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.

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.

Turkish student at Tufts University is latest Palestinian supporter swept up in US crackdown

BOSTON (AP) — A Turkish student detained by federal police as she walked on the streets of a Boston suburb is the latest supporter of Palestinian causes to be swept up in the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigrants who have expressed their political views. U.S.. government lawyers said Thursday that 30-year-old Rumeysa Ozturk, a doctoral student at Tufts University, had been moved out of Massachusetts by the time her lawyer went to court and a judge ordered her to be kept in the state. The lawyers said that Ozturk, who was detained Tuesday, is in a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in Louisiana. They said her lawyer spoke with her Wednesday night.

Alleged leader of MS-13 street gang on the East Coast is arrested in Virginia

MANASSAS, Va. (AP) — U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi says the alleged leader of the MS-13 street gang on the East Coast has been arrested in Virginia. The 24-year-old man from El Salvador was described as one of MS-13’s top three leaders in the United States. Bondi said Thursday that it's a major victory in the Trump administration’s effort to crack down on a gang that's known for brutal violence and extortion. Henrry Josue Villatoro Santos was taken into custody on an outstanding administrative immigration warrant, and charged with illegal gun possession after agents found several firearms during the search of his home, according to court papers.