House committee issues subpoenas for Epstein files and depositions with the Clintons

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House Oversight Committee has subpoenaed the Justice Department for files in the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking investigation and is seeking depositions with the Clintons and former law enforcement officials. It’s part of a probe lawmakers believe may show links to President Donald Trump and former top officials. The Republican-controlled committee issued subpoenas for depositions with Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton and eight former top law enforcement officials. Trump denies prior knowledge of Epstein’s crimes and says he cut off their relationship long ago. Meanwhile, federal prosecutors are asking in court to unseal grand jury transcripts in the sex trafficking cases against Epstein and his ex-girlfriend but say there’s not much new in them.

Epstein's ex, Ghislaine Maxwell, doesn't want grand jury transcripts released

NEW YORK (AP) — Jeffrey Epstein’s ex-girlfriend wants to keep grand jury records secret in the sex trafficking case that sent her to prison. Her lawyers said so in a court filing Tuesday. They wrote that Maxwell hasn’t seen the material herself. The grand jury process is conducted behind closed doors. But she opposes unsealing what her lawyers described as potentially “hearsay-laden” transcripts of grand jury testimony. Meanwhile, prosecutors are continuing to urge a court to release some of those records in the criminal case-turned-political fireball.

Trump's redistricting fight could broaden and last a while with Texas and California as epicenters

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas and California are at the center of a national political power struggle that could reshape Trump's second presidency. And the battle could last months. In Texas, Republican lawmakers are trying to redraw congressional districts to please President Donald Trump. But Democrats are delaying action by leaving the state. In California, Democrats are maneuvering to counter Trump's Texas play by boosting Democratic House seats in the liberal-leaning state. But California's process is more complicated, no matter how hard Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom might push it. Former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, meanwhile, has signaled his intention to defend the state's independent redistricting commission that was a signature accomplishment of his Republican administration.

RFK Jr. pulls $500 million in funding for vaccine development

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Department of Health and Human Services plans to cancel contracts and pull funding for some vaccines being developed to fight respiratory viruses like COVID-19 and the flu. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Tuesday that $500 million worth of vaccine development projects using mRNA technology will be halted. The 22 projects are led by major pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer and Moderna. These mRNA vaccines are credited with slowing the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. In a social media video, Kennedy said HHS was "prioritizing the development of safer, broader vaccine strategies, like whole-virus vaccines and novel platforms that don’t collapse when viruses mutate.”

Netanyahu hints at expanded war in Gaza but former Israeli military and spy chiefs object

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is hinting at wider military action in devastated Gaza even as some former army and intelligence chiefs call for an end to the war. The new pressure on Netanyahu comes as Gaza’s Health Ministry on Tuesday said the war's Palestinian death toll has surpassed 61,000. Previous leaders of Israel’s Shin Bet internal security service, Mossad spy agency and the military are among those speaking out. Meanwhile, health officials have reported new deaths of hungry people seeking food. Families of the 50 hostages remaining in Gaza fear that hunger endangers them too, and they blame Hamas.

What to know as Israel considers reoccupying Gaza in what would be a major escalation of the war

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering ordering the full reoccupation of the Gaza Strip, according to Israeli media. It would mark a stunning escalation of the nearly 22-month war in the coastal territory that has already been largely destroyed and where experts say famine is unfolding. It would put the lives of countless Palestinians as well as about 20 living hostages at risk, and deepen Israel’s already stark international isolation. It would also face fierce opposition within Israel. Families of the hostages would consider it a virtual death sentence, and much of the security establishment is also reportedly opposed.

Tennessee man noted intense pain during lethal injection without deactivating defibrillator

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — An inmate executed by Tennessee without deactivating his implanted defibrillator said he was in serious pain after the lethal injection started. Prison officials say 69-year-old Byron Black died at 10:43 a.m. Tuesday. His defibrillator was left working despite uncertainty about whether the device would shock his heart when the lethal chemicals took effect. Black's attorneys say the defibrillator could shock his heart as the pentobarbital in the lethal injection tried to stop it. Black's lawyer says they will review data kept by the device as well as information from a EKG as part of his autopsy.

Hiroshima marks 80 years since atomic bombing as aging survivors worry about growing nuke threat

HIROSHIMA, Japan (AP) — Hiroshima is marking the 80th anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of the western Japanese city on Wednesday. Many aging survivors express frustration over growing global support for nuclear weapons as deterrence. With survivors' numbers rapidly declining and their average age now over 86, this anniversary is a significant milestone. The bombing on Aug. 6, 1945, killed 140,000 people and a second bomb on Nagasaki killed 70,000 more. Representatives from 120 countries, including Russia and Belarus, are expected to attend the ceremony. Survivors and their families plan to pay tribute to the victims at the peace memorial park before the official ceremony.

NFL and ESPN reach nonbinding agreement for sale of NFL Network and other media assets

The NFL has entered into a nonbinding agreement to sell NFL Network and other media assets to ESPN. The league will receive a 10% equity stake in ESPN in return. The deal still requires a final agreement, the approval of NFL owners and regulatory clearance. ESPN plans to include NFL Network in its upcoming direct-to-consumer service. The NFL will continue to own and produce the RedZone channel but will allow ESPN to distribute it. NFL Fantasy Football will merge with ESPN Fantasy Football. Viewers are unlikely to see changes until next year.

'Ketamine Queen' accused of selling Matthew Perry fatal dose gets September trial date

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A woman charged with selling Matthew Perry the ketamine dose that killed him is headed for trial in September. Jasveen Sangha's trial is the only one forthcoming over the “Friends” star's death after four other defendants reached plea agreements and are cooperating with prosecutors. A federal judge set the trial date for September 23. Sangha, who prosecutors say was known to customers as “The Ketamine Queen,” faces five counts of ketamine distribution, including one resulting in death. She has pleaded not guilty. Sangha was a major target in the investigation, along with Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who pleaded guilty last month.