US & World News

Iran’s top diplomat issues most direct threat yet to US as crackdown over protests squeezes nation

Iran’s foreign minister has issued a direct threat against the United States, warning of retaliation if attacked. This comes after Tehran’s crackdown on protesters and as a U.S. aircraft carrier group moves toward the Middle East. Abbas Araghchi made the threat in an opinion article, blaming armed demonstrators for the violence. Videos from Iran show security forces targeting unarmed protesters. The death toll from the protests has reached at least 4,519, according to U.S.-based activists. More than 26,300 people have been arrested, with fears of executions coming amid the ongoing tensions.

Israel’s Netanyahu agrees to join Trump’s Board of Peace

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel says he’s agreed to join Trump’s Board of Peace. Netanyahu made the announcement Wednesday from his office. The announcement came after Israel said the makeup of the Board’s Gaza executive body did not align with Israel’s interests. A statement from Netanyahu’s office said he had accepted Trump’s invitation. The Board of Peace led by U.S. President Donald Trump was originally envisioned as a small group of world leaders overseeing the Gaza ceasefire plan. The Trump administration’s ambitions have ballooned into a more sprawling concept, with Trump extending invitations to dozens of nations and hinting it will soon broker global conflicts, like a pseudo-U.N. Security Council.

In their words: Trump’s threats over Greenland draw warnings and profanities at global forum

European leaders and California Gov. Gavin Newsom have expressed strong concerns at the World Economic Forum over the Greenland crisis and global trade issues. On Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron warned against a “new colonial approach” that could harm international collaboration. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen criticized proposed U.S. tariffs, emphasizing the importance of maintaining alliances. In a blunt statement, Newsom urged leaders to stand firm against U.S. President Donald Trump’s actions, calling for more decisive diplomacy. The forum in Davos, Switzerland, highlighted tensions between the U.S. and Europe over trade and territorial sovereignty.

Trump is on his way to Davos, where his quest to own Greenland could overshadow his other goals

President Donald Trump is heading to the World Economic Forum in the Swiss Alps where his ambitions to wrest control of Greenland from NATO ally Denmark could tear relations with European allies. Trump arrives Wednesday at the international forum at Davos on the heels of threatening tariffs on Denmark and seven other allies unless they negotiate a transfer of the semi-autonomous territory — a concession the European leaders indicated they are not willing to make. Trump said the tariffs would start at 10% next month and climb to 25% in June, rates high enough to increase costs and slow growth, potentially hurting Trump’s efforts to tamp down the high cost of living.

After Minneapolis, Democrats confront political vulnerabilities to battle Trump on immigration

Democrats are rethinking their midterm election strategy due to the controversial immigration crackdown in Minnesota. The killing of an American mother by federal agents has sparked outrage, but the party is divided on how to respond. Some are calling to abolish ICE, echoing “defund the police” rhetoric from President Donald Trump’s first term. Others are proposing legislation to curb alleged abuse, which activists criticize as insufficient. The party faces pressure to balance immigration issues with core messages on health care and affordability. Republicans, meanwhile, feel confident in their stance on immigration and crime.

Guatemala’s state of emergency, in photos

Guatemala President Bernardo Arévalo declared a state of emergency following a surge of gang-related violence that included prison riots and the killing of several police officers over the weekend. This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors. Categories: US & World News

Brooklyn Beckham accuses David and Victoria of putting branding before family and sabotaging wedding

Brooklyn Beckham has accused his parents, David and Victoria Beckham, of trying to sabotage his marriage and putting branding ahead of family. In a series of Instagram posts, the eldest of their four children says his parents have above all sought to control narratives in the press throughout his life. He says he doesn’t want to reconcile with them. Brooklyn married American actor Nicola Peltz in 2022, and many of his grievances stem from their wedding. He claims his mother bailed on designing Peltz’s dress and “hijacked” their first dance to his embarrassment. David and Victoria Beckham did not have an immediate public response to the posts, and messages left for their representatives were not immediately answered.

