Israel ‘not a protectorate’ of the US, Netanyahu says ahead of meeting with Vance
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has emphasized that his country controls its own security and is not a U.S. protectorate. He made these remarks as he prepared to discuss Gaza’s ceasefire with U.S. Vice President JD Vance. Netanyahu’s comments seem aimed at easing concerns about an international security force in Gaza. Vance acknowledged challenges in achieving peace but expressed optimism. Meanwhile, the Israeli government announced that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit Israel on Friday. The ceasefire agreement includes returning the remains of hostages, with 15 already returned and 13 still in Gaza.
A major Russian drone and missile attack on Ukraine kills at least 6, officials say
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Officials say a large-scale Russian drone and missile attack across Ukraine has killed at least six people, including a woman and her two young daughters. The attack overnight and into Wednesday targeted at least eight Ukrainian cities. It also hit Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, causing rolling blackouts. U.S.-led efforts to end the war have floundered, and Ukraine’s president has appealed for more military help. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also said President Donald Trump’s proposal to freeze the conflict where it stands on the front line “was a good compromise.” That’s a step that could pave the way for negotiations.
Trump hosts Senate Republicans at renovated White House as the shutdown drags into fourth week
WASHINGTON (AP) — As the government shutdown enters its fourth week, President Donald Trump is welcoming Senate Republicans for lunch at the White House. It’s not for urgent talks on how to end the shutdown, but a celebratory display of unity as they refuse to negotiate on Democratic demands for health care funds. Trump is praising GOP leaders by name. But Senate Democrats are also expressing confidence in their strategy to keep voting against a House-passed bill that would reopen the government until Trump and other Republicans engage them. Democrats want to extend health care subsidies that are expiring. Trump says he’ll discuss health care, but only after the government reopens.
What to know about efforts to block National Guard deployments in Chicago, Portland, other US cities
CHICAGO (AP) — President Donald Trump’s attempts to deploy the military in Democratic-led cities _ over the objections of mayors and governors _ has brought a head-spinning array of court challenges and overlapping rulings. As the U.S. Supreme Court ponders whether to clear the way for the National Guard in Chicago, a federal appeals court is hearing arguments in California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s challenge to the deployment of troops in Los Angeles. Guard troops could also soon be on the ground in Portland, Oregon — pending legal developments there.
The Louvre reopens 3 days after one of the biggest museum heists of the century
PARIS (AP) — The Louvre has reopened just three days after a daring heist shocked the world. Thieves made off with eight pieces from France’s Crown Jewels, valued at over $100 million. The theft has put President Emmanuel Macron and Louvre chief Laurence des Cars under scrutiny. Authorities say the thieves spent less than four minutes inside the museum on Sunday morning. The jewels remain missing, and the thieves are still at large. The heist has raised questions about the museum’s security, especially after recent staff strikes warned of understaffing. The Louvre has declined to detail any reinforced protocols.
Finding the jewels and the brazen thieves in the Louvre heist is now a race against time
PARIS (AP) — Experts say France’s royal jewels may be gone forever after a daring heist at the Louvre. On Sunday, thieves stole eight pieces, including crowns and necklaces, in just four minutes. These jewels, dating back to the 16th century, were significant symbols of France’s wealth and power. Experts believe the gems are likely being dismantled and sold off. The theft has left the French government scrambling to address security concerns at the museum. The heist is being called “the heist of the decade” and has sparked a race against time for authorities to recover the treasures.
More than 40 people killed in a crash of buses and other vehicles in western Uganda
KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — Police say at least 46 people have been killed in a highway crash in western Uganda after two buses collided while trying to overtake other traffic. The crash early Wednesday also involved two other vehicles. Several others were injured in the crash that happened after midnight local time on the highway to Gulu, a major city in northern Uganda. Police initially gave the death toll as 63 in a statement, but later revised it down to 46, saying some people found unconscious at the crash scene were actually still alive. Fatal road crashes are common in Uganda, where roads are often narrow.
Trump pick to lead federal watchdog agency withdraws after offensive text messages were revealed
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s pick to lead a federal watchdog agency has withdrawn from consideration after his offensive text messages were made public and GOP senators revolted. Paul Ingrassia, who was nominated to lead the Office of Special Counsel, had been scheduled to have his confirmation hearing this week. On Monday, however, Politico reported on a text chat that showed him saying the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday should be “tossed into the seventh circle of hell.” Ingrassia also described himself in the chat as having “a Nazi streak” at times. After the texts came to light, several Republican senators said they would not support his nomination. They included some of the most stalwart Trump allies in the Senate.
Warner Bros. Discovery confirms it has received buyout interest and is considering its options
NEW YORK (AP) — Warner Bros. Discovery — the home of HBO, CNN and DC Studios — has signaled that it may be open to selling all or parts of its business, just months after announcing plans to split into two companies. In an announcement Tuesday, the entertainment and media giant said it had initiated a review of “strategic alternatives” in light of “unsolicited interest” it had received from multiple parties for both the entire company and Warner Bros. specifically. Warner Bros. Discovery did not specify who that interest was coming from — but the review arrives after reports of a potential bidding war. Shares of Warner Bros. Discovery jumped nearly 10% Tuesday.
US stocks drift near their records as gold’s price falls again
NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are drifting near their record heights on Wall Street, while the price of gold falls again to trim more off its tremendous gain for the year. The S&P 500 slipped 0.1% Wednesday and is sitting just underneath its all-time high set earlier this month. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 99 points from its own record, and the Nasdaq composite fell 0.3%. Netflix weighed on the market after delivering a weaker profit for the summer than analysts expected. Beyond Meat soared again to continue its stunning week as it becomes the latest meme stock. Stock indexes were mixed across Europe and Asia.
Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
