US & World News

Trump administration labels 3 Muslim Brotherhood branches as terrorist organizations

President Donald Trump’s administration has made good on its pledge to label three Middle Eastern branches of the Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist organizations, imposing sanctions on them. The Treasury and State departments announced the actions Tuesday against the Lebanese, Jordanian and Egyptian chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood, which they say pose a risk to the United States. The State Department designates the Lebanese branch a foreign terrorist organization, the most severe of the labels. This makes it a criminal offense to provide material support to the group. The Jordanian and Egyptian branches are listed by Treasury as specially designated global terrorists for providing support to Hamas. Muslim Brotherhood leaders have said they renounce violence.

The BBC seeks to dismiss Trump’s $10B defamation lawsuit in a Florida court

The BBC will ask a judge to dismiss U.S. President Donald Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against the broadcaster. Trump filed the lawsuit in December, claiming defamation and unfair trade practices over a documentary that edited a speech he made on Jan. 6, 2021, before his supporters stormed the Capitol in Washington. The BBC apologized for the edit but denies defamation. Papers filed Monday in Florida say the BBC will argue the court lacks jurisdiction and that Trump failed to state a claim. The broadcaster’s lawyers will also argue the documentary wasn’t available to watch in the U.S. If the case continues, a trial is proposed for 2027.

Top central bankers express ‘full solidarity’ with Fed Chair Powell in clash with Trump

Eleven central bankers from around the world have expressed full support for U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. This comes after President Donald Trump escalates his confrontation with the Fed by threatening criminal charges. The central bankers, including European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde, emphasize the importance of central bank independence for economic stability. The dispute centers on Powell’s congressional testimony in June. Trump criticizes Powell for not cutting rates faster. Economists warn that a politicized Fed could harm its credibility. The statement highlights the need to preserve central bank independence with respect for the rule of law.

Russia launches another major attack on Ukraine’s power grid and other sites, killing 4

Russia has launched another major drone and missile attack on Ukraine that targeted the country’s power grid. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Tuesday that Russia fired nearly 300 drones, 18 ballistic missiles and seven cruise missiles at eight regions overnight. A strike in the Kharkiv region killed four people. The attack left several hundred thousand households without power in the Kyiv region. Russia launched a similar attack four days earlier in which Moscow used a powerful hypersonic missile. The United States has accused Russia of escalating the conflict. Ukraine is seeking quicker air defense deliveries from the U.S. and Europe to counter these attacks.

People inside Iran describe heavy security and scattered damage in first calls to outside world

Iranians could call abroad on mobile phones for the first time since communications were halted during a crackdown on protests in which activists say at least 646 people have been killed. Several people in Tehran were able to call The Associated Press and speak to a journalist. But the AP could not call them back, and text messaging and internet use were still curbed. The witnesses described heavy security in the Iranian capital Tuesday. They said several banks and government offices were burned during the unrest. U.S. President Donald Trump has said Iran wants to negotiate with Washington and on Monday he announced tariffs against countries trading with Iran in response to the crackdown.

Pentagon is embracing Musk’s Grok AI chatbot as it draws global outcry

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence chatbot Grok will join Google’s AI engine inside the Pentagon network. Hegseth made the announcement Monday at Musk’s SpaceX company in South Texas as part of a push to integrate as much military data as possible into the developing technology. It follows global criticism of Grok for generating sexualized deepfake images of people without their consent. Hegseth says he would “make all appropriate data” from the military’s IT systems available for “AI exploitation.” He also said data from intelligence databases would be fed into AI systems.

As Canada tries to reduce its dependence on the US, its leader will visit China to rebuild ties

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is visiting China this week to mend relations with the world’s second-largest economy. It’s the first visit by a Canadian leader in eight years. Carney aims to double non-U.S. exports over the next decade to reduce Canada’s reliance on Washington. The push is part of a major rethink as ties with the U.S. sour under President Donald Trump. Carney took office less than a year ago. He follows other leaders like Anthony Albanese of Australia and Keir Starmer of the U.K. in seeking to improve ties with China. Carney will also visit Qatar and attend the World Economic Forum in Switzerland. Carney’s arrives in China on Wednesday.

