Investigators examining foes of Trump seek interviews related to Mar-a-Lago search, AP sources say
WASHINGTON (AP) — Investigators are seeking to interview law enforcement officials in connection with the FBI search of Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate as part of a Florida-based inquiry aiming to establish a conspiracy against the Republican president. That's according to multiple people familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity on Thursday. The requests for interviews, made in recent weeks, suggest that a conspiracy investigation that had mostly appeared focused on the decade-old question of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election is also examining more contemporary events, like the 2022 search of Mar-a-Lago that resulted in the FBI seizing top secret documents from the president’s Palm Beach, Florida estate.
California lawmaker Aisha Wahab wins special election to succeed Eric Swalwell in Congress
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California state Sen. Aisha Wahab has secured victory in a special election to serve the rest of former Rep. Eric Swalwell’s House term, which ends in January. Wahab defeated Bay Area Rapid Transit Director Melissa Hernandez in the special election in the state’s 14th District. Swalwell, a Democrat who was running for California governor, ended his campaign and resigned from Congress in April after he was accused of sexual assault and harassment. He has denied the allegations. Wahab has championed housing affordability and access. She will be the first Afghan American to serve in Congress. Wahab and Hernandez will face off again in a separate November election determining who will serve the next full two-year term.
Why Treasury Secretary Bessent's moves to calm the bond market haven't worked so far
WASHINGTON (AP) — Interest rates rebounded Thursday despite efforts by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to put a lid on longer-term borrowing costs. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note, a key benchmark for mortgage rates, rose back to 4.69% Thursday. That is nearly where it stood early Wednesday before Bessent surprised financial markets by announcing that Treasury would double the size of a bond buyback program starting next month. The rebound in yields signals more will be needed to calm investors' worries about burgeoning government debt, heavy borrowing by tech firms, and the Federal Reserve’s commitment to fighting inflation.
2 organizers of Hong Kong's Tiananmen vigils convicted in national security case
HONG KONG (AP) — Two former organizers of Hong Kong’s decades-old vigil in remembrance of the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown have been convicted in a national security case. It was brought under a China-imposed law that has effectively crushed the city’s previously thriving pro-democracy movement. Lee Cheuk-yan and Chow Hang-tung, former leaders of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, were charged in 2021 with inciting subversion. The judges did not immediately reveal the reasons for the convictions Friday. Lee and Chow will be sentenced at a later date. They face a maximum prison term of 10 years.
Trump appears on former fixer-turned-enemy Michael Cohen's radio show after detente
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump appeared on his former fixer-turned-foe Michael Cohen's radio show. The interview lacked fireworks, but it marked a stunning public reunion between Trump and a man who once called the president a “Cheeto-dusted cartoon villain” and testified against him both in court and before Congress. Cohen served prison time for what he told a judge was his efforts to cover up Trump's “dirty deeds.” He and Trump have since reconciled, with Cohen saying that he has forgiven Trump and wants to move forward.
Jurors hear 'Keffe D' say his nephew fired fatal shots at Tupac Shakur in 1996 drive-by shooting
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Jurors heard Duane “Keffe D” Davis tell detectives in 2008 that his nephew Orlando “Baby Lane” Anderson fired the shots that killed Tupac Shakur. Davis' interview was played in a Las Vegas courtroom Thursday at a trial over the 1996 killing in Las Vegas. Davis is accused of orchestrating the drive-by shooting of the 25-year-old hip-hop superstar. The interview is essential evidence in the state’s case against the 63-year-old Davis. Prosecutors told jurors in opening statements that they would lean heavily on Davis’ own admissions in interviews with police and on podcasts, as well as the 2019 memoir he co-wrote, “Compton Street Legend.” Davis has pleaded not guilty.
Federal agents seize devices from ex-Rep. Eric Swalwell in sexual misconduct probe, AP source says
WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal agents have seized electronic devices from former Rep. Eric Swalwell and searched his Washington home as part of an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct by the ex-Democratic congressman from California. That's according to a person familiar with the matter. Swalwell’s devices were seized at the San Francisco airport on Saturday and federal agents searched his home a day later. A message seeking comment was left Thursday with an attorney for Swalwell. Swalwell announced his resignation from Congress in April. He has denied allegations of sexual assault and misconduct. The AP source wasn't authorized to publicly discuss an ongoing investigation and spoke on the condition of anonymity.
US aircraft carrier arrives in Middle East, relieving long-deployed USS Lincoln
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military says the Asia-based USS George Washington aircraft carrier is now operating in the Middle East. The ship is relieving the long-deployed USS Abraham Lincoln following reports of mental health challenges and supply shortages aboard while it was supporting the Iran war. The Lincoln's deployment has included a record-setting uninterrupted time at sea of more than 250 days. It's not clear when the USS Abraham Lincoln will return to the U.S., but it takes just over a month to get back. Several Democratic lawmakers are pressing for accountability over the conditions aboard, which Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has said were misrepresented.
Karmelo Anthony's lawyer asks for new trial in Texas track meet killing as new details are revealed
McKINNEY, Texas (AP) — A Texas prosecutor who oversaw the conviction of Karmelo Anthony in the deadly stabbing of a track athlete during a high school meet says he and defense attorneys had agreed to hold back character evidence during the trial. The prosecutor says it was done to avoid inflaming a case already boiling with racial tensions and death threats. Those details came up Thursday during a hearing on whether to grant Anthony a new trial. Anthony’s attorneys say a new trial should be allowed because of errors that limited access to the proceedings and the off-the-record agreement between the legal teams.
US carries out its first deportations under pact for Liberia to accept 1,200 non-Liberians
HARBEL, Liberia (AP) — The United States has carried out its first deportation under an agreement for Liberia to accept up to 1,200 people who are not from the African country. It is one of the Trump administration’s largest efforts yet to deport people to countries other than their own. The 20 deportees arrived Thursday at Roberts International Airport outside Monrovia. Liberian authorities say deportees will include African nationals as well as nationals from North America, South America and the Caribbean. They can seek asylum in the West African country if they wish.
