US & World News

Mormon church leaders encourage forgiveness after Michigan attack

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has convened for its twice-annual general conference at a pivotal moment in its history. It comes just days after the death of its oldest-ever president and a deadly attack on a congregation in Michigan. Dallin Oaks is set to succeed Russell Nelson under the church’s well-defined leadership hierarchy dating back to the late 1800s. But his announcement isn’t expected until sometime after Nelson’s funeral, which is scheduled a couple days after the conference on Tuesday. Church officials encouraged members to confront hate with kindness in the wake of the Michigan attack.

Scherzer, Bichette, Bassitt are out for Blue Jays and Mariners without Woo in Division Series

Three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer has been left off the Toronto Blue Jays’ roster for their AL Division Series against the New York Yankees. Scherzer struggled in his last six starts, going 1-3 with a 9.00 ERA. Shortstop Bo Bichette and right-hander Chris Bassitt are also out due to injuries. Toronto has included 13 pitchers, with a focus on left-handers to counter the Yankees’ lineup. The Los Angeles Dodgers have added Clayton Kershaw for their NL Division Series against Philadelphia. Kershaw, who plans to retire after the postseason, is slated to pitch in relief.

Fast start propels Brewers to 9-3 victory over Cubs in NLDS opener

Jackson Chourio went 3 for 3 and drove in three runs in the first two innings before departing with a hamstring injury as the Milwaukee Brewers trounced the Chicago Cubs 9-3 in their NL Division Series opener. Chourio became the first player to have three hits in the first two innings of a playoff game. But his availability for Monday’s Game 2 in the best-of-five series is unclear. Chourio, who missed a month of the regular season with a strained right hamstring, left with tightness in that hamstring after beating out a bases-loaded infield single.

Brewers’ Chourio undergoes MRI but stays upbeat after leaving NLDS Game 1 with hamstring tightness

Another clutch playoff performance by Jackson Chourio had a concerning conclusion for the outfielder and the Milwaukee Brewers. After becoming the first player to collect three hits in the first two innings of a postseason game, Chourio left Milwaukee’s 9-3 NL Division Series victory over the Chicago Cubs with tightness in his right hamstring. Brewers manager Pat Murphy said after Game 1 that Chourio had undergone an MRI. Chourio missed a month during the regular season with an injury to the same hamstring.

Largest US Lutheran denomination installs Yehiel Curry as its first Black presiding bishop

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America installed the Rev. Yehiel Curry as its first Black presiding bishop on Saturday, marking a historic moment for the predominantly white denomination. Curry succeeds the Rev. Elizabeth Eaton, the first woman to lead the ELCA. His six-year term began Oct. 1, following his election in July. Curry’s leadership comes as the ELCA faces challenges like a steep membership decline. Born in Chicago, Curry grew up Catholic and became Lutheran as an adult when he was working as a middle school teacher. His leadership aims to foster diversity and strengthen connections within the church.

It’s a boy! Phillies star Bryce Harper announces birth of fourth child ahead of NLDS opener

Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper and wife Kayla have welcomed their fourth child, Hayes Three Harper, ahead of Saturday’s playoff opener. The Harpers shared the news on Instagram, announcing their son was born Thursday. Harper, a two-time National League MVP, was in the lineup for Game 1 of the NL Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Earlier in April, Harper used a blue bat for a gender reveal during a game. Harper and Kayla already have three children: a son named Krew and two daughters, Brooklyn and Kamryn.

Nectar’s, the Vermont venue that launched Phish, closes on a quiet note after 50 years

The iconic Vermont venue known for launching the jam band Phish and fostering a variety of music and musicians has closed its doors after 50 years. Nectar’s said in June that it was taking a summer pause due to challenges in downtown Burlington. But weeks later, it announced that it wouldn’t reopen at all, citing economic struggles and downtown construction as contributing factors. The club hosted many artists and was famous for its regular music series. Community members say its absence leaves a significant gap in Burlington’s music scene.

Giannis Antetokounmpo returns to Milwaukee Bucks practice after COVID-19 recovery

Giannis Antetokounmpo has joined the Milwaukee Bucks in practice for the first time this season. He missed the first few days of training camp while recovering from COVID-19 in Greece. On Saturday, Antetokounmpo participated in non-contact work only, according to Bucks coach Doc Rivers. Antetokounmpo arrived in Miami on Friday, and the Bucks have been preparing for their preseason opener against the Heat on Monday. Antetokounmpo, entering his 13th season with Milwaukee, is a nine-time All-Star and two-time MVP. Rivers noted that practicing without Antetokounmpo helps the team prepare for minutes when he’s off the floor.

