The Latest: Trump hosts African leaders as aid cuts threaten millions of deaths

U.S. President Donald Trump is hosting five West African leaders on Wednesday for a ''multilateral lunch'' as the region reels from the impact of U.S. aid cuts. The surprise meeting with leaders of Liberia, Senegal, Gabon, Mauritania and Guinea-Bissau follows the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development. The Trump administration has switched from ''a charity-based foreign aid model'' to partnerships showing that other nations have ''the ability and willingness to help themselves.''

A study published in the Lancet medical journal projects Trump's shift will lead to more than 14 million additional deaths globally by 2030, including 4.5 million children. West Africa possesses untapped resources. They're also among countries that might fall under an expansion of Trump's travel ban.

The Latest:

GOP leader says the Russia sanctions bill is moving closer toward Senate votes

Senate Majority Leader John Thune says he hopes to bring forward the measure, which would impose steep sanctions on Russia over its war with Ukraine, before Congress goes on recess in August.

While the sanctions bill led by Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. has ''tremendous'' bipartisan support, Thune acknowledged it's still a work in progress as the White House engages with the process.

''We are working with the administration, with the House to try and get it in a form where it's ready,'' he said.

Whether that happens in the next few weeks is still ''a bit of an open question,'' he said. ''But I'm hopeful we can.''

Netanyahu says he and Trump ‘share a common strategy' ahead of a meeting with Senate leaders

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he and Trump agree on how to secure the release of Israeli hostages and end Hamas' rule in Gaza.

''Trump wants a deal, but not at any price,'' Netanyahu told reporters. ''I want a deal, but not at any price. Israel has security requirements and other requirements and we are working together to try to achieve it.''

Netanyahu is meeting Wednesday with Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., and Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. and other senators at the U.S. Capitol.

Netanyahu met with Trump at the White House and House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., in the Capitol on Tuesday.

Trump calls Democrats' efforts to unmask ICE agents ‘deranged'

He told reporters Wednesday that exposing Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agents would ''put them in great danger.''

''They've become somewhat deranged,'' Trump said of Democrats. ''I want to do whatever's necessary to protect our great law enforcement people.''

Senate Democrats introduced a bill Tuesday aiming to ban officers from concealing their identities during immigration raids after masked immigration agents in unmarked vehicles been detaining people in the streets.

First Amendment advocacy groups, Democratic lawmakers and protesters say the masks allow ICE agents to escape accountability and intimidate immigrants. Many have also pointed to what they call a double standard: Trump has called for the arrest of masked protesters, even those confronted by officers with their faces covered.

High school student athletes sue Oregon over state policy allowing transgender girl competitors

The three track-and-field athletes want Oregon to remove records set by transgender girl athletes and prevent them from participating in girls sporting events.

In their federal complaint filed Monday, the students argue that state policy prohibiting schools from excluding student athletes from events that align with their gender identity violates Title IX, and has harmed them through loss of competition, placements, and opportunities to advance to higher-level events.

The 1972 Title IX law bars sex discrimination in education.

The U.S. Department of Education has opened investigations into Portland Public Schools and the Oregon Schools Activities Association over alleged violations of Title IX in girls high school sports. The Trump administration has been using the law to push back against schools that provide accommodations for transgender students.

Sen. Thom Tillis signals support for Emil Bove's judicial nomination

Tillis said he plans to vote in favor of the nomination of the Justice Department official and former Trump criminal defense attorney to a seat on the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

It's a key endorsement as Bove awaits confirmation by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Bove has faced scrutiny after a former Justice Department lawyer alleged he said during a meeting that the Trump administration might need to ignore judicial commands.

Tillis — who is not seeking reelection next year — is seen as a pivotal vote on the panel. Earlier this year, he opposed Trump's pick for top federal prosecutor in Washington, Ed Martin, prompting the president to withdraw the nomination.

Tillis told the Associated Press on Wednesday that he's a ''presumptive yes'' on the confirmation vote.

The State Department sanctions the UN official investigating human rights abuses in Gaza and the West Bank

It's the latest effort by the Trump administration to punish critics of Israel's 20-month war in Gaza.

The State Department's decision to sanction Francesca Albanese, the U.N. special rapporteur for the West Bank and Gaza, comes after a recent U.S. pressure campaign to force the international body to remove her from her post failed.

