Trump says Iran ceasefire is on 'life support' and proposes gas tax pause as strait stays closed
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump says the Iran ceasefire is on “life support” after he rejected Tehran’s latest proposal to end the war. Officials said the proposal included some concessions on Iran’s disputed nuclear program, but on Monday Trump dismissed it as “garbage.” The stalled diplomacy and recent exchanges of fire could tip the Middle East back into open warfare and prolong the worldwide energy crisis sparked by the conflict. Iran’s chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz and America’s blockade of Iranian ports are still in place. Trump said he would suspend the federal tax on gasoline to help Americans shoulder higher fuel prices caused by the war.
Passengers from virus-stricken cruise ship fly to home countries for monitoring
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The last remaining passengers on a cruise ship hit by a deadly hantavirus outbreak have disembarked and boarded flights to more than 20 countries to enter quarantine. A French woman was the latest to be confirmed as infected, while an American is suspected of infection after initial testing. France's prime minister said Monday that the French woman who tested positive is in intensive care but stable at a Paris hospital. U.S. health officials said the patient who initially tested positive is not showing any symptoms and will be tested again. The World Health Organization recommended close monitoring of the former passengers, and many countries quarantined them.
Supreme Court temporarily extends women's access to a widely used abortion pill
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is leaving women’s access to a widely used abortion pill untouched until at least Thursday, while the justices consider whether to allow restrictions on the drug, mifepristone, to take effect. Justice Samuel Alito’s order Monday allows women seeking abortions to continue obtaining the pill at pharmacies or through the mail, without an in-person visit to a doctor. It prevents restrictions on mifepristone imposed by a federal appeals court from taking effect for now. The court is dealing with its latest abortion controversy four years after its conservative majority overturned Roe v. Wade and allowed more than a dozen states to effectively ban abortion outright. Louisiana leads the current challenge.
Supreme Court halts order for Alabama to use US House map with 2 largely Black districts
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Supreme Court has set the stage for Alabama to get rid of one of two largely Black congressional districts before this year’s midterm elections. The decision Monday comes after the court in April struck down a majority-Black U.S. House district in Louisiana as an illegal racial gerrymander. Alabama has been under a court order to use two largely Black districts but asked the court to reconsider that in light of the Louisiana ruling. The high court overturned that order and directed a lower court to reconsider the case. Alabama wants to instead use a map passed in 2023 by the Republican-led legislature that has one majority-Black district.
Democrats ask the Supreme Court to halt a Virginia ruling blocking new congressional districts
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats have filed an emergency appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court seeking to halt a redistricting rule by Virginia’s top court. The state court had invalidated a ballot measure that would have given Virginia Democrats an additional four winnable U.S. House seats. Virginia voters narrowly approved a constitutional amendment last month that let Democrats redraw political lines in time for the November elections. That move was in response to mid-decade redistricting in Republican states pressured by President Donald Trump. The appeal is a long shot because the Supreme Court tries to avoid second-guessing how state courts interpret their state constitutions.
Trump nominates Cameron Hamilton, fired after defending FEMA, to lead the agency
President Donald Trump has nominated Cameron Hamilton to lead the Federal Emergency Management Agency. This marks a surprising comeback for Hamilton, a former Navy SEAL, who was fired last year after defending FEMA’s existence. The nomination suggests a shift in the administration’s stance on FEMA, which has faced criticism from Trump. If confirmed, Hamilton would be the principal adviser to Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin. FEMA has been struggling with leadership changes and operational challenges. Hamilton will need to stabilize the agency and prepare for the upcoming disaster season.
Man charged in White House correspondents' dinner attack pleads not guilty
WASHINGTON (AP) — A California man accused of storming the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner while armed with guns and knives has pleaded not guilty to charges he attempted to kill President Donald Trump and fired a shotgun at a Secret Service officer. Cole Tomas Allen was handcuffed and shackled and wearing an orange jail uniform when he appeared in federal court for his arraignment Monday. Allen didn’t speak during the brief hearing. One of his attorneys entered the plea on his behalf. Allen’s lawyers are asking a judge to disqualify at least two top Justice Department officials from direct involvement in prosecuting him because they could be considered victims or witnesses in the case.
Trump-Xi summit comes with high stakes for Taiwan, the island democracy that China claims as its own
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has demonstrated greater ambivalence toward Taiwan in his second term. That's raising questions about the Republican president's commitment to maintaining American support for the self-ruled island ahead of this week's summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. In December, Trump authorized an $11 billion arms package for Taiwan but delayed its delivery and discussed the sale with Xi. Trump said Monday he expects Xi will ask him to hold back on arming Taiwan. Trump has accused Taiwan of “stealing” America's semiconductor business and pressured it to invest in U.S. tech sectors. Analysts say Xi might urge Trump to loosen ties with Taiwan, which Beijing views as its breakaway province.
Heat stroke is suspected among 6 found dead in a shipping container at a rail yard near Texas border
LAREDO, Texas (AP) — A medical examiner believes heat stroke led to the deaths of six people thought to be immigrants found inside a shipping container at a Union Pacific rail yard in Laredo, Texas. Police in Laredo say workers discovered the bodies on Sunday during an inspection. The deceased include five men and one woman. Autopsies are planned, but the containers' travel history is unknown. Laredo is a busy trade port on the U.S.-Mexico border.
New Beatles fan experience set to open in London in 2027
LONDON (AP) — The Beatles are returning to one of their iconic sites with a new fan experience in London. Apple Corps, the company founded by the Beatles, announced Monday that it will open a seven-floor attraction at their early headquarters in 2027. The building is where the album “Let It Be” was recorded and the rooftop was the site of their last public performance. Fans will have access to the rooftop, studios, and extensive Beatles archives. Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr expressed excitement about the project. An opening date has not been announced. Interest in the Beatles remains high, with several biopics in production.
