US & World News Archives - Page 11 of 87

Social media platforms removed 4.7 million accounts after Australia banned them for children

January 16, 2026

By CHARLOTTE GRAHAM-McLAY - Associated Press

Social media companies have revoked access to about 4.7 million accounts identified as belonging to children in Australia. This follows the country’s ban on platform use by those under 16. Communications Minister Anika Wells announced the figures on Friday, highlighting the success of the law enacted in December. The ban has sparked debates about technology use, privacy, and child safety. Platforms like Facebook, YouTube and X face hefty fines if they fail to comply. Officials say the measure is encouraging, though some young users have found ways to bypass restrictions. Other countries, such as Denmark, are considering similar bans.

A South Korean court sentences Yoon to 5 years in prison on charges related to martial law decree

January 16, 2026

By HYUNG-JIN KIM - Associated Press

A South Korean court has sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to five years in prison on some charges related to his imposition of martial law. The verdict is the first against Yoon in the eight criminal trials over the decree he issued in late 2024 and other allegations. The most significant charge against him alleges that he led a rebellion in connection with his martial law enforcement and it carries a potential death penalty. The Seoul Central District Court in the case decided Friday sentenced him for other charges like his defiance of authorities’ attempts to detain him and his alleged fabrication of official documents.

Wembanyama shaves head, shines brightly in leading Spurs past Antetokounmpo, Bucks

January 16, 2026

AP

San Antonio center Victor Wembanyama needed a fresh start after two frustrating losses so he decided to let it all go — his hair, that is. Sporting a freshly shaved head courtesy of a teammate, Wembanyama overcame an injury scare to score 22 points and grab 10 rebounds Thursday night as San Antonio routed Milwaukee 119-101 to snap a two-game skid. Wembanyama exited early in the first quarter after banging knees with Giannis Antetokounmpo, but returned. San Antonio forward Keldon Johnson deserves some credit for the change in fortunes as well as Wembanyama’s new style. The idea for new look began last week when Johnson announced he was planning to shave his head and tried to convince his teammates to join him.

In their words: Greenlanders talk about Trump’s desire to own their Arctic island

January 16, 2026

By EMMA BURROWS - AP European Security Correspondent

U.S. President Donald Trump has turned Greenland into a geopolitical hotspot with his demands to own it. The island is a semiautonomous region of Denmark. Denmark’s foreign minister said Wednesday that a “fundamental disagreement” remains with Trump over the island. Greenlanders are worried. Naaja Nathanielsen, a Greenlandic minister, said people are not sleeping and children are afraid. Trump has dismissed Denmark’s defenses in Greenland, suggesting it’s “two dog sleds.” Greenlanders feel this undermines their culture. Many Greenlanders also dismiss Trump’s claims about Russian and Chinese ships swarming their seas. They believe Trump is interested in Greenland’s critical minerals.

Inside a year of firings that have shaken the Trump Justice Department: ‘A great deal of fear’

January 15, 2026

By ERIC TUCKER and ALANNA DURKIN RICHER - Associated Press

As Attorney General Pam Bondi approaches her first anniversary on the job, the firings of career attorneys have defined her turbulent tenure. The terminations and a larger voluntary exodus of lawyers have erased centuries of combined experience. They have also left the department with fewer career employees to act as a bulwark defending the rule of law when President Donald Trump is testing the limits of executive power by demanding prosecutions of his political enemies. Interviews by The Associated Press of more than a half-dozen fired employees offer a snapshot of the toll throughout the department. The Justice Department has disputed the accounts of some of those who have been fired or quit.

Insurrection Act: How it’s been used and what Trump wants to do with it

January 15, 2026

By BILL BARROW - Associated Press

Donald Trump would not be the first president to invoke the Insurrection Act, as he has now threatened to do as a way to send U.S. military forces to Minnesota. But he’d be the first to use the 19th century law to send troops to quell protests that started because of federal officers the president already has sent to the area — one of whom shot and killed a U.S. citizen. The law allows presidents to use the military domestically but only on rare occasions. It has been invoked on more than two dozen occasions but not much since 20th Century’s Civil Rights Movement. And some legal experts say nothing in Minneapolis justify using the act again now.

