Israel launches attack on Iran's capital with US help as tensions high over nuclear talks
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Israel has launched a daylight strike on Tehran. Witnesses in Tehran said they heard a blast Saturday near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iranian state TV reported an explosion but gave no cause. More explosions were heard in Tehran. Israel’s defense minister says Israel acts “to remove threats.” Sirens sound across Israel as the military issues a public alert about possible incoming missiles. Iran shuts down its airspace as more explosions hit the capital. Iran has warned it could target U.S. personnel and bases if it retaliates. The United States is participating, according to a U.S. official and a person familiar with the operation, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Bill Clinton says he 'did nothing wrong' with Epstein as he faced grilling over their relationship
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic lawmakers say former President Bill Clinton has tried to answer every question during a deposition over his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. The closed-door deposition ended after more than six hours of questioning from lawmakers who said he answered every question posed to him. Clinton tells members of Congress he “did nothing wrong” and saw no signs of Epstein's sexual abuse. Clinton says by the time the abuse came to light with a 2008 guilty plea, he had long stopped associating with Epstein. Friday’s closed-door deposition in Chappaqua, New York, marks the first time a former president has been compelled to testify to Congress. Republican members of the House Oversight Committee did not immediately level any accusations against the Clintons as they departed Chappaqua.
Trump's 'pretty much' decided whom to endorse in Texas' Senate primary but isn't yet saying a name
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he's “pretty much” made his decision on whom to endorse in Texas’ heated Republican Senate primary, but he still refuses to name his pick publicly. On Friday in Corpus Christi, Texas, he praised the three — Ken Paxton, John Cornyn and Wesley Hunt — in the same speech. He also repeated his main campaign themes on the economy, energy, and security. Democrats have responded by arguing that costs keep rising for Texas families. The GOP primary, set for March 3, has turned personal, as party leaders push Trump to back Cornyn. Paxton faces lingering controversy, while Hunt sells himself as a loyal Trump ally.
Trump raises the possibility of a ‘friendly takeover of Cuba’ coming out of talks with Havana
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says the United States is talking with Cuba and raised the possibility of a “friendly takeover” of the island without explaining what that means. Trump told reporters on Friday that Secretary of State Marco Rubio is speaking with Cuban leaders at a “very high level,” but the White House offered no further details. Trump suggested that Cuba is facing economic collapse. His comments come as Cuba says it is communicating with U.S. officials after a deadly shooting involving a Florida-registered speedboat in waters off the island. Rubio has said that investigators are looking into it.
Pakistan is in 'open war' with Afghanistan after latest strikes, defense minister says
ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan and Afghanistan have traded attacks in a dramatic escalation of tensions between the countries. Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif said Friday the two countries are now in “open war.” Afghanistan launched a cross-border attack on Pakistan late Thursday, saying it was in retaliation for earlier Pakistani airstrikes. Pakistan then carried out airstrikes in Kabul and two other Afghan provinces Friday. Tensions have been high between the neighbors for months. Pakistan accuses Afghanistan’s Taliban government of harboring militant groups that then stage attacks across the border and also of allying with its archrival India. A ceasefire ended intense fighting in October, although the two sides have occasionally traded fire since then.
Pentagon and Scouting America reach deal to keep ties after Hegseth's anti-DEI push
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon has made a deal with Scouting America that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says would maintain their century-old partnership but refocus the organization away from “woke” policies. Hegseth put heavy emphasis on Scouting America’s acceptance of transgender youth, saying Friday that the organization will require members to use their “biological sex at birth and not gender identity.” But Scouting America President and CEO Roger Krone told The Associated Press that the agreement doesn't change existing policies regarding transgender youth and that they are welcome. Several of the negotiated changes mirror what the organization suggested to the Pentagon last month, including adding or losing some badges and waiving registration fees for the children of military personnel.
Attorney general announces indictment against 30 more people who protested at a Minnesota church
Attorney General Pam Bondi says federal prosecutors have indicted 30 more people tied to a protest at a Minnesota church over an immigration enforcement crackdown. Bondi says 25 of those people are already under arrest. The protest on Jan. 18 also led to the arrests of independent journalist Don Lemon and local activist Nekima Levy Armstrong. Both have pleaded not guilty to civil rights charges. Trump officials have strongly condemned the protest for interrupting a church service. Protesters took the action after learning a pastor there is also an immigration enforcement official.
NASA revamps Artemis moon landing program by modeling it after speedy Apollo
NASA is revamping its Artemis moon landing program. NASA's new administrator Jared Isaacman announced the shake-up in the flight lineup Friday, days after the space agency's new moon rocket returned to its Florida hangar for more repairs. Artemis II — a lunar fly-around by four astronauts — is off until at least April. The follow-up mission Artemis III had been targeting a landing near the moon's south pole by another pair of astronauts. But Isaacman says that mission will now focus on testing a lunar lander in orbit around Earth with astronauts aboard an Orion capsule in 2027. That would be followed by one and possibly two moon landings by astronauts in 2028.
The end of Hollywood or a brighter future? What a Paramount-owned Warner Bros. means for the movies
Paramount is set to buy Warner Bros. Discovery after Netflix dropped out of bidding, setting up another major Hollywood merger. On Thursday, Netflix said the price no longer makes financial sense. Paramount topped Netflix’s earlier offer and aims to buy the whole company. Executives say the deal will help them compete in streaming and create bigger movie and television libraries. Paramount is also targeting about $6 billion in savings through overlapping job cuts. Theater owners have warned about more consolidation under any new ownership of Warner Bros. Paramount's purchase isn't a sure thing — regulators have already started reviews, and plans for HBO Max and Paramount+ remain unclear.
US stocks sink and oil prices rise as worries about AI, inflation and possible war hit Wall Street
NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks sank as Wall Street kept punishing companies that could become losers in the AI revolution. A surprisingly discouraging update on inflation also hurt the market Friday, while oil prices climbed with worries about tensions between the United States and Iran. The S&P 500 fell 0.4% to finish just its second losing month in the last 10. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 1.1%, and the Nasdaq composite fell 0.9%. Block’s stock soared after cutting nearly half its workforce because it said AI tools can replace them. Treasury yields fell in the bond market as investors sought safer places for their money.
