DOUGLAS COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating&nbsp; a man&nbsp;following a bizarre and violent encounter with officers at the Casey’s General Store in the 1700 block of W. 6th Street in Lawrence, according to a social media report from police.

Just before 3p.m. Wednesday, police called to the store for a report of a transient man in the store bathroom, with a dog, refusing to leave. Officers entered the bathroom and discovered the man naked and performing a sexual act on himself. 

Officers attempted to arrest the man after he refused to stop, but he began fighting the officers, who radioed for emergency assistance. The man was tased twice but continued to fight. 

Eventually, officers were able to get the man in handcuffs, but he continued to resist being restrained, and while still in the cramped bathroom, the man bit onto his dog’s ear and neck, refusing to let go. 

As more officers arrived on scene, they were able to subdue the man and assisted LDCFM in transporting him to the hospital for evaluation. Once released, the man will be transported to the Douglas County Correctional Facility and booked on a litany of charges after he is identified. 

Multiple officers suffered minor injuries during the scuffle, including an officer who was treated at the hospital for a puncturing bite wound from the suspect. 

Officers transported the dog to the Lawrence Humane Society for treatment and evaluation of minor injuries.

DOUGLAS COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating&nbsp; a man&nbsp;following a bizarre and violent encounter with officers at the Casey’s General Store in the 1700 block of W. 6th Street in Lawrence, according to a social media report from police.Just before 3p.m. Wednesday, police called to the store for a report of a transient man in the store bathroom, with a dog, refusing to leave. Officers entered the bathroom and discovered the man naked and performing a sexual act on himself. Officers attempted to arrest the man after he refused to stop, but he began fighting the officers, who radioed for emergency assistance. The man was tased twice but continued to fight. Eventually, officers were able to get the man in handcuffs, but he continued to resist being restrained, and while still in the cramped bathroom, the man bit onto his dog’s ear and neck, refusing to let go. As more officers arrived on scene, they were able to subdue the man and assisted LDCFM in transporting him to the hospital for evaluation. Once released, the man will be transported to the Douglas County Correctional Facility and booked on a litany of charges after he is identified. Multiple officers suffered minor injuries during the scuffle, including an officer who was treated at the hospital for a puncturing bite wound from the suspect. Officers transported the dog to the Lawrence Humane Society for treatment and evaluation of minor injuries.

Police: Naked man bit dog, injured officers at Kan. gas station

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/maria-sherman">MARIA SHERMAN</a>

NEW YORK (AP) — It was her night once again.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/lainey-wilson">Lainey Wilson</a>&nbsp;took home the top prize at the 60th annual&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/academy-of-country-music-awards">Academy of Country Music Awards</a>&nbsp;— the title of entertainer of the year — for a second year in a row. And that was after she cleaned house, taking home trophies for both female artist and album of the year.

“I really do have the best fans in the world,” she said in her final acceptance speech, admitting to experiencing impostor syndrome. “I dreamed about entertaining. ... Country music has given me more than I deserve.”

Beyond Wilson’s dominance, the 2025 ACM Awards were packed with celebration. Earlier,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/acm-awards-2025-ella-langley-morgan-wallen-627254ce15387577638370bb61a15ae5">first-time and leading nominee</a>&nbsp;Ella Langley’s duet with Riley Green, the ubiquitous “You Look Like You Love Me,” was named single and music event of the year.

Both Langley and Green used their first acceptance speech to shout out classic country — songs with talking in them — that inspired their modern hit.

A revisitation of the past might have been a theme Thursday night, evidenced right at the top of the ceremony: a 14-minute medley of six decades of country classics, performed by giants of the genre.

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/reba-mcentire">Host Reba McEntire</a>&nbsp;launched into Merle Haggard’s “Okie from Muskogee,” followed by Clint Black with Glen Campbell’s “Rhinestone Cowboy” and Wynonna Judd with The Judds’ “Why Not Me.” LeAnn Rimes returned to the ACM Awards stage for her 1997 ballad “Blue.” Little Big Town tackled their 2014 track “Girl Crush” and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dan-shay-bigger-houses-e45c43b2af0618b6573353a516f64729">Dan + Shay delivered</a>&nbsp;their “Tequila.”

It was an exciting way to kick off the ACM Awards, live from the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, just north of Dallas.

And it was a show highlight, rivaled only by the introduction of the ACM&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/alan-jackson">Alan Jackson</a>&nbsp;Lifetime Achievement Award, the inaugural trophy given to its namesake, Jackson, after he performed “Remember When.”

In his acceptance speech, he joked that a fan named a dog after him. Having an award named after him? That isn’t half bad, either.

The first trophy of the night, the coveted song of the year, was awarded to Cody Johnson for his radio hit “Dirt Cheap.”

Performances followed, fast and furious. McEntire, Wilson and Miranda Lambert teamed up for the world premiere of their new single “Trailblazer,” celebrating women in country music.

Eric Church performed his brand-new single “Hands of Time,” succeeded by the most awarded artist in the history of the award show, Lambert with “Run.” She was then joined by Langley to duet “Kerosene” from Lambert’s 2005 debut album of the same name.

Zach Top stripped things down for “Use Me.” Blake Shelton channeled the great George Strait for his new single “Texas,” followed by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lainey-wilson-interview-whirlwind-9659b6919f25ff037f732e42a4ef0c74">Wilson with “Whirlwind.”</a>&nbsp;Kelsea Ballerini performed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kelsea-ballerini-album-patterns-sorry-mom-0bd6ab2846d791638d32544dab035749">atop her “Baggage.”</a>&nbsp;Johnson rocked “The Fall,” before performing “Red Dirt Road” with Brooks &amp; Dunn. Chris Stapleton and his wife, Morgane, harmonized on “It Takes a Woman.”

Jelly Roll and Shaboozey joined forces for their collaboration, “Amen.”

“It’s Shaboozey’s birthday,” Jelly Roll said. “We wanna thank y’all and we wanna thank God.”

Backstreet Boys and Rascal Flatts closed the show.

The Oak Ridge Boys gave the group of the year award to Old Dominion. It was a moving gesture; in 2024 the Oak Ridge Boys’ Joe Bonsall, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/grammy-awards">Grammy award winner</a>&nbsp;and celebrated tenor,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-bonsall-dies-oak-ridge-boys-87a2858ee6ca2517604c6d2fce79d663">died from complications</a>&nbsp;of the neuromuscular disorder Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

Another tearjerker: McEntire leading the audience in a sing-along of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kris-kristofferson-dead-47becf20fecd41aba66840af2e1275db">the late Kris Kristofferson’s</a>&nbsp;“Me and Bobby McGee.”

Male artist of the year went to Stapleton. Duo of the year was awarded to Brooks &amp; Dunn.

Megan Moroney covered Keith Urban’s “Stupid Boy” and Stapleton did “Blue Ain’t Your Color” ahead of the Australian superstar’s reception of the coveted ACM Triple Crown Award, marking the first time an artist has received the trophy on stage since Carrie Underwood was honored in 2010.

If anything, the 60th ACM Awards proved the show is at its best when it celebrates new acts and legends in equal measure.

