US & World News Archives - Page 15 of 88

From climbing vacuums to cyber pets: Some highlights of CES 2026

January 9, 2026

By RIO YAMAT and SHAWN CHEN - AP Business Writers

CES 2026 showcased futuristic tech, from paper-thin screens to AI-driven gadgets. Meanwhile, robots were everywhere on the show floor, assisting and entertaining. Highlights of the annual tech trade show in Las Vegas included Lego introducing Smart Play, a blend of connected bricks with Star Wars themes. Clicks Technology also revived the digital phone keyboard with a magnetic QWERTY mode, while LG unveiled a TV as thin as paper. Roborock presented a vacuum that climbs stairs and Razer demoed AI-powered headphones similar to smart glasses. Strutt introduced a self-driving mobility chair and Uber revealed a premium robotaxi.

Minnesota prosecutor calls on the public to share Renee Good shooting evidence with her office

January 9, 2026

The Associated Press,

Federal law enforcement officers stand near a roadblock at Portland Avenue and East 32nd Street, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, after reports of a shooting involving federal agents in Minneapolis, where immigration enforcement has been conducting a major crackdown. (AP Photo/Tim Sullivan) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty on Friday called on members of the public to send any…

Packers’ Trevon Diggs wants to make the most of his unexpected playoff opportunity

January 9, 2026

By STEVE MEGARGEE - AP Sports Writer

Trevon Diggs couldn’t have imagined a couple of weeks ago that he’d have a chance to make an impact in the playoffs. The 27-year-old cornerback finds himself in this improbable position after the Green Bay Packers claimed him off waivers from the Dallas Cowboys last week. Diggs performed capably while playing nearly half of Green Bay’s defensive snaps in its regular-season finale Sunday. Packers coach Matt LaFleur didn’t rule out the possibility of starting him in their Saturday night wild-card matchup at Chicago.

As tensions flare in Minnesota, Treasury Secretary Bessent pushes a crackdown on fraud

January 9, 2026

By FATIMA HUSSEIN - Associated Press

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says his agency is taking a closer look at financial transactions between Minnesotan residents and businesses and Somalia. The actions come as the federal government ramps up its immigration crackdown in the state. The Treasury Department has ordered banks and businesses that people use to wire money to relatives abroad to scrutinize transactions. Bessent spoke to reporters during a Friday visit to Minnesota. Somali leaders and allies including Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey have vowed to protect the community. Bessent’s visit coincides with protests in Minneapolis after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer fatally shot a woman in a residential neighborhood on Wednesday.

Judge dismisses Salt-N-Pepa’s lawsuit to reclaim master recordings from Universal Music Group

January 9, 2026

By MARK KENNEDY - AP Entertainment Writer

A federal judge has dismissed Salt-N-Pepa’s lawsuit to reclaim ownership of their master recordings from Universal Music Group. On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Denise Cote sided with the recording giant, stating the group never owned the copyrights to their sound recordings. UMG argued the recordings were “works made for hire,” preventing rights reclamation. Salt-N-Pepa claimed their agreements indicated otherwise. The duo, Cheryl “Salt” James and Sandra “Pepa” Denton, became Salt-N-Pepa in 1985. They signed with Next Plateau Records, now under Universal’s Republic label. The judge found no evidence they granted the label copyright that can be reclaimed.

Federal officers are leaving Louisiana immigration crackdown for Minneapolis, documents show

January 9, 2026

By JACK BROOK - Associated Press/Report for America

Documents obtained by The Associated Press show that federal border agents are pulling out of a Louisiana immigration crackdown and heading to Minneapolis. The shift appeared to signal a wind down of the Louisiana deployment that began in December and had been expected to last into February. The Trump administration has begun surging thousands of federal officers to Minnesota under a sweeping new crackdown that is tied in part to allegations of fraud involving Somali residents. The Department of Homeland Security would not say Friday whether the Louisiana operation was ending in order to send officers to Minnesota.

