US & World News Archives - Page 6 of 86

Melania Trump and Usha Vance are making an early holiday visit with North Carolina military families

November 19, 2025

By DARLENE SUPERVILLE - Associated Press

Melania Trump and Usha Vance are traveling together for the first time. They went to North Carolina on Wednesday for a visit with military families. The wives of President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, a former Marine, landed in the town of Richlands and were visiting with military personnel at Camp Lejeune, the largest Marine Corps base on the East Coast, and Marine Corps Air Station New River, which is located in the same area. Their purpose is to show appreciation for military service and sacrifice as the holidays approach. The pair watched high students give presentations, and helped assembly care packages for service members stationed away from home.

Arrests now top 250 in immigration crackdown across North Carolina

November 19, 2025

By GARY D. ROBERTSON - Associated Press

Federal agents have now arrested more than 250 people during an immigration crackdown in North Carolina centered around Charlotte, the state’s largest city. Those totals released Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security are about double the arrest figures announced earlier this week. The operation that began over the weekend is the latest phase of Republican President Donald Trump’s aggressive mass deportation efforts. Military and immigration agents have converged on Democratic-run cities, including Chicago and Los Angeles. The push to carry out arrests in North Carolina expanded to areas around the state capital of Raleigh in just the last day.

Indiana lawmaker under pressure to back Trump’s redistricting push is victim of a swatting

November 19, 2025

By CHRISTOPHER WEBER - Associated Press

An Indiana lawmaker who who has yet to make a decision on whether to back President Donald Trump’s push to have Republicans redraw the state’s congressional boundaries was the victim of a swatting call that brought sheriff’s deputies to his home. The Vigo County Sheriff’s Office says deputies were sent to the home of state Sen. Greg Goode on Sunday after they received an email “advising harm had been done to persons inside.” Officials say the call was a prank. Earlier Sunday, President Donald Trump criticized Indiana lawmakers for not moving to redistrict the districts, specifically naming Goode and Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray.

Photos after a deadly Russian drone and missile attack on Ukraine’s Ternopil

November 19, 2025

By VLAD KRAVCHUK and ROSTYSLAV KOVALCHUK - Associated Press

TERNOPIL, Ukraine (AP) — A Russian drone and missile barrage overnight on Ukraine’s western city of Ternopil killed at least 25 people, including three children, authorities said Wednesday. The attack hit two nine-story apartment blocks and injured dozens. This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors. Categories: US & World News

Indonesia’s Mount Semeru erupts, blanketing villages with ash and prompting evacuations

November 19, 2025

AP

Indonesia’s Mount Semeru has erupted, covering villages in ash and prompting evacuations. Authorities raised the alert to the highest level as the volcano unleashed clouds of hot ash, rock, lava, and gas on Wednesday. The eruptions forced over 300 residents to evacuate to shelters. No casualties have been reported. Videos showed ash sweeping through valleys, and local media reported 178 people stranded on the mountain. They are safe at a monitoring post, but bad weather has kept them there. Semeru has a history of eruptions, with the last major one in December 2021.

Ukraine asks Vatican to formalize mediation role for return of citizens taken by Russia

November 19, 2025

By NICOLE WINFIELD and ILLIA NOVIKOV - Associated Press

Ukraine has asked the Vatican to formalize its role facilitating negotiations for the return of Ukrainian children and civilians taken by Russia during the war. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made the request in a letter to Pope Leo XIV ahead of an audience Friday between the pope and a delegation of returned Ukrainian children and civilians. The letter asks that Leo formalize the informal arrangement launched by Pope Francis in which an Italian cardinal served as a personal papal envoy for humanitarian issues. Thousands of Ukrainian children have been officially recorded as deported or forcibly transferred by Russia.

Takeaways from Trump’s White House meeting with Saudi crown prince: Deals and bromance

November 19, 2025

By MATTHEW LEE - AP Diplomatic Writer

A jovial President Donald Trump has held a warm and friendly meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman at the White House. Trump brushed aside questions about Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, praised the prince for his statesmanship and announced hundreds of billions of dollars in new Saudi investment in the United States. The White House rolled out plenty of pomp for the Saudi royal on Tuesday, including dispatching fighter jets that the two leaders watched from a red carpet. The two leaders had a sitdown in the Oval Office, taking questions from reporters on a wide array of topics, ranging from commerce to the sale of advanced F-35 fighter jets to Riyadh.