The ACM Awards streamed on Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch Live. No Prime membership was required to view the livestream.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746785422945.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/maria-sherman">MARIA SHERMAN</a>NEW YORK (AP) — It was her night once again.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/lainey-wilson">Lainey Wilson</a>&nbsp;took home the top prize at the 60th annual&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/academy-of-country-music-awards">Academy of Country Music Awards</a>&nbsp;— the title of entertainer of the year — for a second year in a row. And that was after she cleaned house, taking home trophies for both female artist and album of the year.“I really do have the best fans in the world,” she said in her final acceptance speech, admitting to experiencing impostor syndrome. “I dreamed about entertaining. ... Country music has given me more than I deserve.”Beyond Wilson’s dominance, the 2025 ACM Awards were packed with celebration. Earlier,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/acm-awards-2025-ella-langley-morgan-wallen-627254ce15387577638370bb61a15ae5">first-time and leading nominee</a>&nbsp;Ella Langley’s duet with Riley Green, the ubiquitous “You Look Like You Love Me,” was named single and music event of the year.Both Langley and Green used their first acceptance speech to shout out classic country — songs with talking in them — that inspired their modern hit.A revisitation of the past might have been a theme Thursday night, evidenced right at the top of the ceremony: a 14-minute medley of six decades of country classics, performed by giants of the genre.<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/reba-mcentire">Host Reba McEntire</a>&nbsp;launched into Merle Haggard’s “Okie from Muskogee,” followed by Clint Black with Glen Campbell’s “Rhinestone Cowboy” and Wynonna Judd with The Judds’ “Why Not Me.” LeAnn Rimes returned to the ACM Awards stage for her 1997 ballad “Blue.” Little Big Town tackled their 2014 track “Girl Crush” and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dan-shay-bigger-houses-e45c43b2af0618b6573353a516f64729">Dan + Shay delivered</a>&nbsp;their “Tequila.”It was an exciting way to kick off the ACM Awards, live from the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, just north of Dallas.And it was a show highlight, rivaled only by the introduction of the ACM&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/alan-jackson">Alan Jackson</a>&nbsp;Lifetime Achievement Award, the inaugural trophy given to its namesake, Jackson, after he performed “Remember When.”In his acceptance speech, he joked that a fan named a dog after him. Having an award named after him? That isn’t half bad, either.The first trophy of the night, the coveted song of the year, was awarded to Cody Johnson for his radio hit “Dirt Cheap.”Performances followed, fast and furious. McEntire, Wilson and Miranda Lambert teamed up for the world premiere of their new single “Trailblazer,” celebrating women in country music.Eric Church performed his brand-new single “Hands of Time,” succeeded by the most awarded artist in the history of the award show, Lambert with “Run.” She was then joined by Langley to duet “Kerosene” from Lambert’s 2005 debut album of the same name.Zach Top stripped things down for “Use Me.” Blake Shelton channeled the great George Strait for his new single “Texas,” followed by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lainey-wilson-interview-whirlwind-9659b6919f25ff037f732e42a4ef0c74">Wilson with “Whirlwind.”</a>&nbsp;Kelsea Ballerini performed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kelsea-ballerini-album-patterns-sorry-mom-0bd6ab2846d791638d32544dab035749">atop her “Baggage.”</a>&nbsp;Johnson rocked “The Fall,” before performing “Red Dirt Road” with Brooks &amp; Dunn. Chris Stapleton and his wife, Morgane, harmonized on “It Takes a Woman.”Jelly Roll and Shaboozey joined forces for their collaboration, “Amen.”“It’s Shaboozey’s birthday,” Jelly Roll said. “We wanna thank y’all and we wanna thank God.”Backstreet Boys and Rascal Flatts closed the show.The Oak Ridge Boys gave the group of the year award to Old Dominion. It was a moving gesture; in 2024 the Oak Ridge Boys’ Joe Bonsall, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/grammy-awards">Grammy award winner</a>&nbsp;and celebrated tenor,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-bonsall-dies-oak-ridge-boys-87a2858ee6ca2517604c6d2fce79d663">died from complications</a>&nbsp;of the neuromuscular disorder Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.Another tearjerker: McEntire leading the audience in a sing-along of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kris-kristofferson-dead-47becf20fecd41aba66840af2e1275db">the late Kris Kristofferson’s</a>&nbsp;“Me and Bobby McGee.”Male artist of the year went to Stapleton. Duo of the year was awarded to Brooks &amp; Dunn.Megan Moroney covered Keith Urban’s “Stupid Boy” and Stapleton did “Blue Ain’t Your Color” ahead of the Australian superstar’s reception of the coveted ACM Triple Crown Award, marking the first time an artist has received the trophy on stage since Carrie Underwood was honored in 2010.If anything, the 60th ACM Awards proved the show is at its best when it celebrates new acts and legends in equal measure.The ACM Awards streamed on Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch Live. No Prime membership was required to view the livestream.___

Lainey Wilson rules the 2025 Academy of Country Music Awards, Alan Jackson is honored

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon will immediately begin moving as many as 1,000 openly identifying transgender service members out of the military and give others 30 days to self-identify under a new directive issued Thursday.

Buoyed by Tuesday’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-transgender-military-ban-ef67038857bd5b99e128bf0b8866afb4">Supreme Court decision</a>&nbsp;allowing the Trump administration to enforce a ban on transgender individuals in the military, the Defense Department will begin going through medical records to identify others who haven’t come forward.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who issued the latest memo, made his views clear after the court’s decision.

“No More Trans @ DoD,” Hegseth wrote in a post on X. Earlier in the day, before the court acted, Hegseth said that his department is leaving wokeness and weakness behind.

“No more pronouns,” he told a special operations forces conference in Tampa. “No more dudes in dresses. We’re done with that s---.”

Department officials have said it’s difficult to determine exactly how many transgender service members there are, but medical records will show those who have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria, who show symptoms or are being treated.

Those troops would then be involuntarily forced out of the service. And no one with that diagnosis will be allowed to enlist. Gender dysphoria occurs when a person’s biological sex does not match up with their gender identity.

Officials have said that as of Dec. 9, 2024, there were 4,240 troops diagnosed with gender dysphoria in the active duty, National Guard and Reserve. But they acknowledge the number may be higher.

There are about 2.1 million total troops serving.

The memo released Thursday mirrors one sent out in February, but any action was stalled at that point by several lawsuits.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;ruled that the administration could enforce the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-military-trump-ban-troops-deb9e388ff588d9d25fb0d8cc58e540f">ban on transgender people in the military</a>, while other legal challenges proceed. The court’s three liberal justices said they would have kept the policy on hold.

Neither the justices in the majority or dissent explained their votes, which is not uncommon in emergency appeals.

When the initial Pentagon directive came out earlier this year, it gave service members 30 days to self-identify. Since then, about 1,000 have done so.

In a statement, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the 1,000 troops who already self-identified “will begin the voluntary separation process” from the military.

Under the new guidelines, active duty troops will have until June 6 to voluntarily identify themselves to the department, and troops in the National Guard and Reserve will have until July 7.

While it may be difficult to see which troops have changed their gender identity in their military records, it will be easier to determine who has gotten a gender dysphoria diagnosis because that will be part of their medical record, as will any medication they are taking.

Between 2015 and 2024, the total cost for psychotherapy, gender-affirming hormone therapy, gender-affirming surgery and other treatment for service members is about $52 million, according to a defense official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss personnel issues.

Pentagon officials in an earlier memo defended the ban, saying that “the medical, surgical, and mental health constraints on individuals who have a current diagnosis or history of, or exhibit symptoms consistent with, gender dysphoria are incompatible with the high mental and physical standards necessary for military service."

The new Pentagon policy would allow for limited exemptions.

That includes transgender personnel seeking to enlist who can prove on a case-by-case basis that they directly support warfighting activities, or if an existing service member diagnosed with gender dysphoria can prove they support a specific warfighting need, never transitioned to the gender they identify with and proves over 36 months they are stable in their biological sex “without clinically significant distress.”

If a waiver is issued, the applicant would still face a situation where only their biological sex was recognized for bathroom facilities, sleeping quarters and even in official recognition, such as being called “Sir” or “Ma’am.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon will immediately begin moving as many as 1,000 openly identifying transgender service members out of the military and give others 30 days to self-identify under a new directive issued Thursday.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">After a SCOTUS victory for <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>, TRANS is out at the DOD. <a href="https://t.co/4WkEhSS3dL">pic.twitter.com/4WkEhSS3dL</a>&mdash; Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (@SecDef) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecDef/status/1920592223147540887?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Buoyed by Tuesday’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-transgender-military-ban-ef67038857bd5b99e128bf0b8866afb4">Supreme Court decision</a>&nbsp;allowing the Trump administration to enforce a ban on transgender individuals in the military, the Defense Department will begin going through medical records to identify others who haven’t come forward.Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who issued the latest memo, made his views clear after the court’s decision.“No More Trans @ DoD,” Hegseth wrote in a post on X. Earlier in the day, before the court acted, Hegseth said that his department is leaving wokeness and weakness behind.“No more pronouns,” he told a special operations forces conference in Tampa. “No more dudes in dresses. We’re done with that s---.”Department officials have said it’s difficult to determine exactly how many transgender service members there are, but medical records will show those who have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria, who show symptoms or are being treated.Those troops would then be involuntarily forced out of the service. And no one with that diagnosis will be allowed to enlist. Gender dysphoria occurs when a person’s biological sex does not match up with their gender identity.Officials have said that as of Dec. 9, 2024, there were 4,240 troops diagnosed with gender dysphoria in the active duty, National Guard and Reserve. But they acknowledge the number may be higher.There are about 2.1 million total troops serving.The memo released Thursday mirrors one sent out in February, but any action was stalled at that point by several lawsuits.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;ruled that the administration could enforce the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-military-trump-ban-troops-deb9e388ff588d9d25fb0d8cc58e540f">ban on transgender people in the military</a>, while other legal challenges proceed. The court’s three liberal justices said they would have kept the policy on hold.Neither the justices in the majority or dissent explained their votes, which is not uncommon in emergency appeals.When the initial Pentagon directive came out earlier this year, it gave service members 30 days to self-identify. Since then, about 1,000 have done so.In a statement, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the 1,000 troops who already self-identified “will begin the voluntary separation process” from the military.Under the new guidelines, active duty troops will have until June 6 to voluntarily identify themselves to the department, and troops in the National Guard and Reserve will have until July 7.While it may be difficult to see which troops have changed their gender identity in their military records, it will be easier to determine who has gotten a gender dysphoria diagnosis because that will be part of their medical record, as will any medication they are taking.Between 2015 and 2024, the total cost for psychotherapy, gender-affirming hormone therapy, gender-affirming surgery and other treatment for service members is about $52 million, according to a defense official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss personnel issues.Pentagon officials in an earlier memo defended the ban, saying that “the medical, surgical, and mental health constraints on individuals who have a current diagnosis or history of, or exhibit symptoms consistent with, gender dysphoria are incompatible with the high mental and physical standards necessary for military service."The new Pentagon policy would allow for limited exemptions.That includes transgender personnel seeking to enlist who can prove on a case-by-case basis that they directly support warfighting activities, or if an existing service member diagnosed with gender dysphoria can prove they support a specific warfighting need, never transitioned to the gender they identify with and proves over 36 months they are stable in their biological sex “without clinically significant distress.”If a waiver is issued, the applicant would still face a situation where only their biological sex was recognized for bathroom facilities, sleeping quarters and even in official recognition, such as being called “Sir” or “Ma’am.”

