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December 18, 2025.

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua scores a touchdown during overtime in an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Rams WR Puka Nacua apologizes for antisemitic gesture, adds more controversy after career game

December 18, 2025

Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua’s tumultuous Thursday started with an apology, and ended with more controversial remarks. In between, he had a career-best performance. Nacua apologized Thursday for performing a gesture that plays upon antisemitic tropes on an internet livestream, then stayed in the spotlight Tuesday night as he caught 12 passes for 225 yards and two touchdowns in the Rams’ 38-37 overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks. After the game, he expressed frustration on social media with a post that referenced referees before removing it. Earlier Thursday, Nacua posted his apology in an Instagram post.

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Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) shoots over Utah Jazz forward Kevin Love (42) and guard Keyonte George (3) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)

LeBron James cites ‘Luka magic’ as Doncic has 45-point triple-double

December 18, 2025

LeBron James was amazed by Luka Doncic’s performance after Doncic scores 45 points, 14 assists, and 11 rebounds in a win over the Utah Jazz. James, who had 28 points and 10 assists, praised Doncic’s skills. Doncic achieved his first 40-point triple-double as a Laker and became the second player to have a 45-point triple-double with five steals since the NBA began tracking steals. Doncic highlighted his single turnover as the best stat of the night. The Lakers improved to 10-0 in crunch time with Doncic leading the charge.

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A poster seeking information about the campus shooting suspect is seen on the campus of Brown University, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, in Providence, R.I. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

How 1 anonymous tipster cracked the Brown University shooting case

December 18, 2025

Law enforcement officials say an anonymous tipster known only as “John” helped crack the case of two Brown University students’ deaths and the wounding of nine others. The tipster’s information led police to identify Claudio Neves Valente as the suspect. Anxiety and frustration had plagued the Providence community until police announced late Thursday that they found the suspected gunman dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. John recognized Valente from police images and suggested looking into a grey Nissan. John provided additional critical details to investigators, helping solve the case.

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President Donald Trump finishes his remarks in an address to the nation from the Diplomatic Reception Room at the White House, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, in Washington. (Doug Mills/The New York Times via AP, Pool)

Trump gave an unusually partisan White House address. Should networks have given him the TV time?

December 18, 2025

Donald Trump’s White House asked TV networks to grant him airtime for the first national address of his second presidency. The networks said yes. Trump proceeded to fill 18 minutes with falsehoods and exaggerations while blaming his predecessor, Democrat Joe Biden, for the nation’s problems. It was a grab-bag highlight reel from his stemwinding rally speeches that most Americans never see in full, and it raised questions about whether networks should grant a president airtime just because he asks. People familiar with the process say networks are in a difficult spot. More often than not, networks grant presidents’ requests for time.

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Attendees stand during Turning Point USA's AmericaFest 2025, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Jon Cherry)

Young conservative women find a home in Turning Point with Charlie Kirk’s widow at the helm

December 18, 2025

Young women who have grown emboldened in their conservative beliefs are attending the annual conference held by Turning Point USA. The organization was founded by Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated at Utah Valley University in September. The women don’t want to apologize for their traditional views on faith, marriage and family, and they draw inspiration from Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, who now leads the political juggernaut that helped return President Donald Trump to the White House. Turning Point’s efforts to appeal to young women are intended to bridge a gender divide that has challenged the Republican Party, which has been more popular with men.

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Railroad tracks cut through downtown Rocky Mount, N.C., Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, with a boarded up building in the background. (AP Photo/Makiya Seminera)

Ahead of Trump’s visit, residents in a North Carolina town say they feel squeezed by high costs

December 18, 2025

President Donald Trump will visit the eastern North Carolina town of Rocky Mount on Friday, the second time this month he will have traveled to a presidential battleground state to focus on the economy and affordability concerns. The high prices Trump promised to solve during his 2024 campaign persist as a liability for the president and his party heading into next year’s midterm elections. In Rocky Mount, residents say they feel the same financial strains many Americans say they are under, with high prices for groceries, housing and utilities among their top concerns. Trump, meanwhile, is urging patience and says the economy is trending upward.

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FILE - This photo provided by the New York State Sex Offender Registry shows Jeffrey Epstein, March 28, 2017. (New York State Sex Offender Registry via AP, File)

Justice Department faces deadline to release files on Epstein sex trafficking investigation

December 18, 2025

The Justice Department faces a Friday deadline to release its files on Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender known for his connections to powerful figures, including Donald Trump. The president had long opposed the files’ release but did a U-turn after political pressure from fellow Republicans. A bill Trump signed allows redactions for victims or ongoing investigations but not for embarrassment or political sensitivity. Epstein was a well-connected financier who killed himself in a New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on charges of abusing and trafficking underage girls. Trump has never been accused of wrongdoing in connection with Epstein, who had many other prominent acquaintances in political and celebrity circles.

