A deal with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz may require a compromise from Trump
WASHINGTON (AP) — To reach a deal with Iran that reopens the economically vital Strait of Hormuz, President Donald Trump may need to do something out of character — compromise. Any concession would be tough for the Republican president. He's insisted there's no truth to his sagging poll numbers, the sluggish economy and the U.S. military’s dwindling stockpiles of key weapons. The sticking point between Trump and Iran is over control of the waterway that's crucial for oil shipments. The Trump administration has ruled out Iran charging fees to ships. But Iran has insisted on some measure of control, saying the strait will not go back to being an international waterway.
Student kills 6 and wounds others in a shooting at a high school in Thailand, authorities say
NONTHABURI, Thailand (AP) — A shooting at a high school in Thailand's Nonthaburi province on Friday killed at least 6 people and injured 15 others. Officials said the shooter was a student and is being hospitalized, and that the gun may have been taken from a member of his family. Police said the shooting happened Friday at the Debsirin Nonthaburi School in the province northwest of Bangkok.
Tennessee voters oust Trump-backed congressman, set fall matchup for redrawn Memphis-area House seat
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Former Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher has defeated Congressman Andy Ogles in a Republican primary. Ogles' defeat marks a rare rejection of a candidate endorsed by President Donald Trump. Voters also chose two Memphis area lawmakers — Republican state Sen. Brent Taylor and Democratic state Rep. Justin Pearson — to face off in a reconfigured district. The primaries test a new U.S. House map redrawn by Republican state lawmakers. Republicans are aiming for a clean sweep of Tennessee's congressional seats in November. The redistricting has sparked controversy, with some voters expressing concerns about diluted representation.
Man charged with arson in Spokane, Washington, told police he planned wildfire for weeks
Police say a man charged with starting one of the wildfires in Spokane, Washington, that have destroyed hundreds of buildings planned the crime for weeks and researched when the weather would be best for igniting it. Detective Michael Drapeau said in a court filing Wednesday that Aaron Farinacci confessed to sparking the fire, described his planning process and explained how he created a device to ignite the blaze. Farinacci has been charged with five counts of first-degree arson in connection with the Old Trails fire and four previous smaller blazes. He was scheduled to be arraigned Thursday, but his lawyer asked for a competency evaluation before he enters a plea.
Senate committee votes to hold Fauci in contempt for refusing to answer COVID questions
WASHINGTON (AP) — A Senate committee has voted along party lines to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress over his refusal to answer questions at a hearing on his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. The vote Thursday sets up a referral to the Department of Justice for potential investigation over whether the country’s longtime top infectious disease official properly exercised his constitutional rights. A department spokesperson confirmed Thursday evening that the department had received the contempt referral, is “reviewing it and will work with the Senate accordingly." A referral from Congress doesn't compel prosecutors to act. Democrats are questioning whether the referral would be valid if the full Senate was bypassed.
Fauci contempt vote reflects the enduring politics of COVID
NEW YORK (AP) — Six years after the world was thrust into a global pandemic, Republicans in power aren’t leaving it in the past. Instead, they're bringing COVID-19 politics to center stage for new scrutiny and demanding accountability. A Republican-led Senate committee's contempt vote against Dr. Anthony Fauci on Thursday represented their efforts to steer how America remembers the pandemic and who is held responsible for it. Political scientists and historians said the focus on COVID grievances demonstrates how some of the wounds it opened have never been closed. Democrats have slammed the federal government’s blaming of Fauci as a performative distraction that’s not based in facts.
Carney says US trade talks are 'nasty' after Trump criticizes Canada's leadership
TORONTO (AP) — Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says trade negotiations with the United States had turned “nasty” after President Donald Trump derided America’s neighbor and its leadership while threatening to expand tariffs. Carney said Canada remained engaged in the negotiations despite Trump’s comments, describing the talks as a fight to protect Canadian workers and businesses. Trump criticized Canada during a speech Wednesday in Las Vegas. Carney laughed when asked about Trump’s description. He said Canadian negotiators were in Washington this week and that he expected further conversations with Trump after speaking with him last week.
'I’m very good at grass.' Why Trump goes into the weeds on one of his favorite topics
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump loves talking about grass, even in settings where such a topic might seem out of place. Since returning to the White House a year and a half ago, he has spoken about grass at least 45 times in public events or interviews. That adds up to at least once every 12 days. Trump often relates his knowledge of grass to his ownership of golf courses, claiming to be an expert. Most often, his comments focus on the efforts he is leading to beautify Washington, including plans to revamp grass in the city's parks and install a patio area on the White House lawn near the Rose Garden.
Court orders Instagram and Facebook's Meta to pay $567M to address kids' mental health online
A New Mexico court has ordered Instagram and Facebook parent company Meta to pay $567 million to address harms to young people from its platforms. The order came late Thursday in the second phase of a landmark trial that the social media giant lost in March. Judge Bryan Biedscheid said $420 million of the money will be used for treatment services for young people. The rest will go toward awareness and prevention, screening services and other costs over the next five years. Meta said in a statement that it disagreed with the ruling and will appeal it. Meta added that it remains confident in its record of protecting teens online.
China's exports slow slightly in July despite robust demand for high-tech products
BANGKOK (AP) — China has reported its exports slowed slightly in July from the month before despite strong growth in demand for high-tech electronics and vehicles. Customs data released Friday showed China’s trade surplus narrowed to $112.5 billion from $125.6 billion in June. Exports rose nearly 24% in July from a year earlier, while imports were up 27.5% year-on-year. Trade data show China has fully transitioned from providing mostly low-cost manufacturing to supplying vital machinery and components for advanced manufacturing. Exports of high-tech items surged nearly 41% in January-July from the same period the year before, while shipments of vehicles jumped 55%.