Doctors in Minnesota decry fear and chaos amid Trump administration’s immigration crackdown

Doctors say immigrant patients are missing key medical appointments, afraid to come to medical clinics amid the Trump administration’s sweeping Minnesota immigration crackdown. They say that has resulted in everything from a diabetic scared to pick up insulin to a patient with a treatable wound that festered and required a trip to the intensive care unit. There are also the hospital staffers – from Latin America, Somalia, Myanmar and elsewhere – too frightened to come to work. At a state Capitol news conference in St. Paul on Tuesday, doctor after doctor told of patients suffering amid the clampdown. Dr. Roli Dwivedi, immediate past president of the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians, says: “Our places of healing are under siege.”

Photos show wildfires burning in Chile

Wildfires raging across central and southern Chile on Sunday left several people dead, scorched thousands of acres of forest and destroyed scores of homes, authorities said. The South American country is sweltering under a heat wave. This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors. Categories: US & World News

FACT FOCUS: Trump highlights familiar false claims as he reviews his first year back in office

President Donald Trump marked his first year back in office with a lengthy press briefing, repeating false claims about the 2020 election, foreign policy, the economy, and energy. For example, he said the 2020 election was rigged, despite evidence proving otherwise. Trump also exaggerated his role in resolving international conflicts, claiming to have settled eight wars. His statements on inflation, coal, and the Los Angeles wildfires were also incorrect.

US forces in Caribbean seize seventh sanctioned oil tanker linked to Venezuela

U.S. forces have boarded and taken control of a seventh oil tanker connected with Venezuela as the Trump administration continues its efforts to take control of the oil in the South American country. U.S. Southern Command said in a social media post Tuesday that U.S. forces apprehended the Motor Vessel Sagitta “without incident” and that the tanker was “operating in defiance of President Trump’s established quarantine of sanctioned vessels in the Caribbean.”

China meets initial soybean purchase goal, but Trump’s shifting trade policy could disrupt deal

The Trump administration says China has fulfilled its initial commitment to buy 12 million metric tons of soybeans, but it’s not clear if the trade agreement announced in October can withstand President Donald Trump’s ever-shifting trade policy as American farmers are still dealing with high production costs. Earlier this month, Trump said he would impose 25% tariffs on any country that buys from Iran, which would include China. Iowa State University agricultural economist Chad Hart says that could undermine an October trade agreement with China and cast doubt on China’s commitment to purchase 25 million metric tons of American soybeans in each of the next three years.

Photos show the first year of President Donald Trump’s second term

In year one of his second presidency, Donald Trump wielded a wrecking ball — literal and metaphorical — to the ways of Washington and the traditional role of the U.S. in the world. Associated Press photographers documented it all. Trump moved his inauguration indoors and gave the titans of the tech world prime seats in the Capitol Rotunda, which had…

A look at Trump’s Board of Peace and who has been invited

The Board of Peace led by U.S. President Donald Trump was originally envisioned as a small group of world leaders overseeing the Gaza ceasefire plan. The Trump administration’s ambitions have ballooned into a more sprawling concept, with Trump extending invitations to dozens of nations and hinting it will soon broker global conflicts, like a pseudo-U.N. Security Council. More details are expected when Trump participates in an announcement about the Board of Peace on Thursday at the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland. A draft version of the board’s charter obtained by The Associated Press indicates much of the power will be concentrated in the hands of Trump himself.

Supreme Court takes up politically charged case with independence of the Federal Reserve at stake

President Donald Trump’s bid to reshape the Federal Reserve board is putting the Supreme Court in a familiar position, weighing an emergency appeal from the president’s lawyers in a politically charged case. The court hears arguments Wednesday over Trump’s effort to oust Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook based on allegations she committed mortgage fraud, which she denies. No president has fired a Fed governor in the agency’s 112-year history. Trump’s critics say he wants to take control of U.S. interest rate policy. The Republican president wants interest rates to fall so Americans pay lower borrowing costs for homes and cars. Worries about high costs have soured some voters on Trump’s economic management.