Texans, Patriots, 49ers, Bills, Bears and Rams advance to NFL’s divisional round

Houston’s stingy defense knocked Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers out of the NFL playoffs, sending the Texans to the divisional round to complete wild-card weekend. The Texans sacked Rodgers four times, scored two defensive touchdowns and held Pittsburgh to 175 yards in a 30-6 victory on Monday night. It was Houston’s 10th straight win and the franchise’s first on the road in the playoffs. Houston will face New England on the road next Sunday. Buffalo will play at Denver in the other AFC divisional game. In the NFC, Seattle hosts San Francisco and Chicago hosts the Los Angeles Rams.

DOJ investigation of Fed Chair Powell sparks backlash, support for Fed independence

The Trump administration’s criminal investigation of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has sparked a backlash that may undermine the White House’s goals. Powell himself has said the investigation is an attempt to exert more control over the Fed. Several Republican senators have condemned the Department of Justice’s subpoenas of the Fed, which Powell revealed Sunday and characterized as “pretexts” to pressure him to sharply cut interest rates, as Trump has demanded. Powell also said Justice has threatened criminal indictments over his June testimony to Congress about a building renovation.

Court says Trump admin illegally blocked billions in clean energy grants to Democratic states

A federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration acted illegally when it canceled $7.6 billion in clean energy grants for projects in states that voted for Democrat Kamala Harris in the 2024 election. The grants supported hundreds of clean energy projects in 16 states, including battery plants, hydrogen technology projects, upgrades to the electric grid and efforts to capture carbon dioxide emissions. The Energy Department said the projects were terminated after a review determined they did not adequately advance the nation’s energy needs or were not economically viable. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta said the administration’s actions violated the Constitution’s equal protection requirements.

US lawmakers to visit Denmark as Trump continues to threaten Greenland

A bipartisan U.S. congressional delegation is headed to Copenhagen later this week to show unity with Denmark amid tensions over Greenland. Sen. Chris Coons is leading the trip, which includes at least nine members of Congress. They plan to meet with Danish and Greenlandic officials on Friday and Saturday. Coons emphasized the importance of the U.S.-Denmark alliance, especially after recent statements by President Trump about acquiring Greenland. Tensions have grown as Trump suggests taking Greenland to prevent Russian or Chinese control. Danish and Greenlandic leaders insist Greenland’s future must be decided by its people.

Trump holds off on military action against Iran’s protest crackdown as he ‘explores’ Tehran messages

President Donald Trump has arrived at a delicate moment as he weighs whether to order a U.S. military response against the Iranian government over its crackdown on protests. Trump has repeatedly threatened Tehran with military action if the Islamic Republic was found using deadly force against antigovernment protesters. But now, with Iranian officials indicating they want to have talks with the White House about the protests, the U.S. military appears to be on standby mode. Trump said Monday he would slap 25% tariffs on countries doing business with Tehran, a move that could affect China, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey.

What to know about the warrants most immigration agents use to make arrests

The Trump administration’s immigration enforcement tactics are sparking debate over federal agents’ authority to enter private property. There have been arrests in recent months at day care centers, apartments and medical buildings. On Sunday, agents forcibly entered a Minneapolis home to make an arrest. Legal experts question the use of administrative warrants for these arrests on private property, since those legal documents don’t authorize entry into private residences. Only criminal warrants, signed by a judge, allow such actions. “Know-your-rights” campaigns are educating people on these legal distinctions.

FBI says it has found no video of Border Patrol agent shooting 2 people in Oregon

The FBI says in a court document that it has found no surveillance or other video of a Border Patrol agent shooting and wounding two people in a pickup truck during an immigration enforcement operation in Portland, Oregon, last week. Agents told investigators that one of their colleagues opened fire Thursday after the driver put the truck in reverse and slammed into an unoccupied car the agents had rented. The truck then pulled forward, and the agents said they feared for their own safety and that of the public. The driver, Luis David Nino-Moncada, made a federal court appearance Monday on charges of aggravated assault of an officer and damaging federal property.

