russia says PresidentDonald Trumpand his Russian counterpart,Vladmir Putin,have agreed to an exc...
Republicans face a future without Elon Musk's moneyNew Foto - Republicans face a future without Elon Musk's money

Tech billionaire Elon Musk is prompting questions about his next steps as he signals he might wind down his political activity. Last week, the Tesla CEO said he's planning toscale back his spendingafterinjecting hundreds of millions of dollarsinto the 2024 election, a big potential blow for GOP campaign coffers moving forward. The announcement comes as Musk alsocools his involvementin the Trump White House to turn more attention to his businesses — even as voices on both sides of the aisle are skeptical that the megadonor will make a full exit from politics. "Anytime the biggest donor says he's going to pull back, that's a concern for the party," GOP strategist Alex Conant said. "These megadonors, you have to earn their support every cycle. The party can't and doesn't take them for granted. He says he's planning to pull back, but if we have a presidential nominee in '28 that excites Musk, you could see him doubling down." Musk, the world's richest man with a staggering$420 billion net worth, according to Forbes, spentat least $250 millionthrough his America PAC to boost President Trump. Now that Trump is back in the Oval Office, Musk has embraced an unprecedented role in the new Republican administration. The tech mogul wastapped to leadTrump's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative, championing controversial cost-cutting and workforce-reducing moves that have sent shockwaves throughout the federal government. Muskkeeps an officein the White House complex,has slept overin the Lincoln Bedroom and hascharacterized his relationshipwith the president as "good friends." He's even stolen the spotlightin Cabinet meetings— though, as aspecial government employee, he is not a formal member of that inner circle. "I don't think we've ever seen somebody with an unofficial role have that much day-to-day influence. He's at the Cabinet meetings. He's at diplomatic meetings [and he's] traveling with the president regularly. I can't think of any historical parallel to that. He got an office there. So I think it's a very unique situation that probably isn't sustainable," Conant said. Musk's special government status has a130-day limit, and he'sbeen facing pressureto putmore focus onhis companies after months of major work with DOGE. Tesla showrooms and charging stationsfaced violent protestsearlier this year amid anger over DOGE's efforts, and the electric vehicle company'ssales plummetedin the first quarter. An Axios/Harris Poll survey gauging brand reputations, out last week, saw bothTesla and SpaceXdrop. "In terms of political spending, I'm going to do a lot less in the future," Musksaid at the Qatar Economic Forumlast week. "I think I've done enough." Asked if that decision was because of blowback, Musk responded, "If I see a reason to do political spending in the future, I will do it. I do not currently see a reason." "I think he's feeling a lot of pressure from his other stakeholders, investors at Tesla specifically, to refocus on the car business. And he's telling them exactly what they want to hear," Conant said of Musk's remarks. "But there's no reason he couldn't change his mind." Republican strategist Brian Seitchik argued Musk "has the luxury of changing his mind at a moment's notice" when it comes to political spending. "While I absolutely believe that his position today, that may not be his position tomorrow, and he has the luxury of being angry, irritated or inspired in the coming months and decide to spend," Seitchik said. If Musk is serious about curtailing his political dollars, fundraisers are sure to fret over losing the megadonor's potential support in the midterms, when theGOP will have to fightto hold on to its slim majorities in Congress. But not having Musk "would simply mean that Republicans have less money," Seitchik argued. "It's not as though they have no money." Republican strategist Ron Bonjean argued that if Musk moves aside, Trump can fill the void. "Trump can now raise that type of fundraising very quickly. I think his efforts will offset Musk, and probably it will eclipse it by quite a bit," Bonjean said — though he, too, suggested Musk "could quickly pivot" and get back on the fundraising playing field in the years ahead. And Musk's political influence lost a key test in Wisconsin's state Supreme Court race in early April. He poured in millions to support the conservative candidate and even visited the Badger State, where he handed out $1 million checks to two town hall attendees just before voters headed to the polls. Despite Musk's efforts, the liberal contender prevailed, prompting Democrats to pile on and the tech mogul to downplay the results. "Because of the amount of money he put in, the way he put it in, how engaged he got in the race, the race almost became a little bit about him, as opposed to [the candidate]," said Brandon Scholz, a longtime Wisconsin Republican strategist. "Musk became so toxic that the Democrats were just doing cartwheels." Many Republicans have dismissed concerns about Musk as a political liability. But Scholz floated that it may be good for the party if Musk, mired in controversy around DOGE and the Trump administration, takes a pause on high-profile political involvement to figure out what that should look like moving forward. "If they get rid of the sideshow [seen in Wisconsin], if they retool the message and manage his entrance back into races, he could, in time, deep-six the toxic moniker. He could, in time, take more of a back seat in terms of media presence," he added. Democrats, on the other hand, have been banking on Musk being a drag on Republican candidates heading into the midterms, as GOP candidates take heat from their voters over DOGE and Musk's White House role. Democratic strategist Antjuan Seawright argued that, even if Musk does pump the brakes on his political activity, "the damage has already been done" and Democrats can still seize on it. "It will be malpractice if we do not make him a political ongoing liability in the days, weeks, months and elections to come, because the damage and the residue of his time will not go away just because he's not in the role," Seawright said. "And just because he may not be out front maneuvering does not mean he's not maneuvering in such a way that may not reach the political eye." When it comes to Musk's government role, figures on both sides of the aisle forecast that he'll be a continued figure in Washington, even as he broadcasts his business focus. Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas) pointed out that Musk was on Capitol Hill recently to meet with Republicans on energy and artificial intelligence. "Elon Musk isn't gone, and we can't let Republicans pretend he is just because he's unpopular now. We have to keep up the pressure until we actually Fire Elon Musk," Casar said on social platform X. "Anyone actually believe he's stepping back?" asked Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), contending that Musk is "just hiding in the closet, but he's still in the room." "He's certainly not going away," Seitchik said. "While his day-to-day influence may change, he will continue to have a voice in this administration." "I think he'll always continue to wear a variety of hats," Bonjean said. "I just don't think you'll see him living in the Lincoln Bedroom every day, but he's established a foothold here in Washington, and he'll be around more often than we probably think." Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.