Federal immigration agents filmed dragging a woman from her car in Minneapolis

January 15, 2026

By SAFIYAH RIDDLE, SARAH BRUMFIELD and HALLIE GOLDEN - Associated Press

A U.S. citizen says in a statement that she was dragged from her car and detained by immigration officers in Minneapolis. Video of the arrest has drawn millions of views on social media, highlighting an intensifying immigration crackdown in the city. Aliya Rahman says she was on her way to a medical appointment when federal agents stopped her at an intersection. She says officers smashed her window, cut her seatbelt and dragged her out. A spokesperson for the MacArthur Justice Center says Rahman had no safe options in navigating the situation. Homeland Security officials claim Rahman was obstructing officers conducting arrests in the area. Rahman’s counsel says she was hospitalized for injuries and has since been released.

Proposals on immigration enforcement flood into state legislatures, heightened by Minnesota action

January 15, 2026

By SCOTT BAUER and JONATHAN MATTISE - Associated Press

Democrats across the country are proposing state law changes to rein in federal immigration officers and protect the public following the shooting death of a protester in Minneapolis and the wounding of two people in Portland, Oregon. Many of the measures have been proposed in some form for years in Democratic-led states, but their momentum is growing as legislatures return to work amid President Donald Trump’s national immigration crackdown following the killing of Renee Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Minneapolis. Republicans are pushing back, blaming protesters for impeding enforcement of immigration laws. Tennessee Republicans on Thursday announced several proposals with more restrictions aimed at illegal immigration.

Photos show Venezuela caught between Machado’s diplomacy and Rodríguez’s rule

January 15, 2026

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado met with U.S. President Donald Trump, presenting him with her Nobel Peace Prize medal and praising his support for Venezuelan democracy, even as Trump has signaled a willingness to work with the country’s acting president. As Machado was in Washington, acting President Delcy Rodríguez delivered her first state of the union…

Key facts in the latest NCAA basketball betting investigation

January 15, 2026

By AARON BEARD - AP Basketball Writer

Federal prosecutors have revealed a sprawling scheme to rig college basketball games while yielding big payouts to gamblers. An indictment unsealed Thursday alleges fixers started with two professional games in China before turning their focus to recruiting college players in America. The indictment cites roughly 30 college games impacted by that effort during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons. Prosecutors say the scheme eventually involved more than 39 players on 17 Division I men’s basketball teams. It comes as the NCAA has spent the past year pursuing its own probes for sports-gambling violations.

Oglala Sioux president walks back claims of DHS pressure, member arrests

January 15, 2026

By SAFIYAH RIDDLE, REBECCA SANTANA and GRAHAM LEE BREWER - Associated Press

The president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe is walking back claims of pressure and arrests he made earlier this week. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security says it can’t verify these claims and denies asking for any agreement. Tribal President Frank Star Comes Out has not commented further. The accusations arose amid concerns over immigration enforcement and racial profiling affecting Native Americans. Star Comes Out initially said the arrests occurred in Minneapolis and that federal officials said the tribe could get information if they entered into an immigration agreement with the federal government. Later he said his statement was “misinterpreted” and that no demand was made by federal officials.

Democrats hope a blue wave washes over Wisconsin and gives them total control of battleground state

January 15, 2026

By SCOTT BAUER - Associated Press

Wisconsin Democrats are hoping to flip majority control of the Legislature and retain the governor’s seat this year. That would give them full control of the Statehouse for the first time in 16 years. Democrats think new district boundaries in the Senate and Assembly ordered by the liberal-controlled state Supreme Court will enhance their odds of taking the majority there. The open race for governor and a favorable midterm election cycle this year is also bolstering optimism among Democrats. Liberals also hope to pick up an open state Supreme Court seat in April. But while both Democrats and Republicans say significant Democratic wins are possible, they’re also voicing caution.

