Iran attacks Bahrain and Kuwait following US strikes and threatens to halt talks
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran has again launched drone and missile attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait in response to new U.S. airstrikes. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed responsibility for the attacks that targeted Gulf states hosting U.S. military bases. Iran now threatens a “complete halt" in negotiations to end the war. Tensions continue over efforts to resume transits of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial passageway for global oil and gas. Iran insists on controlling the strait, while the U.S. Navy plans to expand a route off Oman. Meanwhile, the fighting in Lebanon between Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group also poses a challenge.
Trump presses Syria to take on Hezbollah, raising alarm in Lebanon and Israel
BEIRUT (AP) — The White House has soured on Israel’s war with Hezbollah in Lebanon. U.S. President Donald Trump has shocked many in the region by pushing an alternative: Let Syria fight the Iran-backed militant group instead. Islamist-led insurgents formed a new government in Syria after overthrowing the autocratic President Bashar Assad a year and a half ago. Trump says they would do a better job of rooting out Hezbollah than the Israeli army. Syria's president has said he has no interest in doing so. Still, the prospect of a Syrian invasion has raised alarms in Lebanon — and also in Israel, where top security officials convened a meeting on the subject on Wednesday.
3 firefighters killed, 2 injured while tackling wildfires on the Colorado-Utah border
BEAVER, Utah (AP) — Three firefighters have died and two were injured while battling fires on the Colorado-Utah border. The U.S. Wildland Fire Service says they were responding to the Knowles and Gore fires on Saturday. Wildfire activity has intensified across the western U.S. due to hot, dry, and windy weather. The largest blaze, the Cottonwood Fire, has grown to over 144 square miles in southwest Utah. Utah's governor declared an emergency earlier this week, and Colorado's governor on Saturday followed suit and authorized the National Guard to help. Conditions have been critical, with record-low snowpack and extreme drought fueling the fires.
France records around 1,000 additional deaths as extreme heat sets European records
BERLIN (AP) — France has reported around 1,000 additional deaths during last week’s record-breaking heat wave. Extreme temperatures also sparked wildfires in Germany and Berlin police used water cannons to cool down crowds. Temperature records were broken across several countries as the heat wave moved east. A study from the World Weather Attribution suggests climate change made this heat wave 200 times more likely. And the head of the World Health Organization warned that Europe is now the fastest-warming continent and needs to do more to protect its citizens.
America split from monarchy 250 years ago. Trump's presidency is testing how far it's come
America is getting ready to celebrate the 250th anniversary since it split from Britain's monarchy and embarked on its experiment in democracy. Donald Trump's presidency is drawing comparisons to the king whose rule inspired the American Revolution. Trump has claimed an unprecedented amount of power for himself and has been largely unchecked by a friendly Republican-controlled Congress. He's turned the Justice Department against his political enemies, leveraged the presidency to enrich himself and his family, sent the military onto city streets and pushed to seize authority that the Constitution gives to the states. Still, Trump has said he doesn't see himself as a king or dictator.
Ukraine's drone assault ignites major oil refinery in Russia
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine has intensified its drone attacks on Russia, setting fire to a major oil refinery in the south and killing at least two people, according to Russian authorities. Kyiv's long-range strikes aim to disrupt Russian fuel supplies and military deliveries, pressuring the Kremlin to negotiate. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the strike on the Slavyansk refinery and claimed another hit in the Yaroslavl region. Ukraine's campaign targets Russian military industries and energy facilities to cut Moscow’s revenue and apply pressure. The attacks have stalled Moscow’s battlefield efforts, according to Western officials.
The US lags other countries in social media restrictions for kids, but a reform push is growing
A campaign for stronger online safety measures for children in the U.S. is gaining steam with recent jury verdicts against tech giants like Meta and Google and a new push for legislation in Congress. Parents who turned to advocacy after their children died from social media-related harms say it feels like the tide is turning. And while the U.S. is nowhere near embracing social media bans for children like those seen from Australia to Indonesia, some U.S. senators are calling for urgent action. The Senate Judiciary Committee has invited the CEOs of Meta, Alphabet, TikTok and Snap to testify at an upcoming hearing about children’s safety.
Democrats wrestle with race, populism and ideology in clashes with lawmakers of color
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Democratic Party is confronting its long-standing dilemmas over identity and ideology as it wrestles with populist challengers in communities of color. Left-wing insurgents are increasingly challenging legacy political institutions that often are led by Black and Latino lawmakers. The outcome could reshape the party’s power dynamics as it prepares for the upcoming elections in November. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, who's poised to be the first Black speaker of the House if Democrats regain the majority, has played down the dilemma and is focused on confronting Republicans.
NASA races to save Swift telescope from falling back to Earth with daring rescue mission
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — NASA is racing to save its Swift telescope from falling back to Earth with a daring rescue mission. The salvage effort gets underway as soon as this week with the planned launch of a robotic lifesaver. NASA has hired Katalyst Space Technologies to boost Swift to a higher orbit where it can continue hunting for some of the universe's biggest explosions. Launched in 2004, Swift has been sinking faster and faster because of recent intense solar activity. It needs to get to a higher orbit as soon as possible to survive. Otherwise, it will come crashing down.
Humor laurels for comedian Bill Maher as the Kennedy Center navigates Trump-era upheaval
WASHINGTON (AP) — Comedian Bill Maher is set to receive the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the Kennedy Center. The award honors significant contributions to humor and commentary. The Sunday night gala comes as the Kennedy Center is navigating much upheaval during Donald Trump's second term as president. Maher is known for his late-night TV show "Politically Incorrect." Celebrities such as Woody Harrelson and Jay Leno are expected to be on hand in Washington. A legal battle over Trump's influence over the performing arts venue and plans for renovations has created tension. The center remains open, for now.
