US-Korea Drill Reduction

Trump Cites Kim Friendship to Justify Drill Cuts

Trump has long viewed the joint US-South Korea exercises as a provocation to North Korea. He previously scaled them back during his first term after meeting Kim. Now he is doing it again, even as North Korea has continued weapons tests and refused direct talks with Washington.

The exercises, known as large-scale combined training, involve thousands of US and South Korean troops. Critics say cutting them weakens military readiness and sends a dangerous signal to both North Korea and China. The Pentagon has not yet said how much the drills will be reduced.

Hurricane Lala Spares Big Island, Weakens at Sea

Hurricane Lala passed Hawaii's Big Island on Saturday without making landfall. The storm is expected to weaken further before it poses any additional threat. No major damage or casualties were reported from the storm's close approach to the island.

At Least Seven Dead After Record Indiana Flooding

Severe weather has killed at least seven people in Indiana following days of heavy rain and record-setting floods. The flooding overwhelmed roads, homes, and emergency services across parts of the state. Rescue teams have been working to reach stranded residents in hard-hit areas.

Five Shot at Virginia University, Search for Suspects Ongoing

Police are searching for additional suspects after a shooting at a Virginia university left five people wounded. Authorities have not confirmed how many suspects they are looking for or released details on the victims' conditions. The shooting is under active investigation.

In a separate domestic story, AP News also reported that Trump has called for combination vaccines — including the MMR shot for measles, mumps, and rubella — to be broken into separate injections. The order directs that these vaccinations be given individually rather than as a combined dose.

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