US & World News Archives

A Christmas tree in Mexico carries the faces of loved ones who never came home

3 hours ago

By MARÍA TERESA HERNÁNDEZ - Associated Press

Families of Mexico’s disappeared gathered at a cathedral near Mexico City to craft Christmas ornaments bearing the faces of their missing loved ones. Those handmade ornaments now hang from a “tree of hope” inside the sanctuary until Feb. 2. Dozens of relatives, for whom spiritual support has been essential to keep their searches alive, have felt let down by their local priests in the past. But as the panorama shifts, several religious leaders have joined them in their searches, offering comfort during a holiday season many families navigate with sorrow rather than joy.

Grateful to be alive, residents who escaped the Hong Kong apartment blaze wonder what comes next

6 hours ago

By CHAN HO-HIM - Associated Press

A massive fire in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district has become the deadliest in the city’s memory, causing 128 deaths with 200 people unaccounted-for. The blaze started Wednesday afternoon at the Wang Fuk Court complex and spread rapidly across seven high-rise buildings. William Li, a resident, described the terrifying moment he opened his door to thick, black smoke. He and others were trapped for hours before firefighters rescued them. Hundreds of volunteers have offered help and the government is providing assistance, but many left homeless by the fire are now wondering what comes next.

Airlines adopt software fix for Airbus A320 after plane has sudden altitude drop

8 hours ago

By AUDREY McAVOY - Associated Press

Airlines around the world canceled and delayed flights heading into the weekend to fix software on a widely used commercial plane after an analysis found computer code may have contributed to a sudden drop in the altitude of a JetBlue aircraft last month. Airbus says an analysis of the JetBlue incident revealed intense solar radiation may corrupt data critical to the functioning of flight controls on the A320 family of aircraft. In Japan, All Nippon Airways canceled 65 of its domestic flights. American Airlines expects some delays but is focused on limiting cancellations while placing overriding priority on safety. American Airlines expects to finish the fixes on Saturday.

Snow, rain and cold in store for some Thanksgiving travelers

8 hours ago

By The Associated Press

Snow and chilly temperatures have already greeted some Thanksgiving travelers and plenty more could be on its way this holiday weekend. Winter storm warnings have been issued across the northern United States, with snow expected from Montana to New York. The National Weather Service says Iowa and Illinois will see significant snowfall, with six inches to a foot expected in west-central Illinois from Friday night through Saturday night. While conditions don’t meet blizzard criteria, heavy snow and dangerous driving conditions are likely. Snow has already affected the northern Plains and Great Lakes regions. Meanwhile, the Pacific Northwest and Rockies will experience a mix of snow and rain.

Antetokounmpo’s return from injury not enough to stop Bucks’ 7- game skid, NBA Cup elimination

8 hours ago

By LARRY FLEISHER - Associated Press

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s return to the court was not enough for the Milwaukee Bucks to stop their longest losing streak since his rookie season. Restricted to 28 minutes after missing four games with a groin strain, Antetokounmpo had 30 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists Friday night, but the Bucks were eliminated from the NBA Cup with their 118-109 loss to the Knicks. It was Milwaukee’s seventh straight loss. It is the Bucks’ longest skid since dropping eight in a row March 11-24, 2014, when Milwaukee won 15 games after selecting Antetkounmpo in the 2013 draft.

Trump officials and judge face off over flights to El Salvador in rare, high-stakes contempt probe

9 hours ago

By SUDHIN THANAWALA - Associated Press

A federal judge in Washington has relaunched his contempt probe of the Trump administration for failing to turn around two planes carrying Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador in March. U.S. District Judge James Boasberg on Friday ordered the administration to submit written statements by December 5 from all officials involved in the decision not to return the planes to the U.S. Boasberg wants to determine whether the Republican administration flouted his order to turn the flights around. The stakes are high in the extraordinary showdown between the executive and judicial branches. Boasberg could refer one or more Trump officials for prosecution on a contempt charge. The administration has denied any violation.