The US is on the verge of losing its measles elimination status. Here’s why that matters

International health officials will meet in a few months to reevaluate the United States’ measles-free status. Experts fear the vaccine-preventable virus has regained a foothold and that the U.S. may soon follow Canada in losing the achievement of having eliminated it. The evaluation comes a year after the West Texas measles outbreak began. Scientists are investigating whether multiple U.S. outbreaks are linked. But regardless of the U.S. elimination status, doctors and scientists say the country has a measles problem. At the April meeting, international health officials also will review Mexico’s measles-free status. Its measles outbreak is connected to last year’s Texas outbreak.

Trump’s ICE force is sweeping America. Billions in his tax and spending cuts bill are paying for it

President Donald Trump promised the largest mass deportation operation in U.S. history, but achieving his goal wouldn’t have been possible without his big tax and spending cuts bill. Passed by Congress, the bill Trump signed into law has fueled an unprecedented buildup of immigration enforcement in Minneapolis and beyond. As the budget for Immigration and Customs Enforcement has ballooned, the ranks of ICE officers have swelled to 22,000 — larger than most police departments in America. One budget expert says the GOP’s big bill is “supercharging ICE” in ways Americans may not fully realize. There are few restraints on the spending, which lasts through 2029, when Trump’s term ends.

Netflix intensifies bid for Warner Bros making its $72 billion offer all cash

Netflix is now offering to buy Warner Bros. Discovery’s studio and streaming business in an all-cash deal. This move aims to win over Warner’s shareholders for a $72 billion merger and counter a bid from Paramount. On Tuesday, Netflix and Warner announced a revised transaction to simplify the structure and speed up a shareholder vote. The all-cash offer is valued at $27.75 per Warner share. Warner’s leadership supports the merger with Netflix. Meanwhile, Paramount has made a $77.9 billion offer and plans a proxy fight. The sale could face antitrust scrutiny and political influence.

Israeli crews target UN facilities for Palestinian refugees in east Jerusalem

Israeli forces have targeted two United Nations facilities as part of their crackdown on the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees. On Tuesday, crews bulldozed the United Nations Relief and Works Agency’s offices in Sheikh Jarrah and fired tear gas at a vocational school in Qalandia. The agency’s West Bank director, Roland Friedrich, said this marks the culmination of two years of measures against UNRWA in east Jerusalem. Israel’s Foreign Ministry said the demolition enforced a new law banning UNRWA, claiming the agency has ties with militant groups. The U.N. has denied these claims. Israel has long claimed the agency has an anti-Israel bias, often with little evidence.

Prosecutors rests in Uvalde officer’s trial over response to 2022 school shooting

Prosecutors have finished their portion of the trial of a former police officer charged with failing to stop the gunman in the first minutes of the 2022 attack on Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas. The state concluded on Tuesday after nine days of testimony that sought to focus the delayed law enforcement response on a single officer they say could have stopped the shooter and saved lives. It was unclear if Adrian Gonzales will take the stand in his own defense before the case goes to the jury. Jurors have heard gripping and emotional testimony from teachers who recounted the terrifying moments when the an 18-year-old gunman entered the school and killed 19 students and two teachers.

Trump administration urges judge to reject Minnesota’s attempt to stop its immigration crackdown

The Trump administration has formally responded to a lawsuit that seeks to stop an immigration enforcement surge that is roiling Minneapolis and St. Paul. The government says, “Minnesota wants a veto over federal law enforcement.” Justice Department lawyers are urging a judge to reject the effort. The government says Operation Metro Surge has made the state safer with the arrests of more than 3,000 people who were in the country illegally. But Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison says the government is violating free speech and other constitutional rights.

Actor Melissa Gilbert among witnesses at New Mexico detention hearing for husband Timothy Busfield

Actor Melissa Gilbert could speak Tuesday at a New Mexico detention hearing for her husband, Emmy Award-winning actor Timothy Busfield, who faces child sex abuse charges. The charges against Busfield, who is known for appearances in “The West Wing,” “Field of Dreams” and “Thirtysomething,” stem from allegations that he inappropriately touched a minor on a TV series set where he was the director. Gilbert, who played Laura Ingalls in the “Little House on the Prairie” TV series, is on the list of potential witness submitted ahead of the hearing. On Monday, Busfield’s attorneys submitted brief recordings of initial police interviews in which two brothers denied that Busfield touched them inappropriately.

