Iran has proposed a 30-day resolution aiming to end the war with Israel and the U.S. rather than extend the ceasefire. President Donald Trump says he is reviewing a new proposal but doubts it will lead to a deal. Iran's 14-point plan also calls for lifting sanctions, ending the U.S. naval blockade and withdrawing U.S. forces. The proposal was sent via a Pakistani intermediary. Meanwhile, Iran remains firm on its stance regarding the Strait of Hormuz, with officials saying ships can pass after paying a toll. In Tehran, the rial continues to weaken against the U.S. dollar, causing economic instability.
There's long been debate over the intentions of America's founders about the role of religion. That's been turbocharged with the approaching 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4. Some Christian activists are redoubling claims that the U.S. had a Christian founding. But scholars note there's no established religion in the Constitution and some of the most influential founders weren't Christian. But most also weren't deists or anti-religious skeptics. The founders believed in prayer and that God was helping the revolutionary cause. Scholars say they created a sort of free market in which American religion has thrived to this day.
There’s long been debate over the intentions of America’s founders about the role of religion. That’s been turbocharged with the approaching 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July Fourth. Some Christian activists are redoubling claims that the United States had a Christian founding. But scholars note that there’s no established religion in the Constitution and some of the most influential founders weren't Christian. But most of them also weren’t deists or anti-religious skeptics. The founders believed in prayer and that God was helping the revolutionary cause. Scholars say they created a sort of free market in which American religion has thrived to this day.
RABAT, Morocco (AP) — Two U.S. service members are missing in southwestern Morocco after taking part in annual multinational military exercises in the North African country, the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) said Sunday.
A group of landlords are hoping to settle with the federal government over what they say are billions of dollars in losses due to the federal eviction moratorium in place for nearly a year during the pandemic. More than 1,500 landlords across the country are part of a federal lawsuit that argues the eviction policy enacted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention violated the Fifth Amendment by unlawfully using their property without compensation. Lawyers for the plaintiffs are hoping to recoup as much as $1.5 billion — a fraction of the estimated tens of billions of dollars that the industry lost.
Nightingale’s Forest is a small woodland in northeastern Serbia that is home to a variety of bird and animal species who thrive on its moist habitat. The Balkan country’s Bird Protection and Study Society bought the land last year through crowdfunding to preserve the forest and set an example in environmental protection. The success of the crowdfunding initiative is seen as a sign of growing interest in nature protection among people in Serbia. The country faces environmental problems from air and river pollution and waste management to profit-driven construction threatening green areas, particularly in big cities. Authorities have pledged to boost environmental care as part of Serbia's European Union membership bid.
President Donald Trump is promising to release new UFO records that he says will be “very interesting.” He says the files will be coming “very soon” after he directed the Pentagon to share documents related to UFOs and extraterrestrial life. That directive came even with the Pentagon already years into a process to declassify materials related to UFOs. Congress ordered the effort in 2022. The president's interest has been embraced by a small group of Republicans in Congress who say the Pentagon has failed to provide transparency around mysterious aircraft reported near U.S. military installations.
Australian actor Milly Alcock stars as Supergirl in this summer's new DC Studios movie bearing her name. Heading to theaters on June 26, the film finds her character on an intergalactic odyssey of revenge. DC Studios heads James Gunn and Peter Safran first noticed Alcock on the “Game of Thrones” prequel series “House of the Dragon.” Since she filmed her cameo for “Superman,” it's been a non-stop ride. Alcock says her character reminded her a lot of herself. She's finding the experience of sudden fame somewhat disorienting and laughs about anyone wanting a toy with her face.
The U.S. dollar has dropped about 10% against a basket of other major currencies since early 2025. That shift is starting to show up in everyday costs: A weaker dollar means Americans get less when traveling abroad and may pay more for imported goods like food, fuel and electronics. Economists say the effect on prices is usually modest, but it can add up, particularly when stacked on other factors, including inflation, tariffs and a spike in fuel costs due to the Iran war. President Donald Trump has openly supported a weaker dollar, arguing it helps American industry, and some executives agree, saying it's boosted overseas business.