Winter storm warnings stretch across the northern US, bringing snow, cold and risky conditions

22 hours ago

By The Associated Press

Travelers face challenging weather for the rest of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Winter storm warnings have been issued across the northern United States, with snow expected from Montana to New York. The National Weather Service says Iowa and Illinois will see significant snowfall, with six inches to a foot expected in west-central Illinois from Friday night through Saturday night. While conditions don’t meet blizzard criteria, heavy snow and dangerous driving conditions are likely. Snow has already affected the northern Plains and Great Lakes regions. Meanwhile, the Pacific Northwest and Rockies will experience a mix of snow and rain.

Trump says he plans to pardon former Honduran President Hernandez for 2024 drug trafficking sentence

16 hours ago

By JOSH BOAK - Associated Press

President Donald Trump said Friday that he will be pardoning former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, who in 2024 was convicted for drug trafficking and weapons charges and sentenced to 45 years in prison. The president explained his decision on social media by posting that “according to many people that I greatly respect,” Hernandez was “treated very harshly and unfairly.” Hernandez had been convicted last year in the U.S. of conspiring to import cocaine and two weapons counts. He had served two terms as the leader of the Central American nation of roughly 10 million people.

14 US stadiums proposed among 20 possible sites for 2031 Women’s World Cup

18 hours ago

By RONALD BLUM - AP Sports Writer

The United States Soccer Federation proposed 14 American sites among 20 possible venues to host games of the 2031 Women’s World Cup, including seven U.S. stadiums to be used for next year’s men’s tournament. FIFA has released the bid book for the 2031 and 2035 women’s tournaments. There is only one bidder for each, a U.S.-Mexico-Costa Rica-Jamaica proposal for 2031 and a United Kingdom plan for 2035. FIFA is to formally confirm the bids at its congress on April 30. Twenty-six additional U.S. stadiums were mentioned as suitable American venues for a 48-nation tournament the bidders project would draw 4.5 million fans.

What a federal ban on THC-infused drinks and snacks could mean for the hemp industry

November 28, 2025

By STEVE KARNOWSKI and GENE JOHNSON - Associated Press

THC-infused drinks and snacks have soared in popularity as alcohol sales have declined in recent years. But the bill that ended the federal government shutdown this month includes a provision to ban THC products derived from hemp. The $24 billion industry is now scrambling to save itself before the ban takes effect a year from now. A loophole in the 2018 farm bill allowed products containing THC to spread across the country. That’s been a lifeline for some breweries that have turned to canning THC-infused beverages, but it’s also prompted concern about sales of intoxicating products at gas stations an convenience stores across the country.

Suspect in shooting of National Guard members now facing a first-degree murder charge

21 hours ago

The Associated Press,

Washington, D.C. Shooting Scene November 26, 2026 WASHINGTON (AP) — The charges against the man who authorities say shot two National Guard members have been upgraded to first-degree murder after one of the soldiers died, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia announced Friday. Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, were hospitalized in critical condition…

College football mascots just as good at keeping their identities secret as firing up a crowd

21 hours ago

By MIKE HOUSEHOLDER - Associated Press

Many college mascots are not permitted to reveal their identities until after their days of being a costumed performer have come to an end. Nicole Hurley spent two years as Cocky, the South Carolina Gamecock. She unmasked herself at the school’s commencement ceremony in the spring, rolling into the arena wearing a cap, gown and oversized yellow bird feet. Hurley is a member of an elite fellowship. Ex-mascots. The job is to fire up the crowd, bring a smile to a fan’s face and symbolically represent the university. And anonymity is the name of the game for many of them.

Pope joins patriarchs from East and West at historic Christian site in Turkey to pray for unity

November 28, 2025

By NICOLE WINFIELD, ANDREW WILKS and MEHMET GUZEL - Associated Press

Pope Leo XIV has joined Orthodox patriarchs and ecumenical leaders in Turkey to commemorate the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. This historic gathering produced the Nicaean Creed, a statement of faith still recited by millions of Christians. On Friday, Leo and other Christian leaders prayed at the lakeside archaeological site of the ancient Basilica of Saint Neophytos. The event aimed to celebrate the origins of the creed and promote unity among Christians. Leo’s visit to Turkey includes meetings with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and a focus on supporting Turkey’s small Catholic community.