T-wolves hold a pregame moment of silence for Renee Good, the woman fatally shot by an ICE officer

January 9, 2026

AP

The Minnesota Timberwolves have held a moment of silence before their game for Renee Good, the 37-year-old woman fatally shot in her car by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer. Good was killed following a brief confrontation with ICE officers Wednesday morning on a Minneapolis street about 3 miles from Target Center. The shooting fueled further protests around the Twin Cities in light of a recent surge of ICE activity in the area as part of the Trump administration’s illegal immigration crackdown. Timberwolves coach Chris Finch says the Minneapolis community “has suffered yet another unspeakable tragedy.”

Some flu measures decline, but it’s not clear this severe season has peaked

January 9, 2026

By MIKE STOBBE - AP Medical Writer

U.S. flu infections are showing signs of a slight decline, but health officials say it’s not clear that this severe flu season has peaked. New government data posted Friday covered flu activity through last week. It showed declines in medical office visits due to flu-like illness and in the number of states reporting high flu activity. But flu deaths and hospitalizations rose. By some measures this season is already surpassing the flu epidemic of last winter. That was one of the harshest in recent history. And experts believe there’s more suffering ahead.

Rapper Fetty Wap released from prison early in drug trafficking case

January 9, 2026

AP

Rapper Fetty Wap has been released from a federal prison to home confinement after serving just over half a six-year sentence for drug trafficking. The federal Bureau of Prisons says he was discharged from a Minnesota prison on Wednesday and transferred to community confinement overseen by a bureau office in Philadelphia. The agency did not explain the early release. Fetty Wap issued a statement thanking supporters and saying he is focused on family and giving back to his community. The New Jersey-born rapper had pleaded guilty after being charged in a conspiracy to distribute heroin, fentanyl and crack cocaine to dealers on Long Island and in New Jersey.

FACT FOCUS: Minneapolis shooting prompts spread of misrepresented and fabricated images online

January 9, 2026

By MELISSA GOLDIN - Associated Press

Misrepresented and fabricated images spread widely on social media in the aftermath of the fatal shooting of Minneapolis woman Renee Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer on Wednesday. In some, photos of other women were wrongly identified as Good, a 37-year-old mother of three. Others were fabricated to falsely represent what happened at the scene of the shooting and an old video of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was said to show him speaking about the episode.

Swiss prosecutors request male bar manager to be placed in pre-trial detention over fatal fire

January 9, 2026

AP

Switzerland is holding a memorial service to honor the 40 people who were killed in an Alpine bar fire earlier this month during a New Year’s celebration. An additional 116 people were injured when the fire broke out less than two hours after midnight at the Le Constellation bar on Jan. 1. Investigators have said they believe sparkling candles atop Champagne bottles ignited the fire in the resort town of Crans-Montana when they came too close to the ceiling. Swiss authorities have opened a criminal investigation into the bar managers. The memorial service Friday is part of a national day of mourning in Switzerland.

Trump meets with oil executives at the White House on Friday, seeking investments in Venezuela

January 9, 2026

By JOSH BOAK - Associated Press

President Donald Trump is meeting with oil executives at the White House on Friday. He hopes to secure $100 billion in investments to revive Venezuela’s oil industry. The goal rides on the executives’ comfort with investing in a country facing instability and inflation. Since a U.S. military raid captured former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro on Saturday, Trump has said there’s a new opportunity to use the country’s oil to keep gasoline prices low. The meeting is set for 2:30 p.m., and is currently set to occur behind closed doors. The full list of executives has not been disclosed, but Chevon, ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips are expected to attend.