A small boat carrying migrants trying to cross the English Channel has run aground on a beach in northern France, leaving two dead and 16 injured. Authorities said Sunday the vessel set out overnight from Hardelot beach but the engine failed, causing it to drift. A French maritime vessel rescued 17 people, while the boat ran aground with 65 others on board. Two women were found dead, likely from suffocation. This marks the third deadly incident involving migrants crossing to the U.K. in just over a month. An investigation is underway.
President Donald Trump said the U.S. is going to significantly reduce its troop presence in Germany, escalating a dispute with Germany’s leader Friedrich Merz as he seeks to scale back America’s commitment to European security. The Pentagon had initially announced it would pull some 5,000 troops out of Germany, but when asked about the reason for the move, Trump didn’t offer an explanation on Saturday but said a bigger reduction was coming. Germany’s defense minister, Boris Pistorius, appeared to take in stride the news that 5,000 U.S. troops would be leaving his country. He said the drawdown was expected and that European nations needed to take on more responsibility for their own defense.
Two makers of the widely used abortion pill mifepristone are asking the Supreme Court to block a lower court’s ruling cutting off mail-order access to the drug. Saturday's emergency request comes a day after the federal appeals court's ruling, the biggest jolt to abortion policy in the U.S. since the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Danco Laboratories asked for the block, telling the Supreme Court that the appellate ruling “injects immediate confusion and upheaval into highly time-sensitive medical decisions.” GenBioPro made a similar request.
President Donald Trump says he is reviewing a new Iranian proposal to end the war but expressed skepticism it would be acceptable. He mentioned this on Saturday before boarding Air Force One. Iran reportedly shared a 14-point proposal via Pakistan. Trump rejected a previous proposal this week, but conversations continue, and a three-week ceasefire is holding. Meanwhile, the health of imprisoned Iranian rights lawyer Narges Mohammadi is at high risk, according to her family. The U.S. has warned shipping companies about possible sanctions for paying Iran to pass safely through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has also hanged two men convicted of spying for Israel.
Two members of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum’s party in Sinaloa state have temporarily stepped down after the U.S. charged them with drug trafficking. Gov. Rubén Rocha Moya, the highest-ranking official named, denied the accusations of protecting the Sinaloa cartel. He announced at midnight on Friday a temporary leave to defend himself and cooperate with investigations. Juan de Dios Gámez Mendívil, mayor of Culiacán, also stepped down. Sheinbaum says there’s no credible evidence against Rocha but vows Mexican authorities will investigate. Rocha claims the indictment is an attack on his political movement. As governor, Rocha has immunity from prosecution unless impeached.
Five members of a pickleball club who died after the small plane carrying them crashed in Texas are being mourned by a tight-knit community of fellow players. The Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed Saturday that Justin Appling, Hayden Dillard, Brooke Skypala, Stacy Hedrick and Seren Wilson were on board the Cessna 421C that crashed Thursday in Texas Hill Country. Appling was the pilot. They were remembered as competitive pickleball players who loved the game but also didn't take themselves too seriously. They also typically traveled together around the country to compete in tournaments.
The Trump administration has been found in violation of court rulings in an extraordinary number of lawsuits on a broad set of issues. The Associated Press found at least 31 suits since last February in which a judge determined the administration was not complying with an order. These cases are in addition to more than 250 violations judges have recently highlighted in individual immigration petitions. The AP's review also shows higher courts have frequently overruled district courts and sided with the White House. In a statement, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson accused district court judges of unlawful rulings, noting many were later overturned by appellate courts.