Paris prosecutor says arrested man is thought to be 4th member of Louvre heist gang

22 hours ago

By JOHN LEICESTER - Associated Press

French police have arrested a man believed to be the fourth member of the team that stole France’s crown jewels from the Louvre Museum. The Paris prosecutor announced Friday that the entire gang is now thought to be in custody. The 39-year-old suspect has a criminal record with six previous convictions. He faces preliminary charges of robbery as part of an organized gang and criminal conspiracy. The heist involved two people breaking into the museum’s Apollo Gallery while two others waited outside to escape on motorbikes. The prosecutor’s statement didn’t specify his exact role in the theft.

US retailers are about to see if Black Friday benefits from a holiday halo effect

23 hours ago

The Associated Press,

The shirt of a woman who has matching shirts with 4 other friends and all shop together on Black Friday as shoppers browse through Kohl’s department store for Black Friday looking for deals, Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Woodstock, Ga. (AP Photo/Megan Varner) NEW YORK (AP) — Black Friday no longer tempts people to leave Thanksgiving tables for midnight mall runs, but…

The Latest: Pope Leo XIV calls for Christian unity at site where Nicaean Creed was established

November 28, 2025

By The Associated Press

Pope Leo XIV has marked a significant moment in his first foreign trip to Turkey by visiting the site of the historic Council of Nicaea. This council, held 1,700 years ago, established the Nicene Creed, a statement of faith recited by millions of Christians today. On Friday, Leo prayed with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and other Christian leaders at the site in Iznik. The visit emphasizes Christian unity and peace, with Leo also addressing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. His trip includes meetings with Turkish leaders and visits to significant religious sites, promoting dialogue among different faiths.

No. 1 Ohio State hoping No. 15 Michigan does not add to long list of upsets in The Game on Saturday

November 28, 2025

By LARRY LAGE - AP Sports Writer

The Game has had many upsets, including last year when Michigan stunned Ohio State as nearly 20-point underdogs. The top-ranked Buckeyes don’t want the 15th-ranked Wolverines to add to the list on Saturday in Ann Arbor, Michigan. In terms of point spreads, last year’s upset was the largest since at least 1995. Michigan’s win in 1969 in coach Bo Schembechler’s debut season against mentor Woody Hayes was perhaps the most significant in the series. The 1973 game was memorable because the top-ranked Buckeyes settled for a famous 10-10 with the Wolverines and it inspired a documentary.

Time running out on Chiefs, Lions and Ravens after they stumble on Thanksgiving

November 28, 2025

By ROB MAADDI - AP Pro Football Writer

The Kansas City Chiefs have run out of room for error. If they’re going to extend the dynasty and reach the AFC championship game for a ninth straight season to have a shot at winning a fourth Super Bowl title with coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes, they might need to win their last five games — and get help. A 31-28 loss at Dallas on Thursday dropped the Chiefs to 6-6. They’ve already lost to the three 7-4 teams currently sitting in the AFC wild-card spots — Chargers, Jaguars, Bills — and also trail the Texans and Steelers, who are both 6-5.

Photos show Indonesia’s search for victims after deadly floods and landslides

November 28, 2025

AP

MEDAN, Indonesia (AP) — Rescuers and residents across Indonesia’s Sumatra island are sifting through mud, debris and swollen rivers after devastating floods and landslides killed dozens of people and left dozens more missing. The images show recovery teams retrieving bodies, villagers checking the ruins of their homes, and people wading through flooded streets as monsoon rains continue to batter the…

Anti-corruption units raid home and offices of Zelenskyy’s chief of staff

November 28, 2025

By ILLIA NOVIKOV - Associated Press

Ukrainian anti-corruption units have raided the home and office of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, Andrii Yermak. This comes as an unwelcome distraction for Kyiv officials battling Russia’s invasion. Two national agencies fighting entrenched corruption in Ukraine said they searched Yermak’s office. Yermak confirmed they also searched his apartment. He stated on Telegram that investigators faced no obstacles and had full access. The raids are part of a major investigation into a $100 million energy sector corruption scandal. This scandal adds to Zelenskyy’s challenges as he seeks continued Western support.