U.S. trade deficit drops 24% in August as Trump’s tariffs reduce imports

November 19, 2025

By PAUL WISEMAN - AP Economics Writer

The U.S. trade deficit fell by nearly 24% in August as President Donald Trump’s sweeping global tariffs pushed imports lower. In a report delayed for more than seven weeks by the federal government shutdown, the Commerce Department said Wednesday that the the gap between what the United States buys from other countries and what it sells them fell to $59.6 billion in August from $78.2 billion in July. Imports fell 5.1% to $340.4 billion in August from July when U.S. companies were stocking up on foreign products before Trump finalized taxes on products from almost every country on earth that went into effect Aug. 7.

Chiefs went from 17-game winning streak to 0-5 in close games. What happened?

November 19, 2025

By JOSH DUBOW - AP Pro Football Writer

The Kansas City Chiefs are scoring more points and allowing fewer than last season, but they have four fewer wins. The Chiefs are 0-5 in games decided by eight points or fewer, ending a 17-game winning streak in such situations. Denver, on the other hand, is thriving in close games, going 7-2 and leading the AFC with a 9-2 record. Special teams played a major role in Week 11, with five walk-off field goals and several long kick returns. Buffalo’s Josh Allen threw three touchdown passes and ran for three more, matching a rare feat previously achieved by only Allen and Otto Graham.

Photos show inside Trump’s takeover of immigration courts

November 19, 2025

By OLGA FEDOROVA and YUKI IWAMURA - Associated Press

A girl clings to her asylum-seeking father as he is swarmed by agents outside an immigration court in lower Manhattan. Another man, the fear clear on his face, turns back to his wife and daughters as an agent leads him away. Outside courtroom after courtroom, masked immigration agents wait for their next target, leaning against the walls until it’s time…

Edmunds small SUV comparison: Chevrolet Trax vs. Volkswagen Taos

November 19, 2025

By DAN FRIO - Edmunds

Today’s automakers continue to find utility in small spaces, producing subcompact SUVs that are both compact and practical. The Chevrolet Trax and Volkswagen Taos are two of today’s top pint-size picks, but they differ in many ways. Both come with similar features at the entry level, offer ample room and performance, and both sit near the top of Edmunds’ rankings. Since both share nearly identical scores (the Taos with just the slightest edge), we take a closer look at what sets each apart and what makes either better suited to your needs.

Israel warns 2 villages in southern Lebanon to evacuate ahead of strikes

November 19, 2025

AP

The Israeli military has warned two villages in southern Lebanon to evacuate buildings near Hezbollah sites as tensions with militant groups escalate. At least 14 people have been killed in Lebanon in the past day by Israeli strikes targeting sites linked to Hezbollah and Hamas. On Wednesday, an Israeli airstrike on a car in southern Lebanon killed one person and wounded 11, including students on a nearby bus. This followed a deadly drone attack on a Palestinian refugee camp. The Israeli military said it targeted a Hamas training compound, while Hamas denied the claim. The situation remains tense.

Nigeria’s president promises to intensify efforts to rescue 24 abducted schoolgirls

November 19, 2025

By TUNDE OMOLEHIN AND DYEPKAZAH SHIBAYAN - Associated Press

Nigeria’s president says authorities are intensifying efforts to rescue 24 schoolgirls abducted by gunmen earlier this week. The girls were kidnapped before dawn on Monday from a school in Kebbi State. Local police say the gunmen scaled the fence, exchanged gunfire with officers and killed a staff member before seizing the girls. No group has claimed responsibility but analysts say gangs often target schools for ransom. Nigeria’s army chief urged for a collaborative effort by all security outfits. President Bola Tinubu said in a statement released late Tuesday that he has “directed the security agencies to act swiftly and bring the girls back.”

PHOTO ESSAY: A health center’s closure leaves unanswered questions in this New England mountain town

November 19, 2025

By ROBERT F. BUKATY - Associated Press

FRANCONIA, N.H. (AP) — For more than two decades, residents in this tiny tourist town in the shadow of the White Mountains knew they could just drive a few minutes down the road to their community health center for a physical, a Vitamin B-12 shot or to get checked out for a case of the sniffles or high blood pressure….

