Judge rejects bid by Donald Trump to throw out classified documents case on constitutional grounds
FORT PIERCE, Fla. (AP) — A federal judge has rejected a bid by Donald Trump to throw out out his classified documents criminal case, and appeared skeptical during hours of arguments of a separate effort to scuttle the prosecution ahead of trial. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon issued a two-page order Thursday saying that though the Trump team had raised “various arguments warranting serious consideration,” a dismissal of charges was not merited. Cannon, who was nominated to the bench by Trump, is presiding over one of the four criminal cases against the 2024 presumptive Republican presidential nominee. This case involves records, some highly classified, he took with him from the White House.
Proposed US resolution would back global efforts for an immediate and sustained cease-fire in Gaza
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United States has circulated the final draft of a United Nations Security Council resolution that would support international efforts to establish “an immediate and sustained cease-fire” in the Israel-Hamas war. It’s part of a potential deal to release hostages taken captive during Hamas’ surprise attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7. No time has been set for a vote, and the text could still be changed. The final draft does not include the tough language in the initial text saying Israel’s planned major ground offensive in southern Rafah “should not proceed under current circumstances.” Diplomatic talks have stalled since efforts failed to produce a cease-fire before the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Suspected attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels strikes a ship in the Red Sea, though crew reportedly safe
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A suspected attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels struck a ship in the Red Sea, causing damage to the vessel. The attack Friday off the port city of Hodeida comes as part of the rebels’ campaign against shipping over Israel’s ongoing war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said the ship reported being “struck by a missile.” It said the ship sustained damage but was continuing on its way, suggesting it wasn’t severe. The Houthis did not immediately claim the attack, though it typically takes the rebels hours to acknowledge their assaults.
Tornado tears through Indiana community, causing ‘many significant injuries,’ police say
WINCHESTER, Ind. (AP) — The Indiana State Police say there are “many significant injuries” after a tornado tore through the community of Winchester on Thursday. The tornado was part of a storm system that also unleashed suspected twisters in parts of Ohio and Kentucky on Thursday, damaging homes and businesses. Earlier in the night Indiana State Police said they were investigating reports of deaths but at a Thursday night news conference said there were “no known fatalities.” Forecasters say they are also aware of damage in the Lakeview, Ohio, area and across the region and plan to survey the area Friday to confirm the tornado.
Russians are voting in an election that holds little suspense after Putin crushed dissent
Voters are heading to the polls in Russia for a three-day presidential election that is all but certain to extend President Vladimir Putin’s rule by six more years after he stifled dissent. The election takes place against the backdrop of a ruthless crackdown that has crippled independent media and prominent rights groups and given Putin full control of the political system. It also comes as Moscow’s war in Ukraine enters its third year. Voters will be casting their ballots Friday through Sunday at polling stations across the vast country’s 11 time zones, as well as in illegally annexed regions of Ukraine.
Russian passports become universal in Ukraine’s occupied territories, through force and incentives
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia has successfully imposed its passports on nearly the entire population of occupied Ukraine by making it impossible to survive without them, coercing hundreds of thousands of people into citizenship. The process started almost immediately after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine and is now complete ahead of elections Vladimir Putin has made certain he will win, an Associated Press investigation has found. But accepting a passport means that men living in occupied territory can be drafted to fight against the same Ukrainian army that is trying to free them.
These Republicans won states that Trump lost in 2020. Their endorsements are lukewarm (or withheld)
ATLANTA (AP) — Former President Donald Trump dominated the Republican presidential primaries on his way to a third consecutive nomination. But that does not mean his command of the party is seamless. Many GOP leaders in battleground states are offering him only tepid support — or not endorsing him at all. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp says he will support the Republican ticket. But he tells reporters that his top priority is protecting GOP legislative majorities at the statehouse in Atlanta. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin endorsed Trump in a written statement but only after Trump won the Virginia primary on Super Tuesday. Virginia’s Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears is one of the highest-ranking Black Republicans nationally. She has declined to endorse Trump altogether.
Trump-backed Senate candidate faces GOP worries that he could be linked to adult website profile
WASHINGTON (AP) — For Republicans eager to regain the Senate majority this year, Ohio offers a prime opportunity to pick up a critical seat. But ahead of Tuesday’s primary election, there’s mounting anxiety inside the GOP that Bernie Moreno may emerge with the nomination. After vaulting into the top tier of contenders with a coveted endorsement from Donald Trump, Moreno is confronting questions about the existence of a 2008 profile seeking “Men for 1-on-1 sex” on a casual sexual encounters website called Adult Friend Finder.
James Crumbley, who bought gun used by son to kill 4 students, guilty of manslaughter in Michigan
PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) — The father of a Michigan school shooter has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter. It’s the second jury conviction against Ethan Crumbley’s parents, who were accused of failing to secure a gun at home and doing nothing to solve his mental health problems. Ethan killed four students at Oxford High School in 2021. The Crumbleys were the first U.S. parents to be charged in a mass school shooting. Jennifer Crumbley was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in February. Ethan, now 17 years old, is serving a life sentence for murder and terrorism.
Former Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin says he’s putting together investor group to buy TikTok
Former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin says he’s going to put together an investor group to buy TikTok after the House passed a bill that would ban the popular video app in the U.S. if its China-based owner doesn’t sell its stake. Speaking on CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” Mnuchin said he believes TikTok should be sold. He says the company should be owned by U.S. businesses and that China would never let a U.S. company own something similar in China. He offered no details about who may be in the group or about TikTok’s possible valuation. TikTok did not immediately respond to a request for comment.