What you need to know about Grok and the controversies surrounding it

January 15, 2026

AP

Elon Musk’s AI assistant, Grok, is facing scrutiny from governments worldwide. First launched in 2023, Grok aims to compete with AI models like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini. It’s part of Musk’s AI startup, xAI, which has merged with his social media platform, X. Grok has been controversial for echoing Musk’s views on race, gender, and politics.

A scheme to rig college basketball games has been uncovered. Here’s what we know

January 15, 2026

By MARC LEVY - Associated Press

A federal investigation into a sprawling betting scheme to fix basketball games stretched from the Chinese Basketball Association to the NCAA and ensnared 26 people, including college basketball players. The charges, in documents unsealed Thursday in federal court in Philadelphia, include bribery, wire fraud and conspiracy. A group of fixers, including gamblers, allegedly recruited players with the promise of a big payment in exchange for purposefully underperforming during a game. Prosecutors say those fixers would then bet against the players’ teams in those games, defrauding sportsbooks and other bettors.

At Detroit auto show, spotlight dims for EVs

January 15, 2026

By ALEXA ST. JOHN - Associated Press

The North American International Auto Show in Detroit once dedicated an entire track on its coveted show floor to getting consumers comfortable with electric vehicles and charging. It’s a different story at this year’s show amid President Donald Trump’s anti-EV agenda as automakers back away from multibillion dollar plans to go electric. Detroit is continuing its pivot from EVs, and industry experts fear that will only add to China’s widening lead in an area seen as the future of cars.

Venezuela’s acting president calls for oil industry reforms to allow more foreign investment

January 15, 2026

By REGINA GARCIA CANO - Associated Press

Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez says lawmakers in her country should approve reforms to the oil industry that would open the doors to greater foreign investment. The remarks were made Thursday during her first state of the union speech. She addressed an anxious country as she navigates competing pressures from the United States and a government loyal to former President Nicolás Maduro, who was ousted by U.S. forces less than two weeks ago. The speech to the country’s National Assembly, which wasn’t being broadcast live in Venezuela, comes one day after Rodríguez said her government would continue releasing prisoners detained under Maduro in what she described as “a new political moment.”

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer warns of worsening auto industry under Trump’s tariff strategy

January 15, 2026

By ISABELLA VOLMERT - Associated Press

In a tale of two speeches, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has offered a rebuttal to President Donald Trump’s defense of his tariff policies, made just days before by the president in Detroit. While speaking at the Detroit Auto Show, she critiqued his strong-arm strategy with ally countries, saying it has hurt American auto manufacturing. It’s a message she’s repeated over the past year, and one she said she has delivered to Trump directly numerous times. Her remarks come two days after Trump toured the Detroit area and defended the economy of the automobile sector saying, “all U.S. automakers are doing great.”

Court ruling jeopardizes freedom for pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil

January 15, 2026

By JAKE OFFENHARTZ and MICHAEL R. SISAK - Associated Press

A federal appeals panel has reversed a lower court decision that released former Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil from an immigration jail, bringing the government one step closer to detaining and ultimately deporting the Palestinian activist. A three-judge panel of the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia instructed the lower court on Thursday to dismiss Khalil’s habeas petition, a court filing that secured his release. The panel ruled that the federal district court in New Jersey did not have jurisdiction over the matter because immigration challenges are handled differently under the law. Khalil called the decision “deeply disappointing.”

Trump is meeting with Venezuelan opposition leader after cozying up to Maduro’s successor

January 15, 2026

By REGINA GARCIA CANO, MEGAN JANETSKY and WILL WEISSERT - Associated Press

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado is heading to the White House for a lunch meeting with President Donald Trump. Machado’s political party is widely considered to have won 2024 elections rejected by then-President Nicolás Maduro before the U.S. captured him in a military raid this month. Trump on Thursday will host the Nobel Peace Prize laureate Machado, and Machado will later have a meeting in the Senate. Trump has already dismissed Machado’s credibility to run Venezuela and raised doubts about his stated commitment to backing democratic rule in the country. The meeting comes as Trump and his top advisers have signaled their willingness to work with Venezuela’s acting president.