Data shows a spike in military aircraft accidents in 2024. This year doesn’t look any better

November 19, 2025

By KONSTANTIN TOROPIN and AARON KESSLER - Associated Press

Internal Pentagon figures show the number of major accidents involving military aircraft spiked in 2024. A series of high-profile aviation mishaps with deaths and the loss of aircraft in 2025 suggest the trend may be continuing. Across the military, the rate of severe mishaps per 100,000 flight hours rose 55% in the 2024 budget year compared with four years earlier. The Marine Corps saw the highest increase, nearly tripling its rate over the same period. The data was released by the Defense Department to Congress and provided exclusively to The Associated Press. It tracks Class A mishaps — the most serious accidents, which result in death or a permanent full disability.

Russian barrage kills 20 in Ukraine city as Zelenskyy holds talks with Turkish leader

November 19, 2025

By ILLIA NOVIKOV - Associated Press

A large Russian drone and missile attack has hit the western Ukrainian city of Ternopil, killing 20 people, including two children. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in Turkey seeking diplomatic support against Russia’s invasion. The attack targeted two apartment blocks, injuring at least 66 people. Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched 476 drones and 48 missiles overnight. Zelenskyy plans to meet Turkey’s President Erdogan to discuss diplomatic efforts. Meanwhile, Romania and Poland scrambled fighter jets as Russian drones entered their airspace. Russia claims the attacks were retaliation for Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory.

Migrants thought they were in court for a routine hearing. Instead, it was a deportation trap

November 19, 2025

By JOSHUA GOODMAN and TIM SULLIVAN - Associated Press

The nation’s immigration courts have undergone a fundamental change under the administration of President Donald Trump. He pledged to impose hardline immigration policies, an issue that was popular with his voters. In practice, the administration has resorted to unusually aggressive tactics, many of which have played out in immigration courts in the United States. Judges have churned out rulings in an assembly-line like fashion. For many immigrants, the courtrooms have also become deportation traps.

New museum in California offers immersive experience of the Shroud of Turin

November 19, 2025

By DEEPA BHARATH - Associated Press

A museum dedicated to the Shroud of Turin has opened at the Christ Cathedral campus in Garden Grove, California. The exhibit is called “The Shroud of Turin: An Immersive Experience” and features interactive displays and a life-size sculpture of Christ. The original Shroud of Turin is kept in Turin, Italy, and is considered a relic by many Christians. While the Vatican has called it a symbol of Christ’s suffering, it has never claimed its authenticity. The exhibit was proposed by August Accetta, a gynecologist whose fascination with the cloth led him to open the Shroud Center of Southern California in 1998. The museum will remain open through 2030.

Comey’s lawyers look to persuade judge that prosecution urged by Trump is vindictive, must be tossed

November 18, 2025

By ERIC TUCKER and MICHAEL KUNZELMAN - Associated Press

Former FBI Director James Comey is making another run at getting his criminal case dismissed, with his lawyers looking to convince a judge that the prosecution is vindictive and rooted in President Donald Trump’s hatred of him. The arguments Wednesday arrive as the Comey case appears freshly imperiled following a judge’s excoriation of the Justice Department and as multiple challenges to the indictment may result in its dismissal. Comey has pleaded not guilty to charges accusing him of making a false statement and obstructing Congress and has denied any wrongdoing.

Africa hosts its first G20 and urges the rich world to do more against climate disasters

November 18, 2025

By MICHELLE GUMEDE - Associated Press

World leaders with the Group of 20 rich and developing nations will meet this weekend in Johannesburg for the bloc’s first summit in Africa. Host South Africa wants to prioritize issues affecting poor countries, including responses to disasters made worse by climate change. South Africa will urge rich countries and international financial institutions to help more. It’s a plea also being made at global climate talks in Brazil. But climate financing has been a focus of sharp debate between rich and poor countries. And one of the world’s largest polluters, the United States, won’t even attend this weekend’s summit.

No. 17 Michigan State makes season-high 11 3-pointers to beat No. 12 Kentucky 83-66

November 18, 2025

By STEPHEN WHYNO - AP Sports Writer

Kur Teng hit three of Michigan State’s season-high 11 3-pointers on the way to scoring a career-best 15 points, and the 17th-ranked Spartans remained undefeated by beating No. 12 Kentucky 83-66 at Madison Square Garden in the annual Champions Classic. Jaxon Kohler sank two shots of his own from beyond the arc to finish with a team-high 20 points, and Trey Fort scored 13. Michigan State made 50% of its 3-point attempts after entering the game shooting 21.7% from long range — fourth-worst out of 361 Division I programs.

