News without an agenda. AP is a not-for-profit organization with no corporate parent, no shareholders and no government influence. Our mission is journalism, not profit margins. Your donation supports independent reporting that serves the public interest, not corporate shareholders. Donate today. |
|
|
In the news today: Superstars of MAGA media are sharply critical of Trump's decision to go to war; the U.S. and Israel extend attacks on Iran; and key results from the kickoff of the high-stakes midterm elections. Also, a crocodile caught a very long way from home. |
President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in the Oval Office at the White House, Tuesday, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) |
Lock step no more: Iran war shows cracks in Trump's conservative media support |
For President Donald Trump, some of the sharpest criticism he's faced in the early days of the Iran war has come from once-loyal media figures far more accustomed to singing his praises. Read more. |
|
|
- Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly and Matt Walsh are among those expressing discontent. It's been noticed in the White House, which has been playing defense on social media and in interviews. To be sure, these critics are the minority of the media MAGAsphere, where Fox News' biggest stars remain cheerleaders. But their words illustrate conservative media's influence and how valuable it is to Trump when all runs as a well-oiled machine — and, by contrast, how much of a problem it can be if it fractures.
Much of the criticism has centered on Israel's influence on Trump's decision to go to war. Carlson, the former Fox News star who has built his own independent operation, told ABC News over the weekend that the attack was "absolutely disgusting and evil." "It's hard to say this, but the United States didn't make the decision here," Carlson said on his podcast. "Benjamin Netanyahu did," he added, referring to the Israeli prime minister.
|
|
|
Israel targets Iran's security forces and leadership as Iran presses attacks across the region |
The United States and Israel hit Iran's capital and other cities in multiple airstrikes on Wednesday. The Islamic Republic responded with missile barrages and drone attacks on Israel and across the region. Read more. |
|
|
U.S. Navy Adm. Brad Cooper, the head of U.S. Central Command, said Iran has launched more than 500 ballistic missiles and 2,000 drones so far. He described the American strikes in the opening hours of the campaign as "nearly double the scale" of the initial attacks during the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.
|
|
|
Talarico wins Texas Senate Democratic nomination while Cornyn and Paxton head to Republican runoff |
State Rep. James Talarico topped Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett in an expensive and fiercely contested Texas Senate Democratic primary that once again has the party dreaming of a big upset in November. Who Talarico will face depends on a May runoff between longtime Republican Sen. John Cornyn and MAGA favorite Ken Paxton — a race expected to get increasingly nasty over coming months and could hinge on whether or not President Donald Trump offers an endorsement. Read more. |
|
|
Texas, along with North Carolina and Arkansas, on Tuesday kicked off midterm elections with control of Congress at stake and against the backdrop of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran. No Democrat has won a statewide race in the reliably Republican state in over 30 years, but in a statement after his victory, Talarico proclaimed "We're about to take back Texas." Crockett's campaign said she planned to sue over voting issues in Dallas and she spoke only briefly on Tuesday night to warn that "people have been disenfranchised."
For all the focus on Texas, North Carolina could have a bigger impact on which party ultimately wins the Senate majority in the fall. Democrat Roy Cooper will face Republican Michael Whatley in a race that's critical to deciding control of the Senate in November.
|
|
|
In this photo provided by Australian Reptile Park, a freshwater crocodile caught in a creek near Newcastle, Australia, Monday. (Chloe Burgess-Jones/Australian Reptile Park via AP) |
Crocodile caught 1,200 miles from its tropical habitat
Stephanie Kirsop didn't believe her son when he phoned to say a crocodile was lurking in a creek near their home. The family lives 1,200 miles south of Australia's crocodile habitat in the tropical north. Authorities were initially skeptical of the reported find but had caught the elusive reptile by Sunday night. The croc is healthy and will stay at the Australian Reptile Park until authorities decide where it should go permanently, park manager Billy Collett said. Crocs are protected under Australian law. |
|
|
Please let us know what you think of this newsletter. You can sign up for more and invite a friend here. For news in real time visit APNews.com. - Mark |
| |
|
Please let us know what you think of this newsletter. You can sign up for more and invite a friend here. For news in real time visit APNews.com. - Mark |
| |
|
*Advertisers have no control over editorial decisions or content. If you're interested in advertising, contact us here. |
|
|
|
