Trump claims Iran talks will start Monday, and other developments in the Middle East
CAIRO (AP) — President Donald Trump has announced new talks to wind down the war in Iran, starting Monday. He has said he is holding off on massive strikes at the urging of Gulf allies. Iranian state media says Tehran is not currently negotiating with the U.S. Elsewhere, Israel struck the Gaza Strip over the weekend, days after the U.S. and Hamas said a deal was reached for the militant group to disarm, a potential step toward ending the war in Gaza. Local hospitals said the strikes killed 17 people. Soaring temperatures in Gaza are also turning makeshift tents into suffocating ovens, worsening the humanitarian crisis for displaced Palestinians.
Russia blasts southern Ukrainian city with glide bombs while Ukrainian drones reportedly kill 9
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A regional official says Russian planes have dropped eight powerful glide bombs on Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, killing one person and wounding dozens. These Soviet-era bombs, retrofitted with guidance systems, have been used since Russia invaded Ukraine over four years ago. Meanwhile, Ukrainian drone debris killed six people in Arkhipo-Osipovka, Russia, and three people died in Kyiv’s attack on Crimea. Ukrainian drones struck targets including a major warehouse and oil refinery. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, meanwhile, has again urged foreign countries to supply more U.S.-made Patriot air defense systems to counter Russian ballistic missiles.
Water-dropping planes battle Greek wildfires while in France evacuees return home
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Water-dropping planes swooped over a major wildfire west of Athens, a day after a midair collision between two firefighting helicopters killed two crew members. A Greek and a Danish national died and two others were hospitalized in the collision. The firefighting effort along mountainous and coastal areas intensified as powerful gales eased. As parts of southern Europe continued to struggle with high temperatures, firefighters in France guarded against potential flare ups inside a still-burning scar four times the size of Paris.
Iran déjà vu: Trump once again threatens massive escalation against Tehran only to walk back
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened military action against Iran, only to pull back at the last minute. This pattern continued over the weekend. On Friday, Trump warned of a strong military response, but by Saturday night he announced progress in negotiations. The Republican president credited Gulf allies, including Saudi Arabia, for persuading him to give diplomacy more time. Critics say Trump's approach seems erratic. Some argue that military force alone may not compel Iran to back down. Polls show many Americans feel the 5-month-old conflict has not been worthwhile.
US faces new pressure to build weapons without China's rare earth magnets
EXETER, N.H. (AP) — A group of young scientists and entrepreneurs started a backyard lab in Boston in 2018 to find a cleaner metal-refining method. Now, they're at the forefront of efforts to reduce U.S. reliance on China for critical minerals used in weapons systems and high-tech products. The urgency has increased with the Middle East conflict depleting munitions. Phoenix Tailings is among the few U.S. companies processing these minerals and received $500 million from the Pentagon to expand its capacity. The company is based in Woburn, Massachusetts, and has a refinery in Exeter, New Hampshire. The U.S. aims to rebuild a domestic supply chain free from Chinese control, but many capabilities remain concentrated in China.
Blanche rescinds fund for Trump allies after GOP senators threaten to block his attorney general bid
WASHINGTON (AP) — Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has issued a formal order terminating President Donald Trump’s $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization fund” to compensate his political allies. The move late Sunday follows weeks of negotiations with two Republican senators who were blocking his nomination to become attorney general. A spokeswoman for Texas Sen. John Cornyn, one of the senators holding up Blanche’s nomination, confirmed the agreement. The other GOP senator, North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis, did not have immediate comment. The Senate Judiciary Committee vote on Blanche is scheduled for Tuesday.
Suspect in shooting at Idaho fast-food restaurant died from self-inflicted gunshot wound, police say
TWIN FALLS, Idaho (AP) — The suspect in a fatal shooting at a fast-food restaurant in Idaho died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said. The suspect has been identified as 24-year-old Chad Williams. Police on Sunday credited an off-duty officer and a citizen with firing shots at Williams, diverting him from the restaurant. Authorities said they are confident that Williams acted alone. In all, four people died, including the gunman, and seven were injured in the shooting at a recently opened In-N-Out Burger restaurant. Authorities say two of the injured were treated at a hospital and released, three were listed in stable condition and two were in critical condition.
Democrats’ future is on the line as El-Sayed and Stevens make final push in Michigan primary
DETROIT (AP) — The Democrats running for U.S. Senate in Michigan spent one of their final days campaigning in Detroit-area churches and union halls. Tuesday's primary between congresswoman Haley Stevens and public health official Abdul El-Sayed is one of the clearest tests yet of where Democratic voters want their party to go. El-Sayed is a progressive backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders who's run against much of the Democratic establishment. Stevens is backed by Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and has made electability and experience central to her case. The winner faces Republican Mike Rogers in November for an open seat Democrats likely need to hold to take control of the Senate next year.
Prime minister visits quake-hit southern Japan as cleanup begins in intense heat
TOKYO (AP) — Residents of Japan’s quake-hit southwestern prefecture of Kumamoto are working to clear their homes in intense heat, as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi briefly visited Kumamoto Prefecture on Monday for the first time since a magnitude 7.1 quake hit Japan’s southern main island of Kyushu last Tuesday. The heat and a lack of water have added to the challenges in the severely damaged areas. The quake killed more than 30 people, including one who died of apparent heat stroke while taking shelter in a car in hot weather. Residents put out heaps of debris, broken furniture and damaged appliances for collection, while in the towns of Uki and Hikawa, construction of temporary housing began.
Myanmar's detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi has rare meeting with International Red Cross
BANGKOK (AP) — Myanmar’s military government says detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi has met with the International Committee of the Red Cross’ representative in the capital on Monday in a rare moment of contact with the outside world. Accompanying the announcement were two photographs showing Suu Kyi shaking hands with the ICRC’s representative to Myanmar. The military government said the meeting was held Monday morning but did not disclose the location of the meeting or provide details about what was discussed. Suu Kyi was detained Feb. 1, 2021, when the army seized power from her elected government. The ICRC confirmed that one of its delegates visited Suu Kyi on Monday.