Trump's broad tariffs go into effect, just as economic pain is surfacing

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has started imposing higher import taxes on goods from over 60 countries, including the European Union, Japan and South Korea. These tariffs, which began Thursday, are part of Trump's strategy to reduce the trade deficit and encourage foreign investment in the U.S. However, the economic impact is already visible, with signs of stalled hiring, rising inflation and declining home values. Despite the uncertainty, Trump remains optimistic about economic growth, while many experts warn of potential long-term damage.

Army sergeant shot 5 soldiers before he was tackled and arrested at Fort Stewart, officials say

FORT STEWART, Ga. (AP) — An Army sergeant has been accused of shooting five soldiers at Fort Stewart. Officials say Wednesday that other troops tackled 28-year-old Sgt. Quornelius Radford after he started firing. The shooting prompted a brief lockdown at one the country’s largest Army bases. Officials say Radford used a personal handgun, not a military firearm. Officials say Radford opened fire where he worked. An Army spokesman says officials wouldn’t speculate about a motive. The injured soldiers are stable and expected to recover, and Radford is in law enforcement custody. Brig. Gen. John Lubas said fellow soldiers tackled Radford and subdued him.

Military base shootings have ranged from altercations to workplace violence and terrorism

ATLANTA (AP) — The shooting of five U.S. Army soldiers at a base in Georgia is the latest in a list of violent occurrences at American military installations over the years. Some shootings have been isolated altercations between service members. But others have been attacks on bases or mass-casualty events. A 2009 shooting at Ford Hood in Texas by an Army psychiatrist left 13 people dead. It was the deadliest attack on a domestic military installation in U.S. history. Wednesday's shooting in Georgia occurred at Fort Stewart. Authorities said the shooter has been taken into custody. The conditions of the victims were not immediately released.

Trump could meet in person with Putin as soon as next week, White House official says

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump could meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin as soon as next week to discuss the Russia-Ukraine war. A White House official who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday cautioned that a meeting has not been scheduled yet and no location has been determined. News of a potential meeting came after Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff met with Putin in Moscow. Trump posted that the meeting was productive and he had updated European allies. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump is open to meeting with both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The potential meeting was first reported by The New York Times.

Trump to put additional 25% import taxes on India, bringing combined tariffs to 50%

WASHINGTON (AP) — Trump has signed an executive order to place an additional 25% tariff on India for its purchases of Russian oil. That brings the combined tariffs imposed by the United States on its ally to 50%. The tariffs would go into effect 21 days after the signing of the order Wednesday, meaning that both India and Russia might have time to negotiate with the administration on the import taxes. Trump’s moves could scramble the economic trajectory of India, which until recently was seen as an alternative to China by American companies looking to relocate their manufacturing. China also buys oil from Russia, but wasn't included in the order.

Trump plans 100% tariff on computer chips, unless companies build in US

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he's imposing a 100% tariff on computer chips— a move that raises the specter of higher prices for electronics, autos, household appliances and other essential goods that depend on the processors. Companies making computer chips in the U.S. or planning to do so will be spared the import taxes. During the pandemic, a shortage of computer chips increased the price of autos and contributed to higher inflation. Investors continued to bet that Big Tech companies such as Apple that have made huge financial commitments in the U.S. will be exempt from the chip tariffs.

Harvard scientists say research could be set back years after funding freeze

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) — Hundreds of Harvard researchers have fallen victim to the freeze on funding by the Trump administration. The halt in federal funding has meant some of the world’s most prominent researchers exploring everything from opioid addiction to how diseases like cancer progress are laying off young researchers and shelving years or even decades of research. Some research might be lost forever. The funding cuts are part of a monthslong battle that the Trump administration has waged against some the country’s top universities. It has taken a particular hard and aggressive line against Harvard, freezing funding after the university rejected a series of demands from a federal antisemitism task force.

Victims feeling exhausted and anxious about wrangling over Epstein files

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Women who say they were abused by Jeffrey Epstein are feeling skeptical and anxious after the Justice Department requested a court take the rare step of unsealing transcripts of secret testimony related to the sex-offending millionaire’s case. In letters addressed to federal judges in New York this week, several victims said Trump was just seeking to placate segments of his base who are unhappy with the Justice Department’s handling of the investigation. Other victims said they would support the disclosure, provided the government took steps to ensure their privacy. The Justice Department did not respond to a request for comment on the victims’ statements.

Man accused of killing Israeli Embassy staffers indicted on federal hate crime and murder charges

WASHINGTON (AP) — The man accused of shooting two Israeli Embassy staff members outside a Jewish museum in Washington has been indicted on federal hate crime and murder charges. The indictment against Elias Rodriguez was unsealed Wednesday and includes nine counts, including hate crime resulting in death. It also could clear the way for the Justice Department to potentially seek the death penalty. Rodriguez is accused of killing Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim in May, reportedly shouting “Free Palestine” during his arrest. Prosecutors say Rodriguez planned the attack, flying from Chicago with a handgun. Witnesses described him pacing outside before opening fire. He allegedly confessed inside the museum afterward.

Dozens killed seeking aid in Gaza as Israel weighs further military action

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Local health officials say at least 38 Palestinians were killed overnight and during the day in the Gaza Strip while seeking aid from United Nations convoys and sites run by an Israeli-backed American contractor. The Israeli military said on Wednesday it had fired warning shots when crowds approached its forces. Another 25 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes. That's according to local hospitals in Gaza. The latest deaths came as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was expected to announce further military action — and possibly plans for Israel to fully reoccupy Gaza. Experts say Israel’s ongoing military offensive and blockade are already pushing the territory of some 2 million Palestinians into famine.