US warns shipping firms over paying Iran to transit the Strait of Hormuz
BEIRUT (AP) — The United States is warning shipping companies about potential sanctions for paying Iran to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control issued an alert Friday, intensifying the standoff over the strait, a crucial passage for global oil and gas trade. Iran has been charging fees for safe passage after closing the strait in response to U.S. and Israeli attacks. Meanwhile, imprisoned Nobel Peace laureate Narges Mohammadi remains hospitalized in Iran, with her health said to be at "very high risk." In other news, Iran hanged two men convicted of spying for Israel.
Trump says a Spirit bailout still is possible as doubts about the airline's survival mount
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says his administration is still weighing a taxpayer-funded takeover of Spirit Airlines “but only if it's a good deal” for the government. Trump didn't provide details but said an announcement could come as soon as later Friday or Saturday. Lawmakers from both parties and members of the president's administration have criticized the idea of using taxpayer funds to keep the ultra-low cost airline afloat. Speculation around the likelihood of a deal emerging has mounted every day that passes without a resolution. An airline spokesperson declined to comment and says “Spirit is operating as usual.” Some U.S. airlines, meanwhile, say they will step in to support Spirit customers if the airline goes under.
Trump likes the idea of the government owning some US companies but took a pass on Spirit Airlines
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has taken a shine to the government taking stakes in the private sector. But his administration took a pass on bailing out troubled Spirit Airlines. The discount carrier ceased operations Saturday. Trump had said the government was interested in a stake in the carrier “if it's a good deal.” Under Trump, the government earlier invested in Intel and U.S. Steel and had made other deals that go against the traditional Republican position about Washington picking winners and losers. Critics say Trump's deals reflect his transactional nature. Others see some logic in competing against heavily subsidized Chinese manufacturers.
Trump flouts lower court rulings in unprecedented display of executive power
The Trump administration has been found in violation of court rulings in an extraordinary number of lawsuits on a broad set of issues. The Associated Press found at least 31 suits since last February in which a judge determined the administration was not complying with an order. These cases are in addition to more than 250 violations judges have recently highlighted in individual immigration petitions. The AP's review also shows higher courts have frequently overruled district courts and sided with the White House. In a statement, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson accused district court judges of unlawful rulings, noting many were later overturned by appellate courts.
US to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany in next 6-12 months, fulfilling Trump's threat
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon says the United States will withdraw about 5,000 troops from Germany in the next six to 12 months. President Donald Trump had threatened to withdraw some troops from the NATO ally as he feuds with Chancellor Friedrich Merz over the U.S. war with Iran. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement Friday that the “decision follows a thorough review of the Department’s force posture in Europe and is in recognition of theater requirements and conditions on the ground.” The number of troops leaving Germany would be 14% of the 36,000 American service members stationed there.
Iranian Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi hospitalized after a health crisis in prison
BEIRUT (AP) — Iran’s imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Narges Mohammadi, has been urgently transferred to a hospital after a severe health decline. Her foundation reported Friday that she experienced two episodes of unconsciousness and a cardiac crisis. Mohammadi fainted twice in prison earlier that day. Her family and foundation have long advocated for her transfer due to systematic medical neglect since her arrest in December. Despite her critical condition, authorities delayed her transfer. Mohammadi, a rights lawyer, was arrested in December and sentenced to seven more years in prison. Her health has worsened due to mistreatment and previous heart issues.
A federal court blocked a widely used abortion pill from distribution by mail. Here's what to know
A federal appeals court has restricted access to one of the most common means of abortion in the U.S. by blocking the mailing of mifepristone. A panel of the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is requiring that the abortion pill be distributed only in-person at clinics. Since the Supreme Court’s 2022 ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade and allowed enforcement of abortion bans, prescriptions by mail have become a major way that abortions are provided — including to states where bans are in place. The ruling is expected to be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The long shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic creeps into the race for Ohio governor
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Democrat Amy Acton is running unopposed in her party’s primary for Ohio governor, but she'll face some steep challenges in the November general election. The physician's most formidable obstacle may be the COVID-19 pandemic. Acton was Ohio’s public health director when the coronavirus hit the United States in early 2020. More than six years later, the orders that Acton signed at the behest of the state’s Republican governor to battle the virus have become a central line of criticism from Republicans. Those orders included closing schools, shuttering businesses, restricting sporting events and even suspending voting during the 2020 primary election.
A bright moon may dim the Eta Aquarid meteor shower made up of Halley's comet debris
NEW YORK (AP) — The Eta Aquarid meteor shower will soon light the sky with debris from Halley’s comet. But a bright moon will spoil the fun this year, making the display harder to glimpse. The shower will peak Tuesday night into Wednesday morning and views will be best in the Southern Hemisphere. In the north, skywatchers will likely see fewer than 10 meteors per hour. Meteor showers happen when the Earth charges through trails of debris left behind from various space rocks. To glimpse the meteors, it’s best to go outside just before dawn and look for fleeting trails of light.
Alex Zanardi, auto racing champion who won Paralympic gold after life-altering accidents, dies at 59
ROME (AP) — Italian auto racing champion-turned-Paralympic gold medalist Alex Zanardi has died at 59. His life was marked by two life-altering accidents. Zanardi’s family announced his death on Saturday saying that he passed away on Friday night. The family says in a statement that “Alex died peacefully surrounded by the affection of those closest to him.” In 2020 Zanardi was seriously injured in a handbike accident after crashing into an oncoming truck during a relay event in Tuscany. Zanardi suffered serious facial and cranial trauma in the crash and was put in a medically induced coma. Nearly 20 years earlier Zanardi lost both of his legs in an auto racing crash.
