Hegseth estimates Iran war has cost $37.5 billion as he defends funding request at fiery hearing
WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the U.S. war against Iran has cost $37.5 billion so far. Hegseth faced fiery questions and protests over the U.S. war against Iran at a Senate hearing Tuesday. Hegseth and other officials appeared as Republicans push a $95 billion budget package to fund the military, along with aid to farmers and voting law changes that are top White House priorities. Their appearance came after it was announced that three more American service members have died in the conflict, bringing the death toll to 17. The Pentagon also disclosed that more than 100 have been injured since early July.
US soldier killed in Iraq was a 30-year-old father from North Carolina
RALEIGH, North Carolina (AP) — The U.S. military has identified a soldier killed while disarming an Iranian drone in Iraq as Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton from North Carolina. The military said Tuesday that Swinton will receive a Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Combat Action Badge, and be promoted to staff sergeant. Swinton’s wife, Mia Gonzalez-Swinton, posted on social media: “I will never recover from this.” His mother said he leaves behind a 6-year-old son and a 4-year-old daughter. Two U.S. Army soldiers were also killed in Jordan last week by an Iranian attack. They were the first U.S. troop deaths from direct Iranian fire since the opening days of the war.
Trump says US-Lebanon flights can resume, pledges help for that country after meeting its president
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has pledged significant support for Lebanon during a White House meeting with Lebanese leader Joseph Aoun. The meeting on Tuesday aimed to promote long-term peace after months of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. After it concluded, Trump announced that he would allow the resumption of direct flights between the U.S. and Lebanon, suspended since 1985. Lebanon hopes that talks that are being mediated by Washington will lead to Israeli troop withdrawal from southern Lebanon and increased support for the Lebanese military. A framework agreement for peace between Lebanon and Israel is being tested, but confusion remains over troop withdrawals. The U.S. continues to endorse the Lebanese agreement.
Mexican man killed after ICE encounter in Florida was on vacation, officials say
MIAMI (AP) — The Mexican man who was struck and killed by a tractor trailer while running from an encounter with immigration and other federal agents in Florida had been vacationing in the U.S. on a tourist visa. That's according to a Mexican government official and the founder of a farmworkers advocacy organization that has been helping the man's widow. Colectivo Arbol founder Isaret Jeffers says 28-year-old Juan Jairo Coronilla Durán had traveled from his Mexican hometown of San Luis de la Paz to visit family and friends. She says he arrived in Florida two days before he was fatally struck by the truck. His was the third death in roughly a week involving encounters with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.
2 married couples from Honduras were among 5 adults who drowned in an Ohio river
POWELL, Ohio (AP) — Honduran authorities have confirmed that four of the five people who drowned in an Ohio river over the weekend are Honduran citizens. A consular affairs director told reporters Tuesday that they were two married couples. Honduran authorities are working with U.S. authorities to bring their bodies home. One of the couples left behind two children, who were also at the river. The fifth adult's identity has not been released. Once all the victims have been identified by U.S. officials, the Honduran government will start the repatriation process. That process could take at least a month.
Arizona Republicans pick nominees Tuesday for governor and other top offices
PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona Republicans are choosing nominees to challenge Democrats in key state offices. Candidates include U.S. Reps. Andy Biggs and David Schweikert, who are vying to take on Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs. Biggs is endorsed by Donald Trump and aims to unite the party. Schweikert believes his pro-business approach can win back voters. Both parties have contested primaries for Schweikert’s current House district, a battleground for congressional control. The Democratic Party backed Marlene Galán-Woods, while Trump has endorsed former Cardinals kicker Jay Feeley. Republicans are also picking nominees for secretary of state and attorney general. Both posts play crucial roles in election certification.
US civil rights agency moves to end demographic data collection after 60 years
NEW YORK (AP) — The Trump administration is seeking to toss aside a 60-year-old requirement for tens of thousands of private sector employers to submit workforce demographic reports each year to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the agency responsible for enforcing anti-discrimination laws in the workplace. The EEOC’s Republican majority voted 2-1 Tuesday to rescind the data collection requirement, marking a quiet but profound salvo in President Donald Trump’s shake up of civil rights enforcement. The proposal will be subject to a 30-day commentary period before final approval.
French lawmakers approve a sweeping social media ban for children under 15
PARIS (AP) — French lawmakers have approved a bill banning children under 15 from using social media. The move makes France the first country in the European Union to pass a blanket ban on platforms as concerns grow worldwide over the harmful effects of digital content on kids. Both chambers of the Parliament voted Tuesday in favor of the measure, a flagship initiative of French President Emmanuel Macron’s second term. The bill also bans the use of mobile phones in high schools.
Wreckage found of Pan Am plane crash that helped lead to today's safety briefings on every flight
The wreckage from a Pan Am plane crash in the ocean 74 years ago that helped lead to requirements for the passenger safety briefings on every flight today has been found off the coast of Puerto Rico. The talks flight attendants deliver about how to inflate a life vest or find the exits on a plane that are routine today were developed after 52 people perished aboard Pan Am’s Clipper Endeavor because they didn’t get off the plane before it sank. Explorers used an autonomous sonar drone to find the fuselage and tail of the DC-4 last month under 2,000 feet of water.
World Cup final between Spain and Argentina watched by roughly 60 million on Fox and Telemundo
The World Cup hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico wasn't perfect, but has still been widely hailed as a success. The tournament featured 48 teams and 104 games, with stars like Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé captivating audiences. Despite some political issues and weather challenges, the games mostly went smoothly. Fox and Telemundo reported strong viewership, with the Spain-Argentina final drawing millions. Fox said Tuesday that the Spain-Argentina game drew 38.937 million viewers — including a peak of 51.685 million — which easily set the record as the most-watched English language soccer telecast in U.S. history, according to Nielsen Media Research.
