Monday morning news: April 28, 2025

Ukraine-Russia peace talks » President Trump is expressing some doubt about whether Russia truly wants peace … and is threatening fresh sanctions against Moscow. That follows his weekend meeting at the Vatican with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio told NBC’s Meet the Press:

RUBIO:  This week is gonna be a really important week in which we have to make a determination about whether this is an endeavor that we want to continue to be involved in, or if it's time to sort of focus on some other issues that that are equally, if not more important in some cases.

The president, for months, has been optimistic, at least publicly … about Vladimir Putin’s desire to end the war. But in light of recent Russian attacks on civilian areas in Ukraine while peace talks are ongoing … Trump is now openly questioning Putin’s intentions.

Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov reacted saying Moscow doesn’t focus on Trump rhetoric.

LAVROV:  We concentrate on the real negotiations which President Trump supports and instructed his people to continue to engage, not on uh, thinking, you know, failures or victories.

Lavrov says he expects a Trump Putin meeting in the coming weeks.

Iran nuclear » And speaking of negotiations, U.S. and Iranian officials gathered once again in Oman over the weekend for the latest round of nuclear talks. Both sides described the meeting as "serious and productive."

U.S. diplomats noted the exchange of written proposals for the first time.

But … Iran’s foreign minister expressed "extreme caution" about the talks' … saying the two sides remain far apart on some key issues.

GOP Sen. John Kennedy, though, says it’s in Iran’s best interest to resolve those issues at the bargaining table.

KENNEDY:  If Iran gets a weapon or is days away from getting a weapon, there will be a war. Uh, Iran won't start it and America won't start it. Israel will.

President Trump last week said he believes a deal is possible, but added that he wouldn’t hesitate to take military action to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran if necessary.

Iran explosion » Meantime, in southern Iran …

SOUND: [Iran jet]

A jet heard there dropping water over a thick cloud of black smoke billowing over a port.

That after a massive explosion Saturday reportedly linked to the shipment of a chemical used to make missile propellant. A defense ministry spokesperson denied that such a chemical had been at the port.

State media says at least 25 people were killed and some 800 others were injured in the blast.

Trade/tariffs » Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says new trade deals are now coming together with countries around the world. He told ABC’s This Week:

BESSENT:  We have a process in place over the next 90 days to, uh, negotiate with them. Some of those are moving along very well, especially the, with the Asian countries.

President Trump earlier this month pauses reciprocal tariffs for most nations for 90 days amid trade talks.

Opponents have slammed the president's tariffs plan, fearing economic uncertainty.

Bessent also believes the US will work out a new trade deal with China … sooner or later. He says the Chinese economy relies heavily on exports to the United States.

U.S. judges arrested »  Federal officials are vowing to prosecute any government official that flouts immigration law. That after authorities arrested two judges on Friday.

Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin says DHS and the Justice Department will enforce the law.

MCLAUGHLIN:  Since President Trump took office, we've seen these activist judges trying to subvert the will of the American people.

Federal prosecutors say Wisconsin Judge Hannah Dugan knew ICE agents were going to arrest an illegal immigrant facing battery charges after his hearing … and she allegedly helped him escape the courthouse.

From there, ICE agents had to chase him down the street.

Republican Congressman Bryan Steil of Wisconsin …

STEIL:  Allowing the defendant to get loose onto the street, allowing a foot chase to take place, puts the lives of officers at risk. And this criminal complaint makes it very clear, a large number of witnesses. It reads like a case book case of obstruction.

An attorney for the judge said she will "defend herself vigorously and looks forward to being exonerated."

And in New Mexico, authorities accuse a former county judge, Joel Cano, and his wife … of harboring an illegal immigrant gang member … and tampering with evidence.

Vancouver car attack » Families are mourning today in Vancouver, British Columbia … after a man drove an SUV into a crowd of revelers at a street festival, killing at least 11 people.

Police have arrested a 30-year-old male suspect from Vancouver. Acting Vancouver Police Chief Steve Rai:

RAI:  That male was taken into custody at the scene by the crowd. Um, it was a Filipino community event. Uh, the crowd immediately called police. We then took custody of the subject.

More than 20 others were injured Saturday night in the apparent attack. Investigators said Sunday that they’re not ruling anything out just yet … but they were not classifying it as terrorism.

Tens of thousands of people were celebrating Lapu Lapu Day festival in South Vancouver.

I’m Kent Covington.

Straight ahead: on Legal docket… A battle over parental rights in schools. Plus, the WORLD History Book.

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