FBI says arson suspect targeted Mississippi synagogue because it’s a Jewish house of worship

The FBI says that an arson suspect admitted to targeting a historic Mississippi synagogue because it’s a Jewish house of worship. Stephen Pittman was charged Monday with maliciously damaging or destroying a building by means of fire or an explosive. The weekend fire ripped through the Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson shortly after 3 a.m. on Saturday. No congregants or firefighters were injured in the blaze. Security camera footage released Monday by the synagogue showed a masked and hooded person using a gas can to pour a liquid on the floor and a couch in the building’s lobby.

New video shows the minutes before immigration officer fatally shoots woman in Minneapolis

A new video reveals the moments before a federal immigration officer shot and killed a woman in Minneapolis. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security posted the video on Sunday. It shows officers and vehicles on a snowy street as a car horn blares. Renee Good, the woman inside a red SUV, presses the horn. After a minute, she moves the SUV slightly and appears to wave for other vehicles to pass her. A dark truck with flashing lights pulls up near her SUV. Officers exit and approach her car, and the video goes dark. Another video shows Good reversing and turning the wheel before gunshots are heard.

Apple calls on Google to help smarten up Siri and bring other AI features to the iPhone

Apple will lean on Google to help finish its bungled attempts to smarten up its virtual assistant Siri and bring other artificial intelligence features to the iPhone as the trendsetting company plays catch up in technology’s latest craze. The deal that allowing Apple to tap into Google’s AI technology was disclosed Monday in a joint statement from the Silicon Valley powerhouses. The partnership will draw upon Google’s Gemini technology to customize a suite of AI features dubbed “Apple Intelligence” on the iPhone and other products. Apple announced plans to use AI to turn Siri into a more conversational and versatile multitasker in 2024, but that promise remains unfulfilled.

Packers’ Micah Parsons says he can recover from torn ACL in time to play early next season

Green Bay’s Micah Parsons calls his torn anterior cruciate ligament “the most challenging thing that I think I’ve ever faced as a human.” But the All-Pro defensive end believes he can recover in time to play early next season. Parsons says he hopes to be back for the start of the season, but added that a more realistic goal is “probably like Week 3, Week 4.” Parsons and tight end Tucker Kraft both discussed their recoveries from torn ACLs as the Packers packed up their lockers two days after their 31-27 wild-card playoff loss at Chicago.

Sen. Kelly sues the Pentagon over attempts to punish him, declaring it unconstitutional

FILE – Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., speaks during the Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing for Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s choice to be Defense secretary, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis, file) WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly sued the Pentagon on Monday over attempts to punish him for his warnings about…

Crowd yells ‘cowards!’ after federal agents crash into a car and fire tear gas in Minneapolis

Federal officers in Minneapolis have fired tear gas to break up a crowd of whistle-blowing bystanders who showed up to see the aftermath of a car crash involving immigration agents. The scene Monday was just a few blocks from where an immigration officer fatally shot Renee Good last week. A crowd emerged to witness a man being questioned by agents who rear-ended his car. Agents used tear gas to try to break up the group, then drove off as people screamed, “cowards!” Minnesota’s attorney general and the mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul plan to address the media about the immigration operation.

Judge is asked for emergency hearing after Congress members blocked from ICE facility in Minneapolis

Plaintiffs’ attorneys are asking a federal judge to intervene after three Democratic members of Congress were blocked from visiting an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Minnesota over the weekend. The lawyers on Monday asked U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb in Washington, D.C., for an emergency hearing. They say the Trump administration secretly reimposed a policy limiting Congress members’ access to immigration detention facilities a day after Renee Good’s fatal shooting by an ICE officer in Minneapolis. Last month, Cobb temporarily blocked ICE from enforcing policies limiting Congress members’ access to immigration detention facilities.