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The Tahoe Truckee Unified School district holds a meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025 in Truckee, Calif. (AP Photo/Brooke Hess-Homeier)

California school district near Nevada caught up in a dispute over transgender athlete policies

December 18, 2025

A Northern California school district near the state’s border with Nevada is caught up in a dispute over the states’ differing policies on the participation of transgender athletes. The Tahoe-Truckee Unified School District has long competed in the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association. But the association this year voted to require students participating in sex-segregated sports to compete on teams consistent with their sex assigned at birth. That conflicts with California law allowing transgender students to participate on teams that align with their gender identity. Now, California officials are ordering the school district to leave the Nevada body to comply with state law. But the district says the move would pose wide-ranging challenges.

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Church repatriates sacred rock covered with petroglyphs after 14-year effort

December 18, 2025

A rock covered with petroglyphs created centuries ago by the ancestors of the Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation is back home in the mountains of Utah. The yearslong repatriation effort culminated earlier this month with the sacred rock being airlifted back to its original location. For the past 80 years, it had been sitting outside a church meetinghouse in Tremonton, about 80 miles north of Salt Lake City. The tribe partnered with the state and historians working on behalf of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to carefully clean and transport the rock. A tribal official said the emotional return helps to rebuild the tribe’s history.

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FILE - In this photo provided by the U.S. Navy, the USS Gerald R. Ford embarked on the first of its sea trials to test various state-of-the-art systems on its own power for the first time, April 8, 2017, from Newport News, Va. (Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ridge Leoni/U.S. Navy via AP, File)

A look at the US military’s unusually large force near Venezuela

December 18, 2025

The U.S. military has amassed an unusually large force in the Caribbean Sea and the waters off the coast of Venezuela since this summer, when the Trump administration first began to shift assets to the region as part of its anti-drug trafficking operations. In all, U.S. Southern Command says there are around 15,000 troops operating in the area, in the largest military buildup in the region in generations. It is part of the Trump administration’s escalating pressure campaign on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who has been charged with narco-terrorism in the U.S. It includes a series of strikes on alleged drug-running boats that have killed more than 100 people since early September.

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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth arrives to brief members of Congress on military strikes near Venezuela, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, at the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

US military says 2 strikes on alleged drug boats kill 5 in eastern Pacific

December 18, 2025

The U.S. military says that it conducted two more strikes Thursday against boats it said were smuggling drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing five people. U.S. Southern Command posted that the vessels “were engaged in narco-trafficking operations,” though it did not provide evidence. It posted videos of each boat speeding through water before being struck by an explosion. The military said three people in one vessel and two in the other were killed. The attacks bring the total number of known boat strikes to 28 while at least 104 people have been killed.

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Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (3) celebrates after scoring a touchdown on a pass play against the Tennessee Titans during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Receiver Jakobi Meyers and the Jaguars agree to a 3-year, $60M extension, AP source says

December 18, 2025

A person familiar with the  negotiations says receiver Jakobi Meyers and the Jacksonville Jaguars have agreed to terms on a three-year, $60 million contract extension that includes $40 million guaranteed. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither side disclosed financial details. The Jaguars traded two 2026 draft picks — fourth- and sixth-rounders — to Las Vegas to acquire Meyers at the trade deadline in early November. The 29-year-old Meyers has 27 catches for 355 yards and three touchdowns in six games with Jacksonville, becoming Trevor Lawrence’s most dependable receiver.

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Colorado River water negotiators appear no closer to long-term agreement

December 18, 2025

Water leaders in the U.S. West gathered this week with a hefty task hanging over their heads — figuring out a long-term plan for sharing water from the Colorado River. They met as usual at the annual Colorado River Water Users Association conference in Las Vegas, but they don’t appear close to agreement. If they don’t reach consensus, the federal government will impose a plan. Over 40 million people rely on water from the Colorado River. But long-term drought and the effects of climate change are forcing a re-examination on how best to use the water. The federal government is giving states until Feb. 14 to come up with a plan.

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FILE - A voter leaves Albion Town hall after casting their ballot on Election Day, Nov. 5, 2024, in Albion, Wis. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf, File)

US Justice Department sues 3 states, District of Columbia for voter data

December 18, 2025

The U.S. Justice Department has sued three states and the District of Columbia for not turning over requested voter information to the Trump administration. The Justice Department has now filed 22 lawsuits seeking voter information as part of its effort to collect detailed voting data and other election information across the country. The latest lawsuits were filed against Wisconsin, Illinois, Georgia and the District of Columbia. The move comes one week after the bipartisan Wisconsin Elections Commission voted against the Justice Department’s request for the data. The Trump administration has characterized the lawsuits as part of an effort to ensure the security of elections.