Takeaways from AP reporting on Trump administration cuts affecting US water systems

January 9, 2026

By TAMMY WEBBER, MICHAEL PHILLIS and M.K. WILDEMAN - Associated Press

Deep funding cuts under President Donald Trump will make it more difficult for struggling communities to get help to fix sewer systems that put health and homes at risk. Cuts include grants, loans and technical help promised by the Biden administration to address racial and economic disparities. The cuts threaten to widen infrastructure inequality. Many cuts are part of Trump’s war on diversity, equity and inclusion. That includes a $14 million grant to help install septic systems in three majority-Black Alabama counties where many residents must pipe sewage from their homes onto their own property because it has nowhere else to go.

Poor communities threatened by aging sewers see crucial aid slashed under Trump

January 9, 2026

By TAMMY WEBBER, MICHAEL PHILLIS and M.K. WILDEMAN - Associated Press

Deep funding cuts under President Donald Trump will make it more difficult for struggling communities to get help to fix sewer systems that put health and homes at risk. Cuts include grants, loans and technical help promised by the Biden administration to address racial and economic disparities. The cuts threaten to widen infrastructure inequality. Many cuts are part of Trump’s war on diversity, equity and inclusion. That includes a $14 million grant to help install septic systems in several majority-Black Alabama counties where many residents must pipe sewage from their homes onto their own property because it has nowhere else to go.

As Trump promises Venezuelan renaissance, locals struggle with crumbling economy

January 9, 2026

By REGINA GARCIA CANO and MATT SEDENSKY - Associated Press

President Donald Trump says American intervention in Venezuela will bring billions of dollars of investment in the country’s infrastructure, a revival of its once-thriving oil industry and a new age of prosperity for the Latin American country. But those pledges of future prowess can be hard to digest for Venezuelans living through today’s crumbling economy. The International Monetary Fund estimates Venezuela’s inflation rate is a staggering 682%, the highest of any country for which it has data. That has sent the cost of food beyond what many can afford. People typically work multiple jobs just to survive, and still cupboards and refrigerators are nearly bare. An estimated eight in 10 people live in poverty.

The Latest: Attorneys general sue Trump administration over freeze of public benefit programs

January 9, 2026

By The Associated Press

Attorneys general in five Democratic-led states have filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump’s administration after it said it would freeze money for several public benefit programs. The Trump administration has cited concerns about fraud in the programs designed to help low-income families and their children. California, Colorado, Minnesota, Illinois and New York states filed the lawsuit Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The lawsuit asks the courts to order the administration to release the funds. The attorneys general have called the funding freeze an unconstitutional abuse of power.

The pope in a major foreign policy address blasts how countries are using force to assert dominion

January 9, 2026

By NICOLE WINFIELD - Associated Press

Pope Leo XIV has denounced how nations are increasingly using force to assert their dominion worldwide. He says such warmongering is “completely undermining” peace and the post-World War II legal order. Leo didn’t name names, but his speech Friday amounted to his most substantial critique of U.S., Russian and other military incursions in sovereign countries. The occasion was the pope’s annual audience with the Vatican diplomatic corps, which traditionally amounts to the pope’s yearly foreign policy address. Leo delivered the bulk of the speech in English, in a break from the Vatican’s traditional diplomatic protocol of Italian and French.

Trump pick for Gaza board Nickolay Mladenov frequently worked to ease Mideast tensions

January 9, 2026

By VESELIN TOSHKOV - Associated Press

Nickolay Mladenov, the man chosen to serve as the director-general for U.S. President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace in Gaza, is a Bulgarian politician and former U.N. envoy to the Middle East who frequently has worked to ease tensions between Israel and Hamas. His appointment — announced by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday and confirmed by a U.S. official — makes him the top official in an unproven international body tasked with governing the Gaza Strip under the next phase of a fragile U.S.-brokered ceasefire after two years of war.