Brazilians avoid drinking after authorities confirm methanol poisoning cases, including 1 death

Authorities in Brazil have issued warnings about methanol poisoning linked to distilled beverages. The Health Ministry confirmed 11 cases and is investigating 116 more. Most cases are in Sao Paulo, where the outbreak is centered. Bars are advising customers to avoid cocktails, and some have stopped selling distilled spirits. Health Minister Alexandre Padilha urged caution, especially with colorless spirits. Methanol poisoning can cause severe symptoms, including blindness. Police are investigating whether contamination was intentional or accidental. The Brazilian Association of Distilled Beverages reports that 28% of the market consists of illicit products.

Journalists work in dire conditions to tell Gaza’s story, knowing that could make them targets

Minutes after journalists converged on the site of an Israeli strike in Gaza, cameraman Ibrahim Qannan began a live broadcast. He was watching, in horror, when a second strike killed his friends and colleagues. “We live side by side with death,” Qannan, a correspondent for Egypt’s Al-Ghad TV said in an interview. The death of five journalists in August’s strike adds to a toll of nearly 200 news workers killed in Gaza since the war began. Most who survive have seen their homes destroyed during the war and many have mourned the deaths of family members. And each workday, they say, is shadowed by an awareness that they are singularly visible in the conflict, putting them at extraordinary risk.

International journalists visit Gaza City under the supervision of Israel’s army

International journalists have been given a rare and limited glimpse of Gaza City under the supervision of the Israeli military. As part of their visit to the devastated territory, journalists on Friday were shown drone video of a tunnel the military says was used by Hamas and which ran beneath a hospital overseen by the Jordanian government. A Jordanian official denied that the hospital had been used by the militant group. The hospital was shut down about two weeks ago as Israel’s campaign in Gaza’s largest city intensified. Israel has for two years banned international journalists from entering Gaza, except for rare and brief visits supervised by the military, such as this one.

What to know after Hamas welcomes US peace plan for Gaza

Both Israel and now Hamas have signaled support for the new U.S. plan to end the war in Gaza and release all remaining hostages there. President Donald Trump says he thinks Hamas is ready for a “lasting peace” and has told Israel to stop bombing the territory. But he warns that “all bets will be off” if Hamas doesn’t move quickly.” Many uncertainties remain as negotiating teams are expected to return to Egypt for talks. Bombing has slowed in Gaza City as Israel’s military prepares for the plan’s first phase, but Palestinians are still being killed. Tuesday marks two years since the war began.

At least 1 dead and dozens injured as Russian drones strike a Ukrainian railway station

Russian drones have struck a Ukrainian railway station in an attack that killed one person and wounded dozens. The attack on Saturday targeted Shostka. The city is northeast of Kyiv near the Russian border. Ukraine’s deputy prime minister said that the strikes hit two passenger trains in quick succession. The attack also knocked out the power supply in the area. Moscow has recently increased airstrikes on Ukraine’s railway network and power grid. They have aimed to disrupt military transport and civilian infrastructure. Ukraine has reported hitting a major Russian oil refinery that caused a fire. And a French photojournalist was killed in a Russian drone strike in eastern Ukraine.

Photos show widespread protests after Israeli forces intercept Gaza-bound flotilla

Supporters of the Global Sumud Flotilla took to the streets in several major cities — including Rome, Istanbul, Athens and Buenos Aires — following news that Israeli forces had intercepted an international flotilla carrying activists seeking to break Israel’s blockade of the Palestinian territory. This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors. Categories: US & World News

How to grow a giant pumpkin, with help from science

Every year, growers raise giant pumpkins and compete in annual weigh-offs against other colossal fruits. They choose seeds that have yielded large pumpkins in the past or test new ones. After that, it comes down to the right combination of water, nutrients and care. As the leafy patch expands, growers remove smaller pumpkins that sprout. Because of gravity, giant pumpkins grow wide but not tall. Pumpkins aren’t the only crops that can get massive. Other members of the gourd family like squashes, cucumbers and watermelons also can get huge.

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ lawyers plan to appeal as convicted hop-hop star faces more years behind bars

Sean “Diddy” Combs life of luxury atop the world of hip-hop vanished with his criminal conviction. He now faces the grim prospect of more years behind bars as his attorneys make plans to appeal. Combs’ cultivated reputation as an affable celebrity entrepreneur and A-list party host came crashing down Friday. The Grammy-winning artist and music executive was sentenced to four years and two months in prison for transporting people across state lines for sexual encounters. It’s a public reckoning for the music star. He made a plea for leniency and wept as his lawyers played a video portraying his family life, career and philanthropy.