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San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell (24) and Stephon Castle react after a basket against the New York Knicks during the second half of the NBA Cup championship basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ian Maule)

Knicks coach Mike Brown would like league officials to consider post-NBA Cup scheduling changes

December 18, 2025

New York Knicks coach Mike Brown believes there are plenty of benefits to playing for and winning the midseason NBA Cup. He also wants league officials to consider its post-tournament scheduling in the future. During Thursday’s pregame news conference at Indiana, Brown rattled off the grueling stretch his team now faces after winning the title Tuesday night 124-113 over San Antonio in Las Vegas. The eight-day run that features five games in three different cities is capped by a noon tip at home Christmas Day against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

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FILE - New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani listens as President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

Mamdani appointee resigns after her decade-old antisemitic social media posts resurface

December 18, 2025

One of New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s appointees has resigned over social media posts she made more than a decade ago that featured antisemitic tropes. In a statement Thursday, Catherine Almonte Da Costa, who was tapped this week to join the incoming administration, said she expressed “deep regret” for the posts, which date back to 2011 and 2012. They were recently shared online by the Anti-Defamation League. She had been selected to lead Mamdani’s office of appointments. The Anti-Defamation League declined to comment after Da Costa’s resignation. The group created a tool after Mamdani’s election “to track and monitor policies and personnel” hired by the mayor-elect.

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FILE- Former North Carolina Gov. Jim Hunt speaks at the Democratic National Convention, Sept. 5, 2012, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

Four-term North Carolina Gov. Jim Hunt, a leader in education reform, dies at 88

December 18, 2025

Four-term North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt, a major figure in late 20th-century state politics, has died at 88. His daughter, Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt, announced his passing on Thursday. Hunt was known as a pioneer “education governor,” serving 16 years as North Carolina transitioned to a high-tech economy. First elected in 1976, he was the first governor to serve successive four-year terms. Hunt focused on public education, creating initiatives like the Smart Start early childhood program. Even in his 80s, he advocated for education funding. His influence on education reform is recognized nationally, particularly in the Southeast.

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Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo smiles from the bench during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

Bucks’ Antetokounmpo says his focus is on his health rather than rumors about his future

December 18, 2025

Giannis Antetokounmpo says he’s more focused on getting healthy and helping the Milwaukee Bucks turn their season around than dealing with rumors about his future plans. Antetokounmpo spoke to reporters Thursday for the first time since a Dec. 3 ESPN report indicated that he and his agent were talking with Bucks officials about whether he’s best suited to stay in Milwaukee or get traded. Antetokounmpo strained his right calf in a victory over the Detroit Pistons that night and hasn’t played since.

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FILE - Clouds hover over the entrance of the Florida State Prison in Starke, Fla., Aug. 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Curt Anderson, File)

Florida Supreme Court upholds death sentences by nonunanimous juries

December 18, 2025

Florida’s Supreme Court has upheld a state law allowing nonunanimous juries to sentence people to death. The decision cements Florida’s status of having the lowest bar in the country for death sentences, at a time when the state is driving a national increase in executions. The state Supreme Court affirmed a 2023 law that ended a unanimous jury requirement in death penalty sentencing. Florida law allows capital punishment with a jury recommendation of at least 8-4 in favor of execution.

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Andrew Dykes, left, is led to the courtroom by law enforcement personnel at Nassau County court in Mineola, N.Y., Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, on charges for the 1997 killing of a young mother and her daughter that had long been tied to an infamous string of killings on Long Island known as the Gilgo Beach murders. (AP Photo/Phil Marcelo)

Army vet and ex-state trooper pleads not guilty in 1997 killing once linked to Gilgo Beach murders

December 18, 2025

A retired Army veteran and former state trooper has pleaded not guilty in the 1997 killing of a young mother whose remains were found near the victims of Long Island’s infamous Gilgo Beach killings. Andrew Dykes formally entered the plea Thursday during his arraignment in Nassau County court in Mineola. The 66-year-old was arrested earlier this month in Tampa and held in a Florida jail until his extradition to New York. He’s charged in the killing of Tanya Denise Jackson. Dykes had been the father Jackson’s 2-year-old daughter, Tatiana Marie, who was also found killed. Dykes’ lawyer Joseph Lo Piccolo described him as a “law-abiding” citizen these past 30 years.

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Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons warms up before an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Titans’ Jeffery Simmons grateful his mom wasn’t at his home during armed burglary

December 18, 2025

Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons is grateful his mother wasn’t at his house watching him on TV when burglars broke in carrying guns and other weapons. Simmons said Thursday he can replace all the items that were stolen. He said losing a family member would’ve hurt far more than having his home broken into. Simmons discovered his home had been burglarized when he found his garage door open after returning from a road loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Simmons choked up while talking about the burglars. He described as looking like boys or young adults carrying weapons.

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FILE - Greg Biffle smiles along pit row during qualifying for Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Friday, Aug. 31, 2012, in Hampton, Ga. (AP Photo/David Tulis, File)

NASCAR mourns the loss of Greg Biffle, family in tragic plane crash in North Carolina

December 18, 2025

Retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle has died in a North Carolina plane crash along with his wife, two children and three others. He was 55. Biffle won championships in the Truck and Xfinity Series and drove for years in the Cup Series for Roush Fenway Racing. Biffle was also recognized for his aid work after Hurricane Helene, using his helicopter to deliver supplies. He returned to racing briefly in 2022 after semi-retirement in 2016. Biffle’s legacy includes 54 wins and a deep love for flying. Tributes have poured in from the racing community and beyond.