Liberal Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate raises 10 times more than conservative

January 15, 2026

By SCOTT BAUER - Associated Press

The Democratic-backed candidate for Wisconsin Supreme Court raised 10 times as much last year as her Republican-endorsed opponent, putting in stark relief the challenge conservatives face in winning the race in the battleground state. The reports filed this week offer the first glimpse at one key measurement of how the race to be decided on April 7 is stacking up. Liberals are optimistic they can win their fourth Supreme Court race in a row dating back to 2020 to solidify their hold on the court. Democratic-backed candidate Judge Chris Taylor faces Republican-endorsed Judge Maria Lazar.

Pope meets families of young Italian victims of the Swiss Alps bar fire

January 15, 2026

By NICOLE WINFIELD - Associated Press

Pope Leo XIV has met with families of Italian teenagers killed or injured in a fire that engulfed a Swiss ski resort bar during a party on New Year’s Eve. The pope met with with about two dozen relatives of the victims on Thursday in the Vatican, acknowledging their anguish and urging them to find hope in their darkest moments. The fire in Crans-Montana killed 40 people and injured 116. Six of the dead and 13 of the injured were Italian citizens. Authorities suspect the fire was caused by sparkling candles igniting soundproofing material. Investigations are ongoing, with Italian officials demanding justice and accountability for the tragedy.

US seizes in Caribbean Sea another sanctioned oil tanker it says has ties to Venezuela

January 15, 2026

By KONSTANTIN TOROPIN - Associated Press

U.S. forces in the Caribbean Sea have seized another sanctioned oil tanker the Trump administration says has ties to Venezuela, part of a broader U.S. effort to take control of the South American country’s oil. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Thursday the Motor Tanker Veronica had previously passed through Venezuelan waters and was operating in defiance of President Donald Trump’s established quarantine of sanctioned vessels in the Caribbean. The Veronica is the sixth tanker seized by U.S. forces as part of Trump’s effort. A video Noem posted online shows helicopters hovering over the deck of a merchant vessel while armed troops drop down on the deck by rope.

In a warming world, freshwater production is moving deep beneath the sea

January 15, 2026

By ANNIKA HAMMERSCHLAG - Associated Press

Climate change is driving a global boom in desalination as regions turn to the sea for drinking water. Desalination plants, which remove salt from seawater, are rapidly expanding worldwide. However, scientists warn these plants can harm marine ecosystems. They consume massive amounts of energy, often from fossil fuels, and discharge salty brine back into the ocean, which can alter water chemistry and harm marine life. In Southern California, the Carlsbad Desalination Plant faces criticism for its environmental impact. New technologies like deep-sea desalination promise to reduce these harms by using natural ocean pressure and minimizing energy use.

Another construction crane collapse in Thailand kills 2 people a day after deadly train derailment

January 15, 2026

By JINTAMAS SAKSONCHAI and WASAMON AUDJARINT - Associated Press

A construction crane has collapsed onto an elevated road near Bangkok, a day after another construction accident in northeastern Thailand killed 32 people. The crane collapse on a major road leading from Bangkok killed at least two people Thursday. Meanwhile, the search for survivors ended at the scene of the crane collapse that caused a train derailment Wednesday. The construction project is part of a high-speed rail initiative to link China to Southeast Asia under Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative. Thailand’s prime minister late Thursday announced tough new measures to terminate contracts with the companies involved in the two accidents.

European troops arrive in Greenland as talks with US highlight ‘disagreement’ over island’s future

January 15, 2026

By EMMA BURROWS, CLAUDIA CIOBANU and BEN FINLEY - Associated Press

Troops from NATO countries, including France and Germany, are arriving in Greenland to boost security. This follows talks in Washington on Wednesday between Denmark, Greenland and the U.S. that highlighted disagreements over Greenland’s future. French President Emmanuel Macron announced the deployment of French troops, with Germany sending a reconnaissance team on Thursday. Denmark is also increasing its military presence. The talks focused on U.S. intentions to take over Greenland for its mineral resources amid rising Russian and Chinese interest. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen expressed concerns over Trump’s intentions. Greenlanders remain uncertain about the future.