Trump is reviving large sales of coal from public lands. Will anyone want it?

U.S. officials in coming days are set to hold the government’s biggest coal sales in more than a decade. About 600 million tons of the fuel will be auctioned from publicly owned reserves next to strip mines in Montana and Wyoming. Data analyzed by The Associated Press shows most of the power plants served by those mines plan to quit burning coal altogether within 10 years. The sales are a signature piece of President Donald Trump’s ambitions to dig and burn more coal from federal lands. The soft market for coal shows the risk in such a turnabout.

Legal setbacks mount for Trump’s birthright order before likely Supreme Court review

Now it’s five federal courts that have rejected President Donald Trump’s executive order seeking to end automatic citizenship for the children of people who are in the United States illegally or temporarily. The latest ruling against his move on birthright citizenship came Friday by an appeals court in Boston. The Supreme Court is almost certain to have the final word. But the string of losses in lower courts could mean an uphill fight even in front of the justices, who so far have sided with the president on many legal challenges.

New Supreme Court term confronts justices with Trump’s aggressive assertion of presidential power

A monumental Supreme Court term is set to begin with major tests of presidential power on the agenda. There also are important cases on voting and the rights of LGBTQ people. The court’s conservative majority has far been receptive, at least in preliminary rulings, to many of President Donald Trump’s aggressive assertions of authority. They could be more skeptical when they conduct an in-depth examination of some Trump policies, including the Republican president’s imposition of tariffs and his desired restrictions on birthright citizenship. The new term gets underway Monday.

Counsell leads Cubs into NLDS against the Brewers, his former team, and Murphy, his old bench coach

Craig Counsell has seen the Milwaukee Brewers-Chicago Cubs rivalry from just about every perspective. He grew up in the Milwaukee area as the son of former Brewers director of community affairs John Counsell. He played for the Brewers and later became the team’s winningest manager of all time before the Cubs lured him to Chicago. So he understands particularly well just what kind of atmosphere to expect Saturday when the Brewers and Cubs open a best-of-5 NL Division Series.

Japan’s ruling party elects Sanae Takaichi as new leader, likely to become first female PM

Japan’s governing party has elected former Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi as its new leader, making her likely to become the country’s first female prime minister. Takaichi beat Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, the son of popular former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, in a runoff in an intraparty vote by the Liberal Democratic Party.

Couples should never go to bed angry, right? It might be time to rethink that

Couples should never go to bed angry, right? Well, many therapists will tell you that piece of conventional wisdom isn’t good advice. Samantha Whiten is a clinical psychologist in Maryland. She called it a “fairy tale” to expect that all conflicts could be wrapped up quickly and lovingly before drifting off to sleep. She says couples shouldn’t fight when they are tired. Instead, take a pause and set a time to discuss the issue during the day. The key is to follow through. An anxious partner might see a pause as rejection. But they need the confidence to understand that a pause doesn’t mean the other will avoid the topic.

The GOP says it’s winning the shutdown. Some fear Trump’s cuts may change that

President Donald Trump is using the federal shutdown to push deep spending cuts in states that backed Democrat Kamala Harris in 2024. His administration has slashed billions in clean energy and transit funding in places like California and Illinois. Some Republicans now fear the strategy could backfire and cost them their political advantage after Democrats voted against measures to keep the government open. The backlash could bring electoral consequences as soon as next month. In Virginia and New Jersey, Democrats are linking GOP candidates to the fallout ahead of November elections. The cuts have also stalled Senate talks and prolonged the shutdown.

The Oval Office meeting didn’t stop a shutdown, but the Trump 2028 hats and a sombrero set a tone

Halfway through Donald Trump’s inaugural White House meeting with congressional leadership, the red “Trump 2028” hats appeared on the president’s desk. The moment was vintage Trump –- grabbing the attention and seeking to throw negotiators off their game as they tried to stop a government shutdown. It also underscored the president’s regard for Congress and his opponents across the political aisle. What was once was considered a historic occasion –- the president of the United States convening his first “big four” meeting with leaders from the House and Senate –- was reduced to another viral souvenir of Trump trolling his opponents. And it did little to prevent a federal government closure.