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FILE - Trucks come and go from the "Alligator Alcatraz" immigration detention center in the Florida Everglades, Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, in Collier County, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)

Federal judge denies request to close Florida’s ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

December 18, 2025

A federal judge has denied a request to close an immigration detention center in the Florida Everglades known as “Alligator Alcatraz.” The decision came Thursday from a federal judge who said a detainee, identified as M.A., failed to show irreparable harm. U.S. District Judge Kyle Dudek stated that M.A. hadn’t met the high burden required for a preliminary injunction. M.A.’s lawsuit is one of three challenging practices at the center, built this summer by the state of Florida. M.A.’s lawsuit argues that Florida lacks the authority to operate the facility under federal law. Other lawsuits focus on environmental impact and detainees’ access to legal help.

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James Madison team celebrates after winning the Sun Belt championship NCAA college football game against Troy, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Harrisonburg, Va. (AP Photo/Robert Simmons)

Betting interest wanes as 1st round of College Football Playoff lacks excitement

December 18, 2025

Bettors aren’t rushing to place wagers on the opening week of this season’s College Football Playoff, except for Friday night’s Alabama-Oklahoma showdown. The presence of two Group of Five teams, Tulane and James Madison, as underdogs has lessened excitement. Mississippi is favored over Tulane, and Oregon over James Madison. Joey Feazel from Caesars Sportsbook says excitement may increase in later rounds. The most anticipated matchup is Oklahoma against Alabama, and the betting line has been fluctuating. Ohio State remains the overall favorite despite losing the Big Ten championship. Lane Kiffin’s absence from Ole Miss adds uncertainty to its playoff performance.

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Miami mayor-elect Eileen Higgins speaks at her campaign headquarters Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Democrat Eileen Higgins sworn in as Miami’s first female mayor after 30 years of GOP control

December 18, 2025

Eileen Higgins has been sworn in as Miami’s first female mayor, taking office two weeks after defeating a Trump-endorsed Republican. She’s also the first Democrat to lead the city in nearly 30 years. Higgins, who previously served as a Miami-Dade County commissioner, replaces Republican Francis Suarez. On Thursday, she was sworn in with her parents by her side. Higgins expressed gratitude for her upbringing and Suarez’s service. She highlighted her career shift from engineering to diplomacy, emphasizing her commitment to serving the community. Higgins plans to focus on affordable housing and aims to make Miami a city defined by actions, not words.

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FILE - Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal throws during the first inning in Game 5 of baseball's American League Division Series against the Seattle Mariners, Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson, File)

Tarik Skubal joins Paul Skenes on US World Baseball Classic pitching staff

December 18, 2025

Two-time AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers has agreed to pitch for the United States in the World Baseball Classic. He joins a pitching staff that includes reigning NL Cy Young winner Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The U.S. roster for this tournament, set from March 5-17, also includes All-Star relievers Mason Miller and David Bednar. Japan won the 2023 championship game 3-2. U.S. position players include catchers Cal Raleigh and Will Smith, infielders Gunnar Henderson and Bobby Witt Jr., and outfielders Corbin Carroll and Aaron Judge. Staff depth is crucial due to pitcher restrictions.

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Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., meets with reporters as Republicans struggle with a plan to address growing health care costs, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Speaker Johnson was ready to move on from ACA subsidies. But his members had other plans

December 18, 2025

Speaker Mike Johnson has stayed on message that a Republican health care package will help all Americans and not just those on Affordable Care Act plans. But the rest of his party has not. Four Republicans broke with the Republican leadership this week and signed onto a Democratic discharge petition that guarantees that the House will vote on extending the ACA subsidies sometime in January. The Republican revolt was a result of Johnson not allowing a vote on any ACA subsidy extension and for Democrats was vindication of a months-long strategy.

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President Donald Trump displays an executive order reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Trump signs executive order that could reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug

December 18, 2025

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that could reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug. This move could ease regulations and expand medical research by shifting marijuana from a Schedule I drug, like heroin, to a Schedule III substance, similar to ketamine. This change won’t legalize recreational use nationwide but may alter regulation and taxation. Former President Joe Biden’s Justice Department had also proposed reclassifying marijuana, but Trump’s order on Thursday could speed up the process,. Some Republicans oppose the change, arguing marijuana remains dangerous. Trump has focused on combating other drugs, like fentanyl, during his second term.

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President Donald Trump displays an executive order reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Cloud lifts over cannabis companies’ future amid push to reclassify the drug

December 18, 2025

Cannabis companies like Tilray Brands and Canopy Growth could soon face a more mellow path ahead following President Donald Trump’s move to help reclassify the drug’s status. The companies had a mostly muted reaction to Trump’s executive order, though the sector has been gaining ground since last week in anticipation of the move. Trump’s executive order would speed up the Drug Enforcement Administration’s process that would move the drug’s current classification as a Schedule I drug, alongside heroin and LSD. Cannabis would instead be a Schedule III substance, like ketamine and some anabolic steroids.