🎥Trans troops are being moved out of the military in new Pentagon order

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis brought Robert Prevost to the Vatican in 2023&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-canada-vatican-city-chicago-peru-a2df40ea86c77a2c1442de8a5615b198">as the powerful head</a>&nbsp;of the office that vets bishop nominations, one of the most important jobs in the Catholic Church. On Thursday, he ascended to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/conclave-pope-francis-cardinals-vatican-d7991a37a679f09792ed220cc1f6bbed">become Pope Leo XIV</a>&nbsp;— the first pontiff from the United States.

Prevost, 69, had to overcome the taboo against an American pope, given the geopolitical power already wielded by the U.S. in the secular sphere.

The Chicago native is also a Peruvian citizen and lived for years in Peru, first as a missionary and then as an archbishop.

He evoked his broad experience in his first public remarks as pope, speaking in Italian, then switching to Spanish — and saying not a word in English as he addressed the crowd in Saint Peter's Square.

He had prominence going into the conclave that few other cardinals have.

Prevost was twice elected prior general, or top leader, of the Augustinians, the 13th century religious order founded by St. Augustine. Francis clearly had an eye on him for years, moving him from the Augustinian leadership back to Peru in 2014 to serve as the administrator and later archbishop of Chiclayo.

He remained in that position, acquiring Peruvian citizenship in 2015, until Francis brought him to Rome in 2023 to assume the presidency of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. In that job he would have kept in regular contact with the Catholic hierarchy in the part of the world that counts the most Catholics.

Ever since arriving in Rome, Prevost has kept a low public profile, but he was well known to the men who count.

Significantly, he presided over one of the most revolutionary reforms Francis made, when he added&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-religion-29e916926583aaa49bd385e874b70c84">three women to the voting bloc</a>&nbsp;that decides which bishop nominations to forward to the pope. In early 2025, Francis again showed his esteem by appointing Prevost to the most senior rank of cardinals.

The selection of a U.S.-born pope could have profound impact on the future of the U.S. Catholic Church, which has been sharply divided between conservatives and progressives. Francis, with Prevost’s help at the help of the bishop vetting office, had embarked on a 12-year project to rein in the traditionalist tendencies in the United States.

Prevost's election “is a deep sign of commitment to social issues. I think it is going to be exciting to see a different kind of American Catholicism in Rome,’’ said Natalia Imperatori-Lee, a professor of religious studies at Manhattan University in New York City.

The bells of the cathedral in Peru’s capital of Lima tolled after Prevost's election was announced. People outside the church expressed their desire for a papal visit at one point.

“For us Peruvians, it is a source of pride that this is a pope who represents our country,” said elementary school teacher Isabel Panez, who happened to be near the cathedral when the news was announced. “We would like him to visit us here in Peru.”

The Rev. Fidel Purisaca Vigil, the communications director for Prevost’s old diocese in Chiclayo, remembers the cardinal rising each day and having breakfast with his fellow priests after saying his prayers.

“No matter how many problems he has, he maintains good humor and joy,” Purisaca said in an email.

Born in Chicago in 1955, Prevost joined the Order of St. Augustine in 1977. He attended Villanova University near Philadelphia, where he received a Bachelor of Science in 1977, and he got a Master of Divinity degree from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago in 1982.

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s&nbsp;<a href="https://bit.ly/ap-twir">collaboration</a>&nbsp;with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746735672512.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis brought Robert Prevost to the Vatican in 2023&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-canada-vatican-city-chicago-peru-a2df40ea86c77a2c1442de8a5615b198">as the powerful head</a>&nbsp;of the office that vets bishop nominations, one of the most important jobs in the Catholic Church. On Thursday, he ascended to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/conclave-pope-francis-cardinals-vatican-d7991a37a679f09792ed220cc1f6bbed">become Pope Leo XIV</a>&nbsp;— the first pontiff from the United States.Prevost, 69, had to overcome the taboo against an American pope, given the geopolitical power already wielded by the U.S. in the secular sphere.The Chicago native is also a Peruvian citizen and lived for years in Peru, first as a missionary and then as an archbishop.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">WATCH: Complete remarks from Pope Leo XIV. <a href="https://t.co/aOzEdyb0G0">pic.twitter.com/aOzEdyb0G0</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1920538411326169492?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>He evoked his broad experience in his first public remarks as pope, speaking in Italian, then switching to Spanish — and saying not a word in English as he addressed the crowd in Saint Peter's Square.He had prominence going into the conclave that few other cardinals have.Prevost was twice elected prior general, or top leader, of the Augustinians, the 13th century religious order founded by St. Augustine. Francis clearly had an eye on him for years, moving him from the Augustinian leadership back to Peru in 2014 to serve as the administrator and later archbishop of Chiclayo.He remained in that position, acquiring Peruvian citizenship in 2015, until Francis brought him to Rome in 2023 to assume the presidency of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. In that job he would have kept in regular contact with the Catholic hierarchy in the part of the world that counts the most Catholics.Ever since arriving in Rome, Prevost has kept a low public profile, but he was well known to the men who count.Significantly, he presided over one of the most revolutionary reforms Francis made, when he added&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-religion-29e916926583aaa49bd385e874b70c84">three women to the voting bloc</a>&nbsp;that decides which bishop nominations to forward to the pope. In early 2025, Francis again showed his esteem by appointing Prevost to the most senior rank of cardinals.The selection of a U.S.-born pope could have profound impact on the future of the U.S. Catholic Church, which has been sharply divided between conservatives and progressives. Francis, with Prevost’s help at the help of the bishop vetting office, had embarked on a 12-year project to rein in the traditionalist tendencies in the United States.Prevost's election “is a deep sign of commitment to social issues. I think it is going to be exciting to see a different kind of American Catholicism in Rome,’’ said Natalia Imperatori-Lee, a professor of religious studies at Manhattan University in New York City.The bells of the cathedral in Peru’s capital of Lima tolled after Prevost's election was announced. People outside the church expressed their desire for a papal visit at one point.“For us Peruvians, it is a source of pride that this is a pope who represents our country,” said elementary school teacher Isabel Panez, who happened to be near the cathedral when the news was announced. “We would like him to visit us here in Peru.”The Rev. Fidel Purisaca Vigil, the communications director for Prevost’s old diocese in Chiclayo, remembers the cardinal rising each day and having breakfast with his fellow priests after saying his prayers.“No matter how many problems he has, he maintains good humor and joy,” Purisaca said in an email.Born in Chicago in 1955, Prevost joined the Order of St. Augustine in 1977. He attended Villanova University near Philadelphia, where he received a Bachelor of Science in 1977, and he got a Master of Divinity degree from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago in 1982.___Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s&nbsp;<a href="https://bit.ly/ap-twir">collaboration</a>&nbsp;with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.___Briceño reported from Lima, Peru.

Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, overcame a taboo against a US pontiff

The Kansas Prisoner Review Board has granted parole to Jimmie Nelms, a man convicted of murdering Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper Conroy O’Brien during a 1978 traffic stop near Matfield Green.&nbsp;

Nelms, now in his 70s, was sentenced to two life terms plus additional years for aggravated kidnapping and unlawful possession of a firearm. He is scheduled to be released to out-of-state family custody, officials said.&nbsp;

The decision has sparked strong backlash from state officials and law enforcement groups, who say Nelms’ release undermines justice for the violent killing of a law enforcement officer.&nbsp;

“This cop killer received two life sentences after he brutally executed a highway patrol officer. Now, he is about to be released on parole. There is something deeply wrong with this picture,” said Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach in a statement. “Those who murder law enforcement officers should expect to receive the death penalty, not to be walking free on the streets of Kansas.”&nbsp;

Trooper O’Brien, 26, was conducting a routine traffic stop on the Kansas Turnpike during the early morning hours of May 24, 1978, when Nelms and two others overpowered him. Authorities said O’Brien was forced at gunpoint into a roadside ditch, where he was pistol-whipped and fatally shot twice in the head with his own service weapon.&nbsp;

The three suspects, later identified as being wanted in a string of armed robberies across multiple states, were apprehended later that day after engaging another trooper in a gunfight. All were taken into custody following a manhunt.&nbsp;

Col. Erik Smith, superintendent of the Kansas Highway Patrol, said he received notice of the parole decision early Wednesday morning and called the announcement “a gut-punch.”&nbsp;

“There is no conceivable world in which the release of a convicted cop killer—an executioner—is acceptable,” Smith said in a written statement. “While we may vehemently disagree with the Board’s decision, we must live with it by continuing to support [O'Brien’s] surviving family and his blue family.”&nbsp;

The Kansas State Troopers Association also condemned the decision, calling the board’s actions “disgraceful and disgusting.”&nbsp;

O’Brien, a native of Hutchinson, Kansas, joined the patrol in 1974 and transferred to the Kansas Turnpike detail in 1977. He was survived by his pregnant wife and their unborn daughter, who never met her father.&nbsp;

Under Kansas law at the time of Nelms’ sentencing, life imprisonment allowed for the possibility of parole. The Prisoner Review Board said it believes Nelms “is able and willing to fulfill the obligations of a law-abiding citizen and… can be released without detriment to the community or to himself.”&nbsp;

Despite continued opposition during parole hearings over the years, including the most recent in March, the board determined Nelms met the criteria for release.&nbsp;

The Kansas Highway Patrol emphasized that its members will continue to serve with professionalism and dignity and will not forget the sacrifice of Trooper O’Brien.&nbsp;