The collapse of the U.S.-based Spirit Airlines may mark the end of an era for travelers with a certain financial sensibility. But if you’ve been snagged in their now-defunct flight schedule, here are some things to know on how to get home, and get whole. Look for “rescue fares” and reduced prices on flights from other airlines including American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways, Frontier Airlines and Southwest Airlines. Save documentation and request refunds as soon as possible. Employees should be granted travel benefits to get home, and airlines are offering preferential interviews.
New York City police have released body-worn camera footage of officers shooting and killing a machete-wielding man who stabbed three people at a Grand Central subway stop last month. The video clip posted online Friday shows officers confronting Anthony Griffin after he randomly slashed three people at a major subway station connecting to Grand Central Terminal. The officers are seen ordering Griffin to drop the large knife multiple times, but he continues to approach them with the weapon held high. One of the officers then opens fire, killing Griffin. Police have said the three stabbing victims sustained injuries that were not life-threatening.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Spirit Airlines, an impish upstart that shook the industry with its irreverent ads and deep discount fares, announced Saturday that it has gone out of business after 34 years.
Berkshire Hathaway’s new CEO Greg Abel opened the first annual meeting without Warren Buffett on stage Saturday. Abel was promoted to CEO in January. Thousands of people again attended the meeting, but the Omaha arena where the event is held was only a little over half full. The meeting began with a video tribute to Buffett that was filled with clips from the previous 60 annual meetings for the conglomerate. Buffett surprised shareholders a year ago at the end of the meeting when he announced he would step down. Buffett took the microphone briefly to endorse Abel and praise Apple CEO Tim Cook who helped Berkshire's $35 billion investment in Apple a decade ago generate $185 billion for Berkshire.
Spirit Airlines, the scrappy discounter that once rattled the industry with cheeky ads and rock-bottom fares, took its final flight after 34 years of upending the business of flying.
Building trades unions have long been considered a voice of the American worker. But they now are intertwined with the richest companies in the world as they create America’s artificial intelligence economy. Unionized workers are employed on massive data center projects and scrambling to recruit new apprentices to feed demand. Unions are allies of tech giants and tech-friendly government officials, helping counter fierce opposition in communities and hostile legislation in Congress and legislatures. For their part, tech execs talk of needing to train hundreds of thousands more skilled workers and spend millions on training programs.
Democrat Amy Acton is running unopposed in her party’s primary for Ohio governor, but she'll face some steep challenges in the November general election. The physician's most formidable obstacle may be the COVID-19 pandemic. Acton was Ohio’s public health director when the coronavirus hit the United States in early 2020. More than six years later, the orders that Acton signed at the behest of the state’s Republican governor to battle the virus have become a central line of criticism from Republicans. Those orders included closing schools, shuttering businesses, restricting sporting events and even suspending voting during the 2020 primary election.
A generation of Black Americans across the South fought in courtrooms and in the streets during the Civil Rights Movement to dismantle barriers to voting. Their goal was to achieve political representation in a region scarred by the legacy of slavery and its aftermath. One of the crown jewels of that struggle was the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and this week it was hollowed out by the Supreme Court. The majority opinion described racism as a problem of the past. Others saw the decision as another example of its resurgence. The ruling could make it harder for minorities to get elected.
For four years, a mallard has nested behind a bush near the front door of Caitlin Deal's home in a Minneapolis-St. Paul suburb, offering an up-close glimpse of nature for her young son and lessons for how people can coexist with wildlife.
Hundreds of years ago, Yemen helped introduce the world to coffee. Lately, the mountainous, war-ravaged country that borders Saudi Arabia is exporting something else: its coffee culture. Yemeni coffeehouses are opening at a rapid pace across the U.S. Restaurant consulting company Technomic says the number of cafes run by six major chains that serve Yemeni-style drinks grew 50% last year to 136, and that doesn't include smaller chains and independent cafes. Yemeni coffeehouses are meeting the moment for several reasons. They stay open late and provide a place to socialize for the growing number of U.S. adults who don’t drink alcohol. Americans are also seeking out global flavors.
