China's top envoy meets with Iran's in Beijing as Trump pauses US effort in the Strait
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — President Donald Trump says he is pausing the U.S. effort to guide stranded vessels out of the Strait of Hormuz to allow time for a deal to end the Iran war, but that the American forces’ blockade of Iranian ports would remain in place. Meanwhile, Chinese state media say Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Beijing on Wednesday morning. Details of the meeting weren't disclosed. But it was the first time since the start of the war that Araghchi has traveled to China, whose close economic and political ties to Tehran give it a unique position of influence.
South Carolina joins Southern redistricting push after US Supreme Court ruling on minority districts
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Republicans are rapidly pursuing redistricting efforts across the South following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that affects majority-Black congressional districts. South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, and Louisiana are all considering changes. In South Carolina, Republican leaders are targeting a district held by a longtime Black Democratic lawmaker. Alabama is debating legislation for a special congressional primary. Tennessee lawmakers are in a special session to consider a plan that could divide Memphis, a majority-Black city. Louisiana has postponed its congressional primary to allow time for a new redistricting plan. Democrats and civil rights groups are challenging these moves.
Ohio set for marquee races in the fall. US Senate contest seen as crucial for control of the chamber
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio's primary election set up two marquee matchups in November. One is a U.S. Senate race that will help determine control of the chamber. The other is a governor’s race featuring a former presidential candidate and the state’s COVID-era health director. The Senate campaign is on track to be among the most expensive this year as Republicans try to hold onto their majority during a difficult midterm cycle. Former Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Democrat, will attempt to unseat Republican Sen. Jon Husted. In the governor’s race, biotech billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy clinched the Republican nomination on Tuesday and will face off this fall against the state’s COVID-era health director, Democrat Amy Acton.
AI boom drives a rally in buying of tech shares, pushing South Korea's Kospi to a record
TOKYO (AP) — South Korea’s Kospi has soared nearly 7%, topping 7,000 for the first time, as Samsung Electronics' stock jumped nearly 13% in a rally driven by expectations of strong growth in artificial intelligence. Shares in SK Hynix, another major Korean computer chipmaker, shot up 10% early Wednesday. Shares mostly rose in other Asian markets. On Wall Street, stock prices rose to records Tuesday after oil prices eased and companies kept reporting bigger profits than analysts expected. The S&P 500 climbed 0.8% to top its prior all-time high set at the end of last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 356 points, or 0.7%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite set its own record after rallying 1%.
Inside the cruise ship at the center of a deadly hantavirus outbreak
PRAIA, Cape Verde (AP) — Footage obtained by The Associated Press of a cruise ship in a rare-virus outbreak shows deserted decks and medical teams in protective gear as the vessel and its nearly 150 passengers and crew waited another day for help off West Africa. Officials say three passengers have died, and at least four people are sick. Authorities say the outbreak involves hantavirus, which usually spreads by inhaling contaminated rodent droppings. Two cases are confirmed. Passengers are isolating in cabins. The vessel is in the Atlantic off Cape Verde. Officials say it plans to move to Spain’s Canary Islands after medical evacuations. But Spanish officials said earlier Tuesday that they haven’t made a decision.
How a deadly hantavirus outbreak unfolded on a cruise ship for weeks before it was identified
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — A deadly outbreak of the rare hantavirus unfolded over the course of weeks on a cruise ship that sailed from Argentina toward Antarctica and then across the Atlantic Ocean as passengers and crew members fell sick. Information from the cruise operator, health authorities and ship tracking data shows nearly a month passed between when the first passenger fell sick in the South Atlantic and tests in South Africa confirmed that hantavirus was on the ship. Hantavirus is spread by rodents. People can get it through contact with infected rodents’ saliva, urine or droppings. It doesn’t usually spread from person to person, but some health authorities say such transmission could be possible.
The Latest: Brown wins Ohio Senate Democratic primary, Ramaswamy wins GOP nomination for governor
The primary election in Ohio has set up what is expected to be one of the most expensive races for U.S. Senate this year as Republicans try to hold on to the chamber, while biotech billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy will face a challenge from the state’s former health director as he seeks to keep the governor’s office in GOP hands. In what promises to be one of November’s most high-profile races, former Sen. Sherrod Brown easily defeated a challenger Tuesday in the Ohio Democratic primary and will now attempt to unseat Republican Sen. Jon Husted. Elections were also held in Indiana and Michigan.
Gasoline costs 50% more in the US than it did before the Iran war
NEW YORK (AP) — The price of a gallon of regular gasoline climbed 31 cents in the past week, spiking to an average of $4.48 per gallon Tuesday, according to AAA. That's up 50% since the war with Iran began. Many drivers were hopeful in mid-April, amid signs that the conflict could be winding down, and gasoline prices fell daily for almost two weeks. But as the war continued, gasoline prices reversed course and began increasing again. And energy experts say that even once the war ends, it will take months for gasoline prices to return to pre-war levels.
2 killed and 3 injured in back-to-back shootings north of Dallas, police say
CARROLLTON, Texas (AP) — Texas police say a man shot five people, killing two, in back-to-back shootings Tuesday near Dallas because he was angry over business dealings with the victims. The shootings happened Tuesday in area known as Koreatown in Carrollton. Police say it wasn’t a random act of gunfire and that the attacker knew the victims. The suspect ran away but was later arrested. Video posted online showed officers with their guns drawn as they walked past doors at K Towne Plaza. Agents from the FBI and another federal agency were among law enforcement at the scene.
Former Patriots receiver Stefon Diggs is found not guilty of assaulting his private chef
BOSTON (AP) — Former Patriots receiver Stefon Diggs was found not guilty of assaulting his private chef in a pay dispute. The four-time Pro Bowl wideout was facing strangulation charge and a misdemeanor assault and battery charge stemming from the alleged dispute. According to court records, the chef told officers she and Diggs argued about money he owed her for work. During the Dec. 2 encounter at his home in Dedham, she said, he “smacked her across the face” and then “tried to choke her using the crook of his elbow around her neck,” leaving her feeling short of breath. Diggs, whose attorney said he denied the charges, was released by the Patriots in March.