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FILE - Minnesota Timberwolves' Kevin Garnett, right, drives against Atlanta Hawks' Paul Millsap in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Minneapolis, Nov. 25, 2015. (AP Photo/Jim Mone, File)

Timberwolves formalize a reunion with Kevin Garnett, with a plan to finally retire his No. 21 jersey

December 18, 2025

Kevin Garnett will finally have his No. 21 formally retired by his original team, the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Timberwolves announced Thursday they’ve hired Garnett as a team ambassador with a plan to honor him in a jersey-raising ceremony on a future date. The fifth pick in the 1995 draft played the first 12 of his 21 NBA seasons for Minnesota before returning in 2015 for a farewell year. He has essentially been estranged from the organization because of a rift with former owner Glen Taylor. Taylor’s sale of the Timberwolves to Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez closed earlier this year.

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FILE - The WNBA logo is seen near a hoop before an WNBA basketball game at Mohegan Sun Arena, May 14, 2019, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill, File)

WNBA players union authorizes negotiators to call a strike if needed during CBA talks

December 18, 2025

The WNBA players have authorized their union’s executive council to call a strike if necessary. That’s according to an announcement Thursday by the WNBPA. The union and league have been negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement for the past few months, extending the deadline a couple of times with the latest one set to expire Jan. 9. This move gives union negotiators another tool to use in talks. The union said there was overwhelming support in the vote to allow the executive council to call for a strike when it sees fit. Players and owners have been negotiating regularly.

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FILE - A list of nine homicide victims all linked to a convicted felon is displayed by the Phoenix Police Department at a news conference, Jan. 18, 2018 in Phoenix. Cleophus Cooksey Jr. was charged and convicted in eight of the killings. (AP Photo/Terry Tang, File)

What to know about the Arizona serial killings that resulted in the death penalty

December 18, 2025

An Arizona man has been sentenced to death in a string of fatal shootings in metro Phoenix in 2017. Cleophus Cooksey Jr. was convicted in late September in eight killings. Jurors agreed on the death penalty in six of the killings but were undecided on the punishment in the deaths of Cooksey’s mother and stepfather. Prosecutors said Thursday they could seek the death penalty in a sentencing retrial or let a judge impose life sentences. Authorities never offered a motive for the attacks. Police have said Cooksey knew some of the victims but wasn’t acquainted with others. He had maintained his innocence throughout a monthslong trial.

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New York Mets pitcher Clay Holmes and wife Ashlyn, play Santa and Mrs. Claus during the baseball team’s holiday party, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Ronald Blum)

Holmes is sad to see Alonso, Díaz and Nimmo leave Mets but trusts front-office retool decisions

December 18, 2025

Clay Holmes is sad over the departure of New York Mets stars Pete Alonso, Edwin Díaz and Brendan Nimmo, noting their strong connection with fans. Alonso signed with Baltimore, Díaz joined the Dodgers and Nimmo was traded to Texas. Holmes, who is entering his second season with the Mets, will be joined by former Yankees closers Devin Williams and Luke Weaver. The Mets also have signed infielder Jorge Polanco. Holmes, who shifted to the starting rotation last season, is optimistic about the team’s direction despite the changes.

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President Donald Trump speaks during an address to the nation from the Diplomatic Reception Room at the White House, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, in Washington. (Doug Mills/The New York Times via AP, Pool)

Trump’s new $1,776 ‘Warrior Dividend’ to troops is coming from Pentagon funding, not tariffs

December 18, 2025

The “Warrior Dividend” that President Donald Trump announced Wednesday is not a Christmas bonus made possible by tariff revenues, as the president appeared to suggest during his televised address to the nation. Instead, his administration says the $1,776 payments to troops are coming from a congressionally approved housing supplement. It was a part of the tax cut extensions and expansions bill that Trump signed into law in July. Trump said the payments are already on the way to 1.45 million members of the military and suggested that tariffs were to thank for it. Trump has been teasing the idea of dividends since he first imposed his sweeping tariffs in April.

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Illinois panel’s first meeting over federal misconduct focuses on chemical agents

December 18, 2025

A commission formed to document alleged harassment and abuse by federal agents amid an immigration crackdown in the Chicago area has focused its first public hearing on the wide use of chemical agents. The meeting comes as a Border Patrol commander who was the face of the Chicago operation before leading similar crackdowns in North Carolina and Louisiana returned to the nation’s third-largest city. The commission was formed by Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker. It’s the latest resistance effort by Democratic states who say the federal intervention is discriminatory and an overreach.

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House backs bill to speed permitting reviews for new energy and infrastructure projects

December 18, 2025

The House has approved bipartisan legislation aimed at speeding up permitting reviews for new energy and infrastructure projects and limiting judicial review. The bill, known as the SPEED Act, would enact the most significant change in decades to the National Environmental Policy Act. That bedrock environmental law requires federal agencies to consider a project’s possible environmental impacts before it is approved. The bill was approved, 221-196, Thursday and now goes to the Senate. Republicans and many Democrats blame NEPA for red tape that routinely results in years-long delays for major projects. The House bill would place statutory limits on environmental review It also limits who can bring legal challenges and legal remedies that courts can impose.

