China's Xi warns against 'world's retrogression to the law of the jungle'

BEIJING (AP) – The leaders of China and Spain on Tuesday pledged to work to safeguard multilateralism at a time of conflicts including the war in Iran, with Chinese President Xi Jinping saying the countries should “oppose the world’s retrogression to the law of the jungle.”

Hopes rise for renewed US Iran talks as blockade is in force

ISLAMABAD (AP) – Hopes rose for renewed talks between the United States and Iran on Wednesday, as the U.S. military said its blockade of Iranian ports was in full effect and Tehran threatened to retaliate by strike targets across the war-weary region.

Energy Secretary Wright says US heading 'in the wrong direction'

WASHINGTON (AP) – Energy Secretary Chris Wright raised eyebrows Tuesday after saying the country “looks like we’re going in the wrong direction” in remarks hailing a new natural gas pipeline project.

Justice Department tosses convictions of Oath Keepers and Proud Boys

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Justice Department on Tuesday asked a federal appeals court to throw out the seditious conspiracy convictions of Proud Boys and Oath Keepers leaders who were sentenced to prison terms for leading members of the far-right extremist groups in attacking the U.S. Capitol.

Why many Americans are turning to AI for health advice

NEW YORK (AP) – When Tiffany Davis has a question about a symptom from the weight-loss injections she’s taking, she doesn’t call her doctor. She pulls out her phone and consults ChatGPT.

Republicans are moving to fund Homeland Security 'the hard way'

WASHINGTON (AP) – Republicans in Congress are forging ahead with a risky go-it-alone strategy for fully funding the Department of Homeland Security, which has been shut down for almost two months as Democrats demand changes to President Donald Trump’s broad campaign of immigration enforcement.

7-Eleven to close hundreds of stores in North America

NEW YORK (AP) – Convenience chain 7-Eleven expects to close hundreds of its locations this year. According to earnings filings published last week, 7-Eleven’s North American operator plans to close 645 stores in the 2026 fiscal year – outpacing the 205 locations it forecasts it will open during that same time.

They scour the Mexican cartel lands for the missing - and for closure

GUADALAJARA, México (AP) – For hours under the blistering sun, Raúl Servín shovels and digs his way through days filled with pain, hope and usually frustration. He is looking for his son, gone eight years now – and for ” all the other missing people ” in Mexico as well.

Tom Cruise previews Iñárritu satire 'Digger' at CinemaCon

LAS VEGAS (AP) – Tom Cruise, in very Tom Cruise fashion, arrived at Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s doorstep by motorcycle. He’d been wanting to work with Iñárritu for years and, when he got the call about “Digger,” he figured it was the fastest way.