Death toll from floods in Thailand reach 145 as receding water reveals widespread damage

November 28, 2025

AP

The death toll from flooding in southern Thailand has reached at least 145, according to officials. More than 1.2 million households and 3.6 million people have been affected across 12 provinces. On Friday, government spokesperson Siripong Angkasakulkiat said at least 110 people were killed in Songkhla province alone. As floodwaters recede, search and rescue efforts have improved. The disaster has caused severe disruption, leaving thousands stranded and streets impassable. Videos and photos show significant damage, including overturned cars and debris piled along streets.

Dozens more bodies recovered after Hong Kong blaze, raising death toll to 128

November 28, 2025

By DAVID RISING and CHAN HO-HIM - Associated Press

Hong Kong firefighters have found dozens more bodies during an intensive search of a high-rise complex after a massive fire engulfed seven of its eight buildings. The death toll has risen to at least 128 people, making it one of the city’s deadliest blazes. Crews prioritized apartments from which they received calls for assistance during the blaze. The fire started midafternoon Wednesday and took firefighters about 24 hours to control. Authorities suspect some materials on the exterior walls did not meet fire resistance standards. Three men have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.

Hungary’s Viktor Orbán to meet Russia’s Vladimir Putin in Moscow for energy talks

November 28, 2025

AP

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is visiting Moscow for energy talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The visit is a rare step from a European leader amid Russia’s war in Ukraine. Orbán is widely considered Putin’s closest partner among European Union leaders. Before departing for Moscow on Friday, Orbán said the focus of his talks with Putin would be Hungary’s continued access to Russian oil and gas. These resources have come under sanctions by the U.S. government. Hungary remains among the only EU countries to continue importing large quantities of Russian fossil fuels, opposing efforts to reduce dependency.

Trump says one of the two West Virginia National Guard members shot by Afghan national has died

November 27, 2025

The Associated Press,

This combo from photos provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, show National Guard members, from left, Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe and Specialist Sarah Beckstrom. (U.S. Attorney’s Office via AP)WEST PALM BEACH, Florida (AP) — President Donald Trump said that one of the two West Virginia National Guard members shot by an Afghan national near the…

Love matches career high with 4 TD passes, lifting Packers to 31-24 win over Lions

November 27, 2025

By LARRY LAGE - AP Sports Writer

Jordan Love converted a pair of fourth downs with touchdown passes in the first half and finished with a career-high-matching four touchdown throws, leading the Green Bay Packers to a 31-24 win over the Detroit Lions on Thursday. The Packers swept the season series to earn a potential tiebreaker in the NFC North. The two-time defending division champion Lions entered the game out of the playoff picture, then fell further back in the hunt with a third loss in five games.

UPS grounds fleet of planes indefinitely after deadly crash

November 27, 2025

By SARAH RAZA - Associated Press

UPS Airlines has grounded its MD-11 planes indefinitely for inspections and possible repairs after a deadly crash earlier this month. An internal memo from UPS Airlines president Bill Moore on Wednesday stated that the fleet will be grounded as they work to meet Federal Aviation Administration guidelines. The process was expected to take weeks but may now take several months. An MD-11 plane crashed Nov. 4 in Louisville, Kentucky, killing 14 people. UPS intends to rely on contingency plans to deliver for customers throughout the peak season. Boeing took over as the manufacturer of MD-11s in 1997 and is working to help operators meet FAA requirements.

