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Attacks between US and Iran across Mideast overshadow efforts to keep diplomacy alive
ISLAMABAD (AP) -- Diplomats are seeking to salvage the collapsed interim deal between Iran and the United States even as both countries continued to launch attacks in a 10th day of renewed fighting. Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni’s visit to Pakistan, a key mediator in the conflict, pointed to intensified diplomatic efforts. A barrage of U.S. strikes hasn’t compelled Tehran to loosen its grip on the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. continued its airstrikes on the Islamic Republic early Tuesday, and Iran retaliated on U.S. allies in the region. A news agency run by Iran-backed Houthi rebels says six ships in the Red Sea were forced to reroute after they received warnings from the rebels. The AP could not immediately confirm the claim.
US soldier killed in Iraq was a 30-year-old father from North Carolina
RALEIGH, North Carolina (AP) -- The U.S. military has identified a soldier killed while disarming an Iranian drone in Iraq as Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton from North Carolina. The military said Tuesday that Swinton will receive a Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Combat Action Badge, and be promoted to staff sergeant. Swinton’s wife, Mia Gonzalez-Swinton, posted on social media: “I will never recover from this.” His mother said he leaves behind a 6-year-old son and a 4-year-old daughter. Two U.S. Army soldiers were also killed in Jordan last week by an Iranian attack. They were the first U.S. troop deaths from direct Iranian fire since the opening days of the war.
Appeals court rejects Biden’s bid to block release of recordings of ghostwriter interviews
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Joe Biden disagrees with an appeals court’s rejection of his effort to block the release of audio recordings of his interviews with a memoir ghostwriter. Biden spokesperson T.J. Ducklo said Tuesday the Democrat’s pre-presidency conversations “for a book a decade ago that discussed his late son” were private and were given to the Justice Department on the condition they stay that way. A divided three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit found there’s a substantial public interest in disclosing the material congressional Republicans demanded. The panel has suspended its decision until Aug. 3 to give Biden time to consider another appeal.
Israel is building a miles-long earthen barrier inside Gaza, entrenching its division
CAIRO (AP) -- The Israeli military is rapidly constructing a large earthen barrier in the Gaza Strip, further entrenching the division of the tiny Palestinian enclave. Satellite images show that more than 14 miles have been built in recent months. Israel’s military confirmed to The Associated Press that it is building a physical barrier. The berms roughly follow the so-called yellow line, a boundary set by the U.S.-backed ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. Palestinians fear the line could become a permanent border. The military says it has developed a “security zone” along the barrier, equipped with intelligence assets.
Arizona Republicans pick nominees Tuesday for governor and other top offices
PHOENIX (AP) -- Arizona Republicans are choosing nominees to challenge Democrats in key state offices. Candidates include U.S. Reps. Andy Biggs and David Schweikert, who are vying to take on Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs. Biggs is endorsed by Donald Trump and aims to unite the party. Schweikert believes his pro-business approach can win back voters. Both parties have contested primaries for Schweikert’s current House district, a battleground for congressional control. The Democratic Party backed Marlene Galán-Woods, while Trump has endorsed former Cardinals kicker Jay Feeley. Republicans are also picking nominees for secretary of state and attorney general. Both posts play crucial roles in election certification.
US actions harm global efforts to prevent and treat HIV in dozens of countries, new report says
A new report says the Trump administration’s disruptions to a global AIDS relief program have forced organizations to close clinics, lay off staff and cut services, seriously impeding efforts to prevent and treat the disease in dozens of countries. The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, known as PEPFAR, is credited with saving at least 26 million lives since its inception in 2003. But last year, it was impaired by a series of federal actions including the elimination of foreign aid contracts. The report was released Tuesday by the nonprofit amfAR.
A tech innovator and an old guard general are the focus of Ukraine’s political crisis
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) -- One is a tech-savvy entrepreneur with no military experience who became Ukraine’s youngest defense minister six months ago, leading it to successes in defending against Russia’s 4-year-old invasion. The other is a seasoned, Soviet-trained general more at home with top-down command culture who led Ukraine’s armed forces. When their personalities and policies clashed, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy decided to fire popular young Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and keep Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi. That move sparked protests across the country in support of Fedorov. Fedorov, a tech specialist, accuses Syrskyi of blocking military reforms and maintaining a traditional command culture. Syrskyi is credited with key military victories but faces criticism for high casualties.
Trump promises US help for Lebanon during a White House meeting with its president
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump is pledging support for Lebanon following months of conflict between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. The promise came during a White House meeting with Lebanese leader Joseph Aoun on Tuesday. Trump expressed a commitment to treating Lebanon with respect and helping the country. Lebanon and Israel are engaged in rare direct talks, mediated by Washington, to address Israeli troop withdrawal and Hezbollah disarmament. The talks aim for a peace agreement between the countries, which have been in a state of war for nearly 80 years. The Lebanese military is preparing for Israeli withdrawal from certain areas.
Tropical Storm Bertha in the Gulf of Mexico is moving toward the Florida Panhandle and Alabama
NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- Tropical Storm Bertha has strengthened in the Gulf of Mexico and is moving toward the Florida Panhandle and Alabama, causing a tropical storm warning and storm surge watches. The Miami-based National Hurricane Center said Tuesday morning that the storm was about 110 miles south of Panama City, Florida, and 170 miles southeast of Mobile, Alabama. Bertha is moving northwest at 5 mph with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph. A tropical storm warning is in effect from the Florida and Alabama border to Louisiana and a storm surge watch has been issued from the Alabama and Florida border to the Mississippi River’s mouth.
Smithsonian history museum chief rejects White House criticism of its leaders as radical activists
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History is pushing back against a White House report labeling the institution’s leadership as radical activists. Anthea M. Hartig told a House Oversight subcommittee on Tuesday the report does not fairly represent the museum’s work. The report was released on July Fourth and criticized the museum as not telling history in an inspiring and unifying way. Republicans echoed these concerns, accusing the museum of presenting history as a power struggle. Hartig emphasizes the museum aims to add voices to the narrative, not erase history. Hartig says the museum does not take sides in political debates.