Republicans say they will defer to Trump on Iran war despite arrival of 60-day deadline
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican lawmakers say they will continue to defer to President Donald Trump, for now, during the fragile ceasefire with Iran. Under the War Powers Act of 1973, Congress must declare war or authorize the use of force within 60 days of its start, or within 90 days if the president requests an extension. Many Republicans who have been uneasy with Trump’s war in Iran have, for weeks, pointed to a May 1 deadline for Congress to intervene. But the date is now set to pass with no action from GOP lawmakers. The reluctance to defy Trump on the war comes at a politically perilous time for Republicans, with public frustration mounting over the conflict and its impact on gas prices.
Iran's monthslong internet shutdown is crushing businesses in an already battered economy
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran’s 90 million people have been cut off from the global internet for most of 2026, one of the world’s longest and strictest national shutdowns. That is devastating an online economy that had defied years of government restrictions and international sanctions. From fashion to fitness, to advertising and retailers, many have seen their incomes evaporate. Despite an uneasy truce with the U.S. and Israel, Iran’s rulers have refused to reverse the shutdown they have depicted as a wartime necessity. But they are facing an outcry as it adds to mass job losses from strikes on key industries and an ongoing U.S. blockade.
Florida Republicans slice and dice congressional districts: How a new map could cost Democrats seats
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — The redrawn congressional district lines that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will soon sign into law are intended to help Republicans pick up as many as four U.S. House seats in November — a scenario that would cost some Democrats their seats. The GOP-drawn map uses two redistricting tools called packing and cracking. In Tampa, officials cracked up a Democratic-held district across multiple districts. In Orlando, they packed Democratic voters from two districts into one. In south Florida, they redrew several seats to reduce five contiguous Democratic seats into a map that could limit Democrats to no more than three seats over the same extended area across Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties.
Louisiana congressional primaries are suspended as a result of the Supreme Court's ruling
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana’s congressional primaries are not going forward as scheduled in May as a result of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling. Republican Gov. Jeff Landry on Thursday issued an executive order suspending the congressional primary to give time for state lawmakers to draw new House districts. That came after the high court on Wednesday struck down a majority Black congressional district in Louisiana. Early voting had been scheduled to begin Saturday in advance of the May 16 primaries. Primaries for other state offices will go forward as scheduled. President Donald Trump is urging other states to also consider revising their districts in response to the court ruling.
Supreme Court hollows out a landmark law that had protected minority voting rights for 6 decades
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Voting Rights Act over its six decades became one of the most consequential laws in the nation’s history, preventing discrimination against minorities at the ballot box and helping to elect thousands of Black and Hispanic representatives at all levels of government. On Wednesday, the U.S. Supreme Court knocked out a major pillar of the law that had protected against racial discrimination in voting and representation. It was a decision that came more than a decade after the court undermined another key tenet of the law. Voting and civil rights advocates say the decisions hollow out the law and will lead to a severe erosion of minority representation.
Prosecutors release video of armed man storming correspondents’ dinner
WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal prosecutors have released a video showing the moment authorities say an armed man with guns and knives tried to storm the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in an attempt to kill President Donald Trump. Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for Washington, posted the video Thursday on social media amid questions over whose bullet struck a Secret Service officer as Cole Tomas Allen ran through security with a long gun toward the gala packed with journalists, administration officials and others. Prosecutors had previously claimed the agent was shot in the bullet-resistant vest during the melee, but had not confirmed it was Allen who shot the agent. Pirro, however, said Thursday that there is no evidence that the officer was hit by friendly fire.
Trump signs bill funding the Department of Homeland Security, ending record shutdown
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has signed a bill funding much of the Department of Homeland Security and ending the longest agency shutdown in history. The bipartisan funding package passed the House earlier Thursday. The Trump administration had warned that temporary funds to pay Transportation Security Administration and other personnel would “soon run out” if Congress failed to act. The shutdown lasted for more than 70 days as Democrats refused to fund Trump’s immigration enforcement operations without changes. Republicans instead adopted a budget resolution to eventually provide $70 billion for immigration enforcement though a separate process on their own, without Democratic help.
Man charged with attempted murder after stabbings of Jewish men in London
LONDON (AP) — A 45-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder in the stabbings of two Jewish men in London. Police say Essa Suleiman faces two counts of the charge related to the attack in Golders Green, and a third related to an attack elsewhere in the city the same day that left a man with minor injuries. He is due to make his first court appearance later Friday. The British government pledged to tackle antisemitism after the stabbings Wednesday. Britain’s official terror threat level has been raised from substantial to severe.
What to know about May Day demonstrations as workers face rising energy costs due to Iran war
PARIS (AP) — Activists worldwide kick off May Day rallies Friday, demanding peace, higher wages, and better working conditions. The day is a public holiday in many countries and demonstrations are expected in major cities. The European Trade Union Confederation emphasizes that workers are refusing to bear the costs of conflicts like the Iran war. In the U.S., activists opposing President Donald Trump’s policies are planning marches. Rising energy prices and living costs are major concerns. Workers in countries like the Philippines and Indonesia have cited growing economic pressures.
War-battered Syria now sells itself as a safe corridor amid regional conflict
BEIRUT (AP) — Syria was once a battleground, enduring 14 years of civil war. But now the country offers relative peace in a region wracked by turmoil. Syrian leaders aim to leverage their neutrality to rebuild relationships with Arab and Western countries that shunned Syria under former President Bashar Assad. He was ousted in December 2024 by rebels, who then installed a new government. Syria has positioned itself as a safe alternative for exports during the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran. Despite staying out of the conflict, Syria could still face economic challenges from the war. Gulf countries may have fewer resources to help with Syria’s reconstruction.
