Marathon US-Israel meeting produces optimism but no firm commitment to American plan for Gaza
JERUSALEM (AP) — A marathon meeting between U.S. negotiator Jared Kushner and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu left the fate of the Gaza ceasefire unclear. Officials signaled moderate optimism after Monday's talks but offered no concrete commitment by Israel to the latest US-proposed plan. American negotiators appeared to acquiesce to Israeli demands that Hamas disarmament must come before any reconstruction of the devastated Palestinian enclave. They did not publicly signal that Israel had made any commitments to withdraw its troops from the 60% of Gaza they currently occupy. That’s a major sticking point in the plan.
US and Canada hold last-minute talks to stop Trump’s 50% tariffs
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. and Canada are negotiating in an effort to reach a truce on tariffs before a 12:01 a.m. Wednesday deadline set by U.S. President Donald Trump. If no deal is reached, Trump has threatened to impose 50% tariffs on $20 billion worth of Canadian products, ranging from hockey sticks to tongue depressors. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters Monday that negotiations were ongoing. Carney's office said Carney and Trump spoke by phone Monday, underscoring the last-minute push to reach a deal before Wednesday’s deadline.
Whistleblower alleges political pressure, lack of evidence in antisemitism probes targeting schools
WASHINGTON (AP) — A whistleblower is alleging that a Trump administration task force created to combat antisemitism pushed for settlements with Ivy League universities. That's despite government investigations the whistleblower says were rushed and incomplete or that failed to establish legal violations by the schools. The complaint made public Tuesday details allegations made by a former Justice Department attorney who was involved in the task force. The complaint alleges that the investigations into some of the nation’s most prestigious academic institutions were designed to strong-arm the schools into cutting deals for political purposes.
Fear grips children after deadly earthquake in eastern Indonesia leaves thousands displaced
LAMBA LEDA, Indonesia (AP) — Thousands of people are still displaced on Indonesia’s Flores island, three days after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake killed at least 70 people, injured nearly 1,200 and damaged about 12,000 homes. More than 40,000 survivors have been sheltering in tents and evacuation centers. Authorities have recorded over 2,100 aftershocks. The quake has also damaged schools, health facilities and places of worship. Many children, traumatized by the disaster, are afraid to return home. Police and aid workers have launched trauma-healing programs while emergency teams distribute food, medical supplies and shelter assistance to affected communities.
Disney sues FCC over challenge to broadcast licenses, claims retaliation over ‘Jimmy Kimmel’
WASHINGTON (AP) — Disney has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration’s Federal Communications Commission alleging a violation of its First Amendment rights. The suit comes after FCC Chairman Brendan Carr on Friday recently defended the agency’s actions against ABC, saying broadcasters have a duty to “operate in the public interest” and the FCC is merely trying to restore that standard. ABC had accused the agency of a brazen attempt to chill its constitutionally protected free speech — and by extension, that of every media outlet in the country.
What to watch Tuesday: Redistricting scrambles Florida as Alaska pits Dan Sullivan v. Dan Sullivan
As the primary season nears its end, attention turns to key states like Florida, Wyoming, California and Alaska. Tuesday's primaries highlight Republican-led redistricting and battles between Democratic establishment and progressives. Scandal-plagued candidates and incumbents at risk add to the drama. These contests will shape the fiercely contested midterms this fall and offer a referendum on President Donald Trump's second term. In Florida, Trump-backed Byron Donalds is running to become the state's first Black governor. Redistricting has created skirmishes for Democrats in Florida House races. Wyoming sees open seats for governor, U.S. Senate and U.S. House. And in Alaska, incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan, a Trump ally, faces another candidate also named Dan Sullivan.
Florida holds primaries for governor and Congress, testing Trump's grip on adopted state
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Florida voters cast ballots Tuesday for Republican and Democratic nominees for governor, U.S. Senate and several congressional races. The primaries will define a midterm ballot set to test President Donald Trump’s grip on his adopted state. Congressman Byron Donalds is hoping with Trump's backing to dominate the Republican field and be elected in November as Florida's first Black governor. Eleven-term Democratic U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz is running in a new near-majority Black district under a GOP-led redrawing of congressional districts. And Ashley Moody, the Senate appointee who replaced Marco Rubio when he became secretary of state, is seeking the GOP nod to run for the final two years of the term.
Trump's slight of South Korea in favor of the North raises broader US security concerns
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s decision to scale back joint military exercises with South Korea does not just slight a longtime ally. It raises broader concerns about the security interests of the United States in Asia. Trump explained his decision by citing South Korea’s refusal to join his war against Iran and pointing to what he said was his good relationship with North Korea’s reclusive dictator. The personal approach to foreign policy has defined the Republican’s presidency. Dan Fried was an assistant secretary of state in the George W. Bush administration. He says Trump's decision "undermines the South Koreans, undermines the Japanese, frightens the Taiwanese, unnerves NATO and emboldens the Chinese, not to mention the North Koreans.”
South Korea president stresses US alliance as many baffled by Trump order to cut exercises
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korean President Lee Jae Myung says a solid alliance with the United States underpins national security. Lee's comments Tuesday come as many South Koreans remain baffled and concerned about U.S. President Donald Trump’s abrupt order to “substantially reduce” military exercises with South Korea. Trump made the announcement just before U.S. and South Korean soldiers began annual exercises on Monday designed to sharpen readiness against North Korean threats. Trump cited what he said was a good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korea’s refusal to join the war against Iran.
Opening arguments set to begin in Meta's federal trial over child safety
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — A pivotal trial for Meta Platforms is set to kick off in a California federal court. Proceedings are expected to begin Tuesday and last six to eight weeks. Attorneys general from California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey are seeking extensive financial damages plus changes to how the company operates Facebook and Instagram. Twenty-nine states sued the tech giant in 2023 over child safety and privacy. The other 25 will go to trial later. The company also faces lawsuits in state courts. Meta said in a statement that it believes it has a strong case.