Albanese, a human rights lawyer, has been vocal about what she describes as the ''genocide'' that Israel is waging against Palestinians in Gaza. Both Israel and the U.S. have vehemently denied that claim.

In recent weeks, she has issued a series of letters urging other countries to pressure Israel — including through sanctions — to end its deadly bombardment of the Gaza Strip.

Trump again avoids answering questions about who approved Ukraine weapons pause

The president isn't offering any clarity on who gave last week's order to pause the delivery of some critical weapons shipments to Ukraine. Questions on the change came during the public portion of Trump's lunch with leaders of five West African nations.

Trump announced Monday that the U.S. would continue to deliver weapons to Ukraine as it tries to repel increasingly intense air assaults from Russia, effectively reversing the pause that the White House and Pentagon announced less than a week earlier.

''I would know if a decision is made. I will know,'' Trump told reporters Wednesday, when asked who ordered the pause. ''I will be the first to know. In fact, most likely I'd give the order but I haven't done that yet.''

Trump also sidestepped questions about who ordered the pause in an exchange with reporters on Tuesday. ''I don't know. Why don't you tell me?'' the president said.

But Trump privately expressed frustration that Pentagon officials announced the pause, because he felt they didn't properly coordinate with the White House, according to three people familiar with the matter who were not authorized to comment publicly.

1. By Aamer Mahdani in Washington, D.C.

Trump's question-and-answer session with the media ends

Trump has asked the media to leave, concluding the public portion of his lunch with African leaders.

The president delivered opening remarks, listened as each of the invited leaders spoke, then took questions from reporters. The session lasted about an hour.

After lengthy comments, Trump thanked the press and had reporters hustled out of the room so his lunch with visiting African leaders could continue in private.

Trump says Gaza ceasefire agreement could be reached ‘this week or next'

Trump says his meetings this week with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have been focused ''on Gaza for the most part.''

The president said of a possible negotiated ceasefire that could end the fighting in Israel's war with Hamas: ''I think we have a chance this week, or next week.''

But he added, ''not definitely,'' saying there was nothing certain about war or the situation in Gaza.

Administration officials have repeatedly suggested a ceasefire could be reached during Netanyahu's current visit to Washington. He was at the White House on Monday and Tuesday.

If an agreement isn't reached until next week, the process is taking much longer than previously believed.

Trump praises IRS decision allowing pastors to endorse candidates

The president said he thinks ''it's great'' and ''terrific'' that the IRS has ruled pastors can endorse political candidates without losing their tax-exempt status.

''We have a lot of respect for the people that lead the church,'' the president said.

Trump says he's open to making an Africa trip, but offers no firm commitment

Asked by a reporter if he'll visit the continent, Trump said, ''At some point, I would like to go to Africa.'' But he added that he'd ''have to see what the schedule looks like.''

Trump's predecessor, President Joe Biden, promised to go to Africa in 2023. But he only made good on that commitment by visiting Angola in December 2024, just weeks before he left office.

Trump gushes about Liberian president's command of English, the West African country's official language

After President Joseph Boakai wrapped his brief remarks at the start of the White House meeting, Trump asked the Liberian leader where he learned to speak so ''beautifully.''

Trump seemed surprised when Boakai responded he learned in Liberia.

''I have people at this table can't speak nearly as well,'' Trump added.

Leaders pitch their countries, cooperation with the US and Trump's favorite sport

The West African leaders, speaking one at a time, praised Trump for his efforts to try to foster peace deals around the world.

They also spoke of their hopes for economic development between their nations and the U.S., and touted abundant natural resources in their countries, especially needed minerals.

Senegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye suggested his country also offered investment opportunities for tourism, including a golf course.

Faye said the course would only be a six-hour flight from New York and suggested Trump could visit to show off his skills.

Trump wants to hear from the African leaders he invited, but quickly

As the lunch began, Trump invited the assembled African leaders to speak individually, then seemed to regret how long it was taking.

Up first was Mauritania President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani who spoke for several minutes, lavishing Trump with praise, including, ''I would like to let you know that we are delighted to see Trump's commitment to our continent.''