President Donald Trump has taken a shine to the government taking stakes in the private sector. But his administration took a pass on bailing out troubled Spirit Airlines. The discount carrier ceased operations Saturday. Trump had said the government was interested in a stake in the carrier “if it's a good deal.” Under Trump, the government earlier invested in Intel and U.S. Steel and had made other deals that go against the traditional Republican position about Washington picking winners and losers. Critics say Trump's deals reflect his transactional nature. Others see some logic in competing against heavily subsidized Chinese manufacturers.
The Eta Aquarid meteor shower will soon light the sky with debris from Halley’s comet. But a bright moon will spoil the fun this year, making the display harder to glimpse. The shower will peak Tuesday night into Wednesday morning and views will be best in the Southern Hemisphere. In the north, skywatchers will likely see fewer than 10 meteors per hour. Meteor showers happen when the Earth charges through trails of debris left behind from various space rocks. To glimpse the meteors, it’s best to go outside just before dawn and look for fleeting trails of light.
The Pentagon says the United States will withdraw about 5,000 troops from Germany in the next six to 12 months. President Donald Trump had threatened to withdraw some troops from the NATO ally as he feuds with Chancellor Friedrich Merz over the U.S. war with Iran. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement Friday that the “decision follows a thorough review of the Department’s force posture in Europe and is in recognition of theater requirements and conditions on the ground.” The number of troops leaving Germany would be 14% of the 36,000 American service members stationed there.
President Donald Trump's administration appears to be recalibrating its centerpiece policy of mass deportations after a series of major immigration enforcement operations in American cities soured the public's mood on it. But that doesn't mean the Republican administration is giving up on its ambitious deportation goals. While the high-profile surges appear to have subsided for now, the Trump administration has quieter tools it can use to meet its targets. Immigrant advocates are bracing for the Trump administration to turn its attention more intently to stripping away protections for migrants with temporary legal status. Conservatives want more enforcement of workplace restrictions.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has lamented he would like to preside over a "normal Congress." But the chamber the Republican is leading is anything but. There are all-night sessions. Hours of dead zones with no action on the floor. Legislation being written on the fly, behind closed doors. Sudden votes scheduled. Spectacular failures. And, as happened this week, stunning turnarounds in which the House actually passes bills. Johnson acknowledges what he calls a sometimes ugly process. But Johnson said this week the lawmakers "got it done." Republicans are trying to persuade voters in November to keep them in power. Democrats are trying to regain majority control and say Republicans can't govern.
Restless Democratic voters are rejecting their party's establishment. Six months before Election Day, Democratic voters are embracing change, taking a clear risk by picking less established and more polarizing candidates to represent them on the ballot this fall. In Maine, Gov. Janet Mills has been forced to formally abandon her U.S. Senate campaign, unable to generate sufficient fundraising or enthusiasm to compete in a primary against Graham Platner, an oyster farmer with no political experience. Mills' announcement Thursday marked a stinging defeat for Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, who recruited her to lead the party's decades-long quest to defeat Republican Sen. Susan Collins.
A Supreme Court decision striking down a majority Black congressional district in Louisiana has amplified an already intense national redistricting battle. The court's ruling Wednesday limits the use of race in drawing voting districts. In response, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry has suspended the state's May 16 congressional primary to allow time for state lawmakers to draw new House districts. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has called a special session to start Monday in case the Supreme Court allows the state to change its U.S. House districts, and Tennessee's Republican governor is calling a session starting Tuesday to do the same there.
Federal judges around the country have raised alarms in recent months about the Trump administration’s failure to follow their orders in individual immigration cases. An Associated Press review of court records shows Trump officials have also racked up an extraordinary record of defiance in a much broader set of lawsuits dating back to the first days of President Donald Trump’s second term. Legal experts say the White House's treatment of court orders is damaging the constitutional system of checks and balances. The White House says lower court judges are issuing unlawful decisions.
