Blanche rescinds fund for Trump supporters after GOP senators threaten to block his AG 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 comes after 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.
Trump says Gulf leaders' input weighed heavily in decision to hold off on ordering new Iran strikes
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he has decided to hold off on ordering new strikes against Iran after discussions with Gulf allies. Trump told reporters on Sunday that the U.S. had planned a major attack but opted for diplomacy after receiving input from the leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. He said that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman made clear he preferred Trump to continue pressing for a deal over launching new strikes. Trump announced on Saturday that Mideast allies had reached the "perimeters" of a deal aimed at ending the five-month-old conflict. The proposal includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz and addressing U.S. concerns about Iran’s nuclear program. Negotiations are expected to resume soon.
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. He credited Gulf allies, including Saudi Arabia, for persuading him to give diplomacy more time. Critics say his approach seems erratic. Some argue that military force alone may not compel Iran to back down. Polls show many Americans feel the conflict, which began in February, has not been worthwhile.
Israel says it has serious concerns with Hamas disarmament deal
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel has shared serious security concerns with the White House about a proposed disarmament deal with Hamas. An Israeli official told The Associated Press on Sunday that Israel believes Hamas is focused on rebuilding its military rather than demilitarizing. The Israeli military will not withdraw from Gaza until Hamas disarms. This comes days after Hamas announced plans to disarm as part of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire. The agreement includes a phased Israeli withdrawal and the arrival of international forces. Despite the ceasefire, Israel continues to strike Gaza, targeting Hamas and its infrastructure. Israeli strikes overnight and into Sunday evening killed at least 17 people, including children, in the embattled enclave.
Fires near Spokane, Washington, have burned 600 structures and forced 60,000 evacuations
Authorities say wildfires in eastern Washington state forced the evacuation of 60,000 people in the Spokane area, including patients at its U.S. Veterans Affairs hospital, while destroying at least 600 homes, businesses and other structures. The fires have burned more than 8.2 square miles around Spokane, the second largest city in Washington, and officials said Sunday that 390 square miles have burned across the state. They've been among dozens of fires across the Western U.S. No deaths have yet been reported from the fires in the Spokane area. Meanwhile, crews were in their 10th day of fighting a fire that has burned nearly 525 square miles in western Idaho and eastern Oregon.
Senate leaders reach funding deal to avoid shutdown during campaign season
WASHINGTON (AP) — Key senators have unveiled a short-term spending bill to avoid a government shutdown during the middle of campaign season. The bill unveiled Sunday would keep federal agencies funded past the midterm elections, through Dec. 11. The Senate is likely to vote on the measure before leaving Washington at the end of the week for its traditional August recess. Many lawmakers want to spend the coming weeks shoring up their reelection prospects rather than working in the nation’s capital. By extending government funding now, lawmakers can use the ensuing months to work out their differences on funding for the full year.
In Ceuta, some migrants cling to hopes of someday reaching mainland Spain
CEUTA, Spain (AP) — Dikra is a 20-year-old migrant from Morocco. She has spent five days in Ceuta after swimming to the Spanish territory with her sister and cousin. She relies on local residents for food and is determined not to return home. By Sunday, Dikra was among the last migrants in the city after tens of thousands returned to Morocco. The crossing resulted in at least 72 deaths and reignited immigration debates in Europe. Abdel Karim, 35, also from Morocco, waits for updates outside Ceuta's migration center. He hopes to find work in Spain despite being expelled from France. Hundreds of migrants remain in Ceuta facing uncertain futures.
Sen. Bernie Moreno says former son-in-law Max Miller should not serve in the House
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno says his former son-in-law, U.S Rep. Max Miller, should not be serving in the House and should “seek professional help” as Miller defended himself against allegations of domestic abuse. Moreno has been restrained in recent months as the bitter custody dispute played out between Miller and the senator’s daughter Emily. But he said in a lengthy post Sunday that “If there are any basic standards of character required to hold elected office, Max Miller fails them. He should not serve in the House of Representatives.” Miller defended himself against allegations of domestic abuse in a live video on X Sunday.
Ohio Rep. Kaptur treated for non-life threatening injuries after a car accident in Toledo
WASHINGTON (AP) — Ohio Rep. Marcy Kaptur is being treated for non-life threatening injuries after a car accident in Toledo. Her office said Kaptur, who's 80, was a passenger in a vehicle headed to a church service Sunday “when the car she was traveling in was struck." Her office said the congresswoman is active, alert and “looks forward to returning to a full schedule soon." The House is on its summer recess, so she was not expected in Washington this week.