Hiring was likely modest in December to end a year of weak job growth

January 9, 2026

By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER - AP Economics Writer

Hiring likely remained subdued last month as many companies have sought to avoid expanding their workforces, though the job gains may be enough to bring down the unemployment rate. December’s jobs report, to be released Friday, is likely to show that employers added a modest 55,000 jobs, economists forecast. That figure would be below November’s 64,000 but an improvement after the economy lost jobs in October. The unemployment rate is expected to slip to 4.5%, according to data provider FactSet, from a four-year high of 4.6% in November. The figures will be closely watched on Wall Street and in Washington because they will be the first clean readings on the labor market in three months.

Russia says it used new Oreshnik ballistic missile against Ukraine

January 9, 2026

By The Associated Press

Russia says the military has used the new Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile in a strike on Ukraine. Russia’s Defense Ministry said Friday that the overnight attack was a retaliation to what Moscow said was a Ukrainian drone strike on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s residence last month. Ukraine and U.S. President Donald Trump has rejected the Russian claim of the attack on Putin’s residence. The ministry said the latest strike also involved other ground- and sea-launched missiles to target Ukraine’s critical infrastructure. Four people were killed and at least 22 wounded in the capital, Kyiv.

Federal immigration officers shoot and wound 2 people in Portland, Oregon, authorities say

January 9, 2026

By CLAIRE RUSH and GENE JOHNSON - Associated Press

Federal immigration officers have shot and wounded two people in a vehicle outside a hospital in Portland, Oregon. Thursday’s shooting comes a day after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot and killed a driver in Minnesota. The Department of Homeland Security described the vehicle’s passenger as “a Venezuelan illegal alien affiliated with the transnational Tren de Aragua prostitution ring” who had been involved in a recent shooting in Portland. The statement said that when agents identified themselves to the vehicle occupants, the driver tried to run them over and an agent shot. There was no immediate independent corroboration of those events. The FBI’s Portland office says it is investigating.

Anthony Edwards, the 3rd-youngest player in NBA history to reach 10,000 career points: ‘It’s cool.’

January 8, 2026

AP

Anthony Edwards became the third-youngest player in NBA history to reach 10,000 career points when the Minnesota Timberwolves star swished a 13-foot fadeaway jumper from the baseline in the fourth quarter against Cleveland. Edwards at 24 years and 156 days old was beaten to the mark by LeBron James and Kevin Durant. He is one of seven players who’ve hit 10,000 points before age 25. Kobe Bryant, Luka Doncic, Tracy McGrady and Carmelo Anthony are also in that group. Edwards had 25 points, nine assists and seven rebounds as the Timberwolves beat the Cavaliers 131-122.

Luigi Mangione heads to court as he fights to block death penalty, murder charge and key evidence

January 8, 2026

By MICHAEL R. SISAK and LARRY NEUMEISTER - Associated Press

Luigi Mangione is due in federal court for a pivotal hearing in his fight to bar the government from seeking the death penalty against him in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Garnett has said she also plans to set a trial date during Friday’s proceeding. Mangione’s lawyers contend that authorities prejudiced his case by turning his December 2024 arrest into a “Marvel movie” spectacle and by publicly declaring their desire to see him executed even before he was formally indicted. The charge that has enabled the government to seek the death penalty is murder by firearm. His attorney’s say it’s legally flawed. Federal prosecutors say Mangione’s lawyers are wrong.

Patrick Kane becomes 50th player in NHL history to reach 500 goals

January 8, 2026

AP

Patrick Kane became the 50th player in NHL history to reach 500 goals, scoring his second goal of the game into an empty net with 3:53 left to help the Detroit Red Wings beat the Vancouver Canucks 5-1 on Thursday night. The 37-year-old Kane is the fifth U.S.-born player to reach the milestone, following Mike Modano (561), Keith Tkachuk (538), Jeremy Roenick (513) and Joe Mullen (502). Brett Hull, a dual citizen who was born in Canada and played internationally for the United States, had 741 goals. Kane opened the scoring on a two-man advantage with 29 seconds left in the first period. Kane has 1,369 points, five behind Modano for the U.S.-born mark.

