Israel attacks Iran's nuclear and missile sites with explosions booming across Tehran

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Israel has attacked Iran’s capital  in strikes that targeted the country’s nuclear program and raised the potential for an all-out war between the two bitter Middle East adversaries. It appeared to be the most significant attack Iran has faced since its 1980s war with Iraq. Multiple sites around the country were hit, including Iran’s main nuclear enrichment facility, where black smoke could be seen rising into the air. The leader of Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, Gen. Hossein Salami, was confirmed dead, a development that would be a body blow to Tehran’s governing theocracy and an immediate escalation of the nations’ long-simmering conflict. Top military officials and scientists were also believed killed.

Appeals court temporarily blocks judge's ruling to return control of National Guard to California

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has temporarily blocked a federal judge’s order that directed President Donald Trump to return control of National Guard troops to California after he deployed them there following protests in Los Angeles over immigration raids. The court said it would hold a hearing on the matter on Tuesday. The ruling came only hours after a federal judge’s order was to take effect at noon Friday. Earlier Thursday, U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer ruled the Guard deployment was illegal and both violated the Tenth Amendment and exceeded Trump’s statutory authority. The order applied only to the National Guard troops and not Marines who were also deployed to the LA protests.

Homeland Security secretary pledges to carry on with Trump’s immigration crackdown

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is promising to move forward with the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown in Los Angeles despite the waves of unrest. Noem spoke Thursday, hours before a judge directed the president to return control to California over National Guard troops he deployed after protests erupted over the immigration crackdown. But the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals quickly put the brakes on that and temporarily blocked the judge's order, which was to go into effect on Friday. The judge’s order said the Guard deployment was illegal and both violated the Tenth Amendment and exceeded President Donald Trump’s statutory authority.

Fiery Air India crash kills 241 people aboard, leaving 1 survivor, airline says

AHMEDABAD, India (AP) — Air India says all but one of the 242 people aboard a flight bound for London have died in a crash in Ahmedabad. One passenger who was thrown from the plane survived. The Air India passenger plane bound for London crashed into a medical college shortly after takeoff Thursday. Black smoke billowed from the site where the plane crashed and burst into flames near the airport. An unknown number of people on the ground were killed in the crash. Vidhi Chaudhary, a top state police officer in the northwestern city, said the toll on the ground included medical students in a college hostel when the plane hit the building.

Gov. Abbott deploys over 5,000 Texas National Guard troops ahead of planned 'No Kings' protests

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says he has ordered the deployment of more than 5,000 Texas National Guard troops across the state, along with more than 2,000 state police. Abbott said Thursday the troops and state police will help local law enforcement manage protests against President Donald Trump and ongoing federal immigration raids. Abbott's statement does not detail where the Guard troops have been sent. Some were seen at a protest Wednesday night in downtown San Antonio. More protests are planned for Saturday in cities such as Houston, Austin and Dallas as part of the national “No Kings” movement.

House approves Trump's request to cut funding for NPR, PBS and foreign aid

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House has voted to cut about $9.4 billion in spending as President Donald Trump’s administration looks to follow through on work done by the Department of Government Efficiency when it was overseen by Elon Musk. The package narrowly passed Thursday targets foreign aid programs and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which provides money for National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service as well as thousands of public radio and television stations around the country. The vote was 214-212. Republicans are characterizing the spending as wasteful and unnecessary, but Democrats say the rescissions are hurting the United States’ standing around the world.

The Latest: Israel attacks Iran

Israel attacked Iran’s capital early Friday, in strikes that targeted the country’s nuclear program and raised the potential for a larger war between the two bitter adversaries. An Israeli military official said that the Israeli Air Force targeted Iranian nuclear and military sites, without identifying them. The official spoke to journalists on condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing operation.

Weinstein case judge declares mistrial on remaining rape charge as jury foreperson won’t deliberate

NEW YORK (AP) — Harvey Weinstein’s New York sex crimes retrial has come to a disjointed end. The jury foreperson declined to deliberate Thursday, and the judge declared a mistrial on a remaining rape charge. The case has been seen as a bellwether of the #MeToo era. On Wednesday Weinstein was convicted of one of the top charges but acquitted of another. Both concerned accusations of forcing oral sex on women in 2006. Those verdicts still stand. The ex-studio boss faces a third New York trial on the rape count and a new sentencing on his sexual assault conviction. Weinstein denies all the charges.

Sean 'Diddy' Combs' lawyer complains about trial secrecy as a famous rapper's name goes unmentioned

NEW YORK (AP) — A lawyer for Sean “Diddy” Combs is protesting the rising tide of secrecy at the hip-hop icon's sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy trial after Combs and the public were excluded from lengthy legal arguments. Attorney Marc Agnifilo complained to Judge Arun Subramanian after Combs was left out of an hour-long robing room meeting Thursday, delaying testimony by a key witness by nearly two hours. Agnifilo said the need for a public trial was “an important issue, a constitutional issue” and objected to so much happening out of the earshot of his client. Combs has pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking charges.

At least 5 dead and 2 missing in San Antonio after heavy rains flood parts of Texas

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — At least five people are dead in San Antonio after heavy rains flooded highways and stranded motorists. Fire officials said they are still searching Thursday for two people who are missing. Crews made dozens of water rescues after heavy rains flooded roads and stranded motorists. San Antonio police say calls for water rescues began shortly before sunrise. Fire officials say they made 70 water rescues throughout the San Antonio area. A National Weather Service meteorologist says the flooding occurred after a round of slow-moving showers and thunderstorms during the early morning hours Thursday.