Trump's deportation agenda is about to get a $70B infusion from Congress
WASHINGTON (AP) — With virtually no strings attached, Congress is on the verge of providing a massive infusion of cash to the Homeland Security Department. The $70 billion package that was approved overnight by the Senate and now goes to the House will be able to power President Donald Trump’s mass deportation agenda for the remainder of his term. A pro-immigration advocate says it's an “ATM for ICE.” But for those aligned with Trump’s campaign promise for the largest mass deportation operation in U.S. history, it all but guarantees an uninterrupted flow of money to carry out the administration’s immigration enforcement operations.
A federal judge strikes down Trump administration immigration policy affecting 39 countries
BOSTON (AP) — A federal judge has struck down a Trump administration policy enacted after the shooting of two National Guard members that made it harder for immigrants from dozens of countries to stay and enter the country. In a ruling harshly criticizing the administration, U.S. District Chief Judge John McConnell Jr. said the policy “threw the lives of countless immigrants living in the United States into indeterminate legal limbo,” and he accused the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services of ignoring the law. The policies, enacted after the National Guard shooting last year, meant that immigrants from dozens of countries 39 have been “categorically barred” from receiving final decisions on, among other things, their asylum and work permits green card.
US military says it shot down Iranian missiles, drones launched toward Gulf allies, Strait of Hormuz
BRIDGEWATER, N.J. (AP) — 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
Trump says he wants his new acting director of national intelligence to cut the office
ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE (AP) — President Donald Trump says he wants his new acting director of national intelligence to cut the office, which has already been significantly scaled back during his second term. Trump noted aboard Air Force One the size of the office has been “way too high for way too long” and if Bill Pulte cuts it, he "wouldn’t mind.” The Republican president said in an earlier interview with The Wall Street Journal he has asked Pulte to start the process of firing employees. Trump says Pulte will stay in the acting position depending on how long it takes to get his successor confirmed. The president says he's considering five people but hasn't named them.
Putin rejects Zelenskyy's offer to meet, saying he sees 'no point' in it
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (AP) — 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.
The US job market is strong but many Americans are still frustrated by prospects and rising prices
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. employers added a surprising 172,000 jobs in May as the labor market continued to show resilience in the face of rising costs from the Iran war. The Labor Department reported Friday that job growth was down slightly last month from a revised 179,000 in April. The unemployment rate stayed at a low 4.3%. The job market has been recovering this year from a miserable 2025, so far shrugging off higher energy prices and increased economic uncertainty since the United States and Israel attacked Iran in late February.
Lebanese leaders lash out at Iran and say their country should not be used as a 'bargaining chip'
DIBBINE, Lebanon (AP) — Lebanon’s president and prime minister are criticizing Iran for rejecting the latest ceasefire deal between the Lebanese government and Israel. In separate remarks on Friday, they said their country should not be used by Tehran as a “bargaining chip” in its talks with Washington. The comments by the Lebanese leaders came as the Israeli military struck multiple parts of southern Lebanon and issued evacuation warnings for nine villages, including one that has sheltered thousands of people displaced by the three-month war. The strikes killed nine people in six locations in southern Lebanon, the state news agency reported.
Virginia man gets life in prison for double murder scheme in affair with au pair
FAIRFAX, Va. (AP) — A Virginia man who was having an affair with the family’s au pair has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for the murder of his wife and a man who was lured to the couple’s home as a fall guy. Brendan Banfield claimed he shot Joseph Ryan after he came across Ryan attacking his wife on the morning of Feb. 24, 2023. But prosecutors said Brendan Banfield and the au pair set Ryan up in a scheme to get rid of Christine Banfield. During Friday's sentencing hearing, the judge called Brendan Banfield's actions evil and calculated. Some media have dubbed the case the “au pair affair.”
After actor James Handy's stabbing death, his girlfriend's son is charged with murder
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Actor James Handy has been stabbed to death, and police have charged the son of his girlfriend in the killing. Michael Gledhill was charged after police say officers found the 81-year-old Handy stabbed in the chest and unconscious outside a home in Los Angeles on Wednesday. They say Gledhill was arrested after telling police he was the person they were looking for. Handy was a character actor in films and on TV for decades, including appearances in a variety of television crime procedurals.
Actor Anthony Head, known for ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer,' has died at 72
LONDON (AP) — Actor Anthony Head, known for his roles in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Ted Lasso,” has died at 72. His family announced Friday that he passed away peacefully due to complications from pneumonia, surrounded by loved ones. Head first gained recognition in the 1980s on British TV as part of a romantic couple in Nescafe ads. He later achieved U.S. fame as Rupert Giles in the supernatural series “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” which aired from 1997 to 2003.