A federal appeals court has restricted access to one of the most common means of abortion in the U.S. by blocking the mailing of mifepristone. A panel of the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is requiring that the abortion pill be distributed only in-person at clinics. Since the Supreme Court's 2022 ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade and allowed enforcement of abortion bans, prescriptions by mail has become a major way that abortions are provided — including to states where bans are in place. The decision sets up a likely appeal to the Supreme Court.
President Donald Trump says his administration is still weighing a taxpayer-funded takeover of Spirit Airlines “but only if it's a good deal” for the government. Trump didn't provide details but said an announcement could come as soon as later Friday or Saturday. Lawmakers from both parties and members of the president's administration have criticized the idea of using taxpayer funds to keep the ultra-low cost airline afloat. Speculation around the likelihood of a deal emerging has mounted every day that passes without a resolution. An airline spokesperson declined to comment and says “Spirit is operating as usual.” Some U.S. airlines, meanwhile, say they will step in to support Spirit customers if the airline goes under.
Profit for the two largest oil companies in the U.S. tumbled during the first quarter, a three-month period in which the price of crude and gasoline rocketed higher. It's a setback on paper only, however, the result of financial hedges that backfired after the U.S. and Israel launched attacks on Iran in late February. Exxon Mobil and Chevron reported quarterly results on Friday, with adjusted profits for both companies topping Wall Street expectations. The shares of both companies, up sharply this week, ticked higher before the opening bell.
The organization behind the Oscars is for the first time addressing the use of artificial intelligence in performances and scripts for the 2027 Academy Awards. New rules emphasize human authorship but do not ban AI. The academy released updates Friday across many categories. Significant changes include expanding the international film category to include films that won top awards at prestigious festivals like Cannes and Venice. The academy also stresses that humans must be at the center of the creative process. Screenplays must be human-authored to be eligible. The academy will review AI-related cases individually. The academy says the updates reflect its global focus and commitment to honoring filmmakers.
A small plane has crashed in Texas Hill Country, killing all five people on board. A pickleball club in Amarillo says they were members who were flying to a tournament. Authorities say the crash happened around 11 p.m. Thursday night in Wimberley, about 40 miles from Austin. A pilot and four passengers were on the Cessna. The plane's flight history shows it took off from Amarillo and was headed to New Braunfels National Airport. Stacey Rohr, who lives nearby, says she heard a crash and “felt everything vibrate.”
A California woman has been charged with involuntary manslaughter after an 81-year-old man struck by her son on an e-motorcycle died from his injuries. Prosecutors said Friday that Tommi Jo Mejer of Aliso Viejo in Orange County was initially charged with felony child endangerment after the 14-year-old hit Ed Ashman last month. Ashman was critically injured and died Thursday. Riders of e-motorcycles are required to be at least 16 years old and have a motorcycle license. The district attorney’s office said it could not comment on whether the boy will face prosecution since it is a juvenile case.
President Donald Trump said Friday that he’s “not satisfied” with Iran’s latest proposal in negotiations to end the war. Asked what he sees are the proposal’s shortcomings, Trump said, “They’re asking for things I can’t agree to.” The Trump administration is arguing that the war in Iran has already ended because of a ceasefire that began in early April, an interpretation that would allow the White House to avoid the need to seek congressional approval. While the ceasefire has since been extended, Iran maintains its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, and the U.S. Navy is maintaining a blockade to prevent Iran’s oil tankers from getting out to sea.
Gerry Conway, a renowned comic book writer who helped create characters and stories for Marvel and DC, including the Punisher character in the Spider-Man comics, has died. He was 73. In a Monday statement announcing his death, Marvel described Conway as “legendary.” He was well known for his work related to Spider-Man, including the creation of the Punisher, a vigilante antihero with a skull logo on his chest. Conway also wrote for a range of other major titles such as the Avengers and Iron Man. Conway is survived by his wife, Laura Conway, and two daughters from previous marriages.
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