Jury selection begins for luxury real estate brothers accused of sexually abusing women

Jury selection has begun in the New York City trial of two luxury real estate brokers and their brother, who are accused of sexually abusing dozens of women. Prosecutors allege that Oren, Tal and Alon Alexander showered victims with free travel and luxury accommodations before drugging and raping them in vacation destinations such as the Hamptons. Opening statements are scheduled to begin Monday. Prosecutors say the brothers provided victims with drugs such as cocaine and psychedelic mushrooms or drugged their drinks before sexually assaulting them. Defense lawyers acknowledge that the men had sex with women but say the women were willing participants.

No. 1 Indiana tops final AP Top 25 football poll of season as Big Ten’s title run reaches 3 straight

Indiana is No. 1 in the final Associated Press Top 25 after finishing a 16-0 season with a victory over Miami in the College Football Playoff championship game. The Hoosiers are the third straight Big Ten national champion and No. 1 team in the final poll, following 2024 Ohio State and 2023 Michigan. No. 2 Miami ended with its highest ranking since the 2002 season. The last time the Hurricanes finished in the top 10 was in 2003. Mississippi, Oregon and Ohio State were next. The Big Ten had three teams in the top five for the second straight year.

Lili Taylor, Keith McNally and Andrew Ross Sorkin are among Gotham Book Prize finalists

A book of essays by actor Lili Taylor, a memoir by restaurateur Keith McNally, and a bestseller from Andrew Ross Sorkin about the 1929 stock market crash are among the 11 finalists for a $50,000 literary prize. The Gotham Book Prize, launched in 2020 by Bradley Tusk and Howard Wolfson, honors fiction and nonfiction about New York City. Each nominated book explores a different facet of New York, from Taylor’s love for quiet moments in “Find the Birds” to the dining life in McNally’s “I Regret Almost Everything.” The winner will be announced in the spring.

The new ‘Be The People’ campaign wants to unite hundreds of millions of Americans to solve problems

A privately funded initiative called “Be The People” will try to connect hundreds of millions of Americans with efforts to solve local problems as part of a vision for the next 250 years of the United States. The 10-year initiative aims to change the perception that the U.S. is hopelessly divided and that individuals have little power to solve problems. Stand Together, a nonprofit founded by the billionaire Charles Koch, is one of the conveners. The groups are targeting a budget of more than $200 million for the first year and will aim to move people to take action on local problems.

The Latest: Greenland and threat of Trump tariffs loom over Davos

The World Economic Forum’s annual meeting attracts corporate executives, academics, philanthropists and media to the Swiss Alps town of Davos. The Geneva-based think tank first hosted the event in 1971 with the goal to improve European management. Beginning Tuesday, 850 CEOs and chairs of the world’s top companies are expected to be among 3,000 participants from 130 countries in the Alpine resort. The dialogue, debate and deal-making is scheduled to last through Friday. U.S. President Donald Trump’s third visit to Davos as president comes as U.S. allies worry about his ambition to take over Greenland, among other international crises.

Syrian military accuses Kurdish forces of allowing IS-linked detainees to escape from al-Hol camp

The Syrian military claims guards from the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces abandoned a camp in northeast Syria, allowing detainees linked to the Islamic State to escape. The al-Hol camp mainly houses women and children related to IS members. The SDF reports violent clashes with Damascus-affiliated factions near the camp. On Monday, 120 IS members escaped from a prison in northeast Syria amid clashes between government forces and the SDF. Security forces recaptured 81 escapees. The SDF accuses factions of cutting off water to another prison, calling it a violation of humanitarian standards. The Associated Press could not independently verify these claims.

Donald Trump thanks you for your attention to these matters in his second term

President Donald Trump has commanded attention during his second term. From military interventions to controversial social media posts, the Republican has rewritten the presidency’s role in a divided country. Trump’s actions can spark diplomatic crises and stir public debate. Despite low approval ratings on issues including health care, Trump remains a dominant force, using social media to maintain his presence. Meanwhile, Democrats are also leveraging digital media to capture attention, with figures such as California Gov. Gavin Newsom and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani leading the charge.