Trump’s ‘paper tiger’ jab at Russia echoes Mao’s propaganda against the US

Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin have been trading barbs using the term “paper tiger,” a phrase popularized by the Chinese communist leader Mao Zedong. Trump recently mocked Russia’s military power, calling it a “paper tiger,” which led to a retort from Putin. The exchange has amused historians familiar with Chinese propaganda, as the term was once used by Mao to describe the U.S. during the Cold War. The phrase refers to something seemingly powerful but actually fragile. Historians find it ironic that the leaders of the U.S. and Russia are now using the term against each other.

In Tennessee, a US House primary special election draws a crowd

A Tennessee special election to replace a Republican congressman who stepped aside this summer has attracted crowded primaries for both major parties. The departure of former U.S. Rep. Mark Green has resulted in the contested primary Tuesday in one of three districts that GOP lawmakers drew as safe red seats in 2022 by dividing left-leaning Nashville. Eleven Republicans are running in the 14-county district, with most attention centering on state Reps. Jody Barrett and Gino Bulso and former Tennessee Department of General Services Commissioner Matt Van Epps, who has President Donald Trump’s endorsement. The Democratic field features state Reps. Aftyn Behn, Vincent Dixie and Bo Mitchell, and businessman and political consultant Darden Copeland.

Decoding Taylor Swift’s ‘The Life of a Showgirl’: A guide to her references

Taylor Swift’s new album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” is packed with Easter eggs for fans to decode. Her 12th studio album offers clever clues and references to her public life and discography. Some are opaque, sparking fan theories, while others are more explicit. Lyrics mention places like Portofino and Paris, and nod to her engagement to Travis Kelce. Songs reference her past, including her teenage years in Tennessee and friendships. The album’s physical variants, like “summertime spritz pink shimmer” vinyl, also tie into the lyrics.

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert vows to repair player relationships after criticism by Collier

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert says there’s work to be done to repair relationships with players in the league. But Engelbert also said Friday there were “inaccuracies” in some of the comments attributed to her by Napheesa Collier in a blistering assessment earlier this week. Engelbert said before Game 1 of the WNBA Finals that officiating will be reviewed this offseason by a new “state of the game” committee. She also said talks were scheduled for next week on a new collective bargaining agreement with players. Collier said this week that the WNBA has “the worst leadership in the world” and a commissioner who lacks accountability.

Trump administration offers migrant children $2,500 to voluntarily return to home countries

The Trump administration is offering migrant children $2,500 to voluntarily return to their home countries, dangling a new incentive in efforts to persuade people to self-deport. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement didn’t say how much migrants would get or when the offer would take effect, but The Associated Press obtained an email to migrant shelters saying children 14 years of age and older would get $2,500 each. ICE said in a statement that the offer would initially be for 17-year-olds. Advocates say the sizable sum may prevent children from making informed choices.

Parents of two college students killed in a Tesla allege design flaw trapped them in the burning car

Lawsuits filed Thursday by parents of two college students killed in a Tesla crash say they were trapped inside as the car burned and filled with smoke because of a design flaw that makes it difficult to open the doors in fires. The two suits filed in California state court by the parents of Krysta Tsukahara and Jack Nelson allege they burned and suffocated to death even though the company that has helped Elon Musk become the world’s richest man knew about the flaw for years but failed to fix it. Tesla did not reply to a request for comment.

Jets running back Braelon Allen likely out 8 to 12 weeks with knee injury

New York Jets running back Braelon Allen faces an eight to 12-week recovery due to a knee injury, coach Aaron Glenn said. Allen was hurt during a kickoff return last Monday in the Jets’ loss to the Dolphins. The injury is believed to be to the MCL in his left knee. Allen is considering whether to rehab or undergo surgery, with both options having the same recovery time. Breece Hall remains the Jets’ top running back, while Isaiah Davis moves up as Allen’s backup. The Jets have also signed veteran Khalil Herbert to add depth. Glenn said Friday that cornerback Michael Carter II is out with a concussion.

Flames visible for miles after a fire erupts at a Chevron refinery outside Los Angeles

Fire crews have extinguished flames at a Chevron refinery just outside of Los Angeles. Officials in El Segundo, California, urged people to stay indoors Thursday night. By early Friday, they said the fire was contained and there was no threat to public safety. No evacuations have been ordered. The company says there were no injuries, all personnel were accounted for and a monitoring system indicated the fire did not move beyond the facility’s fence line. It wasn’t immediately clear what caused the fire. El Segundo is a beachside city located about a mile south of Los Angeles International Airport.