A memorial for O’Brien is located on the Kansas Turnpike and on the Kansas Highway Patrol’s official website.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746748524625.png" alt="Jimmie Nelms photo KDOC" />
 <figcaption>Jimmie Nelms photo KDOC</figcaption>
 </figure>MARC JACOBS Hutch PostThe Kansas Prisoner Review Board has granted parole to Jimmie Nelms, a man convicted of murdering Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper Conroy O’Brien during a 1978 traffic stop near Matfield Green.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746744283330.jpeg" alt="Conroy O'Brien from Kansas Highway Patrol&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Conroy O'Brien from Kansas Highway Patrol&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Nelms, now in his 70s, was sentenced to two life terms plus additional years for aggravated kidnapping and unlawful possession of a firearm. He is scheduled to be released to out-of-state family custody, officials said.&nbsp;The decision has sparked strong backlash from state officials and law enforcement groups, who say Nelms’ release undermines justice for the violent killing of a law enforcement officer.&nbsp;“This cop killer received two life sentences after he brutally executed a highway patrol officer. Now, he is about to be released on parole. There is something deeply wrong with this picture,” said Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach in a statement. “Those who murder law enforcement officers should expect to receive the death penalty, not to be walking free on the streets of Kansas.”&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746744404741.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Trooper O’Brien, 26, was conducting a routine traffic stop on the Kansas Turnpike during the early morning hours of May 24, 1978, when Nelms and two others overpowered him. Authorities said O’Brien was forced at gunpoint into a roadside ditch, where he was pistol-whipped and fatally shot twice in the head with his own service weapon.&nbsp;The three suspects, later identified as being wanted in a string of armed robberies across multiple states, were apprehended later that day after engaging another trooper in a gunfight. All were taken into custody following a manhunt.&nbsp;Col. Erik Smith, superintendent of the Kansas Highway Patrol, said he received notice of the parole decision early Wednesday morning and called the announcement “a gut-punch.”&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746744469926.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>“There is no conceivable world in which the release of a convicted cop killer—an executioner—is acceptable,” Smith said in a written statement. “While we may vehemently disagree with the Board’s decision, we must live with it by continuing to support [O'Brien’s] surviving family and his blue family.”&nbsp;The Kansas State Troopers Association also condemned the decision, calling the board’s actions “disgraceful and disgusting.”&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746744546042.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>O’Brien, a native of Hutchinson, Kansas, joined the patrol in 1974 and transferred to the Kansas Turnpike detail in 1977. He was survived by his pregnant wife and their unborn daughter, who never met her father.&nbsp;Under Kansas law at the time of Nelms’ sentencing, life imprisonment allowed for the possibility of parole. The Prisoner Review Board said it believes Nelms “is able and willing to fulfill the obligations of a law-abiding citizen and… can be released without detriment to the community or to himself.”&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746744593302.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Despite continued opposition during parole hearings over the years, including the most recent in March, the board determined Nelms met the criteria for release.&nbsp;The Kansas Highway Patrol emphasized that its members will continue to serve with professionalism and dignity and will not forget the sacrifice of Trooper O’Brien.&nbsp;A memorial for O’Brien is located on the Kansas Turnpike and on the Kansas Highway Patrol’s official website.&nbsp;

Kan. trooper's killer granted parole after nearly five decades in prison

KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man is going to prison for his involvement in a high-speed chase and police shooting that occurred earlier this year, according to&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2615/Jason-Keith-Judgement-Red">Jason P. Keith</a>, 39,&nbsp;pled guilty to Vehicle Hijacking, Armed Criminal Action, Aggravated Fleeing, and 1st Degree Assault. He was sentenced to 18 years in prison.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2506/PC-KEITH_Redacted">According to court records</a>, Kansas City police made contact with a victim of an armed silver Nissan Rogue carjacking in South Kansas City on Feb. 12, who gave a detailed description of the defendant.&nbsp;

Later that afternoon, officers found the stolen vehicle at a gas station and attempted a felony car check, but the vehicle fled. Around 4 p.m., officers found the vehicle parked in the area around East 11th Street and Elmwood Avenue and attempted to contact the defendant. 

As officers attempted to approach him, Keith brandished a rifle, pointed it at the officers, and fired two rounds in the direction of the officers. No one was injured. &nbsp;He fled back to the Nissan Rogue and a police pursuit was initiated onto I-70. The defendant initially ignored verbal commands to exit the vehicle and bean bag rounds were utilized. He exited the vehicle and was taken into custody.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736686363226.png" alt="Keith photo KCK Police" />
 <figcaption>Keith photo KCK Police</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man is going to prison for his involvement in a high-speed chase and police shooting that occurred earlier this year, according to&nbsp;Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson.<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2615/Jason-Keith-Judgement-Red">Jason P. Keith</a>, 39,&nbsp;pled guilty to Vehicle Hijacking, Armed Criminal Action, Aggravated Fleeing, and 1st Degree Assault. He was sentenced to 18 years in prison.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2506/PC-KEITH_Redacted">According to court records</a>, Kansas City police made contact with a victim of an armed silver Nissan Rogue carjacking in South Kansas City on Feb. 12, who gave a detailed description of the defendant.&nbsp;Later that afternoon, officers found the stolen vehicle at a gas station and attempted a felony car check, but the vehicle fled. Around 4 p.m., officers found the vehicle parked in the area around East 11th Street and Elmwood Avenue and attempted to contact the defendant. As officers attempted to approach him, Keith brandished a rifle, pointed it at the officers, and fired two rounds in the direction of the officers. No one was injured. &nbsp;He fled back to the Nissan Rogue and a police pursuit was initiated onto I-70. The defendant initially ignored verbal commands to exit the vehicle and bean bag rounds were utilized. He exited the vehicle and was taken into custody.&nbsp;

Prison for man who fired rifle at police during I-70 high-speed chase

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump's administration asked&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">the Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;on Thursday to allow it to end humanitarian parole for hundreds of thousands of immigrants from four countries, setting them up for potential deportation.

The emergency appeal asks the justices to halt&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-administration-venezuelans-tps-federal-judge-d4044f1fc7cb69985add060aeaae8731">a lower-court order</a>&nbsp;keeping in place temporary legal status for more than 500,000 people from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela.

The Republican administration argues that the decision wrongly intrudes on the Department of Homeland Security’s authority.

“The district court has nullified one of the administration’s most consequential immigration policy decisions,” Solicitor General John Sauer wrote.

The order from U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani in Boston blocked the Trump administration from putting an early end to the migrants' temporary legal status. Her ruling in mid-April came shortly before their permits were due to be canceled, opening them up to removal from the country.

Talwani, who was appointed by Democratic President Barack Obama, said that people in the program faced the option of “fleeing the country” or staying and “risk losing everything.” She said the government’s explanation for ending the program was “based on an incorrect reading of the law.”

The Justice Department went to the Supreme Court after an appeals court refused to lift Talwani's order.

Sauer argued that the judge was instead wrong on the law, including her finding that any revocations of parole must be made on a case-by-case basis. He argued that ending the program early allows the federal government to remove people from the country more quickly, in line with the Trump administration’s policy goals.

The case is the latest in a string of emergency appeals the administration has made to the Supreme Court, many of them related to immigration. The government&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-immigrants-deportation-protection-80f61585197eaff8b254c9b621976780">asked the court</a>&nbsp;to strip temporary legal protections from 350,000 Venezuelans last week, and it remains&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/donald-trump-news-updates-4-7-2025">locked in legal battles</a>&nbsp;over its efforts to swiftly deport people accused of being gang members to a prison in El Salvador under an 18th century wartime law called the Alien Enemies Act.

Trump promised on the campaign trail to deport millions of people who are in the country illegally. His administration has also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-immigration-deportation-poll-el-salvador-81f8040599b9c585554678371e12ed5a">sought to dismantle</a>&nbsp;policies from President Joe Biden's Democratic administration that created new ways for people to live legally in the U.S., generally for two years with work authorization.

Biden used humanitarian parole more than any other president, employing a special presidential authority in effect since 1952. Beneficiaries included more than 500,000 Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans who flew to the United States with financial sponsors on two-year permits since late 2022, with authorization to work.

