Trump says US military has blockaded Iranian ports to pressure Tehran

CAIRO (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump says the American military has begun a blockade of Iranian ports. Trump’s statement on Monday was part of his effort to force Tehran to open the Strait of Hormuz and accept a deal to end the war that has raged for more than six weeks. Iran responded with threats on all ports in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, taking aim at U.S.-allied countries. That set the stage for an extraordinary showdown that posed serious risks for the global economy and raised the specter that the ceasefire could collapse and the war could resume.

Trump says he won’t apologize to Pope Leo and explains his reason for posting much-criticized meme

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is refusing to apologize to Pope Leo XIV after criticizing the pontiff’s opposition to the war in Iran. Trump told reporters Monday that he wasn’t sorry for responding to Leo’s public comments. Trump lashed out at the pope on Sunday night in both a social media post and to reporters after disembarking Air Force One. Leo responded by saying that the Vatican’s appeals for peace and reconciliation are rooted in the Gospel and that he doesn’t fear the Trump administration. On Monday, Trump also sought to explain away a now-deleted social media post depicting himself as Jesus by saying he thought it showed him as a doctor.

House Ethics panel opens investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against Rep. Eric Swalwell

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House Ethics Committee has begun an investigation into whether Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell of California engaged in sexual misconduct toward an employee working under his supervision. The announcement by the panel Monday comes one day after Swalwell suspended his campaign for California governor after the emergence of allegations he continues to deny. Democrats quickly abandoned support for Swalwell after allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman twice, including when she worked for him. The reports published in the San Francisco Chronicle and later by CNN came as Swalwell began to emerge as a leading contender in the crowded race.

Judge dismisses Trump’s $10B lawsuit against WSJ, Murdoch over reporting on ties to Epstein

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge has dismissed President Donald Trump’s $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal and Rupert Murdoch over a story on his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. U.S. District Judge Darrin P. Gayles in Florida wrote in the order issued Monday that Trump had failed to make the argument that the article was published with the intent to be malicious, but gave the president a chance to file an amended complaint. Trump’s lawsuit came after the Journal published an article that described a sexually suggestive letter the newspaper said bore Trump’s signature and was included in an album compiled for Epstein’s 50th birthday. Trump has denied writing it. After the ruling, Trump said he has a “powerful case” and will be refiling the complaint.

A 16-year-old from Florida charged with sexually assaulting and killing stepsister on a cruise ship

A 16-year-old boy has been charged with murder and aggravated sexual abuse in Florida in the death of his 18-year-old stepsister on a Carnival Cruise ship, the U.S. Justice Department said Monday. Timothy Hudson was indicted on March 10. But the entire case was sealed until Friday, weeks after a judge said he would be prosecuted as an adult at the request of prosecutors. Anna Kepner had been traveling on the Carnival Horizon ship in November with her family. Before the ship was scheduled to return to Florida, her body was found concealed under a bed in a room.

Man accused in Molotov cocktail attack of OpenAI CEO’s home opposed AI, court documents say

SPRING, Texas (AP) — Court documents say the man accused of throwing a Molotov cocktail at OpenAI founder Sam Altman’s home in San Francisco was opposed to artificial intelligence and had a list of other AI tech executives. Authorities allege Daniel Moreno-Gama threw the incendiary device about 4 a.m. Friday, setting an exterior gate at Altman’s home alight before fleeing on foot, police said. Less than an hour later, Moreno-Gama allegedly went to OpenAI’s headquarters and reportedly threatened to burn down the building. Authorities allege that when Moreno-Gama was arrested Friday in San Francisco, they found a document on him in which he “identified views opposed to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the executives of various AI companies.”

Hungarian election victor Magyar says he’d speak with Putin and ask him to end the war in Ukraine

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungarian election winner Péter Magyar says he would talk to Russian President Vladimir Putin but won’t initiate contact. He spoke Monday after defeating Putin ally Viktor Orbán. Magyar said that he would ask Putin to end the killing in Ukraine and plans to review Hungary’s Russian energy contracts and renegotiate them if needed. His victory has sparked hope across Europe for a more cooperative EU as many leaders were frustrated with Orbán’s policies. Magyar aims to work closely with the EU and NATO. European leaders have praised his win. They see it as a shift away from populist politics. The outcome could impact Hungary’s stance on issues like Ukraine.

Trump administration agrees to return rainbow Pride flag to New York’s Stonewall monument

NEW YORK (AP) — The Trump administration has agreed to keep flying a rainbow Pride flag on a federal flagpole at the Stonewall National Monument, reversing course after removing the banner in February. The government revealed the decision on Monday as it seeks to settle a lawsuit filed by LGBTQ+ and historic preservation groups who had sought to block the removal. A judge must still approve the agreement. According to court papers, the Interior Department and National Park Service “have confirmed their intention to maintain a Pride flag at Stonewall.” It won’t be removed, except for “maintenance or other practical purposes.”

Hezbollah official says the group won’t abide by any agreements from Lebanon-Israel talks in the US

BEIRUT (AP) — A senior Hezbollah official says the Lebanese militant group will not abide by any agreements made in upcoming direct talks between Israel and Lebanon in the United States. The talks, which are to start on Tuesday, will be the first in decades. Hezbollah opposes these negotiations, viewing Israel as an enemy. Lebanese officials hope for a ceasefire, while Israel is seeking Hezbollah’s disarmament and a potential peace agreement. Wafiq Safa, a high-ranking member of Hezbollah’s political council, told The Associated Press in a rare interview on Monday that Hezbollah is “not interested in or concerned with” these negotiations in the U.S.

World Cup 2026: Who’s in, where to watch, betting odds, schedules and more

The biggest FIFA World Cup ever, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches, is fast approaching. The tournament will be held across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Argentina, the defending champion, is back, and four nations will make their World Cup debuts. The group stage begins June 11, with teams guaranteed three matches. The top two teams from each group, plus the best eight third-place teams, will advance. The U.S. plays its first match on June 12. Argentina star Lionel Messi’s participation remains uncertain, but is expected