When he finished, Trump thanked him but added, ''Maybe we need to go a little bit quicker on this.''

Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embaló went next, but got the message. He kept his remarks far more brief.

Trump tells African leaders ‘there's a lot of anger on your continent'

During a lunch with the leaders of five West African nations, Trump said they hail from ''very vibrant places with very valuable land, great minerals, great oil deposits and wonderful people.''

The surprise meeting Wednesday with the leaders of Liberia, Senegal, Gabon, Mauritania and Guinea-Bissau comes as the Trump administration has taken radical steps it said are meant to reshape the U.S. relationship with Africa.

''There's a lot of anger on your continent. We've been able to solve a lot of it,'' Trump said, pointing to a recent peace agreement leaders of Congo and Rwanda signed recently at the White House.

Netanyahu calls strikes on Iran ‘the roar of two lions'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says military strikes on Iran will have ''historic consequences for peace.''

Visiting the Pentagon Wednesday, Netanyahu sat down with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth; Joint Chiefs of Staff Vice Chairman Adm. Christopher Grady; Gen. Erik Kurilla, the outgoing head of U.S. Central Command; top Pentagon policy adviser Elbridge Colby and others.

Netanyahu noted a photo of a B-2 bomber, the U.S. aircraft used in recent strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

''Those B-2 pilots sent a message to the world,'' Hegseth said.

''I think Iran took note,'' Netanyahu responded. ''Everybody in the Middle East took note. ... The roar of two lions was heard around the world.''

Netanyahu said the strikes will have ''historic consequences for peace.''

''First comes strength, then peace,'' Netanyahu said.

The European Union's chief trade negotiator expresses optimism

A trade deal to avert higher tariffs on European goods imported to the U.S. could be reached ''even in the coming days,'' Maros Sefcovic told EU lawmakers in Strasbourg, France on Wednesday.

The EU was spared the increased tariffs contained in the letters Trump sent on Monday, and his extension of talks until Aug. 1 provides ''additional space to reach a satisfactory conclusion,'' Sefcovic said.

Trump on April 2 proposed a 20% tariff for EU goods and then threatened to raise that to 50% after negotiations did not move as fast as he would have liked. Sefcovic did not mention any tariff figures. The higher tariffs as well as any EU retaliation have been suspended as the two sides negotiate. However the base rate of 10% for most trade partners as well as higher rates of 25% on autos and 50% on steel and aluminum have gone into effect.

US sanctions 22 companies it accuses of Iranian ‘shadow banking'

The Treasury Department says firms based in Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey allegedly facilitated the sale of sanctioned Iranian oil and acted as a sprawling ''shadow banking'' network for Iran's military.

Included in the sanctions imposed Wednesday are firms that act as front companies for oil purchases and bank transfers, which have helped Iran's military and government gain illicit access to the international financial system, according to Treasury. The sanctions deny the people and firms access to any property or financial assets held in the U.S. and prevent U.S. companies and citizens from doing business with them.

It's part of a larger campaign to pressure Iran. Secretary Scott Bessent said Treasury ''remains focused on disrupting this shadowy infrastructure that allows Iran to threaten the United States and our allies in the region.''

Mike Waltz gets UN confirmation hearing after months of delay

Trump's former national security adviser and current nominee for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations will finally take the hotseat.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has scheduled the hearing for July 15, more than two months after Trump's initial announcement.

Unlike his previous post, Waltz will now face the wrath of questioning about his decision to invite a journalist into a private text chain where U.S. officials discussed strikes on Houthi rebels.

The U.N. job has been vacant the entirety of Trump's second term. His first nominee, Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, was withdrawn from consideration over concerns about holding onto the Republican majority in the House. Republicans also narrowly control the Senate, but Waltz still likely faces a rocky road to confirmation.

Israeli leader sees a ‘good chance' for a ceasefire shortly with Hamas in Gaza

He made that comment Wednesday in an interview with Fox Business' Mornings with Maria, before he and his wife met Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and his wife at the Pentagon.

A new U.S.-backed proposal would pause Israel's 21-month war against Hamas, free Israeli hostages and send much-needed aid flooding into Gaza. It also aims to open broader talks about ending the conflict.