Advocates have called the Trump administration’s move to end the program “unprecedented” and argued that it violated federal rule-making.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1672235865420.png" alt="Supreme Court Credit: Fred Schilling, Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States" />
 <figcaption>Supreme Court Credit: Fred Schilling, Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump's administration asked&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">the Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;on Thursday to allow it to end humanitarian parole for hundreds of thousands of immigrants from four countries, setting them up for potential deportation.The emergency appeal asks the justices to halt&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-administration-venezuelans-tps-federal-judge-d4044f1fc7cb69985add060aeaae8731">a lower-court order</a>&nbsp;keeping in place temporary legal status for more than 500,000 people from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela.The Republican administration argues that the decision wrongly intrudes on the Department of Homeland Security’s authority.“The district court has nullified one of the administration’s most consequential immigration policy decisions,” Solicitor General John Sauer wrote.The order from U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani in Boston blocked the Trump administration from putting an early end to the migrants' temporary legal status. Her ruling in mid-April came shortly before their permits were due to be canceled, opening them up to removal from the country.Talwani, who was appointed by Democratic President Barack Obama, said that people in the program faced the option of “fleeing the country” or staying and “risk losing everything.” She said the government’s explanation for ending the program was “based on an incorrect reading of the law.”The Justice Department went to the Supreme Court after an appeals court refused to lift Talwani's order.Sauer argued that the judge was instead wrong on the law, including her finding that any revocations of parole must be made on a case-by-case basis. He argued that ending the program early allows the federal government to remove people from the country more quickly, in line with the Trump administration’s policy goals.The case is the latest in a string of emergency appeals the administration has made to the Supreme Court, many of them related to immigration. The government&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-immigrants-deportation-protection-80f61585197eaff8b254c9b621976780">asked the court</a>&nbsp;to strip temporary legal protections from 350,000 Venezuelans last week, and it remains&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/donald-trump-news-updates-4-7-2025">locked in legal battles</a>&nbsp;over its efforts to swiftly deport people accused of being gang members to a prison in El Salvador under an 18th century wartime law called the Alien Enemies Act.Trump promised on the campaign trail to deport millions of people who are in the country illegally. His administration has also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-immigration-deportation-poll-el-salvador-81f8040599b9c585554678371e12ed5a">sought to dismantle</a>&nbsp;policies from President Joe Biden's Democratic administration that created new ways for people to live legally in the U.S., generally for two years with work authorization.Biden used humanitarian parole more than any other president, employing a special presidential authority in effect since 1952. Beneficiaries included more than 500,000 Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans who flew to the United States with financial sponsors on two-year permits since late 2022, with authorization to work.Advocates have called the Trump administration’s move to end the program “unprecedented” and argued that it violated federal rule-making.___

Trump asks High Court to allow cancellation of legal status for 500,000 immigrants

VATICAN CITY (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/prevost-american-pope-profile-leo-xiv-f9d14d75ae3bbe50bda121f27ee0e42b">Cardinal Robert Prevost has taken the name Leo XIV</a>. The Chicago-born missionary who spent his career ministering in Peru and took over the Vatican’s powerful office of bishops was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-new-pope-photos-27ed8420e91b9b40cca8e65899ab878e">elected the first pope</a>&nbsp;from the United States in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church.

In his first words as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pope-francis">Pope Francis</a>&nbsp;’ successor, uttered from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica, Leo, 69, said, “Peace be with you,” and emphasized a message of peace, dialogue and missionary evangelization. He wore the traditional red cape of the papacy — a cape that Francis had eschewed on his election in 2013. He spoke to the crowd in Italian and Spanish, but not English.

Trump says ‘it’s such an honor for our country’

Trump spoke to reporters outside the West Wing, saying that for the new pope to be American, “What greater honor can there be?”

“We’re a little bit surprised and we’re happy,” Trump added.

US Secretary of State sends his greetings

Marco Rubio, a Catholic, issued a statement expressing his “heartfelt congratulations” to the new pope during “a moment of profound significance” for the church.

“The papacy carries a sacred and solemn responsibility,” Rubio’s message said. “May the Holy Spirit impart wisdom, strength, and grace as he shepherds the Church. The United States looks forward to deepening our enduring relationship with the Holy See with the first American pontiff.”

Spiritual leader of Orthodox Christians welcomes the new Roman Catholic Church leader

“I greet the new Pope, the new Bishop of Rome, with great brotherly love in Christ and great expectations,” Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew told the Associated Press Thursday at an event in Athens. He said he’ll be in Rome for the pope’s enthronement.

Reflecting on his longstanding cooperation with Pope Francis, Bartholomew expressed hope for continued progress in Catholic-Orthodox relations. He and Francis collaborated on global challenges including climate change, migration and the impact of technological change. They also hoped to end a centuries-old dispute by finding a common date to celebrate Easter.

“I hope that His Holiness Pope Leo XIV will be a dear brother and collaborator ... for unity of the whole Christian family and for the benefit of the whole of humankind,” he said.

Vladimir Putin wishes Leo XIV success based on ‘Christian values’

The Russian president extended his “cordial congratulations” to the new pope in a message published on the Kremlin’s website, wishing him “success in fulfilling the high mission entrusted to you, as well as good health and well-being.”

“I am confident that the constructive dialogue and interaction established between Russia and the Vatican will continue to develop on the basis of the Christian values that unite us,” the Russian leader said.

UN secretary general offers ‘heartfelt congratulations’

Antonio Guterres said he looks forward “to building on the long legacy of cooperation between the United Nations and the Holy See – nurtured most recently by Pope Francis – to advance solidarity, foster reconciliation, and build a just and sustainable world for all.”

“The election of a new Pope is a moment of profound spiritual significance for millions of faithful around the world, and it comes at a time of great global challenges. Our world is in need of the strongest voices for peace, social justice, human dignity and compassion,” Guterres said.

And he quoted the new pope’s first words: “Despite the rich diversity of backgrounds and beliefs, people everywhere share a common goal: ‘May peace be with all the world.’”

Leaders of African countries offer congratulations

Mozambique President Daniel Chapo said it was “with joy and jubilation that the people and government of the Republic of Mozambique received the happy news of his election.” Mozambique, once a colony of Portugal, has nearly 9 million Catholics.

Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye said in a Facebook post, “I wish a Pontificate filled with achievements and blessings, under the sign of interreligious dialogue, peace and human brotherhood,” The West African nation, while predominantly Muslim, has a significant Catholic minority.

Kenya’s Archbishop Anthony Muheria said Pope Leo XIV has visited Kenya “many times,” remembering him as “a very pleasant person and a good listener.” Catholics in Kenya make up the second largest denomination.

Spanish prime minister congratulates ‘the entire Catholic church’

Pedro Sánchez cheered the election of Pope Leo XIV, saying in a post on X: “May your pontificate contribute to strengthening dialogue and the defense of human rights in a world in need of hope and unity.”

Taiwan looks to work with the new pope to spread the message of peace

Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te has extended his congratulations to the new pontiff and said his diplomatically isolated island hopes to work with the Vatican on spreading peace, justice, religious freedom, unity and compassion.

The Vatican is the only state in Europe to have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan and Taipei has worked hard to maintain a close relationship with recent popes.

About 2% of Taiwan’s population of 23 million are Catholic, though the church's roots go back hundreds of years on the island. Most Taiwanese follow Buddhism.

China’s state-backed church organizations offer congratulations to the new pope

China's official news agency Xinhua reported on Friday that the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association and the Bishops’ Conference of Catholic Church in China — both under the Chinese government — congratulated Leo.

The Vatican’s relations with China were severed in 1951 after the Communist Party came to power and the expulsion of foreign priests. The country’s estimated millions of Catholics were divided into the state-recognized church and an underground one that stayed loyal to Rome.

In 2018, the Vatican and China signed an accord over the thorny issue of bishop nominations, and the deal was extended in 2024 even though Rome previously acknowledged that it was far from ideal.

The Holy See’s outreach to China under late Pope Francis has drawn criticism, especially from American conservatives who have accused the Vatican of selling out the faithful who have been forced underground. Hong Kong’s outspoken Roman Catholic Cardinal Joseph Zen also criticized the deal.

Filipinos welcome the first-ever American pontiff

The Philippines is the largest Roman Catholic nation in Asia and there were hopes the late Pope Francis would be succeeded by a prominent Filipino Cardinal, Luis Antonio Tagle, from the laidback city of Imus just south of Manila.

Still, Leo's election was welcomed and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he prays that the new pope would "continue to bring the church closer to the poor and disadvantaged.”

“I wanted the candidate from the Philippines … but let’s accept this choice because this was God’s plan,” Alexandra Bonilla, a 20-year-old student, said at a cathedral in Imus.

Australia's prime minister says Pope Leo's leadership comes at an ‘important time’

Anthony Albanese said on Friday that he will invite the new pope to the 54th International Eucharistic Congress, a gathering of Roman Catholic clergy and lay people, in Sydney in 2028.

The Bushes are delighted over an American pope

Former U.S. President George W. Bush said he and his wife, Laura, are “delighted” to congratulate former Cardinal Robert Prevost on his election to become pope.

