AP News in Brief at 12:04 a.m. EDT

President Donald Trump has directed the Pentagon to reduce joint military exercises with South Korea, stating that the ally has not contributed to the war against Iran and that his relationship with North Korea's Kim Jong Un is positive. The exercises, which began on Monday, are seen as costly and potentially hostile to North Korea.

Trump has also reportedly asked South Korea's president if they would support the U.S. in denuclearizing Iran, but received a negative response. This decision marks a significant shift in Trump's administration's stance towards South Korea, contrasting with previous administrations' views. Meanwhile, Hurricane Lala passed near Hawaii's Big Island without making landfall, causing heavy rain and strong winds, resulting in at least seven deaths from flooding and mudslides across Indiana.