Tarik Skubal asks for record $32 million in arbitration while Detroit Tigers offer $19 million

January 8, 2026

By RONALD BLUM - AP Baseball Writer

Two-time AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal asked for a record $32 million in salary arbitration while the Detroit Tigers offered the left-hander $19 million. Skubal was the most prominent of the 18 players who swapped figures with their teams. Those without agreements face hearings before three-person panels from Jan. 26 to Feb. 13. A two-time All-Star, the 29-year-old Skubal will be eligible for free agency after the World Series. He is 54-37 with a 3.08 ERA in six major league seasons. Seattle outfielder Randy Arozarena was among 148 players reaching deals, agreeing at $15.65 million).

Photos show Cirque du Soleil rehearsing for upcoming show ‘Ovo,’ on the life cycle of insects

January 8, 2026

By KIN CHEUNG - Associated Press

LONDON (AP) — Cirque du Soleil’s show “Ovo,” Portuguese for “egg,” brings to life a colorful ecosystem teeming with insects. Set around the arrival of a mysterious egg, the production explores the life cycle of insects, celebrating biodiversity and transformation, while weaving in a playful love story between a quirky insect and a ladybug. “Ovo” is currently in Britain for…

ICE shooting reinforces Minnesota’s grim role as Trump’s target

January 8, 2026

By NICHOLAS RICCARDI and STEVE KARNOWSKI - Associated Press

This week’s fatal shooting of a 37-year-old woman by an immigration agent had grim echoes in Minnesota. It took place in a state that’s seen daily conflicts with the Trump administration. And it happened only a few blocks from the site of the police killing of George Floyd in 2020. That slaying sparked the biggest civil unrest of Trump’s first term. The president often talks about how protests over Floyd’s death needed to be met with more force. That approach is what led to the administration announcing the launch of its biggest immigration operation ever in Minnesota this week.

Photos of the latest tech at the CES trade show in Las Vegas

January 8, 2026

By ABBIE PARR and JOHN LOCHER - Associated Press

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The annual CES trade show displays the latest from tech companies at a multiday event in Las Vegas. The show highlights consumer products in robotics, health care, vehicles, wearables and gaming. This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors. Categories: US & World News

Vance calls killing of Minneapolis woman by an ICE officer ‘a tragedy of her own making’

January 8, 2026

By MICHELLE L. PRICE - Associated Press

Vice President JD Vance is blaming a federal immigration officer’s fatal shooting of a Minneapolis woman on “a left-wing network,” Democrats, the news media and the woman who was killed. Vance said Thursday he wasn’t worried about prejudging the investigation into the death of 37-year-old Renee Good. He said the videos he’d seen of the Wednesday incident show that “What you see is what you get in this case.” He said he was sad about her death but called her “brainwashed” and “a victim of left-wing ideology.” Vance also said the administration would name a prosecutor to investigate fraud in government assistance programs, starting in Minnesota.

North Carolina may lose $50M in federal funds over flawed immigrant trucker licenses

January 8, 2026

By JOSH FUNK - AP Transportation Writer

The U.S. Transportation Department says North Carolina could lose nearly $50 million in federal funding if the state doesn’t revoke commercial driver’s licenses from immigrants who aren’t qualify to hold them. North Carolina is the ninth state to be targeted since Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy launched the nationwide review last year to make sure only qualified drivers hold licenses to drive semitrailer trucks or buses. The issue started to generate headlines after a truck driver who was not authorized to be in the U.S. made an illegal U-turn and caused a crash in Florida that killed three people in August. An audit of 50 commercial driver’s licenses that North Carolina had issued to immigrants found that there were problems with more than half of them.

Lions have reached out to Mike McDaniel about their offensive coordinator opening, AP source says

January 8, 2026

By LARRY LAGE - AP Sports Writer

The Detroit Lions have reached out to Mike McDaniel about their offensive coordinator opening. That’s according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday because the team’s interest in the former Miami Dolphins coach has not been publicly disclosed. Detroit fired offensive coordinator John Morton on Tuesday in a move that was expected after the team missed the playoffs and coach Dan Campbell took over play-calling duties midway through the season. The Lions are looking for their third offensive coordinator in three seasons.

