Trump threatens Russia with tariffs and boosts US weapons for Ukraine

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has announced new measures targeting Russia over its ongoing war in Ukraine, threatening steep tariffs if a peace deal isn't reached within 50 days. Trump also revealed plans for European allies to buy U.S. weapons and transfer them to Ukraine. Patriot air defense missiles are a top priority for the besieged country. Monday's announcement marks a shift in Trump's stance, as the Republican president previously criticized Ukraine's leadership but now expresses frustration with Vladimir Putin's continued aggression. Meanwhile, Ukraine faces intensified Russian attacks, with June recording the highest civilian casualties in three years.

In his words: Trump's rhetoric about Zelenskyy and Putin has evolved

U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly said during his campaign he would be able to end the war between Russia and Ukraine “in 24 hours” upon taking office. But since his Jan. 20 inauguration, the road to a peace deal has been fraught with changing dynamics between the U.S. leader, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump’s rhetoric toward both Zelenskyy and Putin has evolved during the first months of his second term in the White House. The Republican leader has become increasingly exasperated with Putin in recent days, while he appears to have softened toward Zelenskyy after a February blowout in the Oval Office.

Flames tear through assisted-living facility in Massachusetts, killing 9 and trapping residents

FALL RIVER, Mass. (AP) — Flames roared through an assisted-living facility in Massachusetts, killing nine people and trapping residents inside, including some who leaned out of windows and screamed for help. Authorities said at least 30 people were hurt. A firefighters union said inadequate staffing hindered the response to the blaze Sunday night in Fall River and contributed to the death toll, though the mayor criticized that characterization. The fire chief suggested no number of first responders would have been enough. Meanwhile, several residents who praised firefighters and police for heroic rescue efforts said staff members did little to help. The blaze happened at the Gabriel House facility, about 50 miles south of Boston. The cause was under investigation.

Cuomo stays in NYC mayor’s race despite losing the Democratic primary to Mamdani

Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced he will run for New York City mayor as an independent candidate. Cuomo, who lost to progressive Democrat Zohran Mamdani in the June primary, says he aims to challenge Mamdani’s policies, calling them “slick slogans with no real solutions.” The general election is set for November. The current Mayor Eric Adams is also running as an independent, while Curtis Sliwa is set to represent the Republican Party. Critics of Mamdani’s progressive agenda worry that multiple candidates could split the anti-Mamdani vote, boosting his chances. This marks Cuomo’s latest comeback attempt after resigning as governor amid scandal.

MAGA faithful are angry about the Epstein case. Here's what to know

A broken promise to release more information about the Jeffrey Epstein case has sparked outrage among some of President Donald Trump’s loyal supporters. Right-wing influencers were once bolstered by Trump’s own claims on this case, but are now feeling their demands are being squelched by his administration. Figures like commentator Tucker Carlson, activist Laura Loomer and Trump’s former adviser Steve Bannon claim the government’s handling of the case shows a lack of transparency. Anger over the case threatens to divide the MAGA faithful.

A wildfire that destroyed historic Grand Canyon Lodge spread after being allowed to burn for days

GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Ariz. (AP) — A wildfire that destroyed a historic Grand Canyon lodge is continuing to spread out of control after it had been allowed to burn for days. Now the National Park Service’s decision not to aggressively attack the fire right away is coming under scrutiny. So far, the fire has leveled the historic Grand Canyon Lodge on the North Rim along with over 70 structures, including cabins and a visitor center. The fire began with a lightning strike on July 4 and intensified over the weekend because of high winds and dry conditions. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs has called for a federal investigation into the Park Service's handling of the fire.

Suspected Kentucky church shooter had a domestic violence hearing the next day

A man accused of killing two women at a Kentucky church on Sunday had been scheduled for a domestic violence hearing the following day. Police say the violence began when 47-year-old Guy House shot a state trooper during a traffic stop near Lexington. He stole a vehicle and drove to the church, where police shot and killed him. Star Rutherford, a relative of the two women, said the shooter was looking for one of her sisters. Told she wasn’t there, he declared: “Well I guess someone’s going to have to die then,” and shot her 72-year-old mother in the chest. Authorities offered no motive and the investigation was ongoing.

Supreme Court allows Trump to lay off nearly 1,400 Education Department employees

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is allowing President Donald Trump to put his plan to dismantle the Education Department back on track and go through with laying off nearly 1,400 employees. With the three liberal justices in dissent, the court on Monday paused an order from U.S. District Judge Myong Joun in Boston, who issued a preliminary injunction reversing the layoffs and calling into question the broader plan. The layoffs “will likely cripple the department,” Joun wrote. A federal appeals court refused to put the order on hold while the administration appealed.

Israel strikes military tanks in southern Syria, where government forces clash with Druze militias

BUSRA AL-HARIR, Syria (AP) — Israel has struck military tanks in southern Syria, where government forces and Bedouin tribes clash with Druze militias. Dozens of people have been killed in the fighting between local militias and clans in Syria’s Sweida province. Government security forces that were sent to restore order on Monday also clashed with local armed groups. The Interior Ministry has said more than 30 people died and nearly 100 others have been injured in that fighting. The U.N.'s deputy special envoy for Syria expressed “deep concern” over the violence in the country struggling for stability after a 13-year civil war.

A designer dressed Chappell Roan with seaweed. But don't expect to find the approach in stores — yet

NEW YORK (AP) — Fast fashion relies heavily on synthetic fibers that are made from oil and gas, fossil fuels that cause climate change. Once discarded, many of those materials end up in landfills. Some designers are working to cut those products out completely and instead use biomaterials. They are experimenting with tapioca, gelatin, agar agar, mushrooms, and other kitchen-shelf ingredients. Big names like Stella McCartney and Hermes have experimented with biomaterials like mushroom leather, while other early adopters are making fabrics out of corn and soy. Some experts are skeptical these textiles can be scaled up, but designers experimenting with biomaterials believe their experimentation could help push the industry away from the heavy pollution and waste that it currently produces.