News Wrap: Trump takes first trip on Air Force One gifted by Qatar

Geoff Bennett:

President Trump took his maiden voyage today on a new Air Force One, which was donated by Qatar last year, an unprecedented foreign gift.

President Donald Trump:

You can do two things. You can low-key it or you can show it.

Geoff Bennett:

Before taking off for North Dakota this morning, the president told reporters he's proud of the retrofitted Boeing 747, which required hundreds of millions more dollars in defense and security systems. The jet boasts a new color scheme red, white, navy, and gold.

During the flight, Trump staffers posted photos of the new interior. The Qatari-gifted jet worth $400 million raised questions among some lawmakers and ethics experts. Mr. Trump has called it a necessary upgrade from the previous model, which flew presidents for more than three decades.

After Mr. Trump leaves office, ownership of the new plane will reportedly transfer to the Donald J. Trump Presidential Library Foundation.

Meantime, in Qatar, negotiators from both the U.S. and Iran held more indirect technical talks today. The two sides spoke through regional mediators, and reopening the Strait of Hormuz was still a key sticking point. Iran insists it controls the waterway. And state TV broadcast images today of a container ship that ran aground after trying to use a route that Iran did not approve.

Speaking to reporters following a military visit, Vice President J.D. Vance remained optimistic about the talks and the future of the strait.

Vice President J.D. Vance:

We have got gas prices starting to come down. We're really just ensuring that we continue to make the progress on that. And that's what they're focused on. And then we're going to -- obviously, we're worried about the nuclear issue. We're going to start talking about that.

So, right now, the talks are going well. It's still pretty early, but talks are going well.

Geoff Bennett:

Separately, a U.S. crew member is missing tonight after a Navy Seahawk helicopter had to make what officials are calling an emergency water landing in the Arabian Sea. Three others were recovered and are in stable condition aboard the USS George H.W. Bush. The Navy says there's no indication the emergency was caused by hostile action.

In New York, a pair of masked climbers are in police custody after scaling the top of the Empire State Building's antenna. While there, they unfurled a banner that read "When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace."

The duo then descended to a platform where one of the climbers got down on one knee and appeared to propose. They were later arrested. It's not clear how they gained access to that part of the famous skyscraper. A spokesperson for the building simply called their efforts unauthorized.

In Italy, authorities said today they're keeping Mount Etna's alert level at yellow as bursts of gas and magma continue after its latest eruption. Footage shows lava lighting up the night sky as molten lava flows down the mountainside of the island of Sicily.

At last, scientists say the lava has traveled nearly 1,000 feet since the eruption started on Friday. Mount Etna is the largest volcano in Europe and, while eruptions are common, they rarely cause any threat to locals there.

In World Cup action -- and fair warning, results are ahead -- England clawed back from an early deficit against the Democratic Republic of the Congo thanks to two second half goals from Harry Kane. They will move on to the round of 16. Co-hosts Mexico have also advanced for the first time in 40 years after beating Ecuador 2-0 last night in front of a home crowd.

(CHEERING)

Geoff Bennett:

Hundreds of thousands of fans erupted into cheers at a massive watch party in the heart of Mexico City, but the festivities were touched by tragedy. Mexican authorities say three people died of suffocation in those packed crowds.

The Trump administration said today it will not renew the U.S.-Mexico-Canada agreement, also known as the USMCA. Instead, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer says the U.S. will engage with the other two nations to address what he called the agreement's shortcomings. For now, the terms of the deal stay in place for 10 years with annual reviews, rather than a 16-year extension.

Meantime, on Wall Street today, tech stocks once again weighed down on the broader markets. The Dow Jones industrial average slipped just 14 points, so almost flat. The Nasdaq fell more than 170 points, or two-thirds of a percent. The S&P 500 posted its eighth loss in the last 11 sessions.

And Victor Willis, co-founder and lead singer of The Village People, has died. Willis also co-wrote many of the group's classic hits, including "YMCA," which was added to the National Recording Registry back in 2020. He often performed hits like "In the Navy" and "Macho Man" in a police uniform or a Naval officer's outfit.

The group's music remains a staple at proms, weddings, and LGBTQ marches, among others. More recently, their songs have become a staple at President Trump's rallies. Willis' wife said he died from a short but aggressive illness. Victor Willis was 74 years old.

Much of Europe and North America endure record temperatures with disruptive patterns driven by climate change; progressive Democrats in Colorado notch primary victories in a potential bellwether for the midterms; and a new PBS News poll finds American pride is strong, as people worry about the direction of the country.