Trump slams UK deal to hand over Chagos Islands after he previously backed it

The British government is defending its decision to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius after U.S. President Donald Trump criticized the move. Trump called it an act of stupidity on Tuesday, He argued that it weakens national security. He also linked it to his interest in acquiring Greenland. The United Kingdom and Mauritius signed a deal in May that allows the U.K. to lease back Diego Garcia where a vital U.S. military base is located for at least 99 years. The U.S. government welcomed the agreement at the time and emphasized its importance for security operations. But Britain’s opposition parties have raised concerns about increased Chinese access to the region.

Bessent says US-Europe relations have ‘never been closer’ despite Greenland crisis

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says America’s relations with Europe remain strong. Speaking on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, he urged trading partners to “take a deep breath” and let tensions driven by the Trump administration’s new tariff threats over Greenland “play out.” “I think our relations have never been closer,” he said. On Saturday, Trump announced a 10% import tax starting in February on goods from eight European nations that have rallied around Denmark in the wake of his stepped up calls for the United States to take over the semi-autonomous territory of Greenland. Trump has insisted the U.S. needs the territory for security reasons against possible threats from China and Russia.

Deadly wreck is the first blight on Spain’s leading high-speed rail service

The deadly train wreck in southern Spain has cast a pall over one of the nation’s symbols of success. Spain leads Europe and is only second to China in the entire world in mileage of high-speed rail lines. The country’s investment to link its distant cities across the Iberian Peninsula with fast trains boosted its economy and became a source of pride. Officials don’t know the cause of the wreck between the trains that collided Sunday. And the first deadly accident on its high-speed rail lines has put a blight on one of the crown jewels of contemporary Spain.

US citizen says ICE removed him from his Minnesota home in his underwear after warrantless search

Federal immigration agents have detained a U.S. citizen in Minnesota at gunpoint without a warrant. That’s according to ChongLy “Scott” Thao, who says agents forced open his door, entered with guns drawn and led him outside in his underwear in freezing conditions. The detention is part of a larger surge of federal agents in the Twin Cities, leading to backlash over warrantless arrests and aggressive tactics. The Department of Homeland Security says the operation targeted two sex offenders. Thao disputes this, saying he lives with his family, none of whom are listed as offenders. Thao plans to file a civil rights lawsuit.

Slave descendants take a fight to protect their Georgia island homes to voters

Black landowners from a Georgia island community founded by freed slaves are fighting their latest property dispute with local officials at the ballot box. Voters in coastal McIntosh County were deciding a referendum Tuesday that seeks to override county commissioner’s 2023 decision to double the size of homes allowed in Sapelo Island’s tiny Hogg Hummock community. Only a few dozen Black residents remain in the Gullah-Geechee community established after the Civil War. Some families in recent years have sold land to wealthy outsiders, raising concerns that larger homes and rising property values will pressure more Black landowners to sell. Regardless of the referendum’s outcome, officials are considering recalculating island property values for the first time since 2012.

Surrounded by billionaires in Davos, Trump plans to lay out how he’ll make housing more affordable

On the anniversary of his inauguration, President Donald Trump is heading to the World Economic Forum in Davos, an annual gathering of the global elite. He plans to use a key address there Wednesday to lay out his plans to make housing more affordable. The Swiss mountain town, where ski chalets go for $4.4 million, is a strange backdrop for the speech. But Trump — who has spent a lot of time surrounded by billionaires during his first year back in the White House — is counting on wealthy business leaders to create economic growth. However, headlines about Trump’s push to acquire Greenland threaten to overshadow his proposals.

