President Donald Trump is dismissing the idea that launching the war with Iran betrayed his refrain of “No new wars” as he campaigned for the White House in 2024. He tells NBC's “Meet the Press” that he “didn’t guarantee” there would be no wars if elected again. Trump also defended plans for a $1.8 billion fund that would have compensated allies of the Republican president. And in the interview aired Sunday, he repeated his baseless claims of mass fraud in California’s drawn-out vote count from Tuesday’s primary. He ended the interview when he became frustrated with pushback from NBC’s Kristen Welker.
Donald Trump plans to be back at Madison Square Garden in New York to watch Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs. The Republican president was invited to Monday night's game by Knicks owner James Dolan. Trump will be the first sitting president to attend an NBA Finals contest. Trump is an avid sports fan, but the affinity he professes for the Knicks is different. It speaks to Trump's identity as a New Yorker and harkens to a bygone era where a front-row seat at a Knicks game was a chance for him and other boldface names to see and be seen.
U.S. consumers haven’t stopped spending since the Iran war drove up fuel prices. But company executives and retail analysts say many shoppers are reassessing what they buy and where. The behavior changes observed so far are subtle. They include drivers flocking to the fuel pumps at warehouse stores like Costco and Sam’s Club, but not filling up their tanks all the way. Market research firms say foot traffic is down at clothing and electronics stores. Executives from Walmart, McDonald’s and Dollar General have reported noticeable cutbacks by lower-income customers. Some economists and analysts expect a wider retrenchment as the cumulative impact of costlier gas, food and other products catches up with more people.
The upcoming World Cup will feature 48 teams and 104 matches across the United, Mexico, and Canada. It also presents a massive security challenge. The World Cup involves more countries and games than ever before, and it kicks off next week amid global tensions and mounting political violence. In the U.S., a vast network of federal agencies, local police, and private entities will manage security. They'll use advanced tools such as hunter drones and artificial intelligence-powered cameras to secure stadiums and fan zones. Officials are confident in their preparations despite concerns about drones and AI misinformation.
Motorists and airline passengers aren't the only travelers thinking about high fuel prices as summer vacations near. Recreational boaters are feeling a pinch from the Iran war too. The ethanol-free gasoline that many boats prefer is even more expensive than regular gas. So is diesel fuel, which also powers some boats. The National Marine Manufacturers Association says its conversations with boaters indicate that most still plan to head out on the water this year but fuel costs are curtailing some people's plans. Businesses like fishing charters are deciding whether to add fuel surcharges to make up for their higher costs.
US military says it shot down Iranian missiles, drones launched toward Gulf allies, Strait of Hormuz
The U.S. military says it shot down four Iranian drones that were launched toward the Strait of Hormuz on Friday and then struck some of the Islamic Republic’s coastal surveillance radar sites in response. U.S. Central Command said on social media that the “attack drones posed an immediate threat to regional maritime traffic.” Hours later, Iran fired seven ballistic missiles toward Kuwait and Bahrain, Central Command said. Kuwaiti’s military said forces intercepted missiles and drones attacking the country, while Bahrain activated air raid sirens and told residents to move to the nearest safe location and follow official instructions. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said it targeted “enemy bases” in the region
A federal judge has struck down a Trump administration policy that made it harder for immigrants from dozens of countries to enter and stay in the U.S. The judge criticized the policy for putting immigrants' lives in "indeterminate legal limbo" and accused the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services of ignoring the law. Also Friday, the Senate passed a $70 billion bill to fund Trump's immigration enforcement agencies after weeks of delays. And the American job market shows surprising strength, with employers adding 172,000 jobs in May, despite high costs from the Iran war.
The U.S. stock market had its worst day since October as a sell-off in big technology companies weighed down the broader market. Bond yields surged as a strong jobs report boosted expectations that the Federal Reserve will be forced to hike interest rates at some point this year. The S&P 500 slumped 2.6% Friday, finishing with its first losing week in the last 10. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 695 points, or 1.4%. The Nasdaq composite fell 4.2%. Nvidia and Broadcom were among the heaviest weights on the market. The Labor Department reported that employers added 172,000 jobs in May, roughly double what forecasters had expected. Oil prices fell.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has rejected a proposal by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for a face-to-face meeting, saying he sees “no point” in it. Speaking Friday at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin described Zelenskyy’s open letter proposing the meeting as “boorish.” It was the first public message Zelenskyy has sent directly to Putin since Russia sent troops into Ukraine in 2022 and was a critique of the Russian leader’s 26 years in power as well as taunting him about his age. The 73-year-old Putin pointed at other global leaders who are older, adding that “the main thing is the ability to work.” In an earlier speech, Putin criticized the West's unilateral sanctions.
Trump’s troop reversals in Europe could cost millions and have left soldiers in limbo, officials say
The U.S. military is waiting for clarity from the Pentagon following President Donald Trump’s back-and-forth on troop levels in Europe. That's upending the lives of military personnel and potentially costing taxpayers millions of dollars. That's according to two U.S. defense officials who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military matters. NATO allies were bewildered in May when Trump said he would send 5,000 U.S. troops to Poland just weeks after ordering the same number pulled out of Europe. U.S. Transportation Command says sending all the equipment to Europe for the canceled unit cost the military $32 million.