No. 17 Michigan State gets an unexpected 3-point barrage to beat No. 12 Kentucky

November 18, 2025

By STEPHEN WHYNO - AP Sports Writer

Michigan State’s breakout 3-point-shooting performance was so surprising to Tom Izzo that the Hall of Fame coach wondered aloud if the Spartans made more while beating Kentucky than in their first three games of the season combined. It was close. No. 17 Michigan State shot 11 of 22 from beyond the arc to defeat the 12th-ranked Wildcats 83-66 in the Champions Classic at Madison Square Garden. Izzo’s team entered the night with the fourth-worst 3-point shooting percentage in the country.

Pope strongly backs US bishops in blasting Trump immigration crackdown, urges humane treatment

November 18, 2025

By TRISHA THOMAS - Associated Press

Pope Leo XIV has strongly backed U.S. bishops who condemned the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. He urged the American people to listen to them and treat migrants humanely. As he left his country house Tuesday evening, Leo was asked about the “special message” the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops adopted during their assembly last week. The text criticized the Trump administration’s mass deportation of migrants and the “vilification” of them in the current migration debate. Leo has previously urged local bishops to take the lead on speaking out on matters of social justice. He said he appreciated the U.S. bishops statement and urged all people of goodwill to listen to what they said.

Trump welcomes Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House, in photos

November 18, 2025

By EVAN VUCCI, ALEX BRANDON, MARK SCHIEFELBEIN and PABLO MARTINEZ MONSIVAIS - Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — From the moment Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman pulled up to the White House entrance on the South Lawn on Tuesday, it was clear that President Donald Trump wanted to honor and welcome Saudi Arabia’s de facto leader as an ally, friend and coveted source of investment in the United States. Prince Mohammed received a gunfire salute,…

Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers steps down from public commitments after Epstein emails

November 18, 2025

By KIMBERLEE KRUESI and RODRIQUE NGOWI - Associated Press

Former U.S. Treasury Secretary and current Harvard professor Larry Summers says he’ll step back from public commitments after the release of emails showing he maintained a friendly relationship with Jeffrey Epstein long after the financier pleaded guilty to soliciting prostitution from an underage girl. Summers provided a statement saying he’s deeply ashamed of his actions, recognizes the pain they’ve caused and takes full responsibility for his misguided decision to continue communicating with Epstein. Summers says he’ll keep teaching. Summers served as treasury secretary from 1999 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton. He was Harvard’s president for five years from 2001 to 2006.

PWHL considers options including relocating Ottawa Charge over plans to cut seating capacity

November 18, 2025

By JOHN WAWROW - AP Hockey Writer

The Professional Women’s Hockey League is exploring options including the possibility of relocating the Ottawa Charge following the city’s plan to reduce the team’s current home’s seating capacity by about 2,000 during a renovation. Speaking on a Zoom call with reporters, league executive Amy Scheer said the only option not on the table is the Charge playing at the renovated facility. She accused city officials of blindsiding the league by refusing to give it a seat at the table before making its plans public. At issue are plans to reduce the arena’s capacity from 8,500 to 6,600 for a project that is expected to break ground this year and run through 2033.

DHS plans to deploy 250 border agents to Louisiana in major immigration sweep, AP sources say

November 18, 2025

By JACK BROOK and SARA CLINE - Associated Press/Report for America

Federal agents are set to conduct a major immigration crackdown called “Swamp Sweep” in New Orleans in the coming weeks. The operation aims to arrest around 5,000 people across southeast Louisiana and Mississippi. People familiar with the matter tell The Associated Press the deployment is expected to start in early December. This is part of a series of nationwide immigration crackdowns under the Trump administration. Republican Governor Jeff Landry has fully supported aligning state policy with federal immigration. Gregory Bovino, a Border Patrol commander known for large-scale immigration crackdowns, will oversee the operation. The plan includes agents fanning out across neighborhoods and commercial hubs, with staging sites planned at the FBI field office and a nearby naval base.

FACT FOCUS: There’s no proof each strike on alleged drug boats saves 25,000 lives, as Trump claims

November 18, 2025

By MELISSA GOLDIN - Associated Press

President Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed that strikes on suspected drug boats his administration began carrying out in September in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean are saving hundreds of thousands of people in the U.S. from fatal drug overdoses. He most recently cited these numbers on Monday while answering questions from reporters at the White House. But experts say his assessment is overly simplistic, noting that people in the U.S. who die from drug overdoses each year are far fewer than the amount Trump suggests have been saved by the boat strikes.

