Trump says US and Iranian officials will talk next week as ceasefire holds

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Israel and Iran seemed to honor the fragile ceasefire between them for a second day, and U.S. President Donald Trump asserted that American and Iranian officials will talk next week, giving rise to cautious hope for longer-term peace. Trump helped negotiate the ceasefire that took hold Tuesday on the 12th day of the war. He told reporters Wednesday at a NATO summit that he was not particularly interested in restarting negotiations with Iran and insisted that U.S. strikes had destroyed its nuclear program. Earlier in the day, an Iranian official questioned whether the United States could be trusted after its weekend attack. Iran has not acknowledged any talks taking place next week.

A 12-day war followed by a sudden ceasefire. Some Iranians now wonder what comes next

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Many Iranians are still reeling from the 12-day war with Israel and a sudden, U.S.-brokered ceasefire. Now, as they return to their neighborhoods deeply shaken by Israeli air assaults, fears mount over what the country’s theocracy may do next. Human rights advocates have already warned that Iran’s government is ramping up executions of dissidents and political prisoners. Four Iranians recounted to The Associated Press that they believe only a minority in the Islamic Republic still firmly supports its leadership. They said they are concerned the fallout from Israel’s attack will derail any momentum for change in the country’s clerical rule, in place since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Trump grapples for upper hand in debate over damage caused by US strikes on Iran

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — President Donald Trump is insisting that U.S. strikes delivered a crushing blow to Iran’s nuclear program. That's despite a preliminary American intelligence assessment suggesting that the assault inflicted only a marginal setback. The leaked intelligence assessment said Iran suffered a delay of only a few months. The administration deployed a phalanx of top officials to defend Trump's claims that Iran’s nuclear program was “completely and fully obliterated.” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the assessment was “preliminary” and “low confidence.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the officials who disclosed the findings are “professional stabbers.”

NATO leaders agree to hike military spending and restate 'ironclad commitment' to collective defense

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — NATO leaders have agreed on a massive hike in defense spending after pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump and expressed their “ironclad commitment” to come to each other’s aid if attacked. The 32 leaders endorsed a final summit statement saying: “Allies commit to invest 5% of GDP annually on core defense requirements as well as defense- and security-related spending by 2035 to ensure our individual and collective obligations.” Russia remains the major threat in Europe, but the United States is shifting its attention to focus on security priorities elsewhere. However, some countries have already warned that they will struggle to meet the target.

Mississippi executes the longest-serving man on the state's death row for 1976 killing

PARCHMAN, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi has executed the longest-serving man on its death row nearly 50 years after he was convicted of murder. Richard Gerald Jordan was a Vietnam veteran who was found guilty of kidnapping and killing Edwina Marter in 1976. He was one of several on death row who sued the state over its three-drug execution protocol, claiming it is inhumane. Jordan’s execution Wednesday was the third in Mississippi in the last 10 years. Previously the most recent one was carried out in December 2022.

Who is Zohran Mamdani? State lawmaker seeks to become NYC's first Muslim and Indian American mayor

NEW YORK (AP) — Zohran Mamdani had been a state lawmaker unknown even to most New Yorkers before announcing his run for mayor. But that was before he declared victory in Tuesday's Democratic primary. The 33-year-old former foreclosure prevention counselor has represented a legislative district in Queens since 2020. He’s also a one-time rapper and son of award-winning Hollywood filmmaker Mira Nair, whose credits include “Monsoon Wedding” and “The Namesake.” Mamdani was born in Uganda and became an American citizen shortly after graduating college. He’s seeking to become the city’s first Muslim and Indian American mayor, not to mention its youngest mayor in generations.

Kilmar Abrego Garcia to remain in jail while attorneys spar whether he’ll be swiftly deported

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Kilmar Abrego Garcia will remain in jail for at least a few more days while attorneys in the federal smuggling case against him spar over whether prosecutors can prevent his deportation if he is released to await trial. The Salvadoran national whose mistaken deportation became a flashpoint in the fight over President Donald Trump’s immigration policies has been in jail since he was returned to the U.S. on June 7, facing two counts of human smuggling. Although a federal Judge has ruled that he has a right to be released and even set specific conditions for his release, his attorneys at a Wednesday hearing expressed concern that it would lead to detention by ICE. Abrego Garcia faces two counts of human smuggling.

One more sizzling hot day for the eastern US before temperatures plunge 30 degrees

NEW YORK (AP) — Weather forecasters are predicting wild temperature swings across the eastern U.S. Wednesday was expected to be another scorcher before temperatures plunge as much as 30 degrees. On Tuesday, at least 50 heat records were broken and 21 places hit triple-digit temperatures. About 127 million Americans are under some kind of National Weather Service heat advisory, down from more than 150 million Tuesday. The sizzling temperatures sent utilities scrambling to keep the air conditioning and lights on because of the massive power demand.

Kennedy's new vaccine panel alarms pediatricians with inquiries into long-settled questions

ATLANTA (AP) — U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s new vaccine advisory panel plans to revisit long-settled questions about childhood vaccines. On Wednesday, the new committee announced it would be looking into the childhood vaccine schedule and into specific shots like the hepatitis B and MMR-chickenpox combination. Pediatricians and scientists are expressing alarm. The American Academy of Pediatrics criticized the committee, calling its process “no longer credible.” The panel also discussed COVID-19 vaccines and shots that protect infants from RSV.

Cooper Flagg the new Maine man for the Mavericks as the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft

NEW YORK (AP) — Cooper Flagg is headed to the Dallas Mavericks, who may have found their next franchise superstar less than five months after trading one away. The Mavericks took the Duke forward with the No. 1 pick in the draft Wednesday night, selecting the 18-year-old who was the college player of the year in his lone season. Mavericks fans were furious when Dallas traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 1, some immediately threatening to end their support of the team. But the ones who stuck around may quickly love Flagg, who averaged 19.2 points and 7.5 rebounds while leading Duke to the Final Four. Rutgers freshman Dylan Harper was taken by San Antonio with the No. 2 pick.