NASA cuts space station mission short after an astronaut’s medical issue

January 8, 2026

By ADITHI RAMAKRISHNAN - AP Science Writer

NASA is cutting a mission aboard the International Space Station short after an astronaut had a medical issue. The space agency said Thursday the U.S.-Japanese-Russian crew of four will return to Earth earlier than planned. NASA canceled its first spacewalk of the year because of the health issue. The space agency did not identify the astronaut or the medical issue, citing patient privacy. The crew member is now stable. Seven astronauts are currently living and working aboard the space station. The latest crew arrived in August after launching from Florida.

Photos from Minneapolis where an ICE officer killed a woman during an immigration crackdown

January 8, 2026

By The Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot and killed a woman in Minneapolis on Wednesday during the Trump administration’s latest immigration crackdown on a major American city. This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors. Categories: US & World News

House heading toward vote to extend health care subsidies in a rebuke of GOP leadership

January 8, 2026

By LISA MASCARO and KEVIN FREKING - Associated Press

The House is pushing toward a vote on renewing subsidies for Affordable Care Act plans. It’s a remarkable rebuke of House Speaker Mike Johnson, who tried to stop it. But renegade Republican lawmakers joined with Democrats on a so-called “discharge petition” to force action. The health care tax breaks have lowered health insurance costs for roughly 22 million people, but expired last month. The Congressional Budget Office said the proposed three-year extension would increase the nation’s deficit by about $80.6 billion over the decade, and increase the number of people with health insurance by millions. Members of the Senate are working on an alternative bill.

Some gifted dogs can learn new toy names by eavesdropping on owners

January 8, 2026

By ADITHI RAMAKRISHNAN - AP Science Writer

A new study finds that some gifted dogs can learn the names of new toys by eavesdropping. It’s a skill that has only been observed in a few animals, like parrots and apes. Ten gifted dogs watched their owners hold a new toy and talk to another person about it. Then the pups were told to go to another room and retrieve that specific toy from a pile. Seven out of 10 succeeded. Only a select group of pooches is capable of this, and scientists aren’t yet sure what’s behind it. The new research was published Thursday in the journal Science.

Dolphins fire Mike McDaniel, increasing the total number of NFL coaching openings to 8

January 8, 2026

By The Associated Press

The NFL has eight coaching openings after Mike McDaniel was fired by the Miami Dolphins on Thursday. The coaches fired on Black Monday were Jonathan Gannon of the Arizona Cardinals, Pete Carroll of the Las Vegas Raiders and Kevin Stefanski of the Cleveland Browns. Raheem Morris was fired by the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night. John Harbaugh was fired by the Baltimore Ravens on Tuesday night. Two coaches were fired during the season. They were Brian Daboll of the New York Giants and Brian Callahan of the Tennessee Titans.

Venezuela to release a ‘significant number’ of prisoners as gesture to ‘seek peace’

January 8, 2026

AP

Venezuela plans to release a “significant number” of prisoners, both Venezuelan and foreign, according to the head of the national assembly. Jorge Rodríguez announced the decision on Thursday but did not specify who or how many would be released. Despite mass detentions after the 2024 election, the government insists it doesn’t hold political prisoners. The U.S. government and Venezuela’s opposition have called for the release of opposition figures and critics. Rodríguez described the move as a gesture by the Bolivarian government aimed at seeking peace.