“This an historic and hopeful moment for Catholics in America and for the faithful around the world,” Bush said in a statement. “We join those praying for the success of Pope Leo XIV as he prepares to lead the Catholic church, serve the neediest, and share God’s love.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746737222266.png" alt="Image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>VATICAN CITY (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/prevost-american-pope-profile-leo-xiv-f9d14d75ae3bbe50bda121f27ee0e42b">Cardinal Robert Prevost has taken the name Leo XIV</a>. The Chicago-born missionary who spent his career ministering in Peru and took over the Vatican’s powerful office of bishops was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-new-pope-photos-27ed8420e91b9b40cca8e65899ab878e">elected the first pope</a>&nbsp;from the United States in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church.In his first words as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pope-francis">Pope Francis</a>&nbsp;’ successor, uttered from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica, Leo, 69, said, “Peace be with you,” and emphasized a message of peace, dialogue and missionary evangelization. He wore the traditional red cape of the papacy — a cape that Francis had eschewed on his election in 2013. He spoke to the crowd in Italian and Spanish, but not English.<h2>Trump says ‘it’s such an honor for our country’</h2><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">President Trump on Pope Leo XIV: &quot;To have the pope from the United States of America, that&#39;s a great honor.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/0PzT89cpej">pic.twitter.com/0PzT89cpej</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1920550229012607248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Trump spoke to reporters outside the West Wing, saying that for the new pope to be American, “What greater honor can there be?”“We’re a little bit surprised and we’re happy,” Trump added.<h2>US Secretary of State sends his greetings</h2><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Habemus Papam! Congratulations to the first American pontiff, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, on his election as the 267th successor to Saint Peter. May God grant him wisdom, courage, and grace as he carries out his sacred ministry.&mdash; Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecRubio/status/1920557152030036353?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Marco Rubio, a Catholic, issued a statement expressing his “heartfelt congratulations” to the new pope during “a moment of profound significance” for the church.“The papacy carries a sacred and solemn responsibility,” Rubio’s message said. “May the Holy Spirit impart wisdom, strength, and grace as he shepherds the Church. The United States looks forward to deepening our enduring relationship with the Holy See with the first American pontiff.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Today, we joyously celebrate the election of His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, a moment of profound significance for the global Church. A Villanova alumnus, Pope Leo XIV is the first Pope from the United States and the first Augustinian friar to be elected.<a href="https://t.co/ObBq4dgJya">https://t.co/ObBq4dgJya</a> <a href="https://t.co/dwlNiPw0lT">pic.twitter.com/dwlNiPw0lT</a>&mdash; Villanova University (@VillanovaU) <a href="https://twitter.com/VillanovaU/status/1920549928348066188?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><h2>Spiritual leader of Orthodox Christians welcomes the new Roman Catholic Church leader</h2>“I greet the new Pope, the new Bishop of Rome, with great brotherly love in Christ and great expectations,” Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew told the Associated Press Thursday at an event in Athens. He said he’ll be in Rome for the pope’s enthronement.Reflecting on his longstanding cooperation with Pope Francis, Bartholomew expressed hope for continued progress in Catholic-Orthodox relations. He and Francis collaborated on global challenges including climate change, migration and the impact of technological change. They also hoped to end a centuries-old dispute by finding a common date to celebrate Easter.“I hope that His Holiness Pope Leo XIV will be a dear brother and collaborator ... for unity of the whole Christian family and for the benefit of the whole of humankind,” he said.<h2>Vladimir Putin wishes Leo XIV success based on ‘Christian values’</h2>The Russian president extended his “cordial congratulations” to the new pope in a message published on the Kremlin’s website, wishing him “success in fulfilling the high mission entrusted to you, as well as good health and well-being.”“I am confident that the constructive dialogue and interaction established between Russia and the Vatican will continue to develop on the basis of the Christian values that unite us,” the Russian leader said.<h2>UN secretary general offers ‘heartfelt congratulations’</h2>Antonio Guterres said he looks forward “to building on the long legacy of cooperation between the United Nations and the Holy See – nurtured most recently by Pope Francis – to advance solidarity, foster reconciliation, and build a just and sustainable world for all.”“The election of a new Pope is a moment of profound spiritual significance for millions of faithful around the world, and it comes at a time of great global challenges. Our world is in need of the strongest voices for peace, social justice, human dignity and compassion,” Guterres said.And he quoted the new pope’s first words: “Despite the rich diversity of backgrounds and beliefs, people everywhere share a common goal: ‘May peace be with all the world.’”<h2>Leaders of African countries offer congratulations</h2>Mozambique President Daniel Chapo said it was “with joy and jubilation that the people and government of the Republic of Mozambique received the happy news of his election.” Mozambique, once a colony of Portugal, has nearly 9 million Catholics.Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye said in a Facebook post, “I wish a Pontificate filled with achievements and blessings, under the sign of interreligious dialogue, peace and human brotherhood,” The West African nation, while predominantly Muslim, has a significant Catholic minority.Kenya’s Archbishop Anthony Muheria said Pope Leo XIV has visited Kenya “many times,” remembering him as “a very pleasant person and a good listener.” Catholics in Kenya make up the second largest denomination.<h2>Spanish prime minister congratulates ‘the entire Catholic church’</h2>Pedro Sánchez cheered the election of Pope Leo XIV, saying in a post on X: “May your pontificate contribute to strengthening dialogue and the defense of human rights in a world in need of hope and unity.”<h2>Taiwan looks to work with the new pope to spread the message of peace</h2>Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te has extended his congratulations to the new pontiff and said his diplomatically isolated island hopes to work with the Vatican on spreading peace, justice, religious freedom, unity and compassion.The Vatican is the only state in Europe to have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan and Taipei has worked hard to maintain a close relationship with recent popes.About 2% of Taiwan’s population of 23 million are Catholic, though the church's roots go back hundreds of years on the island. Most Taiwanese follow Buddhism.<h2>China’s state-backed church organizations offer congratulations to the new pope</h2>China's official news agency Xinhua reported on Friday that the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association and the Bishops’ Conference of Catholic Church in China — both under the Chinese government — congratulated Leo.The Vatican’s relations with China were severed in 1951 after the Communist Party came to power and the expulsion of foreign priests. The country’s estimated millions of Catholics were divided into the state-recognized church and an underground one that stayed loyal to Rome.In 2018, the Vatican and China signed an accord over the thorny issue of bishop nominations, and the deal was extended in 2024 even though Rome previously acknowledged that it was far from ideal.The Holy See’s outreach to China under late Pope Francis has drawn criticism, especially from American conservatives who have accused the Vatican of selling out the faithful who have been forced underground. Hong Kong’s outspoken Roman Catholic Cardinal Joseph Zen also criticized the deal.<h2>Filipinos welcome the first-ever American pontiff</h2>The Philippines is the largest Roman Catholic nation in Asia and there were hopes the late Pope Francis would be succeeded by a prominent Filipino Cardinal, Luis Antonio Tagle, from the laidback city of Imus just south of Manila.Still, Leo's election was welcomed and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he prays that the new pope would "continue to bring the church closer to the poor and disadvantaged.”“I wanted the candidate from the Philippines … but let’s accept this choice because this was God’s plan,” Alexandra Bonilla, a 20-year-old student, said at a cathedral in Imus.<h2>Australia's prime minister says Pope Leo's leadership comes at an ‘important time’</h2>Anthony Albanese said on Friday that he will invite the new pope to the 54th International Eucharistic Congress, a gathering of Roman Catholic clergy and lay people, in Sydney in 2028.<h2>The Bushes are delighted over an American pope</h2>Former U.S. President George W. Bush said he and his wife, Laura, are “delighted” to congratulate former Cardinal Robert Prevost on his election to become pope.“This an historic and hopeful moment for Catholics in America and for the faithful around the world,” Bush said in a statement. “We join those praying for the success of Pope Leo XIV as he prepares to lead the Catholic church, serve the neediest, and share God’s love.”

Trump, other world leaders offer congratulations to new Pope

RENO COUNTY —Authorities are investigating a small plane mishap that occurred just after 10:30a.m. Thursday in Reno County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported an AT-301 Air-Tractor&nbsp;Fixed wing single-engine aircraft piloted by William E. Garrison, 62, Nickerson, was taking off from a private landing strip in the 7700 Block of North Herren Road just east of Nickerson.

The aircraft clipped the top of a 2014 Chevy Impala driven by Jessica M. Williams, 38, Great Bend, who was northbound on Kansas 14.

There were no injuries. Williams was properly restrained, according to the KHP.&nbsp; The FAA and NTSB will be in charge of the investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746735870194.jpeg" alt="Photos by Sean Boston Hutch Post" />
 <figcaption>Photos by Sean Boston Hutch Post</figcaption>
 </figure>RENO COUNTY —Authorities are investigating a small plane mishap that occurred just after 10:30a.m. Thursday in Reno County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported an AT-301 Air-Tractor&nbsp;Fixed wing single-engine aircraft piloted by William E. Garrison, 62, Nickerson, was taking off from a private landing strip in the 7700 Block of North Herren Road just east of Nickerson.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746735846843.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The aircraft clipped the top of a 2014 Chevy Impala driven by Jessica M. Williams, 38, Great Bend, who was northbound on Kansas 14.There were no injuries. Williams was properly restrained, according to the KHP.&nbsp; The FAA and NTSB will be in charge of the investigation.

KHP: Small plane clipped car while taking off from private landing strip

FINNEY COUNTY—There were no injuries reported after an accident in southwest Kansas.

Just after 2:15 p.m., Wednesday, Police, Fire and EMS responded to an accident at the Highlander Laundry, 510 W. Kansas Avenue in Garden City. A truck struck the building.

The investigation revealed the driver was parking in front of the business when their foot slipped, making the truck accelerate and collide with the building. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported from inside the building. The driver was also not injured.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746735205414.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FINNEY COUNTY—There were no injuries reported after an accident in southwest Kansas.Just after 2:15 p.m., Wednesday, Police, Fire and EMS responded to an accident at the Highlander Laundry, 510 W. Kansas Avenue in Garden City. A truck struck the building.The investigation revealed the driver was parking in front of the business when their foot slipped, making the truck accelerate and collide with the building. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported from inside the building. The driver was also not injured.

Driver crashed into laundromat in southwest Kansas

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump agreed on Thursday to cut tariffs on U.K. autos, steel and aluminum in a planned trade deal but played down the possibility of other nations getting similarly favorable terms on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-deals-china-trade-02986c700a2d46c8b1ba85afe77d139f">his import taxes</a>, which are roiling the global economy.

Under the framework agreement, the United Kingdom is to buy more American beef and ethanol and streamline its customs process for goods from the United States. But Trump's baseline 10% tariffs against British goods are to stay in place, and the Republican president suggested that even higher import taxes would be charged on other countries trying to reach deals with the U.S.

“That's a low number,” Trump said of the U.K.'s 10% tariff rate, adding that other countries would face higher tariff rates in their deals because the U.S. runs trade deficits with them and “in many cases they didn't treat us right.”