Telescope in Chile captures stunning new picture of a cosmic butterfly

November 27, 2025

By MARCIA DUNN - AP Aerospace Writer

A telescope in Chile has captured a stunning new picture of the Butterfly Nebula, a grand and graceful cosmic wonder. The National Science Foundation’s NoirLab released the picture Wednesday. Snapped last month by the Gemini South telescope, the aptly named Butterfly Nebula is 2,500 to 3,800 light-years away. At the heart of this bipolar nebula is a white dwarf star that cast aside its outer layers of gas long ago. The discarded gas forms the butterflylike wings billowing from the aging star. Schoolchildren in Chile chose this astronomical target to celebrate 25 years of operation by the International Gemini Observatory.

Trump criticizes the program that brought Afghan refugees to the US who fought the Taliban

November 27, 2025

By JEFFREY COLLINS - Associated Press

The man accused of shooting two National Guard members in Washington is one of about 76,000 Afghans brought to the U.S. after the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. The program, called Operation Allies Welcome, was created in 2021. Then-President Joe Biden said the U.S. owed it to those who opposed the Taliban to provide a safe haven. Critics argued the resettlement process was poorly planned. The accused shooter, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, worked with the CIA in Afghanistan. Resettlement groups emphasize that one individual’s actions shouldn’t reflect on all Afghan refugees.

Lake effect snow piles up in Great Lakes region, impacting Thanksgiving travel

November 27, 2025

By ISABELLA VOLMERT - Associated Press

Strong lake effect snow bands are expected to dump several inches of snow across the Great Lakes region Thanksgiving Day, with the most accumulation hitting the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Snowfall that began Wednesday has measured over 15 inches in Marquette, Michigan, according to the National Weather Service. One location in Wisconsin has reported 33 inches of snow thanks to the lake effect. The storm system is expected to push across the Upper Peninsula on Thanksgiving Day and taper off starting in the western counties into Friday. A different storm system this weekend is expected to be less severe and result in a few more inches of snow.

Fuzzy Zoeller, two-time major champion haunted by racist joke about Tiger Woods, dies at 74

November 27, 2025

By DOUG FERGUSON - AP Golf Writer

Masters and U.S. Open champion Fuzzy Zoeller has died at the age of 74. Zoeller was one of golf’s most gregarious characters and great champions. But his career was tainted by a racially insensitive joke he made about Tiger Woods at the 1997 Masters. Woods was on his way to the most dominant victory in Augusta National history. Zoeller in a CNN interview jokingly said for Woods not to serve fried chicken at the Masters Club dinner. He apologized. He says he got death threats. He said years later he had come to realize that moment would never go away.

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade kicks off in Manhattan

November 27, 2025

The Associated Press,

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (credit: CNN) NEW YORK (AP) — The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade kicked off Thursday in New York City, with new balloons depicting Buzz Lightyear and Pac-Man set to take to the skies and floats featuring Labubu and Lego gracing the streets. The parade started on Manhattan’s Upper West Side and will end at Macy’s Herald Square flagship store…

Putin sees US peace plan as a starting point as he warns Ukraine’s army to withdraw

November 27, 2025

By KATIE MARIE DAVIES - Associated Press

Russian President Vladimir Putin has acknowledged U.S. proposals to end the war in Ukraine as a starting point for talks. He insists Ukrainian forces must withdraw or face Russia’s larger army. Putin made these comments after a visit to Kyrgyzstan. He views U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan as a discussion framework, not a draft agreement. The Kremlin has been mostly silent on the peace plan. Analysts believe Putin is trying to outlast Western support for Ukraine. Meanwhile, fighting continues, with Russian attacks in Ukraine’s Sumy, Odesa, and Dnipropetrovsk regions. Ukraine is also dealing with a corruption scandal and financial challenges.