Big Ten denies Michigan regent’s claim of coercion over $2.4 billion investment plan

November 18, 2025

By LARRY LAGE - AP Sports Writer

The Big Ten Conference has denied claims by a University of Michigan regent that Commissioner Tony Petitti threatened the school over a $2.4 billion investment plan. Mark Bernstein, Michigan’s board chairman, accused Petitti of trying to “strong-arm” the university. The Big Ten stated that no school is being forced to support the plan, which aims to bring private investment into the league. Discussions began last year, and the plan involves UC Investments providing funds in exchange for a share of media rights. Some schools, including Michigan and Southern California, oppose the deal. Concerns include governance and the impact on tax-exempt status.

Alcaraz withdraws from Davis Cup Finals because of hamstring injury

November 18, 2025

By TALES AZZONI - AP Sports Writer

Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn from the Davis Cup Finals in Italy because of a right hamstring injury. The top-ranked Alcaraz made the announcement on X. He says he made the decision with a “heavy heart” after a recommendation by doctors. He was hurt during last week’s ATP Finals and was diagnosed with muscle overload and swelling of his right hamstring. Alcaraz was set to lead Spain against the No. 4-seeded Czech Republic in the quarterfinals on Thursday.

Injured Giants running back Cam Skattebo defends his WWE ‘Monday Night Raw’ appearance

November 18, 2025

By STEPHEN WHYNO - AP Sports Writer

Cam Skattebo has not played for the New York Giants since undergoing season-ending surgery in late October, but the rookie running back still has his teammates and plenty of others talking. Skattebo went viral for shoving a wrestler during a skit at the WWE “Monday Night Raw” event at Madison Square Garden. He defended himself on social media against criticism, and Giants players who spoke to reporters Tuesday had his back. Skattebo is recovering from a broken right fibula and dislocated right ankle.

House votes overwhelmingly to force release of Epstein files, sending bill to Senate

November 18, 2025

The Associated Press,

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., speaks during a news conference on the Epstein Files Transparency Act, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) WASHINGTON (AP) — The House voted overwhelmingly in favor of a bill Tuesday to force the Justice Department to publicly release its files on the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a…

Bryce Young has the Panthers in the playoff chase a year after getting benched

November 18, 2025

By ROB MAADDI - AP Pro Football Writer

When Bryce Young was benched after two games last year, people questioned whether he needed a fresh start on another team. Young is still in Carolina and has the Panthers in the playoff chase. The third-year quarterback threw for a franchise-record 448 yards and three touchdowns against the NFL’s No. 1 pass defense to lead the Panthers to a 30-27 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. Carolina (6-5) trails the Tampa Buccaneers (6-4) by a half-game in the NFC South, and the two teams will meet twice in the final three weeks. Both have tough road games in Week 12.

The US plan for Gaza won UN backing. Carrying it out could be far more difficult

November 18, 2025

By LEE KEATH - Associated Press

The U.N. Security Council has backed the United States’ plan for the future of the Gaza Strip. How and when it will be carried out remains largely unknown. In a twist unimaginable across the tumultuous history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the plan would mean U.S. President Donald Trump becomes the de facto ruler of Gaza. The territory remains devastated by Israel’s campaign to eliminate Hamas after its Oct. 7, 2023, attack that sparked the war. An international body chaired by Trump is to govern Gaza and oversee reconstruction under a 2-year, renewable U.N. mandate. An armed International Stabilization Force is to keep security and ensure the disarming of Hamas. Major questions hang over nearly every part of the plan.

Photos of Marjorie Taylor Greene standing with Epstein survivors before House votes on Epstein files

November 18, 2025

By J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE - Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia Republican and longtime Trump loyalist, stood with several Jeffrey Epstein abuse survivors outside the Capitol Tuesday morning, along with other Republican congresspeople, as the House headed toward a vote on legislation to force the Justice Department to publicly release its files on the late financier. The Epstein Files Transparency Act would…

NTSB finds 2 blackouts struck huge cargo ship before it crashed into Baltimore bridge

November 18, 2025

By BRIAN WITTE and JOSH FUNK - Associated Press

Federal investigators say two electrical blackouts, one caused by a loose wire and another by problems with a fuel pump, disabled the controls of a huge cargo ship before it crashed into Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing it to collapse last year and kill six construction workers. The National Transportation Safety Board held a hearing Tuesday to approve investigators’ findings and safety recommendations on the crash. The crew was able to get the power back on after the first blackout, but a second blackout was caused by a lack of fuel because the fuel flushing pump they were using doesn’t restart automatically the way the main pumps are designed to do.