Iran closes its airspace to commercial aircraft for hours as tensions with US remain high

January 15, 2026

By JON GAMBRELL - Associated Press

Iran closed its airspace to commercial flights for hours without explanation as tensions remained high with the United States over Tehran’s crackdown on protests. International carriers diverted flights north and south around Iran, but the closure appeared to expire and several domestic flights were in the air after 7 a.m. Thursday. Iran previously shut its airspace during its June war with Israel and during some exchanges of fire in the Israel-Hamas war. There were no signs of current hostilities. The airspace closure came as some personnel at a U.S. military base in Qatar were advised to evacuate. U.S. President Donald Trump has left unclear what American action, if any, would take place against Iran.

Virgin Mary procession draws thousands as Venezuela faces uncertain future

January 14, 2026

By SAMUEL SOTOMAYOR and MARÍA TERESA HERNÁNDEZ - Associated Press

Venezuela’s annual Divina Pastora procession returns to the streets of Barquisimeto during widespread unease. The faithful gathered in a major Catholic procession in Barquisimeto, about 170 miles west of Caracas, to honor Divina Pastora, a title for the Virgin Mary. The country is grappling with political uncertainty following the U.S.-ordered detention of President Nicolás Maduro and mounting economic pressures, offering a window into public sentiment at a delicate moment.

Renee Good’s family hires George Floyd law firm to investigate Minneapolis ICE shooting

January 14, 2026

By HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH - Associated Press

Renee Good’s family hired the law firm that represented George Floyd’s family to seek answers and accountability for the Minneapolis mother’s killing by a federal immigration agent. The family’s decision to hire the law firm came the same week the U.S. Justice Department sees no basis for a federal civil rights investigation. An FBI probe is ongoing. The family on Wednesday said it wants Good remembered as “an agent of peace” and alleged she was killed while trying to follow federal agents’ instructions. The Trump administration has defended the officer’s actions as self-defense. The law firm Romanucci & Blandin said it will release information from its investigation “on a rolling basis” in the coming weeks.

New DHS rule aims to shorten visa wait times abroad for religious workers serving US congregations

January 14, 2026

By TIFFANY STANLEY and GIOVANNA DELL'ORTO - Associated Press

The Department of Homeland Security is making it easier for visa-holding religious workers to serve U.S. congregations with less disruption. DHS announced a change on Wednesday to reduce visa wait times abroad for foreign nationals serving as pastors, priests, nuns, imams and rabbis. These workers face long backlogs for permanent residency but can enter on temporary R-1 visas. The new rule removes the requirement for R-1 workers to leave the U.S. for a year after their visa expires. They can now apply to re-enter immediately. The change aims to support religious organizations and minimize disruptions to faith-based communities.

Japanese and South Korean leaders jam to K-pop hits at a summit

January 14, 2026

By MARI YAMAGUCHI - Associated Press

The Japanese and South Korean leaders agreed to deepen cooperation between their countries before they let loose with their own surprise cultural exchange in a surprise jam session drumming to K-pop hits. The musical performance between Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung followed Tuesday’s summit in Nara, Japan, Takaichi’s hometown. Wearing personalized athletic jackets, they drummed to hits such as BTS’ “Dynamite” and Kpop Demon Hunters’ “Golden” in a short video posted by Takaichi’s office Wednesday.

What to know about the threats on federal funds flowing to Minnesota

January 14, 2026

By GEOFF MULVIHILL - Associated Press

A large-scale immigration crackdown by an influx of federal law enforcement officers is not the only way President Donald Trump’s administration is putting pressure on Minnesota. It’s also seeking to withhold billions in federal money from state programs and on Wednesday filed a lawsuit against the state over its hiring practices. The administration’s actions come as the president criticizes the state’s governor and Somali population — and they go farther than in other Democratic-controlled states. Much of the money the administration says it will withhold funds from services including child care and medical transportation for low-income people. The state has been pushing back in court and through administrative processes.

