AP News Summary at 10:49 p.m. EDT
Israel says two Americans held hostage by Hamas, a mother and daughter, have been released
KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — The Israeli government said Hamas militants on Friday freed two Americans. Judith Raanan and her 17-year-old daughter, Natalie, are from suburban Chicago. They had been held hostage in Gaza since militants rampaged through Israel two weeks ago. The pair, who also hold Israeli citizenship, were the first hostages to be released of the roughly 200 people who were abducted. Hamas said it released them for humanitarian reasons in an agreement with the Qatari government. Relatives of other captives appealed for more to be freed. The release comes amid growing expectations of an Israeli ground offensive into Gaza and as authorities inched closer to bringing aid from Egypt to聽desperate Gazan families and hospitals.
House Republicans drop Jim Jordan as their nominee for speaker, stumbling back to square one
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans have dropped Jim Jordan as their nominee for House speaker, setting them back to square one with no clear plan ahead. This comes after Jordan failed Friday in a third try for the speaker’s gavel. Frustrated and angry Republicans sank further into turmoil with no idea how to end the crisis created after hardliners ousted Kevin McCarthy. Despite Jordan’s backing from Donald Trump, opposition to him only grew. More than two dozen centrist Republicans revolted over the Ohio congressman’s nomination and the hardball tactics being used to win them over. Some have received death threats. Next steps are uncertain as Republicans start pitching new candidates for speaker.
Biden asks Congress to secure $105 billion for Ukraine, Israel, the border and more
WASHINGTON (AP) — Congressional chaos and opposition will be a hurdle for President Joe Biden as he pushes for $105 billion in funding for Israel, Ukraine, border security, humanitarian assistance and countering China. Friday’s announcement follows Biden’s Oval Office address the night before, when he made the case for deepening U.S. support for its allies in the midst of two wars. National security adviser Jake Sullivan says the Democratic president’s budget request “is critical to advancing America’s national security and ensuring the safety of the American people.” But the chances of progress on Capitol Hill are in doubt because of political resistance and Republican infighting that has left the House of Representatives at a standstill.
Hunter Biden prosecutor to appear for closed-door congressional testimony, AP sources say
WASHINGTON (AP) — The special counsel overseeing the Hunter Biden investigation is expected to testify before a Congressional committee behind closed doors as a GOP probe into the Justice Department’s handling of the case continues to unfold. In a rare step, David Weiss is set to appear for transcribed interview before members of the House Judiciary Committee on Nov. 7. His appearance was confirmed to the The Associated Press Friday by two people familiar with the matter. It comes months after whistleblowers claimed as part of a GOP probe that the investigation into the president’s son was “slow walked” and mishandled. Weiss has denied one of the more explosive allegations by saying in writing that he had final say over the case.
Judge fines Donald Trump $5,000 after post maligning court staffer is found on campaign website
NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump has been fined $5,000 after his disparaging social media post about a key court staffer in his New York civil fraud trial lingered on his campaign website for weeks after the judge ordered it deleted. Judge Arthur Engoron avoided holding Trump in contempt but reserved the right to do so — and possibly even put him in jail — if he continued to violate a gag order barring parties in the case from personal attacks on court staff. Engoron said in a written ruling Friday that he decided on a nominal fine because it was a “first time violation” and Trump’s lawyers said the website’s retention of the post was inadvertent.
Lawyer Kenneth Chesebro pleads guilty over efforts to overturn Trump’s 2020 loss in Georgia
ATLANTA (AP) — Lawyer Kenneth Chesebro has pleaded guilty to a felony just as jury selection was getting underway in his trial on charges accusing him of participating in efforts to overturn Donald Trump’s loss in Georgia’s 2020 election. Chesebro was charged alongside the Republican ex-president and 17 others with violating the state’s anti-racketeering law. Chesebro pleaded guilty Friday, a day after fellow attorney Sidney Powell entered her own guilty plea to six misdemeanor counts. Chesebro was sentenced to five years’ probation and 100 hours of community service and was ordered to pay $5,000 in restitution, write an apology letter to Georgia’s residents and testify truthfully at any related future trial.
Mike Pence faces a cash shortage and questions about how much longer his 2024 campaign can survive
NEW YORK (AP) — Former Vice President Mike Pence’s campaign is in dire financial straits. He ended September with just $1.18 million cash-on-hand, according to recent filings, and owed $621,000 in debt. Pence has also failed to gain traction in a race that has been dominated by his former boss-turned-rival, Donald Trump, polling in the low single digits. With three months to go before the Iowa caucuses that he has staked his campaign on, the mounting debt and lagging polls are forcing difficult questions about not only whether Pence will qualify for the next debate, but whether it makes sense for him to remain in the race until then.
Belgian minister quits after ‘monumental error’ let Tunisian shooter slip through extradition net
BRUSSELS (AP) — Belgium’s justice minister has resigned after it was discovered that Tunisia was seeking the extradition last year of an Islamic extremist who shot dead two Swedes and wounded a third this week. Abdesalem Lassoued was fatally shot after gunning down the men with a semiautomatic rifle on Monday night. The attack forced the lockdown of more than 35,000 people in a soccer stadium where they had gathered to watch Belgium play Sweden. Justice Minister Vincent Van Quickenborne said Friday that Tunisia had sought the shooter’s arrest last year, and that through a “monumental error” Belgian authorities had failed to act upon the demand.
A slain Maryland judge presided over the divorce case of man identified as a suspect in his killing
HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) — Authorities say a Maryland judge who was shot to death in the driveway of his home had presided over the divorce case of a man now identified as a suspect in the killing. Washington County Sheriff Brian Albert said Friday that authorities are “actively working” to apprehend Pedro Argote in the shooting of Maryland Circuit Court Judge Andrew Wilkinson. Wilkinson was 52. He was found with gunshot wounds around 8 p.m. Thursday outside his Hagerstown home. Wilkinson was taken to Meritus Medical Center, where he died. Albert says the 49-year-old Argote was still at large and should be considered “armed and dangerous.” Albert said the judge had given custody of Argote’s children to his wife at a hearing earlier Thursday – and that was the motive for the killing.
There isn’t much Cher hasn’t done in her career. A Christmas album is new territory, though
LOS ANGELES (AP) — There isn’t much Cher hasn’t done in her career. She’s achieved EGOT status. She’s the only artist to have a No. 1 song in each of the past six decades. She’s even got her own gelato business, Cherlato. But a Christmas album? That’s new territory. Her new first album in five years, the appropriately titled “Christmas,” releases Friday. On “Christmas,” Cher enlists an all-star list of collaborators. There’s Cyndi Lauper, Stevie Wonder, Darlene Love, Michael Bubl茅, and even the rapper Tyga. She also discussed 25 years of “Believe,” artificial intelligence technology, and whether she’s ready to act again.