Bringing charges against the Fed: What we do (and don’t) know

President Donald Trump has dramatically escalated his confrontation with the Federal Reserve. His Justice Department is investigating and threatening a criminal indictment of the independent central bank and serving it with subpoenas. The dispute is ostensibly about Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s testimony to Congress over the cost of a massive renovation of Fed buildings in June. But in a statement Sunday, Powell, abandoning his previous attempt to ignore Trump’s relentless criticism, called the administration’s threat of criminal charges “pretexts’’ in the president’s campaign to seize control of U.S. interest rate policy from the Fed’s technocrats. Here’s a look at the renovations and the controversy surrounding them.

Allegiant Air to acquire Sun Country Airlines in $1.5B deal

Allegiant Air says it will acquire Sun Country Airlines in a cash-and-stock deal valued at about $1.5 billion. The merger will combine two low-cost U.S. carriers focused on leisure travel. The companies on Monday told investors that the new airline will serve about 175 cities with more than 650 routes and a fleet of about 195 aircraft. Executives say the deal will strengthen competition in the leisure travel market. The merger still needs regulatory and Sun Country shareholder approval. It is expected to close in the second half of 2026. The merged airline will be based in Las Vegas and operate under the Allegiant name.

Arizona strengthens hold on No. 1 in AP Top 25; Vanderbilt cracks top 10

Arizona has tightened its hold on the top spot in The Associated Press men’s college basketball poll after Michigan’s loss to Wisconsin. The Wildcats received 60 of 61 first-place votes. Iowa State moved up to No. 2, followed by UConn, Michigan and Purdue. Nebraska moved up two spots to No. 8 to match its highest-ever ranking set in February 1966. Vanderbilt hit No. 10 for its first top-10 ranking since the 2011-12 preseason poll. No. 19 Florida, No. 22 Clemson, No. 23 Utah State and No. 25 Seton Hall were the new additions to the poll. Kansas, SMU and UCF fell out.

Meta names former Trump adviser Dina Powell McCormick as president and vice chairman

Facebook owner Meta has named Dina Powell McCormick, a former Trump administration adviser and longtime finance executive, as president and vice chairman of the tech giant. The company says she will help guide its overall strategy, including major investments. The announcement on Monday received praise from Donald Trump, who called it a “great choice” by CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Powell McCormick has extensive experience in global finance and government roles. She worked in the Trump and Bush administrations and held leadership positions at Goldman Sachs. Her appointment arrives amid wider efforts from Meta to boost its ties with Trump.

What to know about the state gerrymandering battle kick-started by Trump

President Donald Trump’s plan to reshape congressional voting districts for partisan advantage stands at a critical point. Trump is hoping that more Republican-friendly districts can help the party retain control of the House in this year’s elections. Several Republican-led states already have enacted new districts. But so has Democratic-led California. Democrats in Virginia could be the next to act on redistricting during a legislative session that begins Wednesday. Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis plans to call a special session on redistricting in April. Resistance to redistricting remains in several states, including among Republicans in Kansas and Democrats in Illinois and Maryland.

Mattel adds an autistic Barbie to doll line devoted to showcasing diversity and inclusion

An autistic Barbie is joining Mattel’s line of fashion dolls that’s intended to celebrate diversity. The toymaker says it developed the new Barbie in partnership with a nonprofit organization that advocates for the rights and better media representation of autistic people. A staff member with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network who worked on the prototype says creating the Barbie was a challenge because autism encompasses a broad range of behaviors and varies widely in degree. The doll that goes on sale on Monday has eyes shifted slightly to the side to avoid direct eye contact. It also has articulated elbows and wrists to acknowledge the gestures some autistic people use to process sensory information.

Cuba’s president says no current talks with the US following Trump’s threats

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel says his administration is not in talks with the U.S. government. This comes a day after President Donald Trump threatened Cuba following the U.S. attack on Venezuela earlier this month. Díaz-Canel emphasized on Monday that relations must be based on international law, not hostility or threats. He expressed willingness for dialogue with the U.S. based on mutual respect and sovereignty. Trump has suggested Cuba “make a deal” before it’s too late. Díaz-Canel’s statements were reposted by Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez. The situation remains tense, with Cuba facing significant economic challenges due to U.S. sanctions.