Trump claims killing of Iran protesters ‘has stopped’ even as Tehran signals executions ahead

January 14, 2026

By MICHELLE L. PRICE and FARNOUSH AMIRI - Associated Press

President Donald Trump says he’s been told “on good authority” that plans for executions in Iran have stopped, even as Tehran has signaled fast trials and executions ahead in its crackdown on protesters. The U.S. president’s claims, which were made Wednesday with few details, come as he’s told protesting Iranians in recent days that “help is on the way” and that his administration would “act accordingly” to respond to the Iranian government. But Trump has not offered any details about how the U.S. might respond and it wasn’t clear if his comments Wednesday indicated he would hold off on action.

What to know as New York City nurses strike for a 3rd day

January 14, 2026

By PHILIP MARCELO - Associated Press

New York City nurses are striking for a third day with both sides seemingly digging in for the long haul. Negotiations don’t appear to be on the table Wednesday with any of the three major hospital systems affected by the walkout. Picketing nurses also held a rally at a Bronx hospital in which their leaders took aim at hospital administrators, saying they are “blatantly mischaracterizing” their contract demands. Meanwhile the hospital systems say they’ve committed to keeping on the travel nurses they brought on to fill work gaps at least through next week. The walkout involves about 15,000 nurses at the Mount Sinai, Montefiore and NewYork-Presbyterian hospital systems.

Gaza is entering the second phase of the ceasefire plan Trump helped broker, envoy Witkoff says

January 14, 2026

By MICHELLE L. PRICE - Associated Press

The United States says it’s moving into the next phase of a Gaza ceasefire plan involving disarming Hamas, rebuilding the war-ravaged territory and establishing the group of Palestinian experts that will administer daily affairs. President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff says on social media the ceasefire deal the Republican president helped broker was entering its second phase following two years of war between Israel and Hamas. Witkoff didn’t offer any details Wednesday about a new transitional Palestinian administration that would govern Gaza. The White House hasn’t offered any details, either. Witkoff says the U.S. expects Hamas to immediately return the final dead hostage as part of its obligations under the deal.

No immediate court decision on a request to stop the immigration crackdown in Minnesota

January 14, 2026

By STEVE KARNOWSKI - Associated Press

There has been no decision, yet, on Minnesota’s request to suspend the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. The surge is roiling the state’s largest cities. Federal agents have been pulling people from cars and confronting angry bystanders. Federal Judge Katherine Menendez on Wednesday promised to keep the case “on the front burner.” She gave the government until Monday to respond to a request for a restraining order. Plumes of tear gas, the deployment of chemical irritants and the screech of protest whistles have become common on the streets of Minneapolis, where an immigration agent killed Renee Good last week.

Julio Iglesias accused of sexual assault in Caribbean as Spanish prosecutors study the allegations

January 14, 2026

By JOSEPH WILSON and DÁNICA COTO - Associated Press

Spanish prosecutors are studying allegations that Grammy-winning singer Julio Iglesias sexually assaulted two former employees at his residences in the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas. The Spanish prosecutors’ office told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the allegations were related to media reports from earlier this week that alleged Iglesias had sexually and physically assaulted two women who worked in his Caribbean residences between January and October 2021. Iglesias has yet to speak publicly regarding the allegations. The 82-year-old Iglesias is one of the world’s most successful musical artists. Iglesias could potentially be taken in front of the Spain’s National Court which can try alleged crimes by Spanish citizens while they are abroad.

Ukrainians endure freezing temperatures at home as emergency crews rush to restore power

January 14, 2026

By VASILISA STEPANENKO - Associated Press

Officials say emergency repair crews are working tirelessly to restore power in the Kyiv region of Ukraine. Russian attacks on energy infrastructure have left Ukrainians facing the coldest winter in years. In Boryspil, workers are dismantling and rebuilding burned-out electrical systems. They work in the snow from early morning till midnight. The supply has been restored for four hours a day, but the system collapses when power returns as people rush to use appliances. Kyiv residents are enduring freezing temperatures and darkness, with some homes without electricity for days. Russian barrages are aiming at power plants and large substations, and procuring replacement equipment such as transformers can take months.

