Iran offers to end chokehold on Strait of Hormuz and asks US to end blockade, officials say
CAIRO (AP) — Two Middle Eastern officials say Iran is offering to end its chokehold over the Strait of Hormuz without addressing its nuclear program. The proposal, passed to the U.S. by Pakistan, also includes a request for the U.S. to end its blockade of Iran. U.S. President Donald Trump is unlikely to support the proposal, as he wants Iran’s nuclear program ended as part of a broader deal to end the war. Iran's foreign minister is visiting Russia to consult on the war against Israel and the U.S. The standoff in the Strait of Hormuz is affecting global oil prices and trade.
DC gala shooting suspect aired grievances against Trump in writings to family
WASHINGTON (AP) — The man accused of opening fire at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner referred to himself as a “Friendly Federal Assassin” in writings sent to family members minutes before the shooting. That's according to a message reviewed by The Associated Press. The writings, the official said, were sent shortly before shots were fired at the Washington Hilton, and made repeated references to President Donald Trump without naming him directly. The writings alluded to grievances over a range of administration actions, including U.S. strikes on drug smuggling boats in the eastern Pacific.
Accused attacker at Washington media dinner is a tutor and computer engineer from California
TORRANCE, Calif. (AP) — The California man arrested in the shooting incident at the media dinner in Washington is a highly educated tutor and amateur video game developer who's opposed to the policies of President Donald Trump. In writings sent to family members shortly before the Saturday night incident, Cole Tomas Allen described himself as a “Friendly Federal Assassin” and railed against recent actions taken by the U.S. government under Trump, though he didn't mention the president by name. That's according to a law enforcement official who wasn't authorized to publicly discuss the investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity.
Tired and worried, seafarers have been stranded in the Persian Gulf for weeks
NEW DELHI (AP) — Around 20,000 seafarers on hundreds of vessels are stuck in the Persian Gulf, unable to cross the Strait of Hormuz that remains effectively shut by Iran. Indian Capt. Rahul Dhar and his crew have been stranded on their tanker for about eight weeks. They have witnessed drones and missile interceptions as they try to keep in touch with their families. Some other crews have faced shortages of food and water. A ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran has brought some hope, but anxiety over uncertainty has taken its toll. The International Maritime Organization has called for a safe corridor, but most ships remain stranded.
Tillis says he's ready to move ahead with confirming Warsh as Trump's pick as Fed chair
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Republican senator who had effectively blocked confirmation of President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Federal Reserve says he's dropping his opposition after the Department of Justice ended its investigation of the current central bank chair. The announcement by Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina removes a big hurdle to Trump’s effort to install Kevin Warsh in the job in place of Jerome Powell. At issue was an investigation by the top federal prosecutor in Washington of the Fed’s multibillion-dollar building renovations. Tillis had seen that as a “vindictive prosecution” and suggested it threatened the Fed’s longtime independence from day-to-day politics. He tells NBC's he's prepared to move on with Warsh's confirmation.
With goals of Iran war unfulfilled, Netanyahu's government faces unhappy public as elections loom
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sold a vision to Israelis as the country entered the war with Iran and invaded Lebanon. Iran's government would fall. Hezbollah would never again be able to pose a threat to residents of Israel's north. Israel and the U.S. would work together to change the world order and come out successful. Things haven't gone according to plan, and that could mean trouble for Israel’s longest-serving prime minister in elections scheduled for later this year. Many Israelis are dissatisfied with the Netanyahu government’s wartime leadership, according to a recent poll.
Tornadoes in northern Texas leave at least 2 dead and destroy multiple homes
RUNAWAY BAY, Texas (AP) — At least two people have died from a severe tornado-producing storm that hit northern Texas, and many homes have sustained major damage. Wise County Judge J.D. Clark says the storm came through the town of Runaway Bay around 10 p.m. Saturday, killing one person. Emergency responders worked to clear debris. The storm also hit Springtown, where Parker County Assistant Fire Chief David Pruitt says a second person died outside the city limits. On Sunday, National Weather Service teams confirmed that an EF-2 tornado hit the Runaway Bay area and that an EF-1 tornado struck the Springtown area.
A fast-growing Georgia wildfire tops 31 square miles, with evacuations possible
NAHUNTA, Ga. (AP) — One of two large wildfires in southeastern Georgia continues to grow and now exceeds 31 square miles. The Highway 82 Fire has been burning since April 20 and as of Saturday had destroyed at least 87 homes. Officials say Sunday that it was only 7% contained. Brantley County Manager Joey Cason says in a Facebook post that the fire doubled in size from Saturday night and will be further impacted by the wind. Cason also said evacuation notices could be issued and residents should heed them. A second fire about 70 miles to the southwest, near the Florida state line, had burned more than 46 square miles as of Saturday.
Malian defense chief is killed as jihadis and rebels seize towns and military bases
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Malian Minister of Defense Gen. Sadio Camara has been killed in an attack as jihadi and rebel forces seized towns and military bases across the West African country. His death was confirmed by a spokesman and broadcast on state-run television on Sunday. Separatist fighters joined Islamic militants in one of the biggest coordinated attacks on the Malian army on Saturday, leaving at least 16 wounded. Malian troops and Russian mercenaries withdrew from the northern city of Kidal after the attacks. The separatists have been fighting for years to create an independent state in northern Mali. The Economic Community of West African States condemned the attacks.
Marathon milestone shattered: Sabastian Sawe breaks the fabled 2-hour barrier by 30 seconds
LONDON (AP) — Sabastian Sawe of Kenya has become the first person to break the fabled 2-hour barrier in the marathon in a huge moment in sports history. Sawe smashed the men’s world record by 65 seconds in winning the London Marathon in 1 hour, 59 minutes and 30 seconds. The second-place finisher, Yomif Kejelcha of Ethiopia, also dipped under 2 hours by crossing the line in 1:59:41 in his first-ever marathon. Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda broke the previous world-record time, set by Kenya’s Kelvin Kiptum in Chicago in 2023, by seven seconds in finishing in 2:00:28.
