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In the news today: Understanding the split between Trump and Netanyahu on the Iran war; the Trump administration makes a major change to student loans; and the dangerous heat wave roasting the Southwest. Also, what Finland, and maybe screaming, have to do with happiness. As we continue improving the AP News app and site, we'd love to hear from readers like you through short usability tests, user interviews and feedback sessions (about 30–45 minutes). Interested? Please share a few details here, and we'll find a time that works for you. Thanks for helping shape the future of AP News. |
President Donald Trump shakes hands with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a news conference at Mar-a-Lago, Dec. 29, 2025, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File) |
What Trump and Netanyahu's split on the gas field attack means for the Iran war |
President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's diverging language on Israel's decision to attack a critical Iranian gas field marks the most notable difference of opinion between the two leaders since the start of the 20-day war against Iran. Read more. |
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- The attack by Israel on the South Pars gas field prompted Iran to retaliate against energy infrastructure in other Middle East countries. The Iranian strikes led to already elevated global energy prices further surging and spurred Gulf allies to call for Trump to rein in Netanyahu. The aftermath of the strike left Trump and Netanyahu facing questions on whether they're entirely in sync in prosecuting the war that began as a closely coordinated joint attack on the longtime regional foe. The emergence of daylight — or at least the appearance of it — between the two leaders could shape the balance of the conflict and any eventual endgame.
Trump, during an Oval Office meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, told reporters that he neither agreed with nor approved of Israel's attack on the world's largest gas field, which is an energy lifeline for Iran. "I told him, 'Don't do that,'" Trump said of Netanyahu's decision to strike. "We get along great. It's coordinated, but on occasion he'll do something. And if I don't like it — and so we're not doing that anymore."
- Netanyahu said that Israel "acted alone" and that he's agreed to Trump's request that Israel hold off on any further attack on Iran's giant gas field. The prime minister also sought to downplay any space between him and Trump. "Look, I don't think any two leaders have been as coordinated as President Trump and I. He's the leader. I'm his ally. America is the leader," Netanyahu said.
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Student loans to go to Treasury Department as Trump continues to dismantle Education Department |
The Education Department is handing off a portion of its student loan portfolio to the Treasury Department, a first step toward shedding management of all student loans as Trump administration officials dismantle the federal education agency. Read more. |
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Under an agreement announced Thursday, the Treasury Department will take over management of student loans whose borrowers are in default, meaning they are months behind on payments. Those loans add up to about $180 billion, or 11% of the government's $1.7 trillion student loan portfolio. Eventually, the Treasury Department is to take responsibility for all student loans, according to the agreement.
Breaking off the student loan operation would mark the biggest step yet in closing the department, which President Donald Trump ordered to be dismantled almost exactly a year ago. Borrowers do not need to do anything as the change goes through, the administration says. They will continue to work with the same loan servicer and repay their loans the same way.
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Arizona community hits 110 degrees, the highest March temperature recorded in the US |
The record-setting temperature was recorded just outside Martinez Lake, Arizona, in the Yuma Desert, as a winter heat wave scorched the Southwest, according to the National Weather Service. Read more. |
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The dangerous heat wave shattering March records all over the Southwest is more than just another extreme weather blip. It's the latest next-level weather wildness that is occurring ever more frequently as Earth's warming builds. Experts said unprecedented and deadly weather extremes that sometimes strike at abnormal times and in unusual places are putting more people in danger. Several cities on Thursday experienced their hottest March day on record, according to the National Weather Service.
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People participate in a Scream Club meeting at Piedmont Park, March 8, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Emilie Megnien) |
What Finland, and maybe screaming, have to do with happiness
We'll head into the weekend with two very different stories involving happiness. First, the latest World Happiness Report ranks Finland as the happiest country for the ninth year straight. You may find that frustrating news if, like most people on Earth, you don't live in Finland. If so, perhaps Scream Club is for you, a place to vent any frustrations. Members of more than a dozen chapters nationwide meet outside to yell their lungs out. Some find joy in screaming, though more see it as great stress relief. Just be careful with the volume when you watch our video of these Atlanta screamers. |
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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 |
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