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Tennessee governor pardons country star Jelly Roll, who has sought redemption from criminal past

December 18, 2025

Tennessee’s governor has pardoned country music star Jelly Roll, a Nashville native who for years has spoken about his criminal record and his path to finding redemption. Republican Gov. Bill Lee issued the pardon Thursday for the 41-year-old musician, whose legal name is Jason Deford. The state parole board made a nonbinding recommendation for the pardon in April. The rapper-turned-country singer has said it would make it easier for him to travel internationally to perform and share his message, after spending time behind bars when he was younger. Now, he often visits jails and rehabilitation centers before performing concerts.

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FILE - Cleophus Cooksey Jr., accused of killing eight people over a three-week span in late 2017, listens during his trial in Maricopa County Superior Court, May 5, 2025, in Phoenix, Ariz. (Mark Henle/The Arizona Republic via AP, Pool, File )

Arizona jury sentences man to death in string of killings in metro Phoenix during 2017

December 18, 2025

A jury has sentenced a man to death in six murders in metro Phoenix in 2017, but was undecided on the punishment for his convictions in the killings of his mother and stepfather. The punishment given to Cleophus Cooksey Jr. marks the end of a seven-month trial over attacks that targeted random victims and his own mother and stepfather. The jury delivered its sentencing decision on Thursday. Cooksey was found guilty in late September of murder in the killings. The victims included two men found dead in a parked car, a security guard shot while walking to his girlfriend’s apartment and a woman who was kidnapped, her body found in an alley after police say she was sexually assaulted. Cooksey has maintained his innocence.

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FILE -- A banner hangs during a ceremony announcing a proposed $300 million expansion of Google's data center operations Tuesday, June 2, 2015, in Lithia Springs, Ga. (AP Photo/David Goldman, file)

Feds pave the way for Big Tech to plug data centers right into power plants in scramble for energy

December 18, 2025

Federal regulators will allow tech companies to effectively plug massive data centers directly into power plants. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s order Thursday comes as the Trump administration urges it to help the U.S. lead the world in artificial intelligence. FERC’s order is designed to clear up pressing issues around so-called “colocation” agreements and targets the nation’s largest grid territory. But it could become a blueprint for how FERC handles a Trump administration request to ensure that data centers get power as quickly as possible. It also comes amid concerns that the mid-Atlantic territory will face electricity shortages, as the build out of data centers outpaces the speed of new power sources coming online.

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This illustration provided by NASA in December 2025 depicts the aftermath of a collision between two massive space rocks orbiting the star Fomalhaut. (NASA, ESA, STScI, Ralf Crawford, Space Telescope Science Institute via AP)

Hubble Space Telescope spies dusty debris from two cosmic collisions

December 18, 2025

NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope has gotten a rare peek at the aftermath of two cosmic collisions — and helped scientists solve a decades-old mystery. Many years ago, scientists saw a dense, bright spot near a young star and thought it could be a planet. After finding a second one, they realized it was actually the dusty debris from two cosmic crashes. Massive space rocks had slammed together to create clouds of dust that were thick enough to masquerade as planets. The new study was published Thursday in the journal Science.

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President Donald Trump finishes his remarks in an address to the nation from the Diplomatic Reception Room at the White House, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, in Washington. (Doug Mills/The New York Times via AP, Pool)

Trump’s handpicked board votes to rename Washington performing arts center the Trump-Kennedy Center

December 18, 2025

The White House says President Donald Trump’s handpicked board has voted to rename Washington’s leading performing arts center as the Trump-Kennedy Center. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced the vote on social media Thursday, saying it was because of the “unbelievable work” Trump has done over the last year in saving the building. Leavitt says that’s not only from the standpoint of its reconstruction “but also financially, and its reputation.” The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts was named by Congress.

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FILE - Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. stands on the sidelines during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Nov. 30, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger, File)

Anthony Richardson cleared to practice, but Colts plan to keep Philip Rivers as starting quarterback

December 18, 2025

The Indianapolis Colts have cleared quarterback Anthony Richardson to start practicing but will continue to keep Philip Rivers as the starter. The move opens the door for Richardson to return from injured reserve before the end of this season. But coach Shane Steichen said Thursday that Richardson wouldn’t be activated for Monday night’s crucial game against San Francisco. Richardson has been out since mid-October after fracturing an orbital bone near his eye during a freak accident in pregame warmups. Steichen said he was cleared because the bone has healed but that Richardson is still dealing with some vision limitations.

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FILE - DNC chair candidate Ken Martin speaks at the Democratic National Committee Winter Meeting in National Harbor, Md., Feb. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr., File)

Democrats keep 2024 election review under wraps, saying a public rehash won’t help them win in 2026

December 18, 2025

Democrats won’t issue a postelection report on their 2024 shellacking after all. The Democratic National Committee head has decided not to publish a formal assessment of the party’s defeat that returned Donald Trump to power and gave Republicans complete control in Washington. Ken Martin had ordered a thorough review of what went wrong and what could be done differently. Martin now says there’s no value in a public release of findings that he believes could lead to continued infighting and recriminations before the 2026 midterms when control of Congress will be at stake.