French president unveils new military program for volunteers aged 18 and 19

November 27, 2025

AP

French President Emmanuel Macron has announced a new military service program for volunteers aged 18 and 19. Starting next year, they will serve for 10 months. Macron revealed the plan on Thursday at the Varces military base in the French Alps. The program aims to strengthen France’s defenses amid growing threats, particularly from Russia. Volunteers will serve within France and its overseas territories, not in foreign military operations. Conscription, which ended in 1996, is not being reinstated. France plans to increase military spending and expand its reservist numbers in response to security concerns.

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade kicks off in Manhattan

November 27, 2025

AP

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has kicked off in New York City. New balloons depicting Buzz Lightyear, Pac-Man and other characters are set to take to the skies. Floats featuring Labubu and Lego and a star-studded lineup of performers will grace the streets, along with a slew of marching bands, dancers, clowns and cheerleaders. The parade began Thursday morning. It will air on NBC and be simulcast on NBC’s Peacock streaming service.

Shooting suspect worked with CIA and the US government in Afghanistan before coming to US, CIA Director Ratcliffe says

November 27, 2025

The Associated Press,

Washington, D.C. Shooting Scene November 26, 2026 WASHINGTON (AP) — An Afghan national has been accused of shooting two West Virginia National Guard members just blocks from the White House in a brazen act of violence at a time when the presence of troops in the nation’s capital and other cities around the country has become a political flashpoint. FBI…

What’s open on Thanksgiving? Not much, as many stores rest — or prepare — ahead of Black Friday

November 27, 2025

By MATT OTT - AP Business Writer

With Thanksgiving and the formal launch of the holiday shopping season, Americans will again take to the road for holiday gatherings before knocking off items on their Christmas gift lists. Most national grocery store chains are open on Thursday for last-minute needs, although many close early. Major U.S. retailers are closed on Thanksgiving Day, either giving workers the day off or preparing for Black Friday. Many will open early on the day after Thanksgiving, which is typically the biggest shopping day of the year. Black Friday has lost some of its frantic energy as customers increasingly shop for gifts online.

US-Russian crew of 3 blasts off to the International Space Station in a Russian Soyuz spacecraft

November 27, 2025

AP

A U.S.-Russian crew of three has started a mission to the International Space Station aboard a Russian spacecraft following a successful launch. A Soyuz booster rocket lifted off at 2:27 p.m. Thursday from the Russia-leased Baikonur facility in Kazakhstan. It docked at the station approximately three hours after liftoff. The Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft carried NASA astronaut Chris Williams and Russian crewmates Sergei Mikaev and Sergei Kud-Sverchkov. All three are expected to spend about eight months at the orbiting outpost. NASA says this is the first spaceflight for physicist Williams and military pilot Mikaev. This is the second flight for Kud-Sverchkov.

Sick Gilgeous-Alexander still looks like MVP as Thunder beat Timberwolves for 10th straight win

November 27, 2025

By CLIFF BRUNT - AP Sports Writer

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 113-105 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night. Despite being listed as questionable due to illness, he scored 40 points, helping the Thunder secure their 10th straight win and improve to 18-1. Gilgeous-Alexander made 12 of 19 field goals and 15 of 17 free throws. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault praised his performance, especially in the second quarter. The Thunder remain undefeated in West Group A of the NBA Cup.

Black Friday arrives with solid momentum despite tariffs and economic uncertainty

November 26, 2025

By ANNE D'INNOCENZIO - AP Business Writer

Black Friday may no longer be the retail bacchanalia of years past, but the event still has enough enthusiasts to make it the biggest single shopping day in the U.S.. This year’s traditional kickoff to the holiday shopping season comes as companies navigate an uncertain economic environment. Many have absorbed some of the costs from the Trump administration’s tariffs on imported goods and pulled back on hiring instead of raising prices for customers. Consumer confidence in the economy fell this month. Shoppers nonetheless have remained willing to spend, at least judging by the solid quarterly sales reports from major retailers. But many retail executives also say customers are focusing on deals and being selective.