Death toll rises to 10 in gangsters’ attacks on Guatemalan police as state of emergency is declared

The death toll from suspected gang attacks on Guatemalan police has risen to 10, as Guatemalans saw heavier security in the streets and curtailed rights after Congress approved President Bernardo Arévalo’s emergency declaration. The violence began Saturday when inmates took control of three prisons, demanding privileges. Suspected gang members then attacked police across the capital. National Civil Police Director David Custodio Boteo said several officers are critically wounded. The government has limited rights, including freedom of action and demonstrations. The U.S. Embassy advised caution for its personnel. Schools were suspended nationwide Monday as a safety precaution.

Indiana completes undefeated season and wins first national title, beating Miami 27-21 in CFP final

Fernando Mendoza bulldozed his way into the end zone and Indiana bullied its way into the history books Monday night. The Hoosiers toppled Miami 27-21 to put the finishing touch on a rags-to-riches story, an undefeated season and the national title. The Heisman Trophy winner finished with 186 yards passing, but it was his tackle-breaking, sprawled-out 12-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-4 with 9:18 left that defined this game. Mendoza’s TD gave turnaround artist Curt Cignetti’s team a 10-point lead — barely enough breathing room to hold off a frenzied charge by the hard-hitting Hurricanes.

Researchers find Antarctic penguin breeding is heating up sooner, and that’s a problem

A new study finds that warming temperatures are causing Antarctic penguins to breed earlier, threatening some species with extinction by century’s end. Researchers found that three penguin species are starting their reproductive process about two weeks earlier than a decade ago. This shift could lead to food shortages for young chicks. The study, published in the Journal of Animal Ecology, highlights that the Adelie and chinstrap penguins, which rely on krill, are struggling. Meanwhile, the more adaptable gentoo penguins are thriving. The penguins’ breeding ground warmed by more than 5 degrees Fahrenheit in a decade.

Harris scores 25, Brown misses potential game-winner and Pistons hold off Celtics for 104-103 win

Tobias Harris scored 25 points and Jaylen Brown missed a jumper just before the buzzer, allowing the Detroit Pistons to hold on for a 104-103 win over the Boston Celtics in a matchup of teams with the best records in the Eastern Conference. Jalen Duren scored 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds, Cade Cunningham had 16 points and 14 assists and Duncan Robinson added 15 points for the Central Division-leading Pistons. Brown had 32 points on 11-for-28 shooting for the Atlantic Division-leading Celtics.

Dolphins hire former Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley as head coach

The Miami Dolphins hired former Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley as their head coach on Monday. The moved ends a swift search for a coach who will be tasked with turning around a losing franchise that hasn’t won a playoff game in 25 years. Hafley replaces Mike McDaniel, who was fired earlier this month after going 35-33 in four seasons. The Dolphins also fired longtime general manager Chris Grier during the season. Hafley met with the Dolphins for a second interview earlier Monday before he was offered the job. He will rejoin new GM Jon-Eric Sullivan in Miami.

Photos from the career of the late fashion designer Valentino

Italian designer Valentino Garavani was known for his glamorous gowns and signature “Valentino red,” which were fashion show staples for nearly half a century. On Monday his foundation announced he had died. This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors. Categories: US & World News

Parts of the US could see northern lights Monday

The aurora could be visible across Canada and much of the northern U.S. following a major disturbance in the Earth’s magnetic field. That’s according to a Monday forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center, which says the northern lights may even be visible farther south. The center’s service coordinator says this comes amid intense geomagnetic and solar radiation storms.

Judge refuses to block new DHS policy limiting Congress members’ access to ICE facilities

A federal judge has refused to temporarily block the Trump administration from enforcing a new policy requiring members of Congress to give a week’s notice before they can visit immigration detention facilities. U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb concluded that the Department of Homeland Security didn’t violate an earlier court order when it reimposed a seven-day notice requirement for congressional oversight visits to Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities. Cobb said she wasn’t ruling on whether the new policy passes legal muster. Rather, she said, plaintiffs’ attorneys representing several Democratic members of Congress used the wrong procedural vehicle to challenge it.