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Harrison Ford to receive SAG-AFTRA Life Achievement Award for his career and humanitarian work

December 18, 2025

Harrison Ford will receive a lifetime achievement award from SAG-AFTRA in March. The actor union’s president, Sean Astin, praised Ford on Thursday as a “singular presence” in American culture. The 83-year-old Ford has starred in iconic roles like Han Solo in “Star Wars” and Indiana Jones. His career spans six decades, also including roles in “Blade Runner” and on television. Ford has earned numerous accolades, including the Golden Globes Cecil B. DeMille Award. He expressed gratitude for the recognition from fellow actors. The award ceremony will stream live on Netflix from the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall.

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FILE - This photo provided by the New York State Sex Offender Registry shows Jeffrey Epstein, March 28, 2017. (New York State Sex Offender Registry via AP, File)

House Democrats release more photos from Epstein’s estate

December 18, 2025

House Democrats have released several dozen more photos from the estate of the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. They show his associations with the rich and famous. The Department of Justice faces a deadline to release many of its case files on the late financier by the end of the week. The photos released were among more than 95,000 that the House Oversight Committee has received after issuing a subpoena for the photos that Epstein had in his possession before he died in a New York jail cell in 2019. Anticipation about what those files will show is running high after they have been the subject of conspiracy theories and speculation about his friendships with President Donald Trump, former President Bill Clinton, the former Prince Andrew, and others.

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Jake Paul, left, and Anthony Joshua face off during a news conference promoting their upcoming heavyweight boxing match, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, in Miami Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua have a lot to lose in Netflix bout

December 18, 2025

Jake Paul proudly boasts he has become the face of boxing during the past decade. Now the YouTuber-turned-fighter is ready to embark on his riskiest ring venture yet after 13 professional fights featuring a cross section of opponents that lack the active status and talent of his next rival. Paul will fight two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua on Friday night at the Kaseya Center, home of the NBA’s Miami Heat. The scheduled eight-round bout will be streamed on Netflix without the pay-per-view designation. The Olympic gold medal winner Joshua understands his perceived role as a boxing savior against the controversial Paul.

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FILE - A view of the E. Barrett Prettyman U.S. Courthouse in Washington, Sept. 22, 2014. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

Mexican drug cartel member accused of faking his death is sentenced to 11-plus years in US prison

December 18, 2025

A Mexican drug cartel member accused of faking his death to avoid capture has been sentenced to more than 11 years in U.S. prison. The sentence handed down Thursday by a federal judge in Washington was for Cristian Fernando Gutierrez-Ochoa’s money laundering role in one of his home country’s largest and most violent narcotics trafficking organizations. He was living in California under a phony identity when he was arrested last year. He pleaded guilty in June to conspiring to launder millions of dollars in drug trafficking proceeds.

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Secretary of State Marco Rubio walks to a secure room in the basement of the Capitol to brief senators on military strikes near Venezuela, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Rubio hits 2 more International Criminal Court judges with sanctions over Israel prosecutions

December 18, 2025

President Donald Trump’s administration has imposed sanctions on two more International Criminal Court judges over their role in investigating Israeli officials for possible war crimes. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday he had designated the judges for penalties that can include a freezing of assets in U.S. jurisdictions and a ban on travel to the U.S. The two are the latest in a series of ICC judges and staffers to be targeted by the Republican administration for approving or advancing criminal complaints about Israel and the United States, which aren’t members of the court. The ICC calls the move “a flagrant attack against the independence of an impartial judicial institution.”

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FILE - New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani listens as President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

Mamdani has a place in NYC history. But which place in a centuries-long list of mayors?

December 18, 2025

Zohran Mamdani can claim multiple firsts when he becomes New York’s mayor Jan. 1. He’s the first Muslim and first person of South Asian heritage elected to the office. Now he’s also poised to shape city history by being the 112th mayor, rather than 111th. That’s because a longstanding record-keeping oversight recently got attention. Essentially, the city government’s widely used list of mayors undercounted Matthias Nicolls, who was mayor for two nonconsecutive terms in the 1670s. After a tip from a historian, a city archivist looked into the matter and concluded that it appears Mamdani should be counted as the 112th mayor. Mamdani says he’s excited to be mayor, whatever the number.

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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) celebrates after sacking Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, and forcing a fumble, which led to a touchdown, during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Dry needling is common around the NFL, and players aren’t worried despite Watt’s collapsed lung

December 18, 2025

NFL players say they will continue with dry-needling sessions despite a recent incident involving the Pittsburgh Steelers’ T.J. Watt. Watt suffered a partially collapsed lung during the procedure and is out indefinitely. Dry needling is used by physical therapists to treat pain and movement issues by inserting needles into muscles. It’s part of a larger pain management plan and can increase blood flow and release endorphins. NFL players like Trey McBride, Drew Dalman and Bobby Okereke use it for relief from muscle tension. Despite some concerns, many players plan to continue using the treatment.