Inside the Golden Globes: The reunions and moments the telecast didn’t show

Some of the most interesting moments of the Golden Globes happen off camera. During the commercial breaks, the stars rush to socialize, congratulate and catch up and The Associated Press had a seat inside the ballroom to observe it all. Emma Stone was perhaps the star who was out of her seat the most, holding court in a smaller room off to the side where there was a bar, an ever-replenishing supply of decadent desserts and Nobu sushi. There she hung out with Jennifer Lawrence, Yorgos Lanthimos, Kirsten Dunst and more.

Thousands of nurses go on strike at several major New York City hospitals

Thousands of nurses at several major New York City hospitals have gone on strike. The strike began Monday morning after negotiations through the weekend failed to yield a breakthrough. The affected hospitals include NewYork-Presbyterian, Montefiore and Mount Sinai. The union says about 15,000 nurses are participating in the strike. Among the nurses’ demands are manageable workloads and more workplace security. Hospitals say the union’s demands are too costly.

PHOTO ESSAY: For US women’s ski team, balancing competition with camaraderie is key

Lying breathless on the floor next to a pool table, Mary Bocock pulls a stretchy exercise band in tandem with Keely Cashman. Laughing, they encourage each other to keep going. Next to them, Ava Sunshine cycles through sets of heavy barbell weights in a makeshift gym in the Copper Mountain condo where the U.S. women’s ski team is staying. “When…

Malaysia, Indonesia become first to block Musk’s Grok over sexually explicit AI images

Malaysia and Indonesia have blocked access to Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok due to its misuse in generating explicit images. Authorities in both countries acted over the weekend, citing concerns about non-consensual and sexual deepfakes. Regulators say existing controls cannot prevent fake pornographic content, especially involving women and minors. Both nations have demanded stronger safeguards from Musk’s platform, X, to prevent abuse. Grok, launched in 2023, has faced global scrutiny for its image generator feature. Critics say recent restrictions on non-paying users don’t fully address the risks.

Hong Kong court hearing arguments on sentencing in former publisher Jimmy Lai’s case

A Hong Kong court is hearing arguments about the sentence for pro-democracy media founder Jimmy Lai and his co-defendants in a landmark national security case. Their convictions under a national security law could lead to life imprisonment. Lai was found guilty of conspiring with others to collude with foreign forces and publish seditious articles. His case has raised concerns about press freedom, drawing criticism from the U.S. and Britain. Lai pleaded not guilty, but his co-defendants entered guilty pleas. Sentencing will occur later. Lai’s daughter says he would focus on family and faith if released. The court Monday heard arguments about the sentences of two activists before hearing Lai’s case.

See top photos of stars on the 2026 Golden Globe Awards red carpet

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) — Stars turned out in style for the 83rd annual Golden Globe Awards, which honor movies, television and podcasts. The first major ceremony of awards season has a reputation for its partylike atmosphere and for drawing a mashup of television and film stars. It also is known as a major fashion showcase. This is a photo…

George Floyd and Renee Good: 5 years between Minneapolis videos, and confusion has increased

Five years after video of George Floyd’s killing on a Minneapolis street, video of another law enforcement action in the northern city is central to another American debate. But times have changed. The video images of Renee Good’s shooting while protesting against ICE immigration enforcement tell a much murkier story than the politce officer who knelt on Floyd’s neck for nine minutes. People are also becoming more desensitized to images of violence, and questioning whether what they see is real or not. It’s also clear that the Trump administration and his supporters took lessons from the Floyd case, and moved with lightning speed to try and control the narrative.

Golden Globe highlights: Brazil on a streak, Amy Poehler’s pod wins and Seth Rogen comes full-circle

The Golden Globes had its share of surprises and sweet moments. Amy Poehler took home the first podcast award, joking about NPR, and Seth Rogen experienced déjà vu, winning after his show “The Studio” depicted the very ceremony just months before. Rose Byrne had a head-scratching moment when she explained her partner was at a reptile expo instead of attending and Wagner Moura won for “The Secret Agent,” continuing Brazil’s recent cinematic hot streak. And “Golden” from “KPop Demon Hunters” won best original song. with co-singer and co-songwriter Ejae encouraging viewers to keep striving.