Israel and the U.S. since late May have been backing a substitute food-delivery system that leading aid organizations condemn for allegedly operating outside humanitarian principles. The U.N. and others say hundreds of Palestinians have been killed trying to reach the Israeli-backed aid sites.

Asked whether he would allow the U.N. to again take charge of humanitarian deliveries as part of a ceasefire, Netanyahu said ''I think it'll probably end up for the 60 days with both.''

Senate committee advances Susan Monarez to be Trump's CDC director

The Senate's health committee's approval on Wednesday of Susan Monarez to be Trump's director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention takes her one step closer to confirmation.

Monarez, 50, was named acting director and then nominee after Trump abruptly withdrew his first choice, David Weldon. She holds a doctorate in microbiology and immunology from the University of Wisconsin, and her postdoctoral training was in microbiology and immunology at Stanford University.

The CDC has been hit by widespread staff cuts, resignations and controversy over CDC vaccine policies being upended by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The committee voted 12-11 — all Republicans in favor, all Democrats opposed — to advance her nomination to the full Senate.

''Unfortunately, Dr. Monarez — who has served as Trump's acting CDC director — has done nothing to stand in the way'' of Kennedy's actions, Sen. Bernie Sanders said Wednesday.

▶ Read more about the CDC director nomination

The US is having its worst year for measles in more than three decades

The U.S. has now had 1,288 measles cases nationally just six months into the year as the vaccine-preventable illness spreads, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday. Three people have died — two children in Texas and an adult in New Mexico — and dozens of people have been hospitalized.

The measles, mumps and rubella vaccine is 97% effective at preventing measles after two doses, and widespread vaccination enabled the World Health Organization to declare in 2000 that measles had been eliminated from the U.S.

Now the U.S. could lose that status this year, if the virus continues to spread nonstop for 12 months.

SNAP cuts will disproportionately harm children, advocates say

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program faces the largest cut in its history under Trump's budget law. It will, for the first time, require parents to work to qualify for the benefit if their children are 14 or older. But even households with younger children could feel the impact.

The law kicks some immigrants with legal status off food assistance, and makes qualifying more difficult by changing how it considers utility bills. States will now have to shoulder some of federal burden, and may make it even more difficult for people to qualify, or exit the program altogether, said Katie Bergh, a senior policy analyst with the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

''When young children lose access to that healthy nutrition, it impacts them for the rest of their lives,'' Bergh said. ''This bill fundamentally walks away from a long-standing nationwide commitment to making sure that low-income children in every state can receive the food assistance that they need.''

Former President Joe Biden's physician refuses to answer House questions

President Joe Biden's former White House physician is refusing answer questions as part of the House Republican investigation into Biden's health in office.

Dr. Kevin O'Connor invoked doctor-client privilege and his rights under the Fifth Amendment during an appearance Wednesday before the House Oversight Committee. That's according to the doctor's attorneys.

Republicans are conducting a sweeping investigation into Biden's actions in office and questioning whether the Democratic president's use of an autopen may have been invalid. Biden has strongly denied that he was not in a right state of mind at any point while in office, calling the claims ''ridiculous and false.''

Medicaid cuts could add to strains on families

Over 10 million Americans rely on Medicaid for health care. About 40% of births are covered by Medicaid. Newborns, too, qualify for it when their mothers have it. Pediatricians say the cuts 13 will be felt broadly, even by those who do not use Medicaid, since the financial strain will force health care providers to cut their least profitable services, which are often pediatrics.

The ripple effects could exacerbate an existing shortage of pediatricians and hospital beds for children, said Lisa Costello, a West Virginia pediatrician who chairs the federal policy committee for the American Association of Pediatrics.

And if parents lose their health insurance due to the bureaucratic barriers imposed by having to document work requirements, they'll be less likely to take their kids to the doctor, advocates say.

Here's how Trump's massive budget law could impact the youngest Americans

The bill Trump signed into law on Independence Day will impact infants and toddlers, who are particularly vulnerable to cuts to the federal social safety net.

Many middle-class and wealthy families will see benefits from the new legislation, but programs that help low-income families keep babies healthy have been cut back. To pay for tax cuts and border security, the law cuts Medicaid and food stamps, which poor households with children rely on — by more than $1 trillion.

