Trump says the US will extend its ceasefire with Iran at Pakistan's request
ISLAMABAD (AP) — President Donald Trump says the United States is indefinitely extending its ceasefire with Iran at Pakistan’s request as he waits for a unified proposal from the Islamic Republic. The announcement came as last-minute ceasefire talks between the U.S. and Iran looked uncertain and a two-week truce was set to expire. Earlier, the White House put on hold Vice President JD Vance’s expected trip to Islamabad for a second round of talks as Tehran — at least for the time-being — has balked at further talks. Pakistan’s information minister says Iran has not formally confirmed whether it will participate. The ceasefire had been set to expire on Wednesday.
Southern Poverty Law Center charged with defrauding donors with payments to extremist informants
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Southern Poverty Law Center has been indicted on federal fraud charges alleging it improperly raised millions of dollars to secretly pay leaders of the Ku Klux Klan and other hate groups for inside information. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the charges Tuesday against the civil rights group. The Justice Department alleges the SPLC defrauded donors by using their money to fund the very extremism it claimed to be fighting. The SPLC says it “will vigorously defend ourselves, our staff, and our work” against what it described as false allegations. The group says its now-defunct informant program saved lives.
Warsh says he got no pressure from Trump to cut rates even as president publicly pushes for them
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s nominee to chair the Federal Reserve says that he never promised the White House he would cut interest rates, even as the president renewed his calls for the central bank to do so. The comments underscore the challenge faced by Kevin Warsh, 56, a former top Fed official whom Trump named in January to replace the current Fed chair, Jerome Powell. Democrats on the committee accused Warsh on Tuesday of flip-flopping on interest rates over the years, supporting higher interest rates under Democratic presidents and advocating rate cuts during Trump’s time in office.
Democrat Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida resigns before the House can sanction her in ethics case
WASHINGTON (AP) — Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick has resigned, doing so just moments before the start of a hearing that could have led to a recommendation that she be expelled from Congress. Cherfilus-McCormick says she would not pretend that a yearslong ethics investigation had been anything other than a “witch hunt,” and rather than play political games she would resign. The committee had been set to weigh what punishment to recommend after an investigative panel found Cherfilus-McCormick committed 25 violations of House rules and ethical standards. Cherfilus-McCormick also faces federal criminal charges accusing her of stealing $5 million in coronavirus disaster relief funds. She denies any wrongdoing.
Trump's approval on economy falls in AP-NORC poll, showing new warning signs for president
WASHINGTON (AP) — A new AP-NORC poll finds that President Donald Trump’s approval rating on the economy has slumped over the past month as the Iran war drives prices higher. Trump’s approval rating on the economy dropped to 30% in April from 38% in a March AP-NORC poll. A similarly low share of U.S. adults, 32%, approve of the president’s leadership on Iran, which is unchanged since last month. Even Republicans are showing less faith in his leadership, according to the poll, which shows a president who is struggling with unfulfilled promises to tame inflation and testing Americans’ patience with a conflict in the Middle East that has dragged on longer than expected.
Virginia voters approve redistricting plan that could boost Democrats’ seats in Congress
Virginia voters have approved a congressional redistricting plan that could help Democrats win up to four additional U.S. House seats in this year’s midterm elections. Voters passed a constitutional amendment authorizing the unusual mid-decade redistricting. But their vote may not be the final say because the question still faces legal challenges, including before the state Supreme Court. The Virginia referendum is the latest development in a national redistricting battle that began after President Donald Trump urged Texas Republicans to pass a map more favorable to the GOP. Virginia is the second Democratic-led state to back redistricting, after California voters approved a new map last November.
Texas can require public schools to display Ten Commandments in classrooms, court rules
DALLAS (AP) — A U.S. appeals court says Texas can require the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public school classrooms. The ruling Tuesday by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals was a victory for conservatives who have long sought to incorporate more religion into schools. The ruling sets up a potential clash at the U.S. Supreme Court over the issue in the future. The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals said in the decision that Texas’ law did not violate the First Amendment, which protects religious freedom and prevents the government from establishing a religion. Critics have said the law violates the separation of church and state.
2 US officials killed in Mexico crash after anti-drug operation worked for CIA, AP sources say
WASHINGTON (AP) — Two U.S. officials killed in a vehicle crash as they returned from destroying a clandestine drug lab in northern Mexico over the weekend were working for the CIA. That's according to a U.S. official and two other people familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity Tuesday. The crash also killed two Mexican investigators. Mexican authorities say the group was returning from an operation to destroy the drug labs of criminal groups. The crash has sparked debate over U.S. involvement in Mexican security operations. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum faces pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump's administration to crack down on cartels. The CIA and State Department have declined to comment.
In reversal, Justice Department withdraws subpoenas in John Brennan investigation, AP sources say
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department has withdrawn subpoenas issued in the investigation of former CIA Director John Brennan, with officials asking for voluntary interviews instead of testimony before a grand jury. That's according to two people familiar with the matter. A small handful of subpoenas were known to have been issued over the weekend for witnesses to appear before a grand jury in Washington. But investigators on Monday evening informed lawyers that the subpoenas were being withdrawn in favor of requests for voluntary interviews, said the people, who spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press to discuss developments in an ongoing investigation.
Florida's attorney general launches criminal probe into ChatGPT over FSU shooting
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Florida's attorney general has opened an investigation into OpenAI's ChatGPT. The probe, announced Tuesday, examines the AI app's interactions with a gunman charged with a fatal shooting at Florida State University last year. Attorney General James Uthmeier says prosecutors reviewed chat logs between ChatGPT and the gunman, Phoenix Ikner. They aim to determine if the app aided or abetted the crime. Florida's Office of Statewide Prosecution has subpoenaed OpenAI for records. Ikner faces charges of murder and attempted murder, with prosecutors seeking the death penalty. An OpenAI spokeswoman called the FSU shooting a tragedy but said the company had no responsibility.