Manchester’s Jewish community feels let down by Britain after deadly synagogue attack

Hundreds of mourners gathered in wind and rain for a vigil that combined grief and defiance in the remembrance of two men who were killed when a knife-wielding assailant attacked their synagogue in the English city of Manchester. The mourners stood Friday behind a police cordon that still surrounds the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in the city’s Crumpsall neighborhood. They said they felt forgotten by a society that has allowed antisemitism in the U.K. to grow unchallenged over the last two years. The mourners complained that politicians and other leaders have failed to reject anti-Jewish speech or protect Jews from hate crimes.

North Carolina governor signs criminal justice bill into law after Ukrainian refugee’s death

North Carolina’s Democratic governor has signed into law a criminal justice measure pushed by the Republican-controlled legislature in response to the stabbing death of a Ukrainian refugee on a Charlotte train. While Gov. Josh Stein criticized portions of the bill on Friday, his signature still affirms in law the actions of GOP politicians and their allies who demanded reforms. The bill had received bipartisan support in the state House. The new law bars cashless bail for certain violent crimes and limits magistrates’ discretion in pretrial release decisions. The bill authors also seek to restart executions in North Carolina, where capital punishment has not been carried out since 2006.

From tequila cocktails to themed pop-ups, Taylor Swift fans celebrate ‘The Life of a Showgirl’

Taylor Swift fans around the world are celebrating her latest album release, “The Life of a Showgirl.” The album, her 12th studio offering, dropped Friday. Fans, known as Swifties, gathered in cities like Mexico City and Los Angeles, many dressed in orange to mark the occasion. In Mexico City, a watch party featured Swift-themed cocktails. In Los Angeles, fans lined up at midnight to buy the album on vinyl and CD. Special screenings of “The Official Release Party of a Showgirl” in select theaters allowed fans to sing and dance. Swift’s new album is described as experimental and upbeat.

Government funding vote fails again in Senate as hopes fade for quick end to shutdown

  WASHINGTON (AP) — Hopes for a quick end to the government shutdown faded Friday as Democrats refused to budge in a Senate vote and President Donald Trump readied plans to unleash layoffs and cuts across the federal government. On the third day of the shutdown, a Senate vote to advance a Republican bill that would reopen the government failed…

Photos from Week 1 of the U-20 World Cup

Photo highlights from the first week of the U-20 World Cup in Chile. This gallery was curated by AP photo editors. AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl AP photography: https://apnews.com/photography Categories: US & World News

Regulators approve disputed $6.2B takeover of Minnesota Power by investment group

Minnesota regulators have approved the takeover of Minnesota Power by an investment group, despite opposition from the state attorney general and consumer advocates. The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission voted unanimously Friday, saying conditions on the deal will protect the public interest and shield customers from rate increases. The buyout involves a BlackRock subsidiary and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board taking over Allete, Minnesota Power’s parent company. The deal is valued at $6.2 billion. Opponents fear this could lead to higher bills and less accountability. Supporters argue the capital infusion will help meet the state’s carbon-free energy goals by 2040.

FACT FOCUS: Democrats did not shut down the government to give health care to ‘illegal immigrants’

President Donald Trump and other high-ranking Republicans claim Democrats forced the government shutdown fight because they want to give free health care to immigrants in the U.S. illegally. This is not accurate. Democrats are trying to extend tax credits that make health insurance premiums more affordable on marketplaces established by the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare. Democrats also want to reverse Medicaid cuts in Trump’s big bill passed this summer. Immigrants who entered the U.S. illegally are not eligible for any federal health care programs, including insurance provided through the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid.

It’s déjà vu for Muslim Americans as anti-Muslim playbook follows Zohran Mamdani’s success

Zohran Mamdani’s rise in New York City’s mayoral race has brought him national prominence and a surge of anti-Muslim vitriol, including from elected officials and prominent conservatives. A win in November would make him the city’s first Muslim mayor. In September, a man was charged with making death threats against him that referenced his religion. His candidacy highlights both the persistence of anti-Muslim discrimination since 9/11 and the pride felt among Muslim Americans. Politicians from both parties have ramped up attacks on Mamdani’s progressive politics and criticism of Israel.

Lack of jobs data due to government shutdown muddies the outlook for hiring and the economy

From Wall Street trading floors to the Federal Reserve to economists sipping coffee in their home offices, the first Friday morning of the month typically brings a quiet hush around 8:30 a.m. eastern, as everyone awaits the Labor Department’s monthly jobs report. But this Friday, with the government shut down, no jobs report covering September was released. The interruption in the data has occurred at a particularly uncertain time, when policymakers at the Federal Reserve and Wall Street investors would likely prefer more data on the economy, rather than less.

