US pulls last aircraft carrier in Asia as Trump focuses on Iran and the Western Hemisphere
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s war against Iran is stretching the limits of the nation’s aircraft carriers and leaving the western Pacific without one of the key American warships. The USS George Washington is departing the Pacific and heading toward the Middle East. It's expected to relieve the USS Abraham Lincoln after its extended deployment has raised concerns about mental health and supply issues aboard. The lack of a carrier in the Pacific may be short-lived. But it shows how the Trump administration is further retreating from the Asia-Pacific region and focusing on the Western Hemisphere.
Indiana authorities say at least 5 people have died as severe weather crosses the state
Indiana authorities say at least five people have died in storms across the state this week, as first responders worked to rescue more people Saturday from rising waters in neighborhoods along the White River in Indianapolis. The state has been hammered over the past week by heavy rains, resulting in rivers cresting and setting new records. Gov. Mike Braun confirmed Saturday that President Donald Trump intends to approve a request for federal resources to help in response to the flooding and the recovery. Braun warned residents to listen to authorities and stay away from floodwaters.
Lala strengthens into a hurricane and bears down on Hawaii’s Big Island with heavy rain, winds
Hurricane Lala formed Saturday on a path to make landfall on Hawaii’s Big Island, the National Hurricane Center said. Lala’s maximum sustained winds increased to 75 mph (120 kph), the hurricane center reported, making it a Category 1 hurricane. It was located about 65 miles (105 kilometers) south-southeast of South Point on a forecast track that would take its center over or near the island’s southern end later Saturday. The Big Island is Hawaii’s largest and has a population of about 210,000.
Democrats' 2028 presidential calendar gives Black and Latino voters and union members an early say
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Democrats seeking the party’s presidential nomination in 2028 will need to prove themselves early on in states where Black and Latino voters and union members are key supporters. An election-year calendar approved Saturday makes South Carolina’s primary the first, followed by Nevada. New Hampshire, New Mexico, Michigan and Virginia round out the early states, throughout February 2028. The primary lineup endorsed by the Democratic National Committee pushes Iowa from the traditional top spot. Some potential candidates in what is expected to be a large field have visited early-voting states such as South Carolina. Party leaders have said the order gives candidates the best shot at winning back the White House.
Magnitude 7.7 earthquake strikes off Indonesia's coast, killing at least 47 and toppling buildings
MAUMERE, Indonesia (AP) — A powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake has struck off Indonesia's coast, killing at least 47 people and causing widespread panic. The quake early Saturday caused buildings to collapse and injured dozens of people. Authorities issued a tsunami warning, later lifted, as no significant sea-level changes were detected. The earthquake also hit the Flores region, triggering landslides and generating small tsunamis. The meteorological agency has recorded at least 235 aftershocks. The quake has caused severe damage and power outages, complicating rescue efforts. Authorities have deployed helicopters and a rescue vessel to support emergency operations.
Teen boy among 6 dead including suspect in Michigan shootings; girl survived
Authorities say a teenage boy and four adults were killed Friday in a series of Michigan shootings. The 39-year-old suspect was found dead in a wooded area after fleeing from authorities. Authorities say it happened Friday in Missaukee County. Police responding to reports of a shooting found a 16-year-old boy and two adults dead and a 13-year-old girl wounded. They say the suspect fled the scene and was later found dead alongside an adult woman. The body of another adult male was found at a second home. The investigation is ongoing and authorities haven't said how the suspect and victims may have been connected.
Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon kill 11 people in another test to truce
BEIRUT (AP) — Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon have killed at least 11 people, marking the deadliest attacks since a truce with Hezbollah began in June. Lebanon's Health Ministry reported that one airstrike on the village of Ansar killed seven people, including three children. Another strike on Deir al-Zahrani killed four. On June 26, Israel and Lebanon announced a framework agreement for Israeli forces to withdraw in exchange for Hezbollah's disarmament. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam criticized the new airstrikes, calling for an end to the escalation. Israel's military said the strikes targeted Hezbollah infrastructure.
The buck stops somewhere else: A look at Trump's tendency to avoid blame when things go awry
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Harry Truman famously kept a “The Buck Stops Here” sign on his White House desk. But the current president, Donald Trump, often veers from that motto of taking responsibility. The Republican has blamed his predecessors for continued inflation. As the unpopular war with Iran drags on, he says earlier presidents squandered years of chances to curb Tehran's nuclear ambitions. He says vandals are responsible for the problem-plagued renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. To some degree, all presidents try to shift responsibility. But no president in modern history has taken it as far as Trump has. The White House says Trump is working to correct long-festering challenges.
At least 1 student among 5 people shot at Virginia State University as police investigate
Five people were wounded in a shooting involving multiple suspects at Virginia State University early Saturday, prompting a campus lockdown and police investigation just as students got ready for a new school year. It happened near the university’s Quad Annexes, where campus police and Chesterfield County officers discovered five people suffering from gunshot wounds outside campus dormitories. The university says in a statement that at least one of the wounded people was later confirmed to be a student. The shooting was still under investigation and happened as Virginia State’s academic year begins.
Democratic primary turnout has soared in some states. Can it carry over to November?
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic voters are turning out for this year’s primaries at levels not seen in more than 20 years. Michigan and Wisconsin saw midterm records, and large numbers of voters have turned out in Minnesota, Texas and Georgia. Competitive primary races have played a major role in the enthusiasm. Voter turnout in primary elections is an imperfect predictor of general election results, especially when one party has the more compelling early contests. Republicans say they're responding with a major effort to turn out their voters in the fall. The numbers nevertheless offer Democrats an encouraging sign after being shut out of power in Washington two years ago.
