Trump floats pulling Blanche's nomination for attorney general to avoid conceding to GOP demands
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he may withdraw and delay Todd Blanche’s nomination as attorney general until Republican senators who are seeking concessions from the top prosecutor leave office. Trump doubled down Thursday on choosing his former personal lawyer as the nation’s top lawman, calling him “a STAR” and saying he will keep him in the role as acting attorney general until Republican Sens. John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina leave office next year. Cornyn and Tillis have sought additional assurances in writing that the Justice Department will not revive an “Anti-Weaponization Fund” created to resolve Trump’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service.
Seattle police chief resigns under pressure from mayor over response to festival shooting
SEATTLE (AP) — Seattle’s police chief has resigned amid criticism that the city was slow to release key information about a fatal shootout at a food festival last weekend. Mayor Katie Wilson made the announcement Thursday after hours of speculation about whether Police Chief Shon Barnes would step down. Some of his supporters say he had rebuffed Wilson’s request to resign. Wilson said she is appointing Deputy Chief Andre Sayles as interim chief. Sayles is a law enforcement veteran with more than two decades of experience. The mayor said she was grateful for Barnes’ service, and Barnes called it an honor to have served the city.
Spain deploys military to Ceuta after thousands of people breach Morocco’s border and at least 9 die
CEUTA, Spain (AP) — Spain is deploying its military to restore order at its border with Morocco in Ceuta after thousands of migrants entered the Spanish territory. The announcement follows requests from local authorities for reinforcements. On Thursday, large crowds breached the border fence, leading to chaos and at least nine deaths. Spain's government said it would send the Armed Forces to assist the Civil Guard in maintaining security. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez plans to visit Ceuta on Friday. The situation has been described as "absolute chaos," with thousands of migrants crossing. The reasons for the surge remain unclear.
Cyberattacks on Minnesota water systems investigated as officials warn about Iranian hackers
Authorities say cyberattacks targeted over 30 water systems in Minnesota earlier this week. The source of the attacks is being investigated, but they came amid warnings that Iranian hackers have been focused on such systems. Minnesota IT Services said Thursday that the investigation into the attacks that happened on Sunday and Monday was continuing, and that state officials had not identified who was behind them. There were no reports that residents had been impacted by the attacks, though one city asked residents to conserve water for a couple hours while they tried to determine what was wrong.
Human-caused climate change made Spanish, French fires much more likely, scientists calculate
Two new studies reveal climate change's fingerprints over extreme fire weather-triggering infernos in Spain and France. Researchers at World Weather Attribution found human-caused climate change made Spain's record fire 20 times more likely and doubled the chances of extreme fire conditions in France. Another study shows extreme fire-prone days in Southern Europe have more than doubled compared to decades ago. Experts emphasize that climate change is already impacting fire severity and stress the need to stop burning fossil fuels.
Here's why new fronts seem to be opening up across the Middle East
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Recent days have seen a series of attacks across the Middle East, from the U.S. and Saudi Arabia bombing militias in Iraq to drones setting ships ablaze in Egypt. All seem related to the ongoing war between the United States and Iran, which is now focused on the Strait of Hormuz and intensifying once again. Iran supports armed groups across the Middle East that allow it to project power far beyond its borders. The U.S. has thousands of troops based in allied Arab countries that have been targeted. Each attack brings retaliation, making it even more difficult to wind down the 5-month-old conflict.
Colin Gray, who gave his son the gun used in Georgia school shooting, is sentenced to 15 years
A man who gave his son the gun he used in a deadly high school shooting in Georgia has been sentenced to 15 years in prison. Colin Gray was convicted of charges including second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter after his then 14-year-old son, Colt Gray, used the weapon to kill two students and two teachers at Apalachee High School in September 2024. Colt Gray was sentenced Tuesday to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Prosecutors say Colin Gray gave his son the rifle as a Christmas gift. The elder Gray is among a handful of American parents who have been charged after their children were accused in shootings.
Police describe a father's horror as he realizes then-wife Lindsay Clancy killed their 3 kids
PLYMOUTH, Mass. (AP) — First responders have given jurors firsthand accounts of what they found after Massachusetts mother Lindsay Clancy killed her three children and tried to take her own life. The murder trial has focused on Clancy’s mental state in January 2023. Her lawyers argue she suffered from postpregnancy psychosis, a rare mental illness, while prosecutors say she's criminal responsible. On Thursday, police and firefighters described her then-husband's horror as he realized his children are dead. If convicted, Clancy faces life in prison. If found not guilty, she would be committed to a mental health facility.
Attorney for Nolan Wells' family says experts to review a boat distress call from day he disappeared
The family of Nolan Wells has hired audio engineers to review a distress call made from a boat on the day of his disappearance. The call has sparked online speculation and defamation claims amid the investigation into the death of the 18-year-old. Wells disappeared on July 4 after traveling with friends by boat to a Gulf Coast island. His body was found two days later off the island’s coast. Wells' family is also urging prosecutors to include outside experts in the investigation. Friends of Wells, meanwhile, say they have been targeted by social media users, leading to threats and doxing.
Some robotaxis approved to operate without steering wheels and losing the brake pedal could be next
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Federal regulators are clearing the way for robotaxis to operate without steering wheels or eventually even brake pedals. Amazon's fully autonomous Zoox vehicles got approval Thursday to begin charging customers for rides in the specially designed cars that feature four inward-facing seats once they secure state and local approval. Zoox has already been offering free rides in Las Vegas and San Francisco since last fall. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration proposed a rule last month to allow robotaxis to operate without brake pedals, but that proposal is still pending. Zoox and Tesla are working to catch up to the industry-leading Waymo that already operates in multiple cities.