Browns QB Dillon Gabriel is confident for his 1st NFL start and jokes that his dad needs a passport

Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel seems to take everything in stride, like not stressing about his parents being unable to attend his first NFL start. They’re in his native Hawaii. The game is in London. And Gabriel joked that his father doesn’t yet have a passport. Gabriel was selected midweek as the starter for Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings, taking over from Joe Flacco with coach Kevin Stefanski hoping the 24-year-old quarterback can spark what’s been an anemic offense.

Supreme Court will consider overturning strict Hawaii law regulating where people can carry guns

The Supreme Court says it will consider overturning a Hawaii law that imposes strict regulations on where people can carry guns. The Trump administration had urged the justices to take the case, arguing the law violates the court’s 2022 ruling that found people have a right to carry firearms in public under the Second Amendment. The Hawaii law bans guns on private property unless the owner has specifically allowed them. It also prohibits firearms in places like beaches, parks, bars and restaurants that serve alcohol.

Brewers’ improved lineup could help them stop their recent history of playoff misfortune

Pitching generally has carried the Milwaukee Brewers as they’ve made their run of seven postseason appearances over the last eight years. This year, they might have the type of offense that can produce more playoff success. Milwaukee posted the best record in the major leagues this year while having the second-best earned run average. But the Brewers also scored 806 runs, their most since 1999, to rank third in the majors. They’ve done it without hitting many homers and instead relying on plate discipline and speed.

What to watch during MLB’s best-of-5 Division Series

Major League Baseball’s playoffs now move into the Division Series this weekend. All four series begin Saturday. Shohei Ohtani makes his postseason pitching debut for the reigning World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 at Philadelphia. In the other National League series, the 97-win Brewers open at home against former manager Craig Counsell and the Chicago Cubs. Counsell has been booed lustily in Milwaukee ever since he left two years ago for the NL Central rival Cubs. AL East foes Toronto and the New York Yankees tied for the American League lead with 94 wins and now play each other in a Division Series. Seattle and 60-homer catcher Cal Raleigh face Detroit in the other AL series.

Hopes fade for quick end to shutdown as Trump readies layoffs and cuts

Hopes for a quick end to the government shutdown are fading. Republicans and Democrats are digging in for a prolonged fight even as President Donald Trump readies plans to unleash layoffs and cuts across the federal government. Senators are heading back to the Capitol for another vote Friday on government funding. But there has been no indication of a deal. Democrats are demanding Congress take up an extension to health care benefits. Republicans are trying to wear them down with repeated votes on a bill that would reopen the government mostly at current spending levels. The shutdown is now in its third day.

Sarah Mullally named the first female Archbishop of Canterbury in history of Church of England

Sarah Mullally, the bishop of London, has been named Archbishop of Canterbury, the first time a woman has been chosen as the spiritual leader of the Church of England. She will replace former archbishop, Justin Welby, who announced his resignation in November. Mullally will face divisions over the treatment of women and LGBTQ people, and she will have to confront concerns that church leaders haven’t done enough to stamp out the sexual abuse scandals that have dogged the church for more than a decade. She follows 105 men to become the first woman to lead 85 million Anglicans worldwide.

UK police release names of the 2 victims of the Manchester synagogue attack

Police have identified two men killed in a car and knife attack on a synagogue in northwest England. The attack occurred on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish year. Greater Manchester Police said Adrian Daulby and Melvin Cravitz died in the attack at the Heaton Park Congregation Synagogue. Three other people are hospitalized in serious condition. Police shot and killed the suspect, Jihad Al-Shamie, who wore a fake explosives belt. The incident is being investigated as a terrorist attack. Prime Minister Keir Starmer denounced the attack and promised security for the Jewish community.

Indonesian crews pull 3 bodies from rubble of collapsed school with more than 50 boys still missing

Authorities say the bodies of three boys were pulled from beneath the rubble of a school that collapsed in Indonesia. The bodies were recovered early Friday. More than 50 students are still unaccounted for and the death toll is expected to rise. Rescue crews have been working by hand since the collapse of the school Monday. There were no more signs of life detected by Thursday and they turned to heavy excavators equipped with jackhammers to progress more rapidly. The structure fell on hundreds of people in a prayer hall at al Khoziny Islamic boarding school in Sidoarjo on the eastern side of Indonesia’s Java island.