Blanche doesn’t rule out considering payments for violent Jan. 6 rioters as he defends $1.8B fund

WASHINGTON (AP) — Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has not ruled out the possibility of compensating individuals involved in violence during the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot from a new $1.776 billion fund. During a Congressional hearing on Tuesday, Blanche stated that anyone who believes they were politically targeted can apply for the “Anti-Weaponization Fund.” The fund, announced Monday, aims to compensate those mistreated by previous administrations’ Justice Departments. Blanche emphasized that the fund is not limited to any political party or specific individuals. Some Democrats have criticized the fund as an abuse of power, while some Republicans have expressed discomfort with it.

Trump endorses Ken Paxton in Texas GOP primary, boosting his challenge to incumbent Sen. Cornyn

ALLEN, Texas (AP) — President Donald Trump has endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, supercharging his effort to oust incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in a Republican primary runoff. Paxton and Cornyn qualified for the May 26 runoff after a March 3 primary. Trump wrote on social media that Paxton is “a true MAGA Warrior.” Although the four-term Cornyn has backed Trump’s agenda in Washington, Paxton pitched himself as a political warrior for the Make America Great Again movement. Trump’s endorsement Tuesday puts him at odds with his party’s establishment, which is convinced Cornyn is the better candidate for November’s general election. The runoff had been shaping up as a bitter and expensive battle for the future of the Republican Party.

UAE says drones that targeted Barakah nuclear power plant came from Iraqi territory

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The United Arab Emirates says drones that targeted its Barakah nuclear power plant all came from Iraq. The announcement Tuesday means that Iranian-backed Shiite militias were likely behind Sunday’s nuclear plant attack. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump said he’s willing to give Iran a few days — possibly until early next week — to make progress in peace negotiations before the United States resumes military strikes. No group has claimed responsibility for the UAE attack, though Iran and its proxies had been suspected. Such militias have launched repeated drone attacks targeting Gulf Arab states after Israel and the United States began their war against Iran on Feb. 28.

Putin visits China to reaffirm Russia ties as Xi also seeks stable US relations after Trump summit

BEIJING (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in China for meetings with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The visit comes less than a week after U.S. President Donald Trump wrapped up his own trip to Beijing. Putin’s two-day visit is likely to be closely watched as Beijing seeks to maintain stable relations with the United States while also preserving strong ties with Russia. The Kremlin has said Putin and Xi are planning to discuss economic cooperation between the two countries but also key international and regional issues. The visit coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Sino-Russian Treaty of Friendship signed in 2001.

Police were searching for teens behind San Diego mosque shooting before the bloodshed began

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Before the first shot rang out at a San Diego mosque in a deadly shooting, police were scrambling to find the two teenagers who would ultimately be responsible. Police say three men were killed in Monday’s attack at the Islamic Center of San Diego, including a security guard whose actions they deemed heroic. The suspects, ages 17 and 18, were found dead in vehicle a few blocks from the mosque. Police say they killed themselves. Police say the search began after one teen’s mother reported her son was suicidal. Police Chief Scott Wahl says the department is investigating the attack as a hate crime.

UK police investigate allegations of child sex abuse dating back to 1980s after Epstein file release

LONDON (AP) — Police in the UK are investigating two allegations of decades-old child sex abuse linked to Jeffrey Epstein. The allegations emerged from documents in the U.S. Justice Department’s investigation. Police in Surrey, southwest of London, announced Tuesday they are looking into incidents from the mid-1990s to 2000 in Surrey and Berkshire, and from the mid- to late 1980s in West Surrey. No arrests have been made. The National Police Chiefs’ Council has set up a national coordination group to support forces examining over 3 million pages of documents. The Epstein scandal has impacted the royal family and British politics.

More than 17,000 under evacuation orders as Southern California wildfire threatens homes

SIMI VALLEY, Calif. (AP) — More than 17,000 people are under evacuation orders as a wildfire continues to threaten suburban homes in Southern California. The Sandy Fire in hills above Simi Valley, northwest of Los Angeles, had consumed more than two square miles of dry brush as of Tuesday. There is zero containment. The cause is under investigation. Evacuation orders and warnings are still in place for several neighborhoods in Simi Valley, a city of more than 125,000 people. Meanwhile, firefighters are battling a 23-square-mile blaze on Santa Rosa Island, off the Southern California coast.

Nigeria says its joint strikes with the US have killed 175 Islamic State fighters

LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — The Nigerian military says 175 Islamic State fighters have been killed over the past few days in a joint operation with the United States. In a statement, military spokesperson Samaila Uba says the strikes also destroyed weapons, checkpoints and financial networks of the militants across the northeastern region of the country. The gains against the militants followed the killing late last week of the group’s local chapter deputy, Abu Bakr al-Mainuki, in the first successful targeting of a senior militant in more than a decade of insurgency in the country.

WHO worries about Ebola outbreak’s scale and speed as Congo announces 134 deaths

BUNIA, Congo (AP) — The World Health Organization director-general has expressed concern over the rapid spread of a rare type of Ebola in eastern Congo. Authorities have reported at least 134 suspected deaths and over 500 cases. The Bundibugyo virus has no approved treatments or vaccines. The outbreak has been declared a public health emergency requiring international response. The virus has spread to urban areas, raising fears of further spread and deaths. A WHO official on the ground says any vaccine approved for use would still take about two months to become available. The region was already facing a humanitarian crisis, complicating outbreak response efforts.

US stocks fall further from their records after bond markets crank up the pressure

NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. stock market is giving back more of its record-setting rally as bond markets rattled by high inflation keep cranking up the pressure. The S&P 500 fell 0.3% Tuesday and was on track for a third straight loss after setting its latest all-time high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 96 points, and the Nasdaq composite fell 0.5%. Tech stocks are faltering following huge runs made because of excitement around artificial-intelligence technology, runs that critics said made them too expensive. Treasury yields rose further in the bond market despite an easing in oil prices.