No. 7 Michigan dominates No. 12 Gonzaga 101-61 to win Players Era Championship

November 26, 2025

By KIRK KERN - Associated Press

Yaxel Lendeborg had 20 points and 11 rebounds as No. 7 Michigan routed No. 12 Gonzaga 101-61 to win the Players Era Championship. Trey McKenney added 17 points for the undefeated Wolverines, who dominated every one of their opponents in the event. They won their three games by a combined 110 points, beating San Diego State by 40 and No. 21 Auburn by 30 before handing Mark Few his most lopsided loss in 902 games as Gonzaga’s coach. Lendeborg was selected MVP of the tournament. The 18-team field featured some of the top programs in the country, and Michigan served notice it’s a serious national title contender. Nimari Burnett had 14 points, Aday Mara scored 13 and Morez Johnson Jr. finished with 11 for the Wolverines.

What to know about Pope Leo XIV’s trip to Turkey and Lebanon, the first of his pontificate

November 26, 2025

By NICOLE WINFIELD - Associated Press

Pope Leo XIV’s first foreign trip, to Turkey and Lebanon, will be packed with opportunities to advance relations with two of the Catholic Church’s top priorities: Orthodox Christians and Muslims. It will also give history’s first American pope the spotlight to speak in broader terms about peace in the Middle East in languages much of the world can understand: He’ll speak exclusively in English while in Turkey, and a combination of English and French in Lebanon, in a departure from the Vatican’s traditional lingua franca of Italian. Here’s a look at some of the expected highlights of the Nov. 27-Dec. 2 visit to two countries that Pope Francis had intended to visit but couldn’t as his health deteriorated.

Pope Leo XIV opens first foreign trip with visit to Turkey that highlights religious, political ties

November 26, 2025

By NICOLE WINFIELD, SERRA YEDIKARDES and SUZAN FRASER - Associated Press

Pope Leo XIV is heading to Turkey on his first foreign trip. He’s fulfilling Pope Francis’ plans to mark an important Orthodox anniversary and bring a message of peace to the region at a crucial time for efforts to end the war in Ukraine and ease Mideast tensions. Leo is arriving Thursday first in Ankara, where he has a meeting planned with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and a speech to the country’s diplomatic corps. He’ll then move onto Istanbul for three days of ecumenical and interfaith meetings that will be followed by the Lebanese leg of his trip. Leo’s visit comes as Turkey has cast itself as a key intermediary in peace negotiations for the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.

Trump says lax migration policies are top national security threat after National Guard members shot

November 26, 2025

By CHRIS MEGERIAN and FARNOUSH AMIRI - Associated Press

President Donald Trump says Wednesday’s attack on two National Guard members near the White House highlights the dangers of lax migration policies. He calls it the greatest national security threat. Trump says the suspect is an Afghan national who entered the U.S. in 2021 after Kabul’s collapse. He criticizes former President Joe Biden’s handling of Afghan evacuees and plans to review those who entered under Biden’s administration. Trump also targets Minnesota’s Somali community, calling for the removal of those who don’t benefit the country. Supporters of Afghan evacuees fear increased scrutiny and political exploitation of the incident.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scores 40 points while ill, leads Thunder to 10th straight win

November 26, 2025

By CLIFF BRUNT - AP Sports Writer

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 40 points despite being ill, leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 113-105 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. He was listed as questionable but delivered a standout performance, making 12 of 19 field goals and 15 of 17 free throws. The Thunder have now won their 10th straight game, improving to 18-1. Oklahoma City is 4-0 in West Group A and is well-positioned for the knockout round. Anthony Edwards scored 31 points for Minnesota, but the Timberwolves lost their third straight. The Thunder host the Phoenix Suns on Friday.