Harvey Weinstein weighing plea on unresolved charge after judge declines to nix conviction

January 8, 2026

By JENNIFER PELTZ - Associated Press

A judge says Harvey Weinstein is weighing a potential guilty plea to resolve an undecided rape charge and avoid going to trial for a third time in New York. But, amid the plea talk Thursday, the disgraced movie mogul struck a defiant tone, telling a court hearing: “I know I was unfaithful, I know I acted wrongly, but I never assaulted anyone.” Weinstein spoke after Judge Curtis Farber denied his bid to overturn his lone conviction at his previous trial, a charge of forcibly performing oral sex on a woman in 2006 that carries a potential sentence of up to 25 years in prison. A new trial for the unresolved third-degree rape charge charge is scheduled for March 3.

Judge disqualifies federal prosecutor in investigation into New York Attorney General Letitia James

January 8, 2026

AP

A judge has disqualified a federal prosecutor from overseeing investigations into New York Attorney General Letitia James. U.S. District Judge Lorna G. Schofield ruled Thursday that he had been serving in his post unlawfully when he requested subpoenas. Schofield blocked subpoenas requested by John Sarcone, who is the acting U.S. attorney for the Northern District of New York. James, a Democrat, had challenged Sarcone’s authority after he issued subpoenas seeking information about lawsuits she filed against President Donald Trump claiming he had committed fraud in his business dealings. Justice Department lawyers say Sarcone was appointed properly and that the subpoenas were valid.

Senate advances resolution to limit Trump’s war powers after Venezuela raid

January 8, 2026

The Associated Press,

People protest outside Manhattan Federal Court before the arraignment of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah) WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate advanced a resolution Thursday that would limit President Donald Trump’s ability to conduct further attacks against Venezuela, sounding a note of disapproval for his expanding ambitions in the Western Hemisphere. Democrats…

What to know about the rules for officers firing at a moving vehicle

January 8, 2026

AP

A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot and killed a woman in a moving vehicle in Minneapolis this week, sparking renewed questions about use-of-force rules. Most police departments and federal guidance bar shooting at a moving vehicle unless the driver poses an imminent threat beyond the vehicle itself. Experts say firing at vehicles is especially dangerous because stray bullets or a driver losing control can put bystanders at risk. Justice Department policy says deadly force is justified only when no reasonable alternative exists, including stepping out of the way. Officers can’t use lethal force just to stop or arrest someone who isn’t an immediate threat.

Wisconsin man accused of killing parents to fund Trump assassination plot pleads guilty to homicide

January 8, 2026

By TODD RICHMOND - Associated Press

A Wisconsin man accused of killing his parents and stealing their money to fund his plan to assassinate President Donald Trump has pleaded guilty to homicide. Eighteen-year-old Nikita Casap pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree intentional homicide Thursday in Waukesha County. Prosecutors dropped multiple other charges, including two counts of hiding a corpse and theft. Prosecutors allege he killed his mother and his stepfather in February 2025 and lived with the decomposing bodies for weeks before fleeing with $14,000 in cash, passports and the family dog. He was eventually arrested in Kansas. Prosecutors say Casap wanted to spur governmental collapse by killing Trump and possibly Vice President JD Vance.

Minnesota investigators barred from taking part in probe into woman’s killing by an ICE officer

January 8, 2026

The Associated Press,

Federal law enforcement officers stand near a roadblock at Portland Avenue and East 32nd Street, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, after reports of a shooting involving federal agents in Minneapolis, where immigration enforcement has been conducting a major crackdown. (AP Photo/Tim Sullivan) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The head of Minnesota’s state investigations agency said Thursday that the U.S. attorney’s office has barred…

Trump officials and Louisiana put an end to another decades-old school desegregation order

January 8, 2026

By COLLIN BINKLEY - AP Education Writer

The Trump administration and Louisiana officials have lifted another decades-old school desegregation order, part of a campaign to end court orders they describe as outdated. A federal judge on Monday approved a joint motion from Louisiana and the U.S. Justice Department to dismiss a 1967 lawsuit in DeSoto Parish schools, a district of about 5,000 students in the state’s northwest. It’s the second such dismissal since the Justice Department began working to overturn desegregation cases it once championed. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill thanked President Donald Trump and his Attorney General Pam Bondi on Wednesday for “helping us to finally end some of these cases.”

