Associated Press, Author at News-Press NOW

ICE activity increases in Maine as anxiety grows in immigrant communities

January 21, 2026 4:56 pm Associated Press

By PATRICK WHITTLE and RODRIQUE NGOWI Associated Press PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The Trump administration is now targeting its mass deportation campaign on Maine, a state with relatively few residents in the United States illegally but a notable presence of African refugees in its largest cities. The Department of Homeland Security named the operation “Catch

Judge tosses lines of NYC’s only Republican House seat, as state enters redistricting wars

January 21, 2026 4:52 pm Associated Press

By ANTHONY IZAGUIRRE Associated Press ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A judge on Wednesday threw out the boundaries of the only congressional seat in New York City represented by a Republican, ordering the state to redraw the district on the grounds that its current composition unconstitutionally diluted the votes of Black and Hispanic residents. Republicans are

Judge strikes down boundaries of New York City’s only congressional district represented by a Republican

January 21, 2026 4:38 pm Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — Judge strikes down boundaries of New York City’s only congressional district represented by a Republican.

Bruce Lee play and Vocal Arts DC join growing list of Kennedy Center cancellations

January 21, 2026 4:21 pm Associated Press

By HILLEL ITALIE AP National Writer NEW YORK (AP) — The producers of a stage play inspired by the life of Bruce Lee and the musical presenters Vocal Arts DC are the latest members of the arts community to call off shows at the Kennedy Center. Lin-Manuel Miranda, Issa Rae, Bela Fleck are among the

How Duckwrth’s imaginary Grammy button led to a real Grammy nomination

January 21, 2026 3:57 pm Associated Press

By LESLIE AMBRIZ Associated Press LOS ANGELES (AP) — Duckwrth manifested a 2026 Grammy nomination for his album while in the recording studio. He just didn’t know it. The singer, songwriter and producer would pretend to press an imaginary Grammy button whenever he and his friends finished a new track. “It would be certain moments

A US shift marked Kurdish-led forces’ fall from power in Syria

January 21, 2026 3:22 pm Associated Press

By ABBY SEWELL Associated Press BEIRUT (AP) — Two tumultuous weeks saw the fall from power in Syria of the Kurdish-led force that was once the main U.S. partner there, as Washington shifts its backing to the country’s nascent government. Analysts say the Syrian Democratic Forces miscalculated, taking a hard stance in negotiations with the

Nebraska planning to move boys from troubled Kearney youth center to Omaha

January 21, 2026 2:55 pm Associated Press

By SARA GENTZLER/Flatwater Free Press Flatwater Free Press State leaders plan to move all boys out of Kearney’s state-run youth treatment center months after multiple allegations of sexual abuse there. The teens would go to what’s currently a youth prison in Omaha, as part of a wider plan to shuffle in-custody kids. State leaders assert

Former Iowa superintendent expected to plead guilty to falsely claiming US citizenship

January 21, 2026 2:31 pm Associated Press

By HANNAH FINGERHUT Associated Press DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The former superintendent of Iowa’s largest school district is expected to plead guilty Thursday in federal court to charges that he falsely claimed to be a U.S. citizen and illegally possessed firearms, a plea agreement shows. Ian Roberts had a two-decade long career as an

Trump pushes for lower rates and ban on investor home purchases in bid to make homes more affordable

January 21, 2026 12:59 pm Associated Press

By ALEX VEIGA AP Business Writer President Donald Trump ‘s plans for bringing homeownership within reach of more Americans involve pushing for lower interest rates on home loans and credit cards, and banning large institutional investors from buying single-family homes. In his address Wednesday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Trump outlined four

Russia watches US-European tensions over Greenland with glee, gloating and wariness

January 21, 2026 12:52 pm Associated Press

By DASHA LITVINOVA Associated Press As tensions simmered between the United States and Europe this week over President Donald Trump’s push to acquire Greenland, Russian officials, state-backed media and pro-Kremlin bloggers responded with a mixture of glee, gloating and wariness. Some touted Trump’s move as historic. Others said it weakens the European Union and NATO

Mexico’s president says it was ‘sovereign decision’ to send cartel members to US

January 21, 2026 12:51 pm Associated Press

By MEGAN JANETSKY Associated Press MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico sent 37 cartel members to the United States at the request of the U.S. Justice Department, with President Claudia Sheinbaum saying Wednesday that it was a “sovereign decision” by her government. Sheinbaum responded to criticism from analysts and opponents who said that the transfers on

‘Dior is back:’ Menswear turns a corner in Paris as Jonathan Anderson hones his vision

January 21, 2026 12:24 pm Associated Press

By THOMAS ADAMSON AP Fashion Writer PARIS (AP) — Dior ’s menswear show arrived with a stripped-back set and a loud signal of confidence: neon-yellow wigs that read like a flag of authority planted in the Paris runway, after a couple of runway wobbles from their new designer. In an annex of the Rodin Museum

Historic love letters from royals, rogues and romantics go on show at Britain’s National Archives

January 21, 2026 12:24 pm Associated Press

By JILL LAWLESS Associated Press LONDON (AP) — Love is, famously, a many-splendored thing. It can encompass longing, loneliness, pain, jealousy, grief — and, sometimes, joy. As Valentine’s Day approaches, the many facets of passion are going on display in “Love Letters,” a public exhibition at Britain’s National Archives that covers five centuries. Curator Victoria

Historic love letters from royals, rogues and romantics go on show at Britain’s National Archives

January 21, 2026 12:24 pm Associated Press

By JILL LAWLESS Associated Press LONDON (AP) — Love is, famously, a many-splendored thing. It can encompass longing, loneliness, pain, jealousy, grief — and, sometimes, joy. As Valentine’s Day approaches, the many facets of passion are going on display in “Love Letters,” a public exhibition at Britain’s National Archives that covers five centuries. Curator Victoria

Israeli fire strikes journalists and children on one of Gaza’s deadliest days since ceasefire

January 21, 2026 12:24 pm Associated Press

By SAMY MAGDY Associated Press CAIRO (AP) — Israeli forces on Wednesday killed at least 11 Palestinians in Gaza, including two 13-year-old boys, three journalists and a woman, hospitals said, on one of the war-battered enclave ‘s deadliest days since the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel took effect in October. The United States is trying

US military transfers first 150 Islamic State detainees from Syria to Iraq

January 21, 2026 12:16 pm Associated Press

By GHAITH ALSAYED, QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA and BASSEM MROUE Associated Press AL-HOL, Syria (AP) — The U.S. military said Wednesday it has started transferring detainees from the Islamic State group being held in northeastern Syria to secure facilities in Iraq. The move came after Syrian government forces took control of a sprawling camp, housing thousands of

In operatic dispute, Met Opera director and designers order names stripped from ‘Carmen’

January 21, 2026 12:16 pm Associated Press

By RONALD BLUM Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — In a dispute of operatic proportions, the production team of Bizet’s “Carmen” at the Metropolitan Opera ordered their names stripped from programs over a restaging decision, and the company intends to bring back sets of a retired 2009 version. Director Carrie Cracknell’s production opened on Dec.