Republicans face a future without Elon Musk’s money

Republicans face a future without Elon Musk's money Tech billionaire Elon Musk is prompting questions about his next steps as he signals...
Germany becomes Ukraine's last major backer to allow use of long-range missiles against RussiaNew Foto - Germany becomes Ukraine's last major backer to allow use of long-range missiles against Russia

Germany's chancellorsaid Monday thathis governmentwill lift all range restrictions onweapons it sends to Ukraine, meaning that all of Kyiv'smajor western allieshave now relaxed red lines on the use of their weapons inside Russia to fightMoscow's offensive. The decision fromChancellor Friedrich Merzcomes as Europe seeks to bolsterKyiv's war effortsamiduncertainty over U.S. security guaranteeseven as President Donald Trumpappears to be losing patiencewith Russian President Vladimir Putin, for stalling peace talks and his bombardment of Ukraine's cities. "There are no longer any range restrictions on weapons delivered to Ukraine, neither by the British nor by the French nor by us nor by the Americans," Merz said Monday during a news conference in Berlin. "This means that Ukraine can now defend itself, for example, by attacking military positions in Russia ... With very few exceptions, it did not do so until recently," he added. Merz's decision may contradict that of his predecessor,former-Chancellor Olof Scholz, who stopped short of allowing Ukraine to use long-range Taurus missiles, whose range of more than 500km (310 miles) exceeds that of the U.S.-supplied Army Tactical Missile System (Atacms) or the materiel provided by Britain or France. Washingtonlifted its own restrictionsallowing Ukraine to use U.S.-made weapons to strike deep inside Russia in November, with Germany the only major holdout left. Berlin is thesecond-biggest supplier of military aidto Ukraine after the U.S., but does not disclose which weapons systems it supplies to Ukraine due to what it calls "strategic ambiguity." As a result, Merz did not specifically discuss Taurus missiles in his comments, which came after the Kremlin on Sunday launched the largest air raid since beginning its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyysaid late Monday that the Russian army had launched over 900 drones, ballistic and cruise missiles across Ukraine over the past three days. The bombardment continued Tuesday, with Russian strikes killing two civilians and injured dozens others, according to Ukrainian officials. "Russian strikes are becoming increasingly brazen and large-scale every night," Zelenskyy said in a post on Telegram. The combination of anunpredictable administrationin the White House andMoscow's intensifying attackshas promptedEuropean leaders to redouble effortsto reassure Ukraine, with the recently-elected Merz saying ina post Monday on Xthat Germany would "do everything in our power to continue supporting Ukraine." Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova on Tuesday accused Zelenskyy of "trying to blame Russia for prolonging the conflict." "Those who want peace do not ask for more weapons," she added. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov echoed those sentiments Tuesday, saying Europe was "indirectly participating" in the war against Russia by supplying arms to Ukraine. "Such behavior by Europeans in no way contributes to a peaceful settlement," he added. Peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv have remained in limbo since Trump and Putin exchangeda friendly, if fruitless, phone calllast week, withthe president announcing shortly afterwardthat Russia and Ukraine would "immediately start negotiations towards a ceasefire." The Kremlin has since said it was working on a memorandum which outlines Moscow's demands for peace. Any demands that cleave toRussia's previous peace plans, which have been repeatedly refused by Kyiv, would essentially amount to Kyiv's surrender. Last week, Russia and Ukraine began thelargest prisoner swap of the three-year war, with nearly 800 captives expected to be released from both sides. A2024 United Nations reportfound that 95% of released Ukrainian prisoners of war faced systematic torture inside Russian jails. That swap appeared to have no bearing on Russia's persistent bombardment of its eastern neighbor or efforts by the White House to end a war which President Trump previously said he could end in one day. Trump appeared to belosing patience with Putinafter Russia's latest bombardment, calling the Russian leader "crazy" in an X post Sunday. In response, the Kremlin dismissed the comments Monday as "emotional overload."

Germany becomes Ukraine's last major backer to allow use of long-range missiles against Russia

Germany becomes Ukraine's last major backer to allow use of long-range missiles against Russia Germany's chancellorsaid Monday thath...

 

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