Lane Kiffin says no ultimatum from Ole Miss on his coaching future

November 18, 2025

By The Associated Press

Lane Kiffin says Mississippi hasn’t given him an ultimatum to make up his mind about his coaching future. Kiffin said Tuesday on the “Pat McAfee Show” on ESPN that such reports are “absolutely not true.” Kiffin, who is in his sixth season coaching Ole Miss, has been a top candidate for other job openings in college football, with reports specifically linking him to both Florida and LSU. Florida fired Billy Napier on Oct. 19. LSU fired Brian Kelly on Oct. 27. Kiffin has fifth-ranked Ole Miss off to a 10-1 record with the Egg Bowl next on Nov. 28.

Education Department offloads some work to other agencies as Trump presses for its closure

November 18, 2025

By COLLIN BINKLEY - AP Education Writer

The U.S. Education Department is handing off some of its biggest grant programs to other federal agencies as the Trump administration accelerates its plan to shut down the department. It represents a major step forward for the administration’s dismantling of the department, which has mainly involved cutting jobs since President Donald Trump called for its elimination with an executive action in March. Six planned agreements to be signed by the Education Department will effectively move billions of dollars in grant programs to other agencies. Most notable is one that would put the Department of Labor over some of the largest federal funding streams for K-12 schools.

Kroger closing automated fulfillment centers as it tries to make delivery faster and cheaper

November 18, 2025

By DEE-ANN DURBIN - AP Business Writer

Kroger said Tuesday it’s closing three automated fulfillment centers as part of an effort to make its delivery operations faster and more profitable. The nation’s largest grocer will close facilities in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin; Frederick, Maryland; and Groveland, Florida, in January. Kroger partnered with British online grocer Ocado in 2018 to build warehouses where robots would pick and pack grocery delivery orders. But Kroger said earlier this fall that for many orders, it’s faster and cheaper to fulfill them in stores. Kroger is also expanding its partnerships with third party delivery companies, including DoorDash, Uber Eats and Instacart.

160 Ukrainian energy workers have been killed as Russia pummels the power system

November 18, 2025

By HANNA ARHIROVA, JULIA DEMAREE NIKHINSON, VOLODYMYR YURCHUK and DMYTRO ZHYHINAS - Associated Press

Almost four years into Russia’s invasion, keeping Ukraine’s lights on has become a battle of its own. It’s a moving front line that Moscow has tried and failed to break. One reason is the tireless work of utility engineers. They repeatedly repair transformers, switchyards, and power lines that Russia strikes again and again, using bomb-laden drones to hunt workers’ trucks near the border. At least 160 energy workers have been killed and more than 300 wounded since the war began. Yet tens of thousands still head out each day, often driven by a quiet mission to bring light through the darkness.

PHOTO ESSAY: Portraits of workers keeping Ukraine out of the dark

November 18, 2025

By JULIA DEMAREE NIKHINSON, HANNA ARHIROVA and DMYTRO ZHYHINAS - Associated Press

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Utility workers in Ukraine are risking their lives as they battle to keep the lights as Russia repeatedly attacks the energy system. The Associated Press interviewed several of the workers about their jobs and how they have changed since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine almost four years ago. All of them agreed to be photographed, but three…

Judge approves opioid settlement for Purdue Pharma and Sackler family members who own the company

November 18, 2025

By GEOFF MULVIHILL - Associated Press

A bankruptcy court judge has approved the settlement of thousands of lawsuits against Purdue Pharma, maker of the powerful prescription painkiller OxyContin. The deal approved on Tuesday requires members of the Sackler family who own the company to contribute up to $7 billion over time, plus give up ownership of the business. Thousands of victims of the opioid epidemic could be paid thousands of dollars each. The opioid crisis has been linked to more than 900,000 deaths in the U.S. since 1999. The latest settlement follows others for drugmakers, wholesalers and pharmacies that totaled about $50 billion.