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FILE - Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks during a news conference on the Autism report by the CDC at the Hubert Humphrey Building Auditorium in Washington, April 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, file)

Trump administration moves to cut off transgender care for children

December 18, 2025

U.S. officials are proposing new restrictions that would effective ban gender-affirming care for minors. The announcement from Department of Health and Human Services is the latest step by the Trump administration cracking down on transgender Americans. The sweeping proposals include cutting off federal Medicaid and Medicare funding from hospitals that provide gender-affirming care to children. The proposals are not final or legally binding. They must go through a lengthy rulemaking process and are likely to face legal challenges. They also contradict the recommendations of major medical groups including the American Medical Association.

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Luigi Mangione appears in Manhattan Criminal Court, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in New York. (William Farrington /New York Post via AP, Pool)

Judge says he’ll rule in May on Luigi Mangione’s fight to exclude evidence from NY murder trial

December 18, 2025

Luigi Mangione’s pretrial hearing has wrapped up with a judge saying he plans to rule in May on what evidence prosecutors will be able to use in his New York trial for the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Prosecutors rested their case Thursday after calling nearly 20 witnesses over three weeks, many of them police officers involved in Mangione’s December 2024 arrest in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Mangione’s lawyers opted not to call any witnesses. Carro gave Mangione’s lawyers until Jan. 29 and prosecutors until March 5 to make written submissions summarizing their arguments. The judge said he’ll rule on May 18.

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Students work together on a science, technology, engineering and mathematics challenge, facilitated by the Kentucky Science Center, in Simpsonville Elementary School, Nov. 18, 2025, in Simpsonville, Ky. (AP Photo/Jon Cherry)

Rural schools hit by Trump’s grant cuts have few options for making up for the lost money

December 18, 2025

Many rural school districts around the United States are having a hard time making up for federal grant money that’s been cut by the Trump administration. Federal dollars make up roughly 10% of education spending nationally. The percentage is significantly higher in rural districts, which aren’t able to raise as much money on property taxes. The administration has withheld or discontinued millions of dollars for programs supporting mental health, academic enrichment and teacher development. Administration officials say the grants don’t focus on academics and they prop up diversity or inclusion efforts that run counter to White House priorities.

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Hiring sign is displayed at a grocery store, in Glenview, Ill., Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

US jobless claim applications fell by 13,000 last week as layoffs remain low

December 18, 2025

U.S. applications for unemployment benefits fell by 13,000 last week, remaining in the same historically healthy range of the past few years even as concerns grow about the health of the labor market. The number of Americans applying for jobless claims for the week ending Dec. 13 declined by 13,000 to 224,000 from the previous week’s 237,000, the Labor Department reported Thursday. That’s more than analysts’ forecast of 200,000 new applications. 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.

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FILE - People look up to the sky from an observatory near the village of Avren, Bulgaria, Aug. 12, 2009. (AP Photo/Petar Petrov, File)

Catch the Ursid meteor shower as it peaks just before Christmas

December 18, 2025

The Ursid meteor shower is bringing fiery streaks to nighttime and early morning skies. The Ursids peak on Sunday night into Monday morning and will be visible through Dec. 26. This shower is more subdued compared to others earlier this year, but experts say it’s still worth a glimpse. The American Meteor Society says skygazers can expect to see five to 10 meteors per hour during the peak and there’s a possibility for outbursts of up to 25 meteors per hour. Meteor showers appear when fast-moving space rocks enter Earth’s atmosphere and burn up, leaving behind fiery tails.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles answers a question during a news conference after an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said his slumping team ‘got the message’ from his angry postgame rant

December 18, 2025

Todd Bowles delivered a message to his team with an uncharacteristic profanity-laced reaction during a postgame news conference after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers blew a 14-point fourth-quarter lead last week. Whether it impacts the team’s performance will be known Sunday. The Buccaneers (7-7) have lost five of six and six of eight heading into a showdown for first place in the NFC South against the Carolina Panthers (7-7). Bowles lashed out at his team directly and in a news conference after the Bucs wasted a 28-14 lead and lost 29-28 to the Atlanta Falcons last Thursday night.

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President Donald Trump speaks during an address to the nation from the Diplomatic Reception Room at the White House, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, in Washington. (Doug Mills/The New York Times via AP, Pool)

US announces massive package of arms sales to Taiwan valued at more than $10 billion

December 18, 2025

The Trump administration has announced a massive package of arms sales to Taiwan valued at more than $10 billion, including medium-range missiles, howitzers and drones. The statement drew an angry response from China. The State Department announced the sales late Wednesday during a nationally televised address by President Donald Trump, who made scant mention of foreign policy issues and did not speak to trade or other issues with China. The eight arms sales agreements cover 82 high-mobility artillery rocket systems and 420 Army Tactical Missile Systems, similar to what the U.S. had been providing Ukraine during the Biden administration to defend itself from Russia. Those systems are worth more than $4 billion.

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