US beefs up posture in Middle East, warns an Iran-backed attack on Israel could come this week
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon says Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered a guided missile submarine to the Middle East and is telling the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group to sail more quickly to the area. This, as the U.S. on Monday says it believes Iran or its proxies may launch a strike against Israel as soon as this week. The moves come as the U.S. and other allies have pushed for Israel and Hamas to achieve a cease-fire agreement that could help calm soaring tensions in the region following the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and a senior Hezbollah commander in Beirut.
FBI says it is investigating after Trump campaign said sensitive documents were hacked by Iran
WASHINGTON (AP) — The FBI says it is investigating allegations that sensitive documents from Donald Trump’s campaign were stolen in a cyber intrusion days after the campaign declared it had been hacked by Iran. The FBI released a brief statement Monday that read, “We can confirm the FBI is investigating this matter.” The campaign provided no specific evidence of Iran’s involvement. But the claim came shortly after Microsoft issued a report detailing foreign agents’ attempts to interfere in the U.S. campaign in 2024. Iran’s mission to the United Nations, when asked about the claim of the Trump campaign, has denied being involved.
Judge rules against RFK Jr. in fight to be on New York’s ballot, says he is not a state resident
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A judge has ruled that independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. falsely claimed a New York residence on nominating petitions, invalidating the documents he needs to appear on the ballot in the state. The ruling Monday from Judge Christina Ryba after a short trial in state court is expected to be appealed. If upheld, it could open the door to challenges in other states where Kennedy used the New York address to gather signatures. The lawsuit, backed by a Democrat-aligned PAC, argued Kennedy actually lives in California with his wife, actor Cheryl Hines. Kennedy argued during the trial that the move is only temporary and he has a residence in his home state.
Trump falsely claims a crowd photo from Harris’ campaign rally in Detroit was created using AI
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is falsely claiming that an image of thousands of people waiting at Detroit’s airport for a campaign rally by Democrat Kamala Harris was fabricated with the help of artificial intelligence. Harris’ campaign denies any such manipulation. Reporters, photographers and video journalists representing The Associated Press and other news organizations who either traveled with Vice President Harris or were on the airport tarmac last Wednesday awaiting the arrival of Air Force Two documented the crowd size.
Former Colorado clerk Tina Peters, hero to election deniers, convicted in election computer breach
DENVER (AP) — Former Colorado clerk Tina Peters has been found guilty by a jury on most charges in a breach of her county’s election computer system. Peters was accused of using someone else’s security badge to give an expert affiliated with My Pillow chief executive Mike Lindell access to the system. Prosecutors say she was seeking fame and became “fixated” on voting problems after becoming involved with those who had questioned the 2020 presidential election results. Peters was convicted Monday of three counts of attempting to influence a public servant, one count of conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation, first-degree official misconduct, violation of duty and failing to comply with the secretary of state. She was acquitted on three other counts.
New Mars study suggests an ocean’s worth of water may be hiding beneath the red dusty surface
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A new study suggests Mars may be drenched beneath its surface, with enough water hiding in the cracks of underground rocks to form a global ocean. The findings, published Monday, are based on computer modeling as well as seismic measurements from NASA’s InSight lander. The spacecraft detected more than 1,300 marsquakes before shutting down two years ago. Scientists say the water is believed to be seven miles to 12 miles down in the Martian crust. It most likely would have seeped from the surface billions of years ago when Mars harbored rivers and lakes.
Top Ukrainian commander says his forces now control almost 390 square miles of Russia’s Kursk region
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine’s top military commander says his forces now control 1,000 square kilometers (386 square miles) of Russia’s neighboring Kursk region. His statement marked the first time a Ukrainian military official has publicly commented on the gains of the lightning incursion that has embarrassed the Kremlin. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi made the comment in a video posted Monday to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Telegram channel. Russian forces are still scrambling to respond to the surprise Ukrainian attack after almost a week of fierce fighting. Zelenskyy confirmed for the first time that the Ukrainian military is operating inside the Kursk region and praised the country’s soldiers and commanders.
Jordan Chiles medal inquiry: USA Gymnastics says arbitration panel won’t reconsider decision
USA Gymnastics officials say an arbitration panel won’t reconsider a decision asking gymnast Jordan Chiles to return the bronze medal she was awarded in the floor exercise at the Paris Olympics. USA Gymnastics says it will continue efforts to let Chiles keep the medal. CAS voided an on-floor appeal from Chiles’ coach that vaulted her to third, saying the appeal came 4 seconds beyond the one-minute time limit for scoring inquiries. USA Gymnastics disputed the timing, saying in a statement Sunday that the agency submitted video evidence to CAS that showed Team USA coach Cecile Landi first appealed 13 seconds before the deadline.
Brazil buries pilot who died in plane crash that killed 62, as questions remain about its cause
SAO PAULO (AP) — The pilot of the plane that crashed down in Brazil last week has been buried in Sao Paulo, becoming the first person laid to rest among the 62 victims, as authorities continue working to determine what caused the accident. A hearse bearing the casket of Danilo Santos Romano rolled through the streets of Penha, a working class region of Sao Paulo’s east side, en route to the cemetery that lies beneath his apartment. Family members and friends walked behind the vehicle and dozens of shop owners who knew him as a regular customer gathered on the sidewalks to applaud as it passed. Romano was 35.
Pacific Northwest tribes are battered by climate change but fight to get money meant to help them
SEATTLE (AP) — A report shows that coastal tribes in the Pacific Northwest experience some of the most severe effects of climate change but face an array of bureaucratic barriers when it comes to accessing government funds meant to help them adapt. The challenges in the report released Monday range from rising seas and erosion to warming waters and severe heat. The authors interviewed 13 tribes along the coast of Oregon and Washington for the Northwest Climate Resilience Collaborative’s report. They found the tribes face many challenges in accessing grant money. The report highlights the need for a more coordinated federal response and more money for tribal adaptation to the impacts of climate change.
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