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Welcome back and thanks for joining me. In the news today: a new AP-NORC poll shows how views on Trump’s handling of the Iran war have shifted; the conflict enters a new phase as Saudi Arabia helps hit proxies and diplomacy stalls; and Fauci invokes the Fifth Amendment in a heated Republican-led COVID-19 hearing. Also, do you toss food once the date on the label has passed? You’re not alone, but we explain why experts say that can often be a waste.
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President Donald Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth salute as a U.S. Army carry team moves a transfer case containing the remains of Pvt. Isabella Gonzales of Carrollton, Texas, July 22, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
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How views on Trump’s handling of Iran have shifted, according to a new AP-NORC poll |
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Most Americans say the war in Iran has not been worth fighting, and President Donald Trump’s approval rating on Iran has fallen slightly since last month, according to a new AP-NORC poll. Our polls and surveys analyst Linley Sanders is with us this morning to unpack the latest results.
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What’s the most interesting finding from this latest poll?
There’s been an apparent decline in Republicans’ approval of how President Trump is handling Iran, dropping from roughly 71% last month to 61% now. That comes as just 28% of U.S. adults approve of Trump’s approach, and about two-thirds of Americans say the war with Iran has not been worth fighting. That frustration could be a problem for Republicans as the midterms approach. Most Americans also say it’s highly important that the U.S. prioritize keeping gas prices low and negotiate a ceasefire.
How does Trump’s approval trajectory compare with past presidents?
In this new poll, 33% of U.S. adults approve of how Trump is handing the presidency overall. That’s slightly below where he was at this point in his first term, and similar to where former President Joe Biden was about one and a half years into his presidency.
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US-Iran conflict enters new phase as Saudi Arabia helps hit proxies
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The stop-start fighting between the United States and Iran appears to have entered a new phase as Saudi Arabia has publicly joined military escalations against Tehran-backed proxies, complicating a conflict that now includes nearly every country in the region. Read more.
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At the same time, an already untenable diplomatic effort to end the war has faltered once again as mistrust deepens between the United States and Iran. Despite several days of relative calm, both sides carried out military strikes in the last 24 hours that once again risk a return to all-out war — and further expansion in the region — while little is clear about what strategy, if any, American or Iranian officials have for a path forward.
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Fauci repeatedly invokes the Fifth Amendment at contentious Senate hearing
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Dr. Anthony Fauci declined to answer more than 100 times in a heated Republican-led committee hearing about his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, injecting new drama into partisan divides. Read more.
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- Republican Sen. Rand Paul and other Republicans accused Fauci of lying in earlier testimony about the coronavirus’ origins, something the longtime National Institutes of Health scientist has forcefully denied. Democrats called the hearing a politically motivated attempt at entrapping Fauci and praised the scientist for his work during the pandemic.
Fauci’s decision to invoke the Fifth Amendment, at least for now, shielded the scientist from answering questions that could expose him to accusations of lying under oath. Though he received a pardon in early 2025 from Democratic President Joe Biden, some Republicans pursuing a yearslong campaign for his arrest had suggested he could still face charges for any perjury committed during Wednesday’s hearing.
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A “Sell By” label on a carton of eggs, June 30, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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Save money by playing it smart with food dates
If I’m looking for a lunchtime bargain, I sometimes check the supermarket for food on sale because it’s near the “Best Before” date. Sometimes there’s a decent sandwich on offer. With other items like sushi, I’m a bit more hesitant. I usually eat my discounted food on the same day. But experts say I might be too cautious, because labels are often more about how fresh something is, not whether it’s safe to eat. People who dump everything right when it hits the “Best By” date are getting rid of stuff that’s just fine. And with grocery prices so high, that’s a costly move. Read our tips on how to save money by understanding food labels better, so you can keep perfectly good food out of the trash.
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That’s all from me today, thanks for reading. I’d love to hear your thoughts. You can invite a friend to subscribe here. For news in real time visit APNews.com. - Nadja
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That’s all from me today, thanks for reading. I’d love to hear your thoughts. You can invite a friend to subscribe here. For news in real time visit APNews.com. - Nadja
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