Bangkok court issues an arrest warrant for Thai co-owner of Miss Universe pageant

November 26, 2025

By JINTAMAS SAKSORNCHAI - Associated Press

A court in Thailand has issued an arrest warrant for Jakkaphong “Anne” Jakrajutatip, a co-owner of the Miss Universe Organization, in connection with a fraud case. The court in Bangkok issued the warrant after she failed to appear in court on Tuesday to answer allegations that she and her company, JKN Global Group, defrauded an investor in the company’s corporate bonds. Financially troubled JKN Global began debt rehabilitation in 2024. JKN has denied rumors that Jakkaphong had liquidated the company’s assets and fled the country. It gave no immediate reaction regarding the arrest warrant. Jakkaphong’s whereabouts are unclear. She did not appear at the 74th Miss Universe competition, which was held last week in Bangkok.

Celtics end Pistons’ winning streak at a franchise record-tying 13 with 117-114 victory

November 26, 2025

By KEN POWTAK - Associated Press

Jaylen Brown, Derrick White and the Boston Celtics ended Detroit’s winning streak at a franchise record-tying 13, outlasting Cade Cunningham and the Pistons 117-114 on Wednesday night. The Eastern Conference-leading Pistons squandered a chance to break the record they share with the 1989-90 and 2003-04 championship teams. They are 15-3. Brown had 33 points and 10 rebounds, and White scored 11 of his 27 points in the final 4 1/2 minutes to help the Celtics overcome Cunningham’s 42-point night. With Detroit down 3, Cunningham was fouled near mid-court just as he was about to go up for a 3-pointer. Cunningham hit the first two, but missed the third. Payton Pritchard grabbed the rebound, was fouled and hit two free throws with 2.4 seconds left.

Judges allow North Carolina to use a map drawn in bid to give Republicans another US House seat

November 26, 2025

By GARY D. ROBERTSON and JONATHAN MATTISE - Associated Press

Federal judges have allowed North Carolina to use a redrawn congressional map designed to give Republicans an additional U.S. House seat. The map targets the state’s only swing seat, held by Democratic Rep. Don Davis representing over 20 northeastern counties. A three-judge panel on Wednesday denied requests for a preliminary injunction, following a hearing in mid-November. North Carolina is among several states where President Donald Trump has pushed for mid-decade map changes ahead of the 2026 elections. Many lower courts have blocked Trump’s initiatives, only for the conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court to put those rulings on hold. That includes a recent ruling in Texas.

Trump sent National Guard troops to Washington in August. Some are armed. Some have cleaned parks

November 26, 2025

By The Associated Press

Two members of the West Virginia National Guard were shot in Washington about two blocks from the White House. Officials said Wednesday they were hospitalized in critical condition. Washington’s mayor says they were victims of a ”targeted shooting.” The troops are among more than 2,000 troops deployed to the nation’s capital as part of President Donald Trump’s crime-fighting mission that involved taking over the local police department. Some troops have been armed and provided a military presence in public spaces like federal parks, subway stations and the Amtrak train station. Others have done yard work, removed graffiti and cleaned parks.

Great Lakes region preparing for bad weather as lake-effect snowfall ingredients begin mixing

November 26, 2025

By COREY WILLIAMS - Associated Press

Cold air is sweeping across the Great Lakes region, bringing lake-effect snow from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to Western New York. Snowfall started Wednesday in Houghton, Michigan, and is expected to continue through Thanksgiving. The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning for the Keweenaw Peninsula. Forecasters say that cold air, often from Canada, blows over the Great Lakes, creating conditions for heavy snowfall. Areas like Buffalo, New York, are particularly affected, with significant snow expected. Lake-effect storms previously dumped over six feet of snow in Western New York in November 2022.

Government push to unseal court records offers clues about what could be in the Epstein files

November 26, 2025

By MICHAEL R. SISAK and LARRY NEUMEISTER - Associated Press

It’s not clear when the Justice Department will release its files on sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and longtime confidant Ghislaine Maxwell. But a court battle over sealed documents in Maxwell’s criminal case is offering clues about what could be in those Epstein records. Government lawyers asked a judge on Wednesday to allow the release of a wide range of material from Maxwell’s case. That material is subject to secrecy orders that the Justice Department wants lifted as it works to comply with a new law mandating the public release of Epstein and Maxwell investigative files.

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