Sen. Slotkin is under investigation by the Trump administration for Democrats’ video to troops

January 14, 2026

By JOEY CAPPELLETTI - Associated Press

Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin has been notified that the Trump administration is investigating her after she organized and appeared in a video with other Democrats urging military service members to resist “illegal orders.” Slotkin said in a video statement Wednesday that prosecutors were investigating her over the 90-second video she first posted on her X account in November. Slotkin calls it “legal intimidation and physical intimidation meant to get you to shut up.” President Donald Trump and aides have labeled the video as “seditious” and Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, a former Navy pilot and astronaut, was censured for participating.

Diversity still a major issue at the Winter Olympics. The US is making some strides

January 14, 2026

By TIM REYNOLDS - AP Sports Writer

USA Bobsled and Skeleton is set to unveil its Olympic rosters, with most women competing likely being women of color. This could make the 2026 U.S. Olympic winter roster the most diverse ever. In 2018, 21 athletes of Black or Asian descent were part of the team, about 8% of the total. The 2026 team could surpass that. Some top American medal hopefuls include Black women like bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor and speedskater Erin Jackson. Despite challenges, representation is growing, with athletes like Mystique Ro and Kaysha Love leading the way.

FBI searches home of Washington Post reporter in classified documents probe, newspaper says

January 14, 2026

By ALANNA DURKIN RICHER and ERIC TUCKER - Associated Press

Attorney General Pam Bondi says the search of a Washington Post reporter’s home was done at the Pentagon’s request as part of a leak investigation. The Post says journalist Hannah Natanson had her phone and a watch seized by agents at her Virginia home. An FBI affidavit says the search was related to an investigation into a system administrator in Maryland who authorities believe took home classified reports. An FBI spokesperson declines to comment. Justice Department officials haven’t responded to a request for comment. Natanson covers the Trump administration’s transformation of the federal government. A colleague has called her “the federal government whisperer.”

Trump says anything less than having Greenland in US hands is ‘unacceptable’

January 14, 2026

The Associated Press,

A North American Aerospace Defense Command F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft from the South Carolina ANG’s 169th FW takes off at Pituffik Space Force Base, Greenland, Oct. 9, 2025. Operating in the Arctic provides the flexibility and adaptability needed to overcome logistical hurdles in a dynamic and unforgiving environment. NUUK, Greenland (AP) — President Donald Trump said Wednesday that NATO…

What to know as the Louvre’s ticket price goes up by 45%

January 14, 2026

By THOMAS ADAMSON - Associated Press

The Louvre in Paris is raising ticket prices for many visitors to fund renovations and security after recent challenges. Admission to the world’s most visited museum will increase by 45% to 32 euros ($37) from 22 euros for visitors from many non-European countries. French labor unions say the two-tier pricing change undermines the museum’s universal mission. The theft of French crown jewels from the museum in October intensified scrutiny of its security. Overcrowding, strikes and aging infrastructure are also among the stresses highlighting the need for more funding.

2025 US home sales stuck at 30-year low as mortgage rates, prices weighed on market

January 14, 2026

By ALEX VEIGA - AP Business Writer

The U.S. housing market slump dragged into its fourth year in 2025, as sales remained stuck at a 30-year low with rising home prices and elevated mortgage rates keeping many prospective home shoppers shut out of the market. The National Association of Realtors said Wednesday that sales of previously occupied U.S. homes totaled 4.06 million last year, flat versus 2024, when sales sank to the lowest level since 1995. The median national home price for all of last year rose 1.7% to $414,400, the NAR said. Sales have been stuck at around a 4-million annual pace now going back to 2023. That’s well short of the 5.2-million annual pace that’s historically been the norm.

