For feminists, the deaths of Parton and Steinem days apart deliver a double dose of grief
The deaths of Gloria Steinem and Dolly Parton just days apart have delivered a double dose of grief for feminists. The two embodied different versions of the feminist ideal -- Steinem's was an intellectual who took sides in politics and founded Ms. Magazine, Parton, a beloved singer, promoted women's empowerment through her music but avoided labels and politics. Both women inspired generations to make their own choices. Steinem saw feminism as finding unique power and helping others do the same. Parton focused on storytelling and humor, including about the challenges facing women in a male-dominated world. Their deaths have sparked discussions about who will continue their legacy. Steinem has said there's more than one torch to carry.
Trump calls Iran conflict 'small potatoes' and defends Vance's position that it's not a 'war'
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump describes the conflict in Iran as "small potatoes" and says he agrees with Vice President JD Vance's assertion that months of on-and-off attacks in the Middle East are no longer a “war.” In an exchange with reporters Friday, Trump said U.S. strikes on Iran are now "intermittent" and downplayed the impact of the war — which has cost over $37.5 billion and 18 U.S. service members' lives. Vance, during a White House briefing Thursday, rejected calling the U.S. fighting with Iran a "war," stating there's no active shooting. Trump also highlighted the lower U.S. death toll in the fighting with Iran compared to other conflicts and reiterated that the conflict has weakened Iran's nuclear program.
Federal judge extends block on Trump executive order seeking to limit mail voting in the midterms
A federal judge is extending a legal block on President Donald Trump’s plan to regulate mail ballots during the midterm elections. The order Friday from U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani comes after she earlier handed down a temporary restraining order prohibiting the U.S. Postal Service from enforcing the new policy. North Carolina began sending mail ballots out Friday and election officials in many states say it’s too late to meet the new requirements. The Trump administration filed a notice late Friday saying it would appeal the ruling.
Key moments in the Lindsay Clancy case: the 911 call, mental health care, mistrial
PLYMOUTH, Mass. (AP) — The judge has declared a mistrial in the Lindsay Clancy murder trial. After seven days of deliberating, the jurors failed to reach a verdict on whether she was criminally responsible for killing her three young children at her Massachusetts home. Judge William Sullivan declared the mistrial Friday. That came after jurors sent a note saying that they were “unable to come to a unanimous decision and will not be able to." The emotionally charged case has sharply divided many Americans and generated intense interest for over a month. It’s drawn attention to issues around maternal mental health after childbirth.
Mistrial is declared in Lindsay Clancy child killings case after jury deadlocks
PLYMOUTH, Mass. (AP) — A Massachusetts judge declared a mistrial in the murder case against Lindsay Clancy. Jurors could not agree on whether she was criminally responsible when she strangled her three young children in 2023. Friday’s mistrial leaves the case unresolved and allows prosecutors to try Clancy again. She had faced life in prison without parole if convicted of first-degree murder. Prosecutors argued that Clancy acted deliberately and understood her actions, while her lawyers said postpartum psychosis left her unable to control her behavior or appreciate its wrongfulness. The closely watched case drew national attention to maternal mental healthcare and gaps in treatment.
Missouri asks US Supreme Court to allow use of new Trump-backed congressional districts in midterms
WASHINGTON (AP) — Missouri has appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court to use new congressional districts backed by President Trump in the upcoming midterm elections. The appeal comes after Missouri's highest court blocked the new map and ordered a statewide vote in November. This is part of a national redistricting battle Trump launched last year. The new boundaries were drawn to help Republicans gain an additional seat and maintain their House majority. Missouri's top court said the previous districts must be used in the general election. State law sets a Tuesday deadline to make changes to the November ballot.
US diesel prices hit a record high, pushing up transportation costs for a long list of goods
CHICAGO (AP) — Diesel has hit a record price in the U.S., soaring to an average of $5.85 a gallon for the first time. The record comes as the six-month war with Iran disrupts the world’s flow of fuel. Because diesel is used for many freight and delivery networks, higher diesel prices mean higher transportation costs for a long list of everyday goods. More expensive fuel is increasing bills for businesses across sectors. Some have already passed on costs to consumers in the form of added fees on online orders and packages in the mail.
Hiring burst of 162,000 jobs in August puts the focus squarely back on inflation in the US
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. job market rebounded in August as employers added a surprising 162,000 jobs. The unemployment stayed at 4.1%. Revisions added 55,000 jobs to June and July payrolls. The jobs report, issued by the Labor Department Friday, could be good news for President Donald Trump two months before midterm elections in which the health of the economy is weighing on voters’ minds. Hiring far exceeded the 65,000 forecasters had expected. Labor Department revisions also looked good, adding 55,000 to June and July payrolls. Employers created 21,000 jobs in July; the Labor Department had originally reported that they’d cut 23,000.
US issues sanctions on Turkish bank that it calls a 'critical financial lifeline' for Iran
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration has imposed sanctions on a Turkish financial institution as part of its latest effort to sever “critical financial lifelines” for the Iranian government. The actions Friday against Golden Global Yatirim Bankasi Anonim Sirketi come after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent launched "Operation Economic Outcast." It's the new administration effort to isolate already heavily sanctioned Iran from its remaining trading partners to try to get it to capitulate to U.S. demands after more than six months of war. The U.S. also targeted an Egyptian bank’s operations in the United Arab Emirates last week.
Jordan's alliance with the US makes the kingdom a target for Iranian strikes
Jordan, a staunch U.S. ally that hosts American forces in the Mideast, has paid a price for its relationship with Washington. The alliance has made the kingdom’s military bases a target of repeat Iranian strikes. Despite the risk of more strikes, Jordanian leaders say they are committed to maintaining the relationship after decades of courting deeper security ties with American officials and offering to be a reliable partner with the West in a region rocked by conflict. The Iranian drone and missile strikes have added to other strains on Jordan. Those include a slumping economy and volatility in the neighboring West Bank.
