By ANDREA RODRÍGUEZ, DÁNICA COTO and MILEXSY DURÁN Associated Press
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel says his administration is not in talks with the U.S. government. This comes a day after President Donald Trump threatened Cuba following the U.S. attack on Venezuela earlier this month. Díaz-Canel emphasized on Monday that relations must be based on international law, not hostility or threats. He expressed willingness for dialogue with the U.S. based on mutual respect and sovereignty. Trump has suggested Cuba "make a deal" before it's too late. Díaz-Canel's statements were reposted by Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez. The situation remains tense, with Cuba facing significant economic challenges due to U.S. sanctions.
Former President Barack Obama has expressed support for California Governor Gavin Newsom's approach to redistricting. Obama spoke at a fundraiser on Martha's Vineyard, emphasizing the need for Democrats to respond effectively to Republican-led redistricting efforts, particularly in Texas. He praised Newsom's plan as responsible and temporary, contingent on Republican states' actions. The event raised $2 million for the National Democratic Redistricting Committee. Texas lawmakers have been debating a new congressional map that could create five new GOP seats. Democratic governors are considering similar strategies to strengthen their party's position in Congress.
Hot mics have a knack for revealing unguarded moments in politics. On Monday, one captured President Donald Trump and eight European leaders chatting at a White House news conference about Ukraine. Trump told French President Emmanuel Macron that Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to make a deal with him. Hot mics have historically caught leaders off guard, revealing their true thoughts. From President Ronald Reagan's joke about Russia to President Joe Biden's comment on the Affordable Care Act, these moments often reveal more than scripted speeches. Leaders are reminded that in public, privacy is a luxury.
By STEVE PEOPLES and LINLEY SANDERS Associated Press
Updated
Just 1 in 4 U.S. adults say President Donald Trump's policies have helped them. That's according to a new AP-NORC poll that finds underwhelming marks for the Republican president on key issues, including the economy, immigration, government spending and health care. Overall, Trump fails to earn majority approval on any of the issues included in the poll. A majority of Americans see Trump as at least somewhat capable of getting things done following the passage of his sprawling budget bill. The mixed reviews come six months into Trump's term as he struggles to follow through on some campaign promises, including lowering costs for working-class Americans, preserving programs like Medicaid and lowering government spending.
By CHRIS MEGERIAN and LINDSAY WHITEHURST Associated Press
President Donald Trump's own words keep getting used against him in court while he faces lawsuits challenging his aggressive agenda. The situation shows how the Republican president's shoot-from-the-lip-style has undermined his administration's legal positions. Nowhere has this been clearer than in cases involving Trump's adviser Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency, the driving force in his efforts to downsize and overhaul the federal government. The latest example came this week, when U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang cited Trump's public remarks in a ruling that Musk had likely violated the Constitution by dismantling the U.S. Agency for International Development. Chuang is based in Maryland and was appointed by President Barack Obama,
