2 soldiers killed in Lebanon in the first Israeli deaths since June truce with Hezbollah
BEIRUT (AP) — The Israeli military said two of its soldiers were killed in combat in southern Lebanon in the first Israeli deaths since the implementation of a shaky truce between Israel and the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah in June. The Israeli army launched strikes Wednesday in southern Lebanon in response to what it described as Hezbollah’s violation of the ceasefire. The latest Israel-Hezbollah war erupted on March 2, when Hezbollah fired rockets across the border two days after the U.S. and Israel launched their attacks on Iran. A truce between Israel and Hezbollah has largely held since June 20, but Israeli forces have continued to occupy swaths of southern Lebanon and to carry out airstrikes and shelling.
After Michigan, Democrats' next battleground over the party's future shifts to Wisconsin
NEW GLARUS, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin is the latest state where the battle over the direction of the Democratic Party will play out. The state's primary for governor to be decided on Tuesday features a democratic socialist against a candidate endorsed by Gov. Tony Evers. Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley is trying to ride the Evers endorsement to a win in a year when voters upset with mainstream Democrats have propelled outsiders to victory. Francesca Hong is tapping into that anger in her candidacy to move Wisconsin to the left. It's been a chaotic primary with Crowley rejoining the race last month after another top candidate dropped out.
How Abdul El-Sayed went from political oblivion to progressive breakthrough in Michigan Senate race
DETROIT (AP) — Abdul El-Sayed has won Michigan’s Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in a victory for the party’s progressive wing in a battleground state. El-Sayed narrowly defeated U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens and will face Republican Mike Rogers in November. The seat is pivotal to Democrats’ chances of flipping the Senate. El-Sayed will face the challenge of uniting a divided Democratic base after a bruising primary. El-Sayed, a former health official, campaigned on “Medicare for All,” halting military aid to Israel and campaign finance reform. He had support from progressive leaders including Sen. Bernie Sanders and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Iran and the US say a Strait of Hormuz deal is close, but one or both would have to back down
CAIRO (AP) — Iran and Oman have moved closer to an agreement on the Strait of Hormuz. This comes after U.S. President Donald Trump said a deal to reopen the critical waterway could be announced soon. The strait's closure has driven up global fuel prices. Regional officials tell the AP that Iranian and Omani negotiators have finalized a draft deal to reopen the strait, pending approval from Iran’s supreme leader. Meanwhile, new tensions have emerged in Lebanon as the Israeli military issued the first evacuation warning in weeks for some residents in the south.
Gianni Infantino gets internal support at crisis meeting to remain as FIFA president
FIFA says it has apologized for errors made over Gianni Infantino’s failed plan to sell stakes in the World Cup and that senior staff in attendance at a summit held in Morocco “reaffirmed their full support” for his presidency. World soccer’s governing body attempted to present a unified front amid the turbulence caused by Infantino’s controversial plans, with calls for him to step down. In a statement FIFA said secretary-general Mattias Grafström and members of the management board in attendance at the meeting had given their support to the embattled president.
Drone with explosives found at German airport, official sees 'new quality' of threat
BERLIN (AP) — Authorities say a drone with explosives was found at Germany’s Leipzig/Halle Airport and the device was defused. The country's top security official said Wednesday that the incident posed a “new quality of danger.” Regional police and prosecutors said an airport employee discovered a drone near the airport’s south runway with “an unknown explosive device,” and the object was examined by police. They removed its detonator. The German interior minister described what happened as “a hybrid attack scenario,” but didn’t offer more details of authorities’ assessment or specify who might be responsible.
Senate panel to vote on holding Fauci in contempt for refusing to answer questions
WASHINGTON (AP) — A Senate committee is set to vote on whether to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress and refer him to the Justice Department for potential prosecution over his refusal to answer questions at a hearing last week focused on his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination more than 100 times when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, the Republican committee chairman, has said the constitutional protection did not apply since Fauci last year received a pardon from President Joe Biden.
US suspends avocado inspections in Mexican state of Michoacan due to threat
MEXICO CITY (AP) — The United States says it has suspended all government operations in the Mexican state of Michoacan because of a “threat to U.S. interests." The embassy did not specify the nature of the threat in the announcement Wednesday. However, Michoacan Gov. Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla said the temporary halt to inspections was intended to safeguard workers following recent arrests linked to extortion. The inspections are necessary for avocados to be shipped to the United States and their suspension will disrupt exports. Michoacan is the leading exporter of avocados to the U.S. and has a high level of organized crime activity.
Investigators look at why a plane was allowed to take off as President Trump's helicopter approached
WASHINGTON (AP) — It's not clear why a plane was allowed to take off as President Donald Trump’s helicopter was approaching Reagan National Airport in an apparent violation of safety procedures put in place after last year’s midair collision between an airliner and an Army helicopter near that busy Washington D.C. airport. Both the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the incident that happened Tuesday as Marine One left the White House for Andrews Air Force Base with the president aboard. A commercial jet took off at the same time. The FAA decided after 67 people died on Jan. 29, 2025 that all takeoffs and landings at Reagan would be halted anytime a helicopter passes by the airport.
Wildfire near Athens leaves rescuers scrambling to reunite hundreds of animals
MEGARA, Greece (AP) — A wildfire that swept across mountains and coastal areas west of Athens has left hundreds of animals displaced. Volunteers rescued more than 280 pets and wildlife during days of extreme heat and shifting winds. Animal welfare advocates say increasingly severe wildfires across Europe are exposing a lack of resources to protect animals. One organization is calling for a dedicated European Union rescue service and measures such as “fire refuges.” Rescuers in Greece are now working with authorities to reunite animals with owners and arrange temporary shelter.
