In Epstein furor, Trump struggles to shake off a controversy his allies once stoked

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump faces ongoing questions about the Jeffrey Epstein case, overshadowing his administration's achievements. On Friday, reporters pressed the Republican president about pardoning Epstein's accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell, but he deflected, emphasizing his administration's successes. Despite enacting significant policies, Trump's past ties to Epstein continue to stir controversy. Supporters demand transparency, believing Epstein's death in a New York jail cell six years ago hides a larger conspiracy. Administration officials who previously fueled theories now claim there's nothing more to reveal. Trump denies prior knowledge of Epstein's crimes and urges supporters to move on. But the Epstein case remains a challenging distraction.

Epstein ex-girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell finishes interviews with Justice Department officials

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Jeffrey Epstein's ex-girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell has finished 1 1/2 days of interviews with Justice Department officials. Maxwell's lawyer said Friday she answered questions “about 100 different people.” Maxwell is serving a 20-year prison term in Tallahassee, Florida, for helping Epstein sexually abuse underage girls. Maxwell's interview is related to the controversy about the Epstein investigation. The Justice Department says it won't release any more files after pledging otherwise. Maxwell's attorney says she answered questions "truthfully." Officials say Epstein killed himself in his New York jail cell while awaiting trial in 2019, but his case has generated endless conspiracy theories because of his and Maxwell’s links to famous people including Donald Trump.

'Why isn't he paying?' Trump's golf visit to cost Scottish taxpayers

TURNBERRY, Scotland (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to his Scottish golf resorts has prompted a major police operation. Thousands of officers in reflective yellow vests are patrolling Friday around his Turnberry golf course to provide security and manage planned protests. The operation is expected to cost Scottish taxpayers millions of pounds. The union representing officers is concerned about the strain on already overworked police. Policing for Trump's previous visit to the U.K. in 2018 cost about $19 million. Assistant Chief Constable Emma Bond says the operation involves local, national and specialist resources. Protests are planned in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dumfries.

Suspect arrested after University of New Mexico dorm shooting leaves 1 dead

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A 14-year-old boy has been killed and a 19-year-old has been wounded after in overnight shooting at a University of New Mexico dormitory. Authorities have arrested an 18-year-old suspect. University officials lifted a shelter in place order late Friday afternoon, saying the main campus in Albuquerque would still remain closed. Campus police said four people, including the suspect, were playing video games inside a dorm room belonging to one of them when the shooting began. State police said they are investigating why the suspect fired. The fall semester is scheduled to begin in about three weeks.

Families of Americans slain in the West Bank lose hope for justice

BIDDU, West Bank (AP) — Families of Palestinian-Americans killed in the West Bank are demanding justice. They say Israeli settlers and forces have killed four American teenagers of Palestinian descent since the Gaza war began. The families have expressed doubt that anyone will be held accountable. They say they are losing faith in the U.S. government's promises to seek justice. The Trump administration has urged Israel to investigate but has not promised its own investigations. Critics argue Israel often treats its soldiers and settlers with impunity. The families of those killed report facing travel bans, interrogations, and detentions.

Deportation flights from Florida's 'Alligator Alcatraz' detention center have begun, DeSantis says

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says deportation flights from the remote Everglades immigration lockup known as Alligator Alcatraz began in the past few days. DeSantis said Friday that the flights operated by the Department of Homeland Security have transferred about 100 detainees from the immigration detention center to other countries. He expects that number to increase soon. Officials say two or three flights have happened, though they didn't say which countries those flights headed to. Critics have condemned the facility as cruel and inhumane, but DeSantis and other Republicans have defended it as part of the state’s aggressive push to support President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration.

As the ADA turns 35, groups fighting for disability rights could see their federal dollars slashed

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Congress is considering proposals from President Donald Trump to slash funding for disability rights centers in each state, and advocates worry that they could lose more than 60% their federal dollars. The protection and advocacy groups investigate abusive homes, push states to improve services and help people navigate the bureaucracies for government-funded services. Colorado advocate Nancy Jensen fears there would be fewer investigations of abusive group homes like one in Kansas that she escaped more than 20 years ago. The Trump administration argues its proposals would give states needed flexibility in spending federal dollars. But the groups say they could be forced to help fewer people.

Taiwan votes to decide whether to oust lawmakers from China-friendly party in closely watched poll

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Taiwanese voters are deciding whether to remove about one-fifth of their lawmakers from the opposition Nationalist Party. The elections on Saturday could change the power balance in Taiwan's legislature. The ruling Democratic Progressive Party, which leans toward independence, won last year's presidential election. However, the China-friendly Nationalists and the Taiwan People’s Party hold enough seats to form a majority bloc. Supporters of the recall are upset that the Nationalists blocked key legislation and passed changes favoring China. The recall elections are unprecedented in scale, with more votes planned for Aug. 23. The situation has heightened tensions over Taiwan's future relations with Beijing.

A grenade is missing from the scene of an explosion that killed 3 LA deputies

A grenade is missing from the scene of an explosion that killed three Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies. That's according to Los Angeles County Robert Luna, who spoke at a Friday news conference. The July 18 blast at a sheriff's department training facility killed three experienced deputies on the arson and explosives team. The deputies were working on two grenades that had been taken into custody by authorities. Luna said one of the grenades detonated, and other can't be found. Luna said that since the explosion, he has called for an independent review of the policies and practices of the arson and explosives team.

The reverse migration: African Americans relocating to Kenya cite heritage and restoration

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — A growing wave of African Americans are relocating to Kenya, citing the need to connect with their history and culture, or "coming home,” a phrase often used among the Black community. Dozens of African Americans have relocated to Kenya in recent years, attracted by its tropical climate and friendly people. Many African Americans who have sought a better life abroad or are considering it said President Donald Trump’s administration isn’t the main reason they want to move. Rather, most say they had been mulling a move for some time, and the current political environment in the U.S. may be pushing them to act sooner than initially planned.