Western embassies in Kyiv; Trump continues filling key posts

Hot Off The Wire

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The U.S. and some other Western embassies in Kyiv are staying closed Wednesday for security reasons, with the American delegation saying it had received a warning of a potentially significant Russian air attack on the Ukrainian capital. The precautionary step came after Russian officials promised a response to President Joe Biden’s decision to let Ukraine strike targets on Russian soil with U.S.-made missiles — a move that angered the Kremlin. The U.S. Embassy said its closure and attack warning were issued in the context of ongoing Russian missile and drone attacks on Kyiv and anticipated a quick return to regular operations. The Italian and Greek embassies also shut to the public for the day, but the British government said its embassy remained open.

SEATTLE (AP) — A major storm was sweeping across the northwest U.S., battering the region with strong winds and rain. It caused widespread power outages and downed trees that killed at least one person.

BAKU, Azerbaijan (AP) — A new study says human-caused climate change made Atlantic hurricanes about 18 mph stronger in the last six years. Wednesday's study says most storms gained so much strength due to warmer waters from climate change that they jumped an entire hurricane category, which means much more damage caused.

President-elect Donald Trump is filling key posts in his second administration, putting an emphasis so far on people who were his strongest backers during the 2024 campaign. On Tuesday, he announced professional wrestling mogul Linda McMahon for education secretary, Wall Street executive Howard Lutnick for commerce secretary and TV doctor Mehmet Oz as his choice to oversee the Medicaid and Medicare programs.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Susan Smith will ask a parole board in South Carolina for her freedom for the first time on Wednesday. The 53-year-old rolled her car into a lake in 1994 with her 3-year-old and 14-month-old sons still strapped inside.

BALTIMORE (AP) — President Joe Biden’s pending request to Congress for nearly $100 billion in emergency disaster aid includes money to rebuild Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge after its deadly collapse in March. Maryland’s congressional delegation is also working to secure 100% federal funding to cover the nearly $2 billion in estimated reconstruction costs.

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) — Police in Pakistan have arrested a man accused of insulting Islam’s holy book after being alerted that a mob wanted to lynch him.

In other news:

• GOP senators divided on release of Gaetz ethics report as Trump pressures them to move quickly.
• Woman testified that she saw Matt Gaetz having sex with 17-year-old, attorney says.
• House Republicans signal support for proposal to ban bathroom access for 1st transgender member.
• Prosecutors tell New York judge they oppose any effort to dismiss President-elect Donald Trump's hush money conviction.
• FEMA administrator says she supports investigation of alleged Trump bias in relief efforts.
• Jersey Mike's sandwich chain is acquired by private equity firm Blackstone for $8 billion.
• NYC issues first drought warning in 22 years, pauses aqueduct repairs to bring in more water.
• Morgan Wallen leads nominations for CMA Awards.
• Arthur Frommer, travel guide innovator, has died at 95.
• The Cavaliers are no longer unbeaten, Marquette tops Purdue in college hoopes, the 2024 Major League managers of the year have been crowned and the NHL's Jets end their skid.
• Foreign governments criticize Hong Kong's sentencing of 45 activists. Beijing defends it.
• Tampa Bay Rays say new St. Pete stadium is unlikely to be ready for 2028 season, if at all.
• Big money to respond to climate change is key to UN talks in Baku. How can nations raise it.
• Iran has increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels, UN says.

—The Associated Press

About this program

Host Terry Lipshetz is managing editor of the national newsroom for Lee Enterprises. Besides producing the daily Hot off the Wire news podcast, Terry conducts periodic interviews for this Behind the Headlines program, co-hosts the Streamed & Screened movies and television program and is the former producer of Across the Sky, a podcast dedicated to weather and climate.

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