The legislation increases tax deductions to $2,200 per child, and introduces investment accounts for newborns dubbed ''Trump Accounts,'' each seeded with $1,000.

Still, advocates say they do not make up for what children are likely to lose under the new law. And they fear what comes next, as the next Trump budget proposes more cuts to programs that help parents and babies.

▶ Read more about the impact on the youngest kids

Trump administration calls for a review of Harvard's accreditation

Trump's departments of Education and Health and Human Services urged the New England Commission of Higher Education to examine whether Harvard no longer meets its standards for accreditation, now that the Trump administration has determined that the university tolerated antisemitism.

Accreditors work on behalf of the federal government to decide which colleges can accept federal financial aid. Without an accreditor's seal of approval, Harvard could no longer accept students' federal grants or loans. The Trump administration made a similar move against Columbia University to its accreditor.

Harvard said it strongly disagrees with the government's findings and is committed to fighting bias as the White House presses universities to accept its demands.

The commission did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Malaysia draws ‘red lines' in trade talks with US

Malaysia will not compromise on its national interest or sovereignty in tariff talks with the U.S., Trade Minister Zafrul Aziz said Wednesday.

Trump raised his threatened tariffs against Malaysia to 25% from 24% this week, but Zafrul said Malaysia won't cross ''specific red lines'' involving U.S. requests in policy and laws in areas such as government procurement, halal certification, medical standards and digital taxes.

Zafrul said he and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim would meet with Rubio to discuss the tariff issue. Malaysia's offer includes a pledge by Malaysia Airlines to buy 30 Boeing jets, as well as deals on semiconductors and other technology, but he said that ''if the deal does not benefit Malaysia, we should not have a deal.''

Europe is hoping to seal a deal — and preparing to retaliate if not

The 27-nation bloc is hoping to strike a deal with Trump soon, but is preparing retaliatory measures on hundreds of American products from beef to beer to Boeing jets if talks aren't successful.

''We stick to our principles. We defend our interests. We continue to work in good faith and we get ready for all scenarios,'' European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said at an EU meeting in Strasbourg, France, on Wednesday.

She said the American imposition of 70% tariffs on trade from the EU is ''unprecedented'' and requires that ''our line has to be very clear. We will be firm. We do prefer a negotiated solution.''

Sweeping tariffs may overshadow Rubio's security goals in Asia

Trump's latest threat of higher tariffs to countries including several Asian nations if they don't make trade deals with the U.S. came just a day before Secretary of State Marco Rubio departed for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations security conference in Malaysia on Thursday and Friday.

Rubio's ''talking points on the China threat will not resonate with officials whose industries are being battered by 30-40% tariffs,'' said Danny Russel, vice president of the Asia Society Policy Institute and a former assistant secretary of state for East Asia and the Pacific during the Obama administration.

Compared to China's representative, Rubio ''is a rookie trying to sell an ‘America First' message to a deeply skeptical audience,'' Russell said.

▶ Read more about Rubio's first official trip to Asia

Russia says threat of US tariffs against BRICS violate free trade principles

Russia's Foreign Ministry accused the U.S. Wednesday of hinting at potential tariffs against the trade alliance of Brazil, Russia, India and China as a form of political pressure.

Spokesperson Maria Zakharova said unilaterally applying such tariffs would destroy the existing architecture for international economic cooperation. She accused Washington of ''hiding'' behind principles such as fair competition and national security.

Trump's threat ''grossly violates the rules of the WTO and the principles of free trade, which, until recently, Washington insisted on as a universal truth,'' Zakharova told journalists.

Trump avoids talk of scrapping FEMA after more than 100 killed in Texas flash flood

The president has avoided talking about his plan to scrap the federal disaster response agency after the catastrophic flash flood in Texas that killed more than 100 people, including children attending a girls-only camp.

Asked shortly after the disaster whether he still intended to phase out the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Trump said it wasn't the right time to talk about it. Nor did he mention such plans during a nearly two-hour meeting with his Cabinet on Tuesday.

Instead Trump opened the meeting by having Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem talk about her visit to Kerrville, Texas, a day after floodwaters swept away riverside campers and homeowners in the wee hours of the Fourth of July holiday.

▶ Read more about Trump, FEMA and the Texas floods