The US fights to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as the UAE comes under attack in a test of Iran truce
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The U.S. military says it fired on Iranian forces and sank six small boats as it moved to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The United Arab Emirates, a key American ally, said it had come under attack from Iran on Monday, the first since a fragile ceasefire took hold in early April. The attacks appeared to be in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest efforts to reopen the strategic strait. The U.S. military said two American-flagged merchant ships had successfully transited the strait on Monday. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned early Tuesday on X that both the U.S. and the UAE “should be wary of being dragged back into quagmire.”
What to know as the US tries to open the Strait of Hormuz and a ceasefire wavers
The ceasefire in the Iran war faces its most critical moment yet as the United States begins efforts to open the Strait of Hormuz. On Monday, the U.S. launched "Project Freedom" to guide ships through the strait, calling it a humanitarian effort. Iran views this as a violation of the ceasefire. The U.S. says two U.S.-flagged ships have safely transited, but Iran warns that any foreign military force in the strait will be targeted. Already, the United Arab Emirates says it has come under attack for the first time since the early April ceasefire, and a British military monitor says two cargo vessels are ablaze.
Trump's retribution? What to watch in Tuesday's elections in Indiana, Ohio and Michigan
President Donald Trump’s campaign to politically punish Republicans who stand in his way moves through Indiana on Tuesday night, when seven state senators face Trump-backed primary challengers. In neighboring Ohio, primaries for U.S. Senate and governor will lock in the candidates for two major races with national implications. And in Michigan, voters in a bellwether district will fill a vacancy in the state Senate, a race with implications for the balance of power in a battleground state. Here's some key things to watch in the three states.
Trump's influence tested in Indiana Republican state Senate primaries
Indiana Republican state lawmakers who broke with President Donald Trump over his call to redraw the state’s congressional district lines are facing primary challengers who are backed by Trump and national conservative groups. The election Tuesday is the latest one to test the limits of Trump's influence with voters ahead of the midterm. Trump is targeting seven state senators who defied months of White House pressure by voting in December against mid-decade redistricting. Trump undertook the national campaign to redraw congressional maps to boost his party’s chances in the November midterm elections.
Vance gets a chance to woo Iowa GOP voters ahead of 2028 in a campaign stop with congressman
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Vice President JD Vance will visit Iowa. It's his first visit since taking office to the state where Republicans in less than two years will cast the first votes to pick their party’s next presidential nominee. Vance, who is seen as one of the GOP’s strongest potential candidates for president in 2028, is making the trip to campaign on behalf of Republican Rep. Zach Nunn, who faces a competitive race to keep his Des Moines-area seat in the November midterm elections. But Tuesday's visit also offers Vance an opportunity to test his reception before Iowa’s voters, whose leadoff caucuses give them an outsized role in determining the next presidential nominee.
Asian shares slip and oil pares gains on Iran war uncertainties
HONG KONG (AP) — Asian stocks are trading lower, tracking losses on Wall Street after U.S. stocks fell from record highs. Oil prices fell back on Tuesday after jumping the day before as tensions between the U.S. and Iran escalated. U.S. futures edged higher. Markets in Japan, South Korea and mainland China were closed for holidays. The fragile ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran was tested Monday after the U.S. military said it had sank six Iranian small boats targeting civilian ships, while two U.S.-flagged ships successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz. On Monday, the S&P 500 fell 0.4%, down from its latest all-time high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.1% and the technology-heavy Nasdaq composite dropped 0.2%.
Armenia hosts a historic EU summit as it charts a course away from Russia
Armenia hosts the first European Union summit in Yerevan on Tuesday, marking a deepening of ties that's been years in the making. The summit underscores Armenia’s disillusionment with Russia after Moscow failed to intervene during Azerbaijan’s 2023 offensive that ended decades of ethnic Armenian control over the Karabakh region. The Armenian parliament passed a law last year formally declaring the country’s intention to seek EU membership, although membership prospects remain distant. Armenian authorities accused Russian peacekeepers who were deployed to the region of failing to stop Azerbaijan’s onslaught. Since then, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s government has moved to pursue closer ties with the West.
Restaurants celebrate authentic Mexican culture and history this Cinco de Mayo
Nayomie Mendoza is a Mexican American business owner who is celebrating Mexican history and resilience on Cinco de Mayo. She aims to combat anti-immigrant sentiments by highlighting the significance of the day, which marks Mexico's victory over French forces in the Battle of Puebla. Mendoza has planned a celebration at her Los Angeles restaurant, Cuernavaca’s Grill, featuring traditional mariachi and Mexican cuisine. This year, many Mexican American business owners are focusing on authenticity and education, emphasizing traditional culture over stereotypes. Mendoza sees the festivities as reflective of the resilience and pride of the community.
Secret Service says suspect opened fire on them and was shot in exchange near Washington Monument
WASHINGTON (AP) — A man spotted carrying a gun near the White House complex was shot by law enforcement officers after he opened fire on them near the Washington Monument. That's according to Secret Service Deputy Director Matt Quinn, who said plainclothes agents spotted the man around 3:30 p.m. Monday in the area near the White House complex and saw the imprint of the weapon on him. The unidentified man attempted to flee when uniformed officers with the Secret Service approached him. Quinn said the man fired at the officers, who returned fire. The alleged gunman was transported to a local hospital, as was a minor who was shot but not seriously injured.
Supreme Court restores access to abortion pill mifepristone through telehealth, mail and pharmacies
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court has restored broad access to the abortion pill mifepristone, blocking a ruling that had threatened to upend one of the main ways abortion is provided across the nation. The order issued Monday allows women seeking abortions to obtain the pill at pharmacies or through the mail, without an in-person visit to a doctor. Those rules had been in effect for several years until a federal appeals court imposed new restrictions last week. Most abortions are obtained with medication, normally mifepristone and a second drug, misoprostol. The availability of those drugs has made abortion accessible to women in states with bans. Louisiana sued, saying mifepristone’s availability undermined the ban there.
