Russia attacks Kyiv with fires, injuries, and ongoing strikes reported
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia has launched a massive attack on Kyiv, causing fires and scattering debris across the city. Local officials report at least 11 people were injured, with five hospitalized. The attack continued Friday, prompting officials to urge residents to stay in shelters. City authorities warned of possible power and water outages.
You can end a shutdown overnight — but you can’t reopen a government that fast
NEW YORK (AP) — The longest government shutdown in U.S. history may be officially over, but getting everything back up and running won't happen all at once. The disruption of the closure, clocking in at 43 days, ranged in the impact it had on people. Federal workers, who were immediately and directly affected, were expected to be back on the job Thursday. Flight disruptions will continue at some of the nation's airports. Some states say recipients of food aid through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program should receive their full monthly benefits starting Thursday or Friday, though it could take up to a week. Two of the Smithsonian’s museums were to reopen Friday, and the rest will reopen by Monday.
Trump's next immigration crackdown will target Charlotte, North Carolina, a sheriff says
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Charlotte, North Carolina, is the latest U.S. city preparing for a potential immigration crackdown by the Trump administration. Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden said Thursday that federal officials plan to deploy U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents as early as this weekend. Details of the operation remain undisclosed, and local authorities have not been asked to assist. President Donald Trump has defended sending federal agents and the military into Democratic-run cities to combat crime and enforce deportation policies. Local activists and officials say they are preparing the immigrant community by sharing resources and trying to calm fears.
Texas A&M University professors now need approval for some race and gender topics
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) — Texas A&M University System regents on Thursday adopted a new policy requiring professors to first get approval to discuss some race and gender topics. The change comes months after a viral video of a student confronting an instructor over her lessons on gender identity threw the campus into upheaval. The new policy, approved by the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents, will apply to all 12 schools within the system. The new policy appears to be the first time a public university system in Texas has put in rules on what faculty can talk about in their classroom on the topics of race and gender.
Justice Department sues to block California US House map in clash that could tip control of Congress
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Justice Department has sued to block new congressional district boundaries approved by California voters, joining a legal battle that could determine which party wins control of the U.S. House in 2026. The complaint filed in California federal court Thursday targets the new congressional map pushed by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom in response to a similar Republican-led effort in Texas backed by President Donald Trump. It sets the stage for a high-stakes clash between the Republican administration and the Democratic governor, who's seen as a likely 2028 presidential contender. California voters last week overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment to change the congressional boundaries to give Democrats a shot at gaining five seats.
BBC apologizes to Trump over its misleading edit, but says there's no basis for a defamation claim
LONDON (AP) — The BBC has apologized to U.S. President Donald Trump over a misleading edit of his speech on Jan. 6, 2021 but said it strongly disagreed that there was a basis for a defamation lawsuit. The BBC said Chair Samir Shah sent a personal letter to the White House saying that he and the corporation were sorry for the edit of the speech Trump gave before some of his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol. It said there are no plans to rebroadcast the documentary that spliced together parts of his speech that came almost an hour apart. Trump’s lawyer sent the BBC a letter demanding an apology and threatened to file a $1 billion lawsuit.
What's next in Congress on the push to release the Epstein files
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House is moving toward a vote on releasing files from the sex trafficking investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. Republican leaders have no choice but to allow a vote after a petition on the Epstein bill reached the needed 218 signatures. The move comes at a time when new documents have raised questions about Epstein and his associates, including a 2019 email mentioning President Donald Trump. The White House accuses Democrats of leaking emails to smear the president. The bill would force the Justice Department to release all Epstein-related files, with some redactions. House Speaker Mike Johnson said he plans to bring the measure to a vote next week.
James Comey and Letitia James press for dismissal of their cases, challenge prosecutor's appointment
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — Lawyers for two of President Donald Trump’s foes who've been charged by the Justice Department have asked a federal judge to dismiss the cases against them, saying the prosecutor who secured the indictments was illegally installed. U.S. District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie says she expects to decide by Thanksgiving on challenges to Lindsey Halligan’s appointment as interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. Currie also disclosed Thursday a record of grand jury proceedings in ex-FBI Director James Comey's case was missing a portion. Comey denies charges of making a false statement and obstructing Congress. New York Attorney General Letitia James also was charged by Halligan and denies mortgage fraud allegations.
US aircraft carrier nears Venezuela in flex of American military power
WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States’ most advanced aircraft carrier is expected to reach the waters off Venezuela in days. It's a stark flex of American military power not seen in Latin America for generations. Some experts foresee warplanes catapulting off the USS Gerald R Ford to strike targets in Venezuela unless authoritarian President Nicholas Maduro resigns. But whatever happens, experts say the Trump administration is sending a message to the Western Hemisphere. The Ford is being deployed after the Trump administration said the U.S. is an “armed conflict” with drug cartels. Since September, the U.S. has killed 76 people in 19 strikes against alleged drug boats.
Ohtani is unanimous MVP for 4th time in winning NL honor as Judge edges Raleigh for 3rd AL accolade
Two-way star Shohei Ohtani won his fourth MVP award in a unanimous vote for the National League honor and Aaron Judge earned the American League accolade for the third time. Ohtani won a MVP for the third straight year, his second in the NL with the Los Angeles Dodgers after two in the AL with the Los Angeles Angels. All four have been unanimous. Judge became the New York Yankees’ fourth three-time winner, edging Seattle’s Cal Raleigh with 17 first-place votes to 13 for the switch-hitting catcher. The vote was the closest for an MVP since the Angels’ Mike Trout topped Houston’s Alex Bregman by 17-13 in 2019.