Karachi mall fire death toll rises to 23 as rescuers search for dozens missing

The death toll from a massive fire at a shopping plaza in Karachi has risen to 23. Rescuers recovered more bodies from the damaged building on Monday. Firefighters extinguished the blaze late Sunday, nearly 24 hours after it erupted. Authorities fear the death toll will rise as 46 people remain missing. Only six bodies have been identified so far. The rest will need DNA testing. The fire spread quickly through shops storing cosmetics, garments, and plastic goods. The cause of the blaze is not yet known, and an investigation is underway.

Antetokounmpo and the Bucks hold off Atlanta 112-110 to snap a three-game skid

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 21 points and 17 rebounds and the Milwaukee Bucks snapped a three-game losing streak, holding off the Atlanta Hawks 112-110 after squandering a 23-point lead in the second half. The Hawks led 105-104 on Jalen Johnson’s 3-pointer before dropping their fourth in a row in the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day game. Bobby Portis hit a 3, Johnson turned the ball over and Antetokounmpo powered inside for a basket that made it 109-105 with 36 seconds to go. The Hawks still had a chance, but CJ McCollum missed a chance to tie before the buzzer. Nickeil Alexander-Walker led the Hawks with 32 points.

NBA announces All-Star Game starters, with 1st version of U.S. vs. The World format now on its way

Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Denver’s Nikola Jokic, the Los Angeles Lakers’ Luka Doncic, Golden State’s Stephen Curry, New York’s Jalen Brunson, Detroit’s Cade Cunningham, Philadelphia’s Tyrese Maxey, Boston’s Jaylen Brown and San San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama were announced as NBA All-Star starters Monday. The game is Feb. 15 in Inglewood, California. LeBron James wasn’t picked as a starter and his record streak of All-Star selections is now in some question. This is the first year the NBA will use a U.S. vs. The World mini-tournament format for the game.

Massive 100-vehicle pileup in Michigan as snowstorm moves across the country

More than 100 vehicles smashed into each other or slid off the interstate in Michigan on Monday as snow fueled by the Great Lakes blanketed the state. The massive pileup prompted the Michigan State Police to close both directions of Interstate 196 just southwest of Grand Rapids. The State Police said there were numerous injuries but no deaths had been reported. The crash is just the latest impact of the major winter storm moving across the country. The National Weather Service issued warnings about either extremely cold temperatures or the potential for winter storms across several states.  A day earlier, snow fell as far south as the Florida Panhandle and made it harder for football players to hang onto the ball during playoff games in Massachusetts and Chicago.

Christian leaders urge the protection of worshippers’ rights after protesters interrupt service

Several faith leaders called urgently for protecting the rights of worshippers while also expressing compassion for migrants. That’s after a group of anti-immigration enforcement protesters disrupted Sunday service at a Southern Baptist church in St. Paul, Minnesota. Trey Turner leads the Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist Convention to which Cities Church belong. He said churches should “provide compassionate pastoral care” migrant families affected by immigration enforcement, but “the sanctity of our houses of worship” must be respected too. The U.S. Department of Justice said it opened a civil rights investigation after a group of about three dozen protesters walked into the church during the service, loudly chanting.

US Catholic cardinals urge Trump administration to embrace a moral compass in foreign policy

Three U.S. Catholic cardinals have urged the Trump administration to use a moral compass in foreign policy. On Monday, they warned that U.S. military actions in Venezuela, threats to acquire Greenland and cuts in foreign aid could cause suffering instead of promoting peace. Cardinals Blase Cupich, Robert McElroy and Joseph Tobin emphasize the need for a moral vision in foreign policy. They highlight concerns about military force and the meaning of peace. The cardinals stress that military action should be a last resort and advocate for a policy that respects human life and dignity worldwide.

Sheinbaum reassures Mexico after US military movements spark concern

Mexico is showing sensitivity to U.S. military movements since the attack earlier this month on Venezuela. On Friday, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration advised caution for flights over the eastern Pacific Ocean, citing military activities. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum says the U.S. eventually provided written assurance that there would be no military flights over Mexican territory. Also, Sheinbaum responded to questions Monday after images of a U.S. military plane at Toluca’s airport circulated. Sheinbaum explained it came to pick up Mexicans for training and was approved by the defense secretary. The two countries are trying to increase their security collaboration.