PHOTO ESSAY: Summer camp for kids with autoimmune diseases

November 18, 2025

By MATT ROURKE, SHELBY LUM and LAURAN NEERGAARD - Associated Press

CLARYVILLE, N.Y. (AP) — Autoimmune diseases like lupus, myositis and forms of arthritis can strike children, too. At a sleepaway camp in upstate New York, some young patients got a chance to just be kids. That’s how a 12-year-old recently diagnosed with lupus found himself laughing on a high-ropes course as fellow campers hoisted him into the air. “It’s really…

Kids get diseases like lupus, too. As researchers hunt better treatments, this camp brings joy

November 18, 2025

By SHELBY LUM and LAURAN NEERGAARD - Associated Press

It may sound surprising but kids can get diseases like lupus and arthritis, too, when their immune system mistakenly attacks their own body. With the exception of Type 1 diabetes, autoimmune diseases are more rare in kids but they do happen. Sometimes symptoms are more severe in the very young. Treatment is especially challenging for growing bodies, and researchers are hunting for better options. But doctors in New York last summer helped some affected kids experience the joy of their first sleepaway camp — despite strict medications and nervous parents. The fun helped one boy almost forget his stiff joints.

Cloudflare outage disrupts ChatGPT, X, other internet services

November 18, 2025

The Associated Press,

FILE – Lava lamps are seen through a lobby window at the headquarters of Cloudflare in San Francisco, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg, File) Internet infrastructure provider Cloudflare says it is deploying a fix for an issue that caused global outages for ChatGPT, social media platform X, transit infrastructure and other prominent internet services. Cloudflare said on its…

Venice’s newest marvel is a wild, acrobatic dolphin. His refusal to leave puts him in danger

November 18, 2025

By COLLEEN BARRY - The Associated Press

Mimmo, a bottlenose dolphin, has been delighting tourists in Venice with his acrobatic flips for months. But experts are eager to move him to open water after confirming he was likely injured by a boat propeller. On Saturday, agencies used acoustic devices to nudge Mimmo away from the busy St. Mark’s Basin, but he returned. Experts are worried about his safety due to heavy boat traffic. Mimmo arrived in the lagoon on July 23, likely following fish. Authorities warn against feeding or interacting with him, as dolphins are protected under Italian and international law.

Cloudflare outage disrupts ChatGPT, X, other internet services

November 18, 2025

By MICHELLE CHAPMAN - AP Business Writer

Internet infrastructure provider Cloudflare says it is deploying a fix for an issue that caused global outages for ChatGPT, social media platform X, League of Legends and other prominent internet services. Cloudflare said on its status page earlier Tuesday that it identified an issue that was impacting multiple customers. Some sites experiencing issues include Shopify, Dropbox, Coinbase, online game League of Legends, Moody’s and NJ Transit. There were reports of widespread 500 errors as well as Cloudflare Dashboard and API failing.

The former Marine sniper accused of a mass shooting and the warning signs that came before

November 18, 2025

By ALLEN G. BREED - AP National Writer

Estranged friends and family and even a judge had raised concerns months before authorities say a wounded Iraq War veteran killed three people and injured five at a North Carolina waterfront bar. A former friend got a no-contact order against Nigel Max Edge, saying he feared for his safety and describing the former Marine sniper as armed and “mentally unstable.” Several people told The Associated Press they inquired about having Edge involuntarily committed for psychiatric evaluation but believed they lacked standing. Edge’s court-appointed attorney didn’t respond to a request for comment. Edge has been charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder but the case has been postponed to January.

After years away from Washington, Saudi crown prince to get warm embrace from Trump, US business

November 18, 2025

By AAMER MADHANI - Associated Press

President Donald Trump is set to fete Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The de facto leader of Saudi Arabia makes his first White House visit on Tuesday since the 2018 killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi agents. U.S. intelligence agencies determined Prince Mohammed likely directed that operation, which sent the U.S.-Saudi relationship into a tailspin. But seven years later, the dark clouds over the relationship have been cleared away by Trump. He sees the crown prince as an indispensable player in shaping the Middle East in the decades to come. The two leaders are expected to talk about deals, including for F-35 fighter jets.

Poland suggests Russia is behind railway blast on Ukraine delivery line

November 18, 2025

AP

Polish officials say Russian secret services appear to have ordered the sabotage of a railway line in Poland. The incident happened over the weekend and was described by Prime Minister Donald Tusk as an “unprecedented act of sabotage.” The rail line is used to transport aid to Ukraine. It was damaged in two locations. A government spokesman said Tuesday that the sabotage posed an immediate danger to land traffic and threatened lives and property. Polish prosecutors have launched an investigation. Army patrols have been deployed to ensure the safety of key infrastructure.

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