The announcement provided a political victory for U.K. Prime Minister&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/uk-starmer-reshape-government-musk-ai-f0d5a76f8540299a5338ccd2fe54c956">Keir Starmer</a>&nbsp;and offered a degree of validation for Trump's claims that his turbulent approach on trade may be able to rebalance the global economy on his preferred terms. But it also could temper the expectations of the European Union and others negotiating with the U.S. in hopes of mutually slashing tariffs to zero.

The U.S. president talked up the framework to reporters in the Oval Office, although the fine print remains in flux despite his prior statements that a full agreement had been signed

“In the coming weeks, we’ll have it all very conclusive,” Trump said.

The president said that the agreement would lead to more beef and ethanol exports to the U.K., and streamline the processing of U.S. goods through customs. Commerce Secretary&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-gdp-economy-government-spending-lutnick-7414ba1bd441bd4bf64620bfd66923b2">Howard Lutnick</a>&nbsp;said that the baseline 10% tariffs would stay in place and that an unspecified British company would be announcing the purchase of $10 billion in aircraft from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/boeing-co">Boeing</a>.

U.K. officials said that Trump's auto tariffs would go from 27.5% to 10% on a quota of 100,000 vehicles and the import taxes on steel and aluminum would go from 25% to zero. Starmer said Britain would preserve its health and safety standards on food products.

Starmer, speaking over the phone to Trump while reporters listened in, stressed the importance of the relationship between the two countries as the anniversary of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-victory-day-world-war-celebration-proclamation-1bc0d2cacc2d5220484d837efc492436">the World War II victory in Europe</a>&nbsp;was being commemorated.

“To be able to announce this great deal, on the same day 80 years forward, almost at the same hour,” Startmer said, “I think is incredibly important and makes this truly historic.”

Starmer later spoke to workers at a Jaguar Land Rover plant and promoted the deal, which he said would protect thousands of auto jobs. He told the workers that “this is just the start,” saying “we are hammering out further details to reduce barriers to trade with the United States and across the world.”

While celebrating the planned deal, Trump talked up the U.S. economy's future despite worrisome signs of a possible slowdown and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-powell-rate-inflation-tariff-7b96cf47c986602db51ce87055ca5f24">increase in inflation</a>&nbsp;that could hurt most Americans' financial well-being and lead to layoffs.

The president said the public should buy into the stock market because the U.S. was about to go up like a “rocket ship," even as he dismissed reports of fewer container ships docking in the U.S. and companies warning of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-economy-poll-tariffs-inflation-prices-recession-1d320115e8801e4970bd5cccf2742fc4">price increases</a>&nbsp;if the tariffs remain.

Trump said that fewer container ships arriving from China meant “we lose less money” from the trade deficit, even though the goods in those ships are used by U.S. manufacturers and sold by retailers in ways that can support jobs while holding down prices.

Asked about companies saying they would need to raise prices because of the tariffs, Trump said, “I think they’re saying that just to try and negotiate deals with me.” Trump suggested that he might put 100% tariffs on Mattel toys if they don't relocate their factories to the United States.

Trump has maintained that there is “virtually” no inflation. The Federal Reserve's preferred inflation measure has increased at 2.3% annually, slightly higher than the central bank's 2% target.

The U.S. president on Thursday said that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jerome-powell">Fed Chair Jerome Powell</a>&nbsp;should cut the Fed's benchmark interest rates that are designed to manage inflation, saying that Powell was holding the Fed's rates at current levels instead of slashing them because “he's not in love with me.” Powell warned at a Wednesday news conference that the tariffs were creating uncertainty and the Fed could afford to wait until more data shows the impacts on the economy.

The U.S. already runs a trade surplus with the U.K., making it a bit easier to find common ground at a time when Trump has staked his tariffs on eliminating the annual trade deficits with multiple nations he says have taken advantage of the U.S.

No new deals have been reached with America's largest trading partners, including Canada, Mexico and China. Trump has left the highest tariffs in place on China, sparking a confrontation between&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-us-tariffs-trump-dce0557297c1a367cac9353d270a3c2e">the world's two biggest economies</a>. Washington and Beijing are sending officials to Switzerland this weekend for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-china-trade-switzerland-bessent-2a3335ed92989dc4b3a74ea550b79b3f">an initial round of trade talks</a>.

The U.S. and the U.K. have been aiming to strike a bilateral trade agreement since the British people voted in 2016 to leave the European Union, allowing the country to negotiate independently of the rest of the continent. Then-Prime Minister&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boris-johnson-resigns-partygate-lockdown-misled-parliament-64a8697c9ccbed381915fbfe45ffe028">Boris Johnson</a>&nbsp;touted a future deal with the U.S. as an incentive for Brexit.

Negotiations started in 2020, during Trump’s first term. But the talks&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-united-nations-general-assembly-boris-johnson-entertainment-states-e5d3799d03fa90704376dc52fdf1f709">made little progress</a>&nbsp;under President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-trump-ukraine-russia-appeasement-af02a823e986bf27baf34520c6c5b931">Joe Biden</a>, a Democrat and a critic of Brexit. Negotiations resumed after Trump returned to office in January and intensified in recent weeks.

The U.S. ran a $11.9 billion trade surplus in goods with the U.K. last year, according to the Census Bureau. The $68 billion in goods that the U.S. imported from the U.K. last year accounted for just 2% of all goods imported into the country.

Still, the U.S. is far more important for the U.K. economy. It was Britain's biggest trading partner last year, according to government statistics, though the bulk of Britain’s exports to the U.S. are services rather than goods.

