Was classified information shared? Senators overseeing military request probe into Signal leak
WASHINGTON (AP) — The top Republican and Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee are requesting an investigation into how Trump national security officials used the Signal app to discuss military strikes. A federal judge also says he will order the preservation of the messages. Thursday’s action ensures some scrutiny on an episode President Donald Trump has dismissed as frivolous. Republican Sen. Roger Wicker and Democratic Sen. Jack Reed signed onto a letter to the acting inspector general at the Defense Department for an inquiry into the potential use of unclassified networks to discuss classified information. Contents of the Signal chat published by The Atlantic show Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth listed weapons systems and a timeline for an attack on Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Another federal judge blocks Trump policy banning transgender troops in the military
TACOMA, Wash. (AP) — A U.S. judge in Washington state has blocked enforcement of President Donald Trump’s order banning transgender people from serving in the military. The order Thursday from U.S. District Court Judge Benjamin Settle in Tacoma is the second nationwide injunction against the policy in as many weeks. It came in a case brought by several long-serving transgender military members who say the ban is insulting and discriminatory, and that their firing would cause lasting damage to their careers and reputations. A judge in Washington, D.C., similarly issued an order blocking the policy last week but then put her own ruling temporarily on hold as the government appeals.
Fewer Americans now see Canada as a US ally as Trump strains a longtime partnership
WASHINGTON (AP) — A new AP-NORC poll finds that as America’s longtime allies reel over President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariffs, his hostility and — in some cases — open threats of invasion, his actions and his rhetoric may be shaping perceptions of which countries are viewed as friends and foes. Americans are now less likely to see Canada and the U.S. as close allies than they were less than two years ago, according to a new AP-NORC poll. Although most still see the countries’ relationship as at least “friendly,” slightly fewer than half of U.S. adults — just 45% — now consider the U.S. to be “close allies” with its neighbor to the north. That’s down from about 6 in 10 in a poll conducted in September 2023.
Vance and wife to tour US military post in Greenland after diplomatic spat over uninvited visit
U.S. Vice President JD Vance and his wife will be visiting an American military base in Greenland. The visit on Friday was revised after an initial three-day trip to the semi-autonomous Danish territory created an uproar by Greenlanders and Danes who were irked that the travel plans were announced without previous consultation. Relations between the U.S. and the Nordic country have been tense, after President Donald Trump repeatedly suggested that the United States should in some form control the mineral-rich territory of Denmark. The one-day visit to the U.S. Space Force outpost at Pituffik, on the northwest coast of Greenland, has removed the risk of violating potential diplomatic taboos by sending a delegation to another country without an official invitation.
Colleges rely on federal research funding. Under Trump, its future is in doubt
After decades of partnership with the U.S. government, American colleges are facing new doubts about the future of their federal funding. President Donald Trump’s administration has been using the funding spigot as a tool to seek compliance with his agenda. And universities across the country are navigating cuts to grants for research institutions. The squeeze on higher education underscores how much American colleges depend on the federal government. In fact, an Associated Press analysis found the government provides grants and contracts worth close to half the total revenue of some research universities.
Trump withdraws Rep. Elise Stefanik’s nomination for UN ambassador, citing tight GOP House margin
WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House has pulled Rep. Elise Stefanik’s nomination to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. The decision Thursday is a stunning turnaround for President Donald Trump’s Cabinet pick, after her confirmation had been stalled over concerns about Republicans’ tight margins in the House. Stefanik said late Thursday that multiple issues factored into the decision for her nomination being withdrawn, including the possibility that an election to replace her may be delayed; the upcoming special elections in Florida; and the razor-thin GOP majority in the House. Trump didn’t immediately announce his pick to replace her
Global automakers say Trump’s tariffs will be painful for them and US consumers
FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Whatever domestic economic gain comes from U.S. President Donald Trump’s new 25% tax on imported cars – and experts are skeptical – automakers around the world are bracing for a lot of pain. In Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Canada and across Europe, the world’s largest automakers employ millions of people whose livelihoods depend on U.S. car buyers, who currently spend more than $240 billion annually on imported cars and light trucks. The Trump tariffs — aimed at boosting U.S. jobs and tax revenues — will also affect imported auto parts, which were valued at $197 billion last year. The head of a European association for automakers says “the impact will be really huge and very disruptive” — and push average car prices higher.
Suspected US strikes pummel Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Suspected U.S. airstrikes have pummeled sites across Yemen controlled by the country’s Houthi rebels, including neighborhoods in the capital, Sanaa. The extent of the damage and possible casualties from the attack early Friday wasn’t immediately clear. The number of strikes appeared particularly intense compared to other days in the campaign that began March 15. Initial reports from the Houthis described at least seven people being hurt in the attacks Friday in Sanaa, which the rebels have held since 2014. Other strikes were around the Red Sea port city of Hodeida, the rebel’s stronghold of Saada and in Yemen’s al-Jawf and Amran governorates.
The Associated Press, banned from White House press pool, renews request to court for reinstatement
WASHINGTON (AP) — A lawyer for The Associated Press has asked a federal judge once again to reinstate the agency’s access to the White House press pool and some other official events. It says the Trump administration’s ban should be overturned. Charles Tobin, speaking on behalf of the news agency, says that “AP has now spent 44 days in the penalty box.” The news agency and the Trump administration are in court in a disagreement over the White House’s removal of AP reporters and photographers from the small group of journalists in the pool who follow the president.
Flagg flies in March Madness and Duke wins 100-93 over Arizona to reach the Elite Eight
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Duke stud Cooper Flagg put on a skills clinic and overcame an onslaught from Arizona and Caleb Love, finishing with 30 points, six rebounds and seven in a 100-93 NCAA Tournament victory that pulled the Blue Devils within one win of the Final Four. Flagg, long over the balky ankle that sidelined him earlier this month, did enough to prevent Love from ruining another Blue Devils season. Love finished with 35 points, including a streak of 15 straight for his Wildcats during a ferocious second-half run that cut a 19-point deficit to five, but it’s the top-seeded Blue Devils moving to the Elite Eight to play Alabama on Saturday.