Venezuelans in the US are torn between joy and worry after ousting of Maduro

For thousands of Venezuelans living in the U.S., the days since the Trump administration ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro have brought a mixture of joy and trepidation. The removal of Maduro is “a first step, but we’re nervous,” said Alejandra Salima, who fled to the U.S. three years ago and assists other Venezuelans at the Miami office of an advocacy group. She and most others are thrilled that Maduro has been removed. But Trump’s move to deport Venezuelans without permanent residency has increased worry among many living in the U.S. At the same time, the fear instilled by the government Maduro left behind makes many wary of returning.

Purdy, 49ers eliminate defending Super Bowl champion Eagles with 23-19 win in wild-card game

Brock Purdy threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Christian McCaffrey, leading San Francisco to a 23-19 victory over defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia in a wild-card game. The 49ers next face top-seeded Seattle next weekend for an NFC divisional playoff game. Purdy threw for 262 yards and had two interceptions. The 49ers might be without star tight end George Kittle, who was injured in the first half. Philadelphia struggled offensively, with Jalen Hurts throwing for only 168 yards. The Eagles’ final drive ended with an incomplete pass, sealing their elimination from the playoffs.

The Latest: Golden Globes to kick off Hollywood’s 2026 awards season

Hollywood’s awards season is kicking off with the 83rd Golden Globe Awards at 8 p.m. Eastern/5 p.m. Pacific. Comedian Nikki Glaser returns for a second year to host the ceremony at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California. It’s a Champagne-soaked party featuring some of the biggest names in film and television, even if the awards won’t exactly forecast the Oscars. “One Battle After Another” topped the list of nominations with nine, closely followed by “Sentimental Value” with eight. The Globes will be broadcast on CBS and available to stream through Paramount+.

Immigration arrests and tense confrontations in Minneapolis, in photos

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Immigration arrests and tense confrontations with activists continued Sunday in the Twin Cities. That’s four days after the fatal shooting by an immigration officer of a local woman, Renee Good, who stopped during an enforcement operation. Two Associated Press journalists found several agents on a street in a residential neighborhood in northern Minneapolis. A few dozen neighbors…

A Minneapolis church holds a service of ‘Lament and Hope’ amid fears over immigration crackdown

A Minneapolis church opened its doors for a special Sunday service of ‘Lament and Hope’ amid the ongoing federal immigration crackdown in the city. The service followed a tumultuous week in a city on edge after the fatal shooting of a woman by an immigration officer. The Rev. Hierald Osorto of St. Paul’s-San Pablo Lutheran Church addressed the congregation Sunday. He emphasized the importance of gathering during difficult times. The church is a longtime part of the immigrant community and offers a service in both Spanish and English. Despite fears of federal immigration enforcement actions, worshippers spoke of finding strength and support as a community as immigration agents sweep through the streets.

Matt LaFleur expects to meet with Packers president Ed Policy soon regarding his future

Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur is more interested in talking about his team’s future than his own. LaFleur spoke to reporters Sunday, a day after the biggest playoff collapse in the franchise’s storied history. He says he spoke briefly with team president and CEO Ed Policy on the flight back to Green Bay after the Packers’ 31-27 loss to the Chicago Bears in an NFC wild-card playoff game Saturday night. But he declined to comment on whether he expected to keep his job after the Packers made their third straight playoff appearance but lost their final five games.

Reference to Trump’s impeachments is removed from the display of his Smithsonian photo portrait

References to President Donald Trump’s two impeachments have been removed from his photo portrait display at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery in Washington. It’s the latest apparent change at the collections of museums that he’s accused of bias as he asserts his influence over how official presentations document U.S. The wall text had summarized Trump’s first presidency and noted his 2024 comeback, as well as the impeachments. That text was available online Sunday. At the museum, a different photo now appears without any accompanying text block. The White House didn’t say whether Trump or aides asked for the text to be removed or changed.

‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ tops box office for fourth straight week with newcomer ‘Primate’ second

“Avatar: Fire and Ash” continues to dominate the box office, holding the top spot for a fourth consecutive week. The film earned $21.3 million in North America over the weekend, bringing its total to $342.6 million domestically and $888 million worldwide. Paramount’s horror film “Primate” was the top new release, earning $11.3 million domestically. Disney’s “Zootopia 2” remains a global hit, nearing Disney’s highest-grossing animated film record with $1.65 billion globally. Lionsgate’s “The Housemaid” also performed well, earning $11.2 million. Hollywood’s focus is on the Golden Globe Awards, with “Avatar” and “Zootopia 2” each nominated for two awards.

With Cuban ally Maduro ousted, Trump warns Havana to make a ‘deal’ before it’s too late

There’s another warning from President Donald Trump to Cuba in the wake of Nicolás Maduro’s ouster in Venezuela. Cuba is a close ally of Venezuela and a major beneficiary of oil shipments from Venezuela. But Cuba has been cut off from shipments as U.S. forces seize tankers. Trump used a social media post Sunday to urge Cuba to make a deal before, as he put it, “IT IS TOO LATE.” He didn’t explain what kind of deal. Cuba’s president responding by saying “those who turn everything into a business, even human lives, have no moral authority to point the finger at Cuba in any way.”

Minnesota Democrats are demanding a broader investigation into Renee Good’s shooting

Two of Minnesota’s leading Democrats say the investigation into the fatal shooting of a woman by a federal immigration officer shouldn’t be handled solely by the federal government. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and U.S. Sen. Tina Smith said in separate interviews Sunday that state investigators need to be included in the investigation. Both say a broader investigation is needed because the Trump administration already has made it clear that they believe the officer who shot Renee Good in her car was protecting himself and fellow agents. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is dismissing the complaints about local agencies being denied any participation in the investigation.

Hamas says it will dissolve its Gaza government when new Palestinian body takes over

Hamas says it will dissolve its government in Gaza once a Palestinian technocratic leadership committee takes over as part of a U.S.-brokered peace plan. The timeline for the change is unclear. A “Board of Peace” led by Trump is set to oversee the committee, but the board’s members haven’t been announced. Meanwhile, violence continues in Gaza, with hospitals saying Israeli gunfire killed three Palestinians on Sunday. Israeli forces say their actions are in response to ceasefire violations. Separately, Israeli police are questioning a top official from Netanyahu’s office related to a leak of classified military information to a German tabloid.

Google teams up with Walmart and other retailers to enable shopping within Gemini AI chatbot

Google is expanding the shopping features in its AI chatbot by teaming up with Walmart, Shopify, Wayfair and other big retailers to turn the Gemini app into a virtual merchant as well as an assistant. An instant checkout function will allow customers to make purchases from some businesses and through a range of payment providers without leaving the Gemini chat they used to find products, according to Walmart and Google. The news was announced Sunday on the first day of the National Retail Federation’s annual convention in New York. The role of artificial intelligence in e-commerce and its impact on consumer behavior are expected to dominate the three-day event.

Sabalenka wins Brisbane final amid frosty exchange with Kostyuk, Medvedev tops Nakashima

Aryna Sabalenka has won her second consecutive Brisbane International title with a straight-sets victory over Marta Kostyuk. Kostyuk initially challenged Sabalenka but struggled under the physical demands. The final ended with a frosty atmosphere, reflecting tensions between the players. Kostyuk spoke about Ukraine during the trophy ceremony while Sabalenka congratulated Kostyuk and made a playful comment to her boyfriend. Daniil Medvedev also won his 22nd singles title after easing past Brandon Nakashima 6-2, 7-6 in the men’s final.

Iranian protests are growing. Israel is watching closely

Israel is closely monitoring the fallout from widespread Iranian protests. An Israeli official said Sunday that U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to attack Iran could escalate the situation into a regional war. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed Iran overnight Saturday. However, Israel’s military said there are no new guidelines for civilians to stay close to bomb shelters. The protests are considered an internal Iranian matter, but the military is ready to respond if needed. Experts believe neither side wants another war, and Israel is likely to wait and see what happens next.