Some personnel at key US base in Qatar advised to evacuate as Iran official brings up earlier attack

January 14, 2026

By KONSTANTIN TOROPIN and FARNOUSH AMIRI - Associated Press

A U.S. official says some personnel at a key U.S. military base in Qatar have been advised to evacuate. The decision to evacuate by Wednesday evening comes as a senior official in Iran brought up an earlier Iranian attack there. Qatar says the measures are in response to “regional tensions.” It comes as anti-government protests in nearby Iran continue and President Donald Trump has said he’s willing to conduct military operations in the country if the government continues to retaliate against the protesters. The base hosts thousands of U.S. service members and was targeted by Iran in June in retaliation for U.S. strikes on its nuclear facilities.

What Americans think about Trump’s military intervention abroad, according to a new AP-NORC poll

January 14, 2026

By LINLEY SANDERS - Associated Press

A new poll shows most Americans believe President Donald Trump has “gone too far” in using the U.S. military to intervene in other countries. The AP-NORC poll finds 56% of Americans say Trump has overstepped in using the military for foreign intervention and most Americans continue to disapprove of how the Republican president is handling foreign policy. The poll shows Americans also overwhelmingly do not want the U.S. to take “a more active role” in solving the world’s problems. Only about 2 in 10 U.S. adults say the U.S. should take “a more active role” in solving global issues, including just 1 in 10 Republicans.

A novel sanctuary in Antarctica is preserving ice samples from rapidly melting glaciers

January 14, 2026

By NICOLE WINFIELD and PAOLO SANTALUCIA - Associated Press

Scientists have inaugurated the first global repository of mountain ice cores in an Antarctic vault. This initiative aims to preserve Earth’s atmospheric history as global warming melts glaciers. On Wednesday, the Ice Memory Foundation stored the first two Alpine ice core samples from Mont Blanc and Grand Combin in a snow cave at Concordia station. The foundation, a consortium of European research institutes, ensures future generations can study past climate conditions. Since 2000, glaciers have lost significant ice, making these cores crucial for understanding atmospheric changes. Scientists plan to expand the collection in the coming years.

Car shopping trends and tips for 2026 from Edmunds

January 14, 2026

By JOSH JACQUOT - Edmunds

Car shoppers will face numerous new challenges in 2026 as trends in the automotive industry evolve. More used vehicles are flooding the market, trade-ins are holding their value better, and loan terms are improving, Edmunds editors show how to use these trends to your benefit if you’re in the market for a new or used vehicle this year.

Democrats see a path to win the Senate. It’s narrow and has little room for error

January 14, 2026

By THOMAS BEAUMONT and JOEY CAPPELLETTI - Associated Press

Senate Democrats are expressing optimism they’ll be able to flip the chamber this year after it looked all but impossible last year. The surge in confidence follows another recruiting win this week as former Rep. Mary Peltola announced she’ll run for Senate in Alaska. Peltola’s campaign marks a critical fourth candidate with statewide recognition in states where Republican senators are seeking reelection this year. Nationally, Democrats must net four seats to edge the GOP out of the majority. But there are a number of challenges Democrats must overcome, such as holding seats in states Donald Trump won in 2024 and messy primaries as their party still searches for its identity.

China’s trade surplus surges 20% to a record $1.2 trillion, even with Trump’s tariffs

January 14, 2026

By CHAN HO-HIM - AP Business Writer

China has reported its trade surplus surged to a record of almost $1.2 trillion last year as exports to other countries made up for slowing shipments to the United States under President Donald Trump. Customs data released on Wednesday showed that China’s global exports rose 5.5% for the whole of 2025 to $3.77 trillion, while imports flatlined at $2.58 trillion. The 2024 trade surplus was $992 billion. China’s exports for December were up 6.6% from the previous year, better than economists’ estimates and higher than November’s 5.9% year-on-year increase. China’s trade surplus surpassed the $1 trillion mark for the first time in November.

Fans bring life to the Africa Cup of Nations, in photos

January 14, 2026

By THEMBA HADEBE and MOSA'AB ELSHAMY

RABAT, Morocco (AP) — Fans play a big part in the Africa Cup of Nations. Many wear wigs, face paints and costumes as they support their nation’s team, from the Pharaohs of Egypt to the Atlas Lions of host Morocco. The knockout stage of Africa’s biggest soccer tournament starts Saturday. This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors….