Washington news
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U.S. and Iran announce deal aimed at ending war, reopening Hormuz
Trump and mediators say a signing is set for Friday, but the deal text has not been released and nuclear and sanctions questions remain for further talks
Bill Gates testifies behind closed doors in House Epstein inquiry
The Microsoft co-founder told lawmakers he regretted meeting Jeffrey Epstein and denied witnessing criminal conduct or victimizing anyone, according to his opening statement
Trump says Netanyahu did not defy him, but Iran flare-up exposes strains
The US president rejected the idea that Israel ignored him, yet analysts say the latest confrontation shows Washington and Netanyahu are pursuing increasingly different goals
Trump nominates Todd Blanche for attorney general
The acting attorney general and former Trump defense lawyer heads to the Senate amid scrutiny from Democrats and some Republicans over his Justice Department tenure
Trump says Iran deal may be days away as Lebanon fighting tests truce
The president said talks are in their final stage, but Israeli strikes in Tyre killed at least eight and Tehran has tied any settlement to Lebanon
Trump’s Iran push keeps returning to the nuclear deal he abandoned
As a war-ending agreement remains out of reach, the 2015 JCPOA is again the benchmark for judging Trump’s promise of a stronger deal with Tehran
Trump turns to Bill Pulte for intelligence shake-up, triggering qualification fight
The president says Pulte will serve only temporarily while starting cuts at the intelligence director’s office, but lawmakers from both parties are questioning his lack of national security experience
Trump Floats Government Stakes in A.I. Giants
The idea would mark a shift from conventional regulation toward a more direct government role in major artificial intelligence companies
Lawsuit seeks to block UFC Freedom 250 at White House
Two Virginia residents are asking a federal court for an emergency injunction, arguing the South Lawn event bypassed permitting and environmental rules
Trump names Bill Pulte acting intelligence chief after Gabbard resignation
The housing finance regulator will keep his FHFA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac roles while taking over an intelligence post created after 9/11 to coordinate U.S. spy agencies