Blanche in Republican firestorm over $1.8B fund as he seeks to prove loyalty to Trump

WASHINGTON (AP) – When acting Attorney General Todd Blanche signed off on a nearly $1.8 billion fund meant to compensate President Donald Trump’s allies for alleged political prosecution, he may have pleased his boss. But the eyebrow-raising move – the latest in his push to prove his loyalty to Trump – has agitated the same Republican lawmakers he would need to secure the permanent job.

Rubio embarks on another mission to ease tensions with allies during NATO meeting

WASHINGTON (AP) – Secretary of State Marco Rubio is on his latest mission to assuage nervous U.S. allies in Europe about the Trump administration’s intentions with NATO or at least put a friendlier face on whipsawing changes and uncertainty about American troop reductions.

Taiwan says US hasn't notified it of any pause in a planned $14 billion arms sale

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) – Taiwan hasn’t been notified of any pause in a planned $14 billion U.S. arms sale to the self-governing island, a government official said Friday, after the acting U.S. Navy secretary told a Senate committee in Washington that some foreign military sales were being delayed to ensure the American military has enough munitions for the Iran war.

Editorials from The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The New York Times and others

Editorials from The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The New York Times and others

Ukrainians fear bill could declare missing soldiers dead

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) – Hundreds of Ukrainians marched through the capital on Friday, demanding that the government veto a bill that families of missing soldiers say could lead to their loved ones being prematurely declared dead.

DNC tries to move past autopsy debacle as Martin faces calls to resign as chair

NEW YORK (AP) – One day after the Democratic National Committee released its botched autopsy report on the 2024 election, party leaders continued limping toward the midterm elections – even as other prominent Democrats demanded major changes at the very top of the organization.

SpaceX launches its biggest, most beefed-up Starship yet on a test flight

SpaceX launched its biggest, most powerful Starship yet on a test flight Friday, an upgraded version that NASA is counting on to land astronauts on the moon.

Legal fight could delay proposed $7B Roundup lawsuit settlement

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – Delays could be in store for a proposed $7.25 billion settlement covering thousands of claims that the maker of Roundup weedkiller failed to warn people the product could cause cancer.

Trump forces foreigners in the US to apply for a green card abroad

WASHINGTON (AP) – Foreigners in the U.S. who want a green card will need to leave and apply in their home country, the Trump administration announced Friday, in a surprise change to a longstanding policy that sowed confusion and concern among aid groups, immigration lawyers and immigrants.