Asia shares jump after US stocks soared to historic gains when Trump paused most of his tariffs
TOKYO (AP) — Asian shares surged in morning trading, with Japan’s benchmark jumping more than 2,000 points almost immediately after the Tokyo exchange opened, as investors welcomed President Donald Trump’s decision to back off on most of his tariffs. Analysts had expected the regional comeback given that U.S. stocks had one of their best days in history on a euphoric Wall Street Wednesday, where investor hopes had run high that Trump would tone down the tariffs. On Thursday, Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 jumped 8.3% in morning trading to 34,353.17, zooming upward as soon as trading began. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 soared 4.71%.
Trump limits tariffs on most nations for 90 days, raises taxes on Chinese imports
WASHINGTON (AP) — Facing a global market meltdown, President Donald Trump on Wednesday abruptly backed off his tariffs on most nations for 90 days, but raised his tax rate on Chinese imports to 125%. It was seemingly an attempt to narrow what had been an unprecedented trade war between the U.S. and most of the world to one between the U.S. and China. Global markets surged on the development, but the precise details of Trump’s plans to ease tariffs on non-China trade partners were not immediately clear. There still appear to be 25% tariffs on autos, steel and aluminum, with more imports set to be tariffed in the weeks ahead.
Officials scramble to identify victims of Dominican club roof collapse that killed at least 184
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — The number of victims who died after a roof collapsed at an iconic nightclub has surged to 184 as dozens of people lingered outside the Dominican Republic’s forensic institute for news of their loved ones still missing more than a day after disaster struck. .Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the Center of Emergency Operations, said late Wednesday that crews at the scene were still looking for victims and potential survivors, although no one has been found alive since Tuesday afternoon. The roof collapsed early Tuesday at the legendary Jet Set club in Santo Domingo.
Appeals court clears the way for the Trump administration to fire thousands of probationary workers
WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal appeals court has cleared the way for President Donald Trump’s administration to fire thousands of probationary workers, halting a judge’s order requiring them to be reinstated. A split panel for the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday found the government will probably win by showing the mass firings must be appealed through a separate employment process rather than fought out in federal court. The decision in a case filed by nearly two dozen states in Maryland comes a day after the Supreme Court blocked a similar order from a judge in California. The states could seek further court review as their lawsuit plays out.
Trump targets ‘Anonymous’ author and former top cybersecurity official in escalation of retribution
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is intensifying his efforts to punish his critics by signing a pair of memoranda directing the Justice Department to investigate two officials from his first administration and stripping them of any security clearances they may have. Trump’s targeting of Miles Taylor, a former Department of Homeland Security official in Trump’s first term, and Chris Krebs, a former top cybersecurity official, came as the president has sought to use the powers of the presidency to retaliate against his adversaries. Trump also on Wednesday retaliated against another law firm, Susman Godfrey, as he seeks to punish firms that have links to prosecutors that have investigated him or employed attorneys he sees as opponents.
Trump: Israel would be 'leader' of Iran strike if Tehran doesn't give up nuclear weapons program
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says that Israel would be the “leader” of a potential military strike against Iran if Tehran doesn’t give up its nuclear weapons program. Trump made the comments on Wednesday, ahead of this weekend’s scheduled talks involving U.S. and Iranian officials in the Middle East sultanate of Oman. Trump told reporters that if military action is required, “Israel will obviously be very much involved in that” and that “they’ll be the leader of that.” He added that the U.S. would "do what we want to do.” The United States is increasingly concerned as Tehran is closer than ever to a workable weapon.
Israeli strike on Gaza apartment building kills at least 23, officials say
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — An Israeli airstrike on a residential block in northern Gaza killed at least 23 people, health officials in the Palestinian territory say. The Gaza Health Ministry said more than half of the dead were women and children. It said Wednesday's strike hit a four-story building in the Shijaiyah neighborhood of Gaza City. It said at least 40 people were wounded in the strike. The Israeli military said it struck a senior Hamas militant who it said was behind attacks emanating from Shijaiyah. It was the latest violence in a war that shows no signs of abating.
50 years later, Vietnam's battlefields draw retrospective veterans and other tourists
HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam (AP) — Hamburger Hill, Hue, the Ia Drang Valley, Khe Sanh: Some remember the Vietnam War battles from the headlines of the 1960s and 1970s, others from movies and history books. And thousands of Americans and Vietnamese know them as the graveyards of loved ones who died fighting more than a half-century ago. Today the battlefields of Vietnam are sites of pilgrimage for veterans from both sides who fought there, and tourists wanting to see firsthand where the war was waged.
Pope Francis meets privately with King Charles and Queen Camilla during his Vatican convalescence
ROME (AP) — Pope Francis met privately with King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the Vatican during the royal couple’s four-day state visit to Italy and on the occasion of their 20th wedding anniversary. It was the first confirmed meeting since the pope’s return to the Vatican after five weeks in the hospital for life-threatening double pneumonia. Francis had planned to have an audience with Charles, but that was officially postponed due to the pope’s health. The pope issued a new invitation for a private audience, but it was only confirmed on Wednesday morning.
Author, wife of Weezer bassist arrested after being shot by police who say she pointed a gun at them
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Authorities say Jillian Lauren, author and wife of Weezer bassist Scott Shriner, was shot and injured by Los Angeles police and arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after pointing a gun at officers. The LAPD said in a statement Wednesday that the 51-year-old Lauren had injuries that were not life-threatening. A message to her manager was not immediately answered. Police say officers were pursuing unrelated hit-and-run suspects when they came across Lauren holding a gun in a neighboring front yard. Police say they fired when she refused to drop the gun and pointed it at them. She fled into a home where she was taken into custody, hospitalized and arrested.
