Trump says Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to dial back fighting
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump says Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to dial back fighting after he talked with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and communicated with the Lebanon-militant group through mediators. Trump announced the development Monday in a social media post following a call with Netanyahu. Israeli forces recently made their deepest incursion into Lebanon in more than a quarter century. Trump’s comments emerged after Israel’s government ordered strikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut and as Hezbollah fired rockets at northern Israel, including the outskirts of the coastal city of Haifa.
US bombs Iranian military sites, then downs missiles Tehran fired at troops in Kuwait
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The United States says it has bombed radar and drone sites in Iran after Tehran shot down an American drone over the weekend. Iran then said it targeted American soldiers in Kuwait with missiles, which the U.S. says it shot down on Monday. The nominal ceasefire between Iran and the U.S. has been repeatedly tested with such back-and-forth attacks, even as officials from both countries try to negotiate an end to the war. It’s not clear how close they are to a deal. There is always the risk that an attack could derail those talks. Meantime, Iran has maintained its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting global energy supplies. Fighting has also escalated between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.
Trump reconsidering $1.8 billion fund, AP source says, as Justice Department temporarily pauses it
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is reconsidering whether to move forward with a $1.8 billion fund meant to compensate his allies, a person familiar with his thinking said Monday. The Justice Department said it would temporarily pause its implementation to comply with a court order. The potential retreat is a recognition of the legal setbacks the fund has encountered since it was announced two weeks ago. It also follows a mounting political backlash from Republicans concerned by a perceived lack of oversight of the money disbursement and the potential for payouts to participants in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol.
Pentagon policy illegally banned transgender troops from military service, appeals court panel rules
WASHINGTON (AP) — A divided panel of appeals court judges has ruled that a Trump administration policy illegally banned transgender troops from military service. Monday's majority opinion by a three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia circuit partially upholds a March 2025 ruling by U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes in Washington. Reyes concluded that President Donald Trump’s executive order to exclude transgender troops from military service likely violates their constitutional rights. The administration appealed after Reyes issued a preliminary injunction requested by attorneys for six transgender people who are active-duty service members and two others seeking to join the military.
Florida sues OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman, claiming company concealed serious risks of ChatGPT
MIAMI (AP) — The state of Florida has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman, claiming the company knowingly released and aggressively marketed ChatGPT to the public while concealing serious risks. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said Monday that the company suppressed internal safety warnings and deceived users about the true nature and dangers of the product. The lawsuit mentioned two recent criminal cases in which the suspects allegedly used OpenAI to plan the attacks. OpenAI says its models repeatedly encouraged the individuals to seek real-world support, including from mental health professionals. The company also says it has cooperated with law enforcement in both cases.
US to drastically slash the number of embassies in Africa that can process visas
WASHINGTON (AP) — The State Department plans to slash the number of U.S. embassies and consulates in Africa that can process visas for foreigners seeking to come to the United States. The almost 50 U.S. embassies and consulates that are processing visa applications in Africa will be reduced to 20 “hubs” in the coming weeks. That's according to three U.S. officials and an internal memo obtained by The Associated Press. The move is part of the Trump administration's effort to crack down on issuing immigrant and non-immigrant visas as part of its broader aim to limit immigration to the U.S.
A key hearing for the man accused of killing Charlie Kirk will be public, judge rules
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A Utah judge has declined a request from the man accused of killing Charlie Kirk to restrict access to parts of his July preliminary hearing. Tyler Robinson’s defense hoped to bar reporters and the public from parts of July 6-10 proceedings. They will feature the most significant presentation of evidence so far. Prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty if Robinson is convicted. He is charged with crimes including aggravated murder in the Sept. 10 assassination of Kirk on a Utah college campus. Robinson has not yet entered a plea. Prosecutors argued that the preliminary hearing should remain open.
Colorado elections clerk released from prison after governor commutes sentence
DENVER (AP) — Former Colorado elections clerk and conspiracy theorist Tina Peters has been released from state prison. She served less than a quarter of her nine-year sentence for her role in a scheme to copy her county's election system. Democratic Gov. Jared Polis commuted her sentence last month after pressure from President Donald Trump. Peters was released Monday and then appeared on right-wing podcaster Steve Bannon's program. Polis had said he would shorten Peters’ sentence if she expressed regret about her actions. But in her interview with Bannon, Peters repeated the debunked conspiracy theory that voting machines cheated Trump out of reelection in 2020.
Pentagon bars journalists from its press office, saying it has become a 'classified space'
NEW YORK (AP) — The Defense Department has declared its press office a classified space, barring journalists from entry. It was yet another move restricting journalists' access to Pentagon officials. Acting Pentagon press secretary Joel Valdez confirmed the move on X, stating it was due to speechwriters handling classified material in the space. Valdez emphasized there was "nothing controversial" about the decision. This change comes amid rising tensions between the U.S. media and the second Trump administration. Last October, many reporters turned in access badges over new restrictions. The New York Times has sued the Defense Department twice, arguing these restrictions violate the First Amendment.
Eagles trade receiver A.J. Brown to the Patriots, setting up reunion with coach Mike Vrabel
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The Philadelphia Eagles have traded wide receiver A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots. The Eagles will receive a first-round pick in 2028 and a fifth-round pick in 2027 for the three-time Pro Bowler. The trade comes after a frustrating 2025 season for Brown in Philadelphia, in which he had grown dispirited with an Eagles offense that played uninspired football at times while the team failed to defend its Super Bowl title. Brown’s arrival in New England will be a reunion with coach Mike Vrabel, who Brown played under for three seasons after being drafted by the Tennessee Titans in 2019.