Senate considers limiting Trump’s war powers after Venezuela raid

January 8, 2026

By STEPHEN GROVES and JOEY CAPPELLETTI - Associated Press

A resolution before the Senate would limit President Donald Trump’s ability to conduct further attacks against Venezuela. Democrats have failed to pass several similar measures in the past few months. But Thursday’s expected vote on the latest war powers resolution comes after the U.S. military seized Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in a surprise nighttime raid over the weekend. Some Republican senators say they’re considering whether to vote in favor of the resolution to limit Trump from taking more action in Venezuela. Democratic lawmakers are also preparing a resolution on Greenland after recent comments from Trump about a potential American takeover of the world’s largest island.

Slightly more Americans file for jobless benefits in the last week of 2025, but layoffs remain low

January 8, 2026

By MATT OTT - AP Business Writer

U.S. filings for unemployment benefits rose in the last week of 2025 but remain historically low, despite signs that the labor market is weakening. The number of Americans filing for jobless claims for the week ending Jan. 3 rose by 8,000 to 208,000, up from 200,000 the previous week, the Labor Department reported Thursday. Applications for unemployment aid are viewed as a proxy for layoffs and are close to a real-time indicator of the health of the job market. The total number of Americans filing for jobless benefits for the previous week ending Dec. 27 jumped by 56,000 to 1.91 million, the government said.

White House will present Trump’s ballroom project for a review months after construction began

January 8, 2026

By DARLENE SUPERVILLE - Associated Press

The White House is expected to share details of President Donald Trump’s planned ballroom at a monthly meeting of the National Capital Planning Commission. The meeting is Thursday. An information presentation is often the first step in the review process. Commissioners can ask questions and share observations before a more formal review. Votes and public testimony will be allowed later. Trump in October demolished the East Wing of the White House in preparation for building the ballroom. The Republican president has put the price tag at $400 million — double the original estimate. The National Trust for Historic Preservation has sued to halt construction.

Rep. Steny Hoyer, the longest-serving House Democrat, will retire at the end of his term

January 8, 2026

By LISA MASCARO - AP Congressional Correspondent

The longest-serving Democrat in Congress is set to announce he’s retiring at the end of his term. Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland intends to deliver a House floor speech about his decision on Thursday and says on social media people should “Tune in.” Hoyer was once a rival to become House speaker. Hoyer served for years in party leadership and steered Democrats through some of their most significant legislative victories. At 86 years old, Hoyer is the latest in a generation of senior-most leaders stepping aside, making way for a newer era of lawmakers eager to take on governing ahead of the midterm elections.

Protests in Iran sparked by economic woes now nationwide, activists say

January 8, 2026

By JON GAMBRELL - Associated Press

Protests in Iran, driven by economic issues, have spread nationwide, challenging the country’s theocracy. Activists reported Thursday that Wednesday saw the most intense demonstrations, reaching rural towns and major cities. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said the violence has killed at least 38 people and authorities have detained over 2,200. The protests increase pressure on Iran’s government and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Authorities haven’t yet fully cracked down. Iran’s exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi has called for protests, testing his influence. The protests are the largest since Mahsa Amini’s death in 2022.

Saudi Arabia alleges UAE smuggled wanted Yemen separatist leader out of the country

January 8, 2026

By JON GAMBRELL - Associated Press

Saudi Arabia alleges the United Arab Emirates smuggled a wanted separatist leader out of Yemen. The leader, Aidarous al-Zubaidi, is accused of treason. A Saudi military statement claims the leader of the Southern Transitional Council fled Yemen by boat to Somalia. Then, UAE officials flew al-Zubaidi to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the Emirates, the statement says. The UAE has not yet responded to the accusation. The situation further escalates tensions between the neighboring nations on the Arabian Peninsula.