A trade deal with the U.S. is one of several that Starmer’s government is seeking to strike. On Tuesday,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/uk-india-trade-deal-starmer-modi-6cbaf787f49a08aac18f93b2601d09f2">Britain and India</a>&nbsp;announced a trade agreement after three years of negotiations. The U.K. is also trying to lift some of the barriers to trade with the EU imposed when Britain left the bloc in 2020.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746720326440.png" alt="White House photo" />
 <figcaption>White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump agreed on Thursday to cut tariffs on U.K. autos, steel and aluminum in a planned trade deal but played down the possibility of other nations getting similarly favorable terms on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-deals-china-trade-02986c700a2d46c8b1ba85afe77d139f">his import taxes</a>, which are roiling the global economy.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">This announcement is a big win for American agriculture! <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> is unlocking billions in new market access for U.S. exports like beef, ethanol, and more—boosting our GREAT farmers and rural economies! 🇺🇸🤝🇬🇧 <a href="https://t.co/sMD1naHBnD">https://t.co/sMD1naHBnD</a>&mdash; House Committee on Agriculture (@HouseAgGOP) <a href="https://twitter.com/HouseAgGOP/status/1920494751465222605?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">FACT SHEET: U.S.-U.K. Reach Historic Trade Deal <a href="https://t.co/vvwfwkdGA5">pic.twitter.com/vvwfwkdGA5</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1920505009587802144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Under the framework agreement, the United Kingdom is to buy more American beef and ethanol and streamline its customs process for goods from the United States. But Trump's baseline 10% tariffs against British goods are to stay in place, and the Republican president suggested that even higher import taxes would be charged on other countries trying to reach deals with the U.S.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🚨 🚨 🚨 <a href="https://t.co/6wmO4WZi6K">pic.twitter.com/6wmO4WZi6K</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1920494982282064090?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“That's a low number,” Trump said of the U.K.'s 10% tariff rate, adding that other countries would face higher tariff rates in their deals because the U.S. runs trade deficits with them and “in many cases they didn't treat us right.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><a href="https://t.co/fRjtUHS1ZQ">pic.twitter.com/fRjtUHS1ZQ</a>&mdash; House Republicans (@HouseGOP) <a href="https://twitter.com/HouseGOP/status/1920500123399831839?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The announcement provided a political victory for U.K. Prime Minister&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/uk-starmer-reshape-government-musk-ai-f0d5a76f8540299a5338ccd2fe54c956">Keir Starmer</a>&nbsp;and offered a degree of validation for Trump's claims that his turbulent approach on trade may be able to rebalance the global economy on his preferred terms. But it also could temper the expectations of the European Union and others negotiating with the U.S. in hopes of mutually slashing tariffs to zero.The U.S. president talked up the framework to reporters in the Oval Office, although the fine print remains in flux despite his prior statements that a full agreement had been signed“In the coming weeks, we’ll have it all very conclusive,” Trump said.The president said that the agreement would lead to more beef and ethanol exports to the U.K., and streamline the processing of U.S. goods through customs. Commerce Secretary&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-gdp-economy-government-spending-lutnick-7414ba1bd441bd4bf64620bfd66923b2">Howard Lutnick</a>&nbsp;said that the baseline 10% tariffs would stay in place and that an unspecified British company would be announcing the purchase of $10 billion in aircraft from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/boeing-co">Boeing</a>.U.K. officials said that Trump's auto tariffs would go from 27.5% to 10% on a quota of 100,000 vehicles and the import taxes on steel and aluminum would go from 25% to zero. Starmer said Britain would preserve its health and safety standards on food products.Starmer, speaking over the phone to Trump while reporters listened in, stressed the importance of the relationship between the two countries as the anniversary of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-victory-day-world-war-celebration-proclamation-1bc0d2cacc2d5220484d837efc492436">the World War II victory in Europe</a>&nbsp;was being commemorated.“To be able to announce this great deal, on the same day 80 years forward, almost at the same hour,” Startmer said, “I think is incredibly important and makes this truly historic.”Starmer later spoke to workers at a Jaguar Land Rover plant and promoted the deal, which he said would protect thousands of auto jobs. He told the workers that “this is just the start,” saying “we are hammering out further details to reduce barriers to trade with the United States and across the world.”While celebrating the planned deal, Trump talked up the U.S. economy's future despite worrisome signs of a possible slowdown and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-powell-rate-inflation-tariff-7b96cf47c986602db51ce87055ca5f24">increase in inflation</a>&nbsp;that could hurt most Americans' financial well-being and lead to layoffs.The president said the public should buy into the stock market because the U.S. was about to go up like a “rocket ship," even as he dismissed reports of fewer container ships docking in the U.S. and companies warning of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-economy-poll-tariffs-inflation-prices-recession-1d320115e8801e4970bd5cccf2742fc4">price increases</a>&nbsp;if the tariffs remain.Trump said that fewer container ships arriving from China meant “we lose less money” from the trade deficit, even though the goods in those ships are used by U.S. manufacturers and sold by retailers in ways that can support jobs while holding down prices.Asked about companies saying they would need to raise prices because of the tariffs, Trump said, “I think they’re saying that just to try and negotiate deals with me.” Trump suggested that he might put 100% tariffs on Mattel toys if they don't relocate their factories to the United States.Trump has maintained that there is “virtually” no inflation. The Federal Reserve's preferred inflation measure has increased at 2.3% annually, slightly higher than the central bank's 2% target.The U.S. president on Thursday said that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jerome-powell">Fed Chair Jerome Powell</a>&nbsp;should cut the Fed's benchmark interest rates that are designed to manage inflation, saying that Powell was holding the Fed's rates at current levels instead of slashing them because “he's not in love with me.” Powell warned at a Wednesday news conference that the tariffs were creating uncertainty and the Fed could afford to wait until more data shows the impacts on the economy.The U.S. already runs a trade surplus with the U.K., making it a bit easier to find common ground at a time when Trump has staked his tariffs on eliminating the annual trade deficits with multiple nations he says have taken advantage of the U.S.No new deals have been reached with America's largest trading partners, including Canada, Mexico and China. Trump has left the highest tariffs in place on China, sparking a confrontation between&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-us-tariffs-trump-dce0557297c1a367cac9353d270a3c2e">the world's two biggest economies</a>. Washington and Beijing are sending officials to Switzerland this weekend for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-china-trade-switzerland-bessent-2a3335ed92989dc4b3a74ea550b79b3f">an initial round of trade talks</a>.The U.S. and the U.K. have been aiming to strike a bilateral trade agreement since the British people voted in 2016 to leave the European Union, allowing the country to negotiate independently of the rest of the continent. Then-Prime Minister&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boris-johnson-resigns-partygate-lockdown-misled-parliament-64a8697c9ccbed381915fbfe45ffe028">Boris Johnson</a>&nbsp;touted a future deal with the U.S. as an incentive for Brexit.Negotiations started in 2020, during Trump’s first term. But the talks&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-united-nations-general-assembly-boris-johnson-entertainment-states-e5d3799d03fa90704376dc52fdf1f709">made little progress</a>&nbsp;under President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-trump-ukraine-russia-appeasement-af02a823e986bf27baf34520c6c5b931">Joe Biden</a>, a Democrat and a critic of Brexit. Negotiations resumed after Trump returned to office in January and intensified in recent weeks.The U.S. ran a $11.9 billion trade surplus in goods with the U.K. last year, according to the Census Bureau. The $68 billion in goods that the U.S. imported from the U.K. last year accounted for just 2% of all goods imported into the country.Still, the U.S. is far more important for the U.K. economy. It was Britain's biggest trading partner last year, according to government statistics, though the bulk of Britain’s exports to the U.S. are services rather than goods.A trade deal with the U.S. is one of several that Starmer’s government is seeking to strike. On Tuesday,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/uk-india-trade-deal-starmer-modi-6cbaf787f49a08aac18f93b2601d09f2">Britain and India</a>&nbsp;announced a trade agreement after three years of negotiations. The U.K. is also trying to lift some of the barriers to trade with the EU imposed when Britain left the bloc in 2020.-----

U.S. trade deal with the U.K. good for American agriculture

VATICAN CITY (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/prevost-american-pope-profile-leo-xiv-f9d14d75ae3bbe50bda121f27ee0e42b">Robert Prevost,</a>&nbsp;an missionary who spent his career ministering in Peru and took over the Vatican’s powerful office of bishops, was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-new-pope-photos-27ed8420e91b9b40cca8e65899ab878e">elected the first pope</a>&nbsp;from the United States in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church.

Prevost, a 69-year-old member of the Augustinian religious order, took the name Leo XIV.

In his first words as Pope Francis’ successor, uttered from the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica, Leo said, “Peace be with you,” and emphasized a message of peace, dialogue and missionary evangelization. He wore the traditional red cape of the papacy — a cape that Francis had eschewed on his election in 2013.

Prevost had been a leading candidate for the papacy except, but there had long been a taboo against a U.S. pope, given the country's geopolitical power already wielded in the secular sphere. But Prevost, a Chicago native, was seemingly eligible because he’s also a Peruvian citizen and lived for years in Peru, first as a missionary and then as an archbishop.

Pope Francis clearly had his eye on Prevost and in many ways saw him as his heir apparent. He brought Prevost to the Vatican in 2023 to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-canada-vatican-city-chicago-peru-a2df40ea86c77a2c1442de8a5615b198">serve as the powerful head</a>&nbsp;of the office that vets bishop nominations from around the world, one of the most important jobs in the Catholic Church. And in January he elevated him into the senior ranks of cardinals. As a result, Prevost had a prominence going into the conclave that few other cardinals had.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/conclave-pope-francis-cardinals-50c798caa826bbb7c913791175536add">crowd in St. Peter’s Square</a>&nbsp;erupted in cheers when white smoke poured out of the Sistine Chapel on the second day of the conclave. Priests made the sign of the cross and nuns wept as the crowd shouted “Viva il papa!”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746725271539.png" alt="Prevost took the name Leo XIV." />
 <figcaption>Prevost took the name Leo XIV.</figcaption>
 </figure>VATICAN CITY (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/prevost-american-pope-profile-leo-xiv-f9d14d75ae3bbe50bda121f27ee0e42b">Robert Prevost,</a>&nbsp;an missionary who spent his career ministering in Peru and took over the Vatican’s powerful office of bishops, was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-new-pope-photos-27ed8420e91b9b40cca8e65899ab878e">elected the first pope</a>&nbsp;from the United States in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church.Prevost, a 69-year-old member of the Augustinian religious order, took the name Leo XIV.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">WATCH: Complete remarks from Pope Leo XIV. <a href="https://t.co/aOzEdyb0G0">pic.twitter.com/aOzEdyb0G0</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1920538411326169492?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Pope Leo XIV <a href="https://t.co/UejjnPjzeQ">pic.twitter.com/UejjnPjzeQ</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1920531668311359753?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>In his first words as Pope Francis’ successor, uttered from the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica, Leo said, “Peace be with you,” and emphasized a message of peace, dialogue and missionary evangelization. He wore the traditional red cape of the papacy — a cape that Francis had eschewed on his election in 2013.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1745282817865.png" alt="Cardinal Robert Prevost courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Cardinal Robert Prevost courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Prevost had been a leading candidate for the papacy except, but there had long been a taboo against a U.S. pope, given the country's geopolitical power already wielded in the secular sphere. But Prevost, a Chicago native, was seemingly eligible because he’s also a Peruvian citizen and lived for years in Peru, first as a missionary and then as an archbishop.Pope Francis clearly had his eye on Prevost and in many ways saw him as his heir apparent. He brought Prevost to the Vatican in 2023 to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-canada-vatican-city-chicago-peru-a2df40ea86c77a2c1442de8a5615b198">serve as the powerful head</a>&nbsp;of the office that vets bishop nominations from around the world, one of the most important jobs in the Catholic Church. And in January he elevated him into the senior ranks of cardinals. As a result, Prevost had a prominence going into the conclave that few other cardinals had.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/conclave-pope-francis-cardinals-50c798caa826bbb7c913791175536add">crowd in St. Peter’s Square</a>&nbsp;erupted in cheers when white smoke poured out of the Sistine Chapel on the second day of the conclave. Priests made the sign of the cross and nuns wept as the crowd shouted “Viva il papa!”Waving flags from around the world, tens of thousands of people waited to learn who had won and were shocked when an hour later, the senior cardinal deacon appeared on the loggia and said “Habemus Papam!” and announced the winner was Prevost.He spoke to the crowd in Italian and Spanish, but not English.The last pope to take the name Leo was Leo XIII, an Italian who led the church from 1878 to 1903. That Leo softened the church’s confrontational stance toward modernity, especially science and politics and laid the foundation for modern Catholic social thought, most famously with his 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum, which addressed workers’ rights and capitalism.The Chicago-born Prevost has extensive experience in Peru, first as a missionary and then an archbishop, and he is currently prefect of the Vatican’s powerful dicastery for bishops, in charge of vetting nominations for bishops around the world. Francis clearly had an eye on him for years and sent him to run the diocese of Chiclayo, Peru, in 2014. He held that position until 2023, when Francis brought him to Rome for his current role. Prevost is also president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, a job that keeps him in regular contact with the Catholic hierarchy in the part of the world that still counts the most Catholics.&nbsp;