Israel announces plan to retake Gaza City in another escalation of the war

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel says it plans to take over Gaza City in another escalation of its 22-month war with Hamas. The decision, taken after a late-night meeting of top officials, came despite mounting international calls to end the war and protests by many in Israel who fear for the remaining hostages held by Hamas. Israel’s air and ground war has already killed tens of thousands of people in Gaza, displaced most of the population, destroyed vast areas and pushed the territory toward famine. Another major ground operation would almost certainly exacerbate the humanitarian catastrophe. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had earlier outlined more sweeping plans in an interview with Fox News, saying Israel planned to take control of all of Gaza.

Trump’s new tariffs go into effect as US economy shows signs of strain

WASHINGTON (AP) — Global financial markets are reacting to President Donald Trump's tariff adjustments. Markets rose across much of Europe and Asia, while stocks are slipping on Wall Street. Trump started imposing higher import taxes on goods from more than 60 countries, including the European Union, Japan and South Korea. The higher import taxes are part of his strategy to reduce the U.S. trade deficit and encourage foreign investment in America. But there are signs of stalled hiring, rising inflation and declining home values. Trump is optimistic about economic growth. But many experts warn of potential long-term damage.

Trump says he would meet with Putin even if the Russian leader won't meet with Ukraine's Zelenskyy

President Donald Trump says he would meet with Vladimir Putin even if the Russian leader won’t meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The comments suggested the U.S. and Russia could soon hold a summit. Trump was asked Thursday by a reporter if Putin would need to meet with Zelenskyy in order to secure a meeting with the U.S.. He said no. Putin said earlier in the day that he hoped to meet with Trump next week, possibly in the United Arab Emirates. Putin’s remarks came on the eve of a White House deadline for Moscow to show progress toward ending the three-year-old war in Ukraine or suffer additional economic sanctions.

Rural Pennsylvania man kills neighbor and wounds responding troopers in gunfire ambush, police say

Police say a 61-year-old man fatally shot a neighbor in rural Pennsylvania and then ambushed responding state troopers, wounding two while firing dozens of rounds from a semiautomatic weapon. State police Col. Christopher Paris told reporters Lori Wasko’s boyfriend called 911 after 11 a.m. Thursday from their home near Thompson to report shots fired. Paris says the 57-year-old woman was shot and killed outside her home near her vehicle. Paris says a man identified as Carmine Faino, 61, shot Wasko and then shot troopers Joseph Perechinsky and William Jenkins as they were arriving. Both troopers were in stable condition Thursday night. Faino was shot and killed by law enforcement.

Wall Street drifts as stock markets worldwide take Trump's new tariffs in stride

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks drifted to a mixed finish as President Donald Trump’s tariffs on dozens of countries had only a muted effect on markets worldwide. The S&P 500 slipped 0.1% Thursday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 0.5%, and the Nasdaq composite rose 0.3% to a record. Worries are high that Trump’s tariffs are damaging the economy, particularly after last week’s worse-than-expected report on the job market. But hopes for coming cuts to interest rates by the Federal Reserve and a torrent of stronger-than-expected profit reports from big U.S. companies are helping to offset the concerns, at least for now. Treasury yields ticked higher.

Trump seeks to change how census collects data and wants to exclude immigrants in US illegally

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has instructed the Commerce Department to change how the Census Bureau collects data, seeking to exclude immigrants in the United States illegally. The Republican president said Thursday the census' data collections will be based on “modern day facts and figures" and use information gained from the 2024 presidential election. It's an indication Trump might try to inject his politics into a head count that determines political power and federal spending. Trump says people in the U.S. illegally would be excluded from census counts. Census changes could play into Trump's efforts to urge Texas and other Republican-led states to redraw congressional maps. A census expert says Trump “cannot unilaterally order" a new one.

Judge orders temporary halt to construction at Florida's 'Alligator Alcatraz' detention center

MIAMI (AP) — A federal judge has ordered a two-week halt to construction at an immigrant detention center in the Florida Everglades dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz” as she considers whether it violates environmental laws. The facility was quickly built two months ago at a lightly used, single-runway training airport and can hold up to 3,000 detainees in temporary tent structures. The facility was continuing to be built out, but Thursday's order by U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams temporarily bars any new filling, paving or infrastructure. The order doesn’t include any restrictions on law enforcement or immigration enforcement activity at the center. Williams issued the temporary restraining order during a hearing and then followed up with a written order later Thursday.

FBI forces out more leaders, including ex-director who fought Trump demand for Jan. 6 agents' names

WASHINGTON (AP) — The FBI is forcing out more senior officials, including a former acting director who resisted Trump administration demands to turn over the names of agents who participated in Jan. 6 Capitol riot investigations and the head of the bureau’s Washington field office. That's according to people familiar with the matter and internal communications seen by The Associated Press on Thursday. Brian Driscoll led the bureau in the weeks that followed President Donald Trump’s inauguration last January. Steven Jensen for months led the Washington office, one of the bureau’s largest and busiest. Driscoll and Jensen have sent farewell messages to colleagues.

US Air Force to deny retirement pay to transgender service members being separated from the service

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Air Force has decided to deny early retirement options for transgender service members with 15 to 18 years of service. Instead, they are being separated without retirement benefits. This decision means transgender service members must choose between a lump-sum separation payment or leaving the service without benefits. An Air Force spokesperson confirmed that no exceptions to this policy were approved, despite previous notifications to some members. All transgender members are being separated under the Trump administration's policies.

Trump's redistricting fight mushrooms with Vance in Indiana and Florida joining the fray

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana (AP) — President Donald Trump is increasing pressure on Republican-led states to redraw congressional boundaries. Vice President JD Vance went to Indiana on Thursday as the president called for a new federal census. A top Florida Republican says his state will start the redistricting process soon. All of this aims to boost the GOP’s advantages in upcoming elections. Meanwhile, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn of Texas said that FBI Director Kash Patel has agreed to get involved in corralling Texas Democratic lawmakers who left their state to deny the Republican majority a quorum necessary to vote on a U.S. House redistricting plan. The developments reflect rising tensions in a bitter partisan fight that seems to be mushrooming nationally.