US and China extend trade truce another 90 days, easing tension between world's largest economies

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump extended a trade truce with China for another 90 days Monday, at least delaying once again a dangerous showdown between the world’s two biggest economies. The previous deadline was set to expire at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday. Had that happened the U.S. would have ratcheted up taxes on Chinese imports from an already high 30%, and Beijing would have responded by raising retaliatory levies on U.S. exports to China. The pause buys time for the two countries to work out some of their differences, perhaps clearing the way for a summit later this year between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Trump says he's placing Washington police under federal control and activating the National Guard

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he’s taking over Washington’s police department and activating 800 members of the National Guard in the hopes of reducing crime, even as city officials stressed crime is already falling in the nation’s capital. Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser said she will follow the law even as she indicated that Trump’s actions were a reason why the District of Columbia should be a state with legal protections from such actions. The president, flanked by his attorney general, his defense secretary and the FBI director, said Monday he was declaring a public safety emergency and his administration would be removing homeless encampments.

Republicans, Democrats alike exhort Trump: Keep security pact with Australia and UK alive

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. lawmakers are urging the Trump administration to maintain a security partnership with Australia and the United Kingdom to supply nuclear-powered submarines. The Pentagon has announced a review of the AUKUS agreement, raising concerns about U.S. shipbuilding capabilities. The review is expected to be completed in the fall. The partnership is seen as crucial to countering China's influence in the Indo-Pacific. However, a report warns that U.S. shipbuilding limitations could jeopardize the agreement. Australia has invested heavily in the U.S. submarine industrial base, aiming to accelerate production and support its defense strategy.

Trump suggests he'll know if Putin wants a peace deal with Ukraine soon into their meeting

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump says he expects to know quickly if a deal can be made with Russian leader Vladimir Putin to halt the war in Ukraine. Trump plans to meet Putin on Friday in Alaska. He suggested on Monday that he could know how serious Putin is within two minutes. He also refused to say if the meeting should involve Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and appeared dismissive of Zelenskyy's role. European allies want Ukraine involved to prevent a deal favoring Moscow. Germany plans a separate, virtual meeting with Trump, Zelenskyy and other leaders to prepare for peace negotiations.

Israel plans to widen coming offensive beyond Gaza City into last areas not under its control

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel plans to widen its coming offensive beyond Gaza City to the last areas not yet under Israeli control. Most of Gaza’s 2 million residents have sought shelter in those areas as the territory slides toward famine. The mobilization of forces is expected to take weeks, and Israel may be using the threat of a wider offensive to try to pressure Hamas. Any expansion of Israeli operations is likely to bring even more death and destruction to the war-ravaged territory. The plans have also sparked controversy in Israel, where many fear for the lives of the remaining hostages.

Explosion at US Steel plant in Pennsylvania leaves 2 dead, 10 injured

CLAIRTON, Pa. (AP) — An explosion at a U.S. Steel plant that shook the ground near Pittsburgh left two dead and sent at least 10 to hospitals.  An Allegheny County spokesperson says an explosion followed by several smaller blasts happened Monday morning at the Clairton Coke Works. The plant is a massive industrial facility along the Monongahela River south of Pittsburgh, and is considered the largest coking operation in North America. The explosion sent black smoke spiraling into the midday sky in the Mon Valley, a region of the state synonymous with steel. Officials said a rescue operation was ongoing Monday.

Judge won’t release grand jury transcripts in Jeffrey Epstein ex-girlfriend’s Ghislaine Maxwell case

NEW YORK (AP) — A federal judge in New York says transcripts of the secret grand jury testimony that led to the sex trafficking indictment of Jeffrey Epstein’s former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell should not be released. The judge suggested Monday the Justice Department’s real motive for wanting the transcripts unsealed was to fool the public with an “illusion” of transparency. The Justice Department hasn't commented. Maxwell is serving a 20-year prison term after her conviction on sex trafficking charges for helping procure girls for Epstein to sexually abuse. Maxwell recently was interviewed by the Justice Department and was moved from a prison in Florida to a prison camp in Texas. Epstein died in jail awaiting trial.

Shooter kills 3 in a Target parking lot in Austin, Texas, before being captured, police say

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Police say a gunman opened fire in a Target parking lot Monday in Austin, Texas, killing two adults and a child. Police say they do not know the motive of the suspect, a man in his 30s who they say has “a mental health history." Authorities say the suspect fled the scene in a stolen car, crashed the car then stole another from a dealership before he was taken into custody. Police say they believe one person who was shot owned the car the suspect stole. An adult and child died at the scene, while another adult died at a hospital.

Man fired 180 shots, breaking 150 windows, in CDC attack

NEW YORK (AP) — The man who attacked the CDC headquarters in Atlanta on Friday fired more than 180 shots into the campus and broke about 150 windows. According to information circulated internally at the agency, it may take weeks or even months to replace windows and clean up the damage at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. traveled to Atlanta and on Monday met with the agency’s director. The shooter died and a police officer trying to stop him was killed in Friday’s attack.

Texas is No. 1 in preseason AP Top 25 for first time, edging Penn St, Ohio St; 10 SEC teams ranked

Texas is No. 1 in the Associated Press preseason Top 25 for the first time. The Longhorns narrowly edged out Penn State in the closest preseason vote since 1998. Texas received 25 first-place votes, while Penn State received 23. The Nittany Lions have their highest preseason ranking since they were No. 1 to open 1997. The Southeastern Conference leads with 10 teams in the Top 25. The Big Ten has two of the top three teams for the third straight year. The Big 12 has four ranked teams and the ACC has three.