The US election was largely trouble-free, but a flood of misinformation raises future concerns

WASHINGTON (AP) — A relatively trouble-free presidential election was good news for those working to restore faith in the system. Less encouraging was a flood of misinformation that sought to undermine trust in voting and sow chaos, something experts say is likely to get worse in the years ahead. The most significant test for officials on Election Day was a series of bomb threats reported in five battleground states. Russia was particularly audacious, creating and spreading staged videos that aimed to smear Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. Experts say America’s adversaries are playing a long game, using disinformation to undermine Americans’ confidence in their own country and gradually diminish U.S. power.

The story of how Trump went from diminished ex-president to a victor once again

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — With his commanding victory over Kamala Harris, Donald Trump has achieved a stunning political comeback that seemed unimaginable after his refusal to accept his loss in the 2020 election ended with his supporters violently storming the Capitol. Trump, through sheer force of will, an enduring hold on his base and a campaign operation far savvier than past iterations, managed to turn his woes into fuel that channeled voters’ anger. He seized on widespread discontent over the direction of a country battered by years of high inflation. And he spoke to a new generation — using podcasts and social media — to tell those who felt forgotten that he shared their disdain for the status quo.

Justice Department brings criminal charges in Iranian murder-for-hire plan targeting Donald Trump

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department has unsealed criminal charges in a thwarted Iranian plot to kill President-elect Donald Trump before this week’s presidential election. A criminal complaint filed in federal court in Manhattan alleges that an unnamed official in Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard instructed a contact this past September to put together a plan to surveil and ultimately kill Trump. The plot reflects what federal officials have described as ongoing efforts by Iran to target U.S. government officials, including Trump, on U.S. soil. The charges were unsealed Friday, just days after Trump’s defeat of Democrat Kamala Harris,

Judge cancels court deadlines in Trump’s 2020 election case after his presidential win

WASHINGTON (AP) — The judge overseeing Donald Trump’s 2020 election interference case has canceled any remaining court deadlines after prosecutors said they need time to assess “the appropriate course going forward” after the Republican’s presidential victory this week. Smith’s team has been evaluating how to wind down the two federal cases before the president-elect takes office in light of longstanding Justice Department policy that says sitting presidents cannot be prosecuted, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press on Wednesday. In a court filing Friday in Trump’s election interference case, Smith’s team said it needs “time to assess this unprecedented circumstance and determine the appropriate course going forward consistent with Department of Justice policy.”

Trump put Elon Musk on phone with Ukraine’s Zelenskyy during congratulatory call, official says

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump put billionaire Elon Musk on the line with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy when the Ukrainian leader called to congratulate the incoming U.S. president. That’s according to a Ukrainian official with direct knowledge of the phone call on Wednesday who was not authorized to comment on the matter publicly. The official confirmed that Zelenskyy and Musk spoke during the call with Trump, but Musk did not appear to be on the line for the entire conversation. The presence of Musk on the call highlights his influence in the president-elect’s circle. Trump’s interactions with Zelenskyy are being closely watched as he has signaled a shift in Washington’s steadfast support for Ukraine against Russia’s nearly three-year-old invasion.

FBI, Justice Department investigating racist mass texts sent following the election

WASHINGTON (AP) — Several federal and state agencies are investigating how racist mass texts were sent to Black people across the country in the wake of the presidential election this week. The messages invoking slavery raised alarm across the country this week after they were sent to Black men, women and students, including middle schoolers, prompting inquiries by the FBI and other agencies. Experts say the culprit likely took advantage of a bulk-messaging industry designed to help legitimate marketers reach people on their phones. Phone service provider TextNow said that “one or more” of its accounts were used to send the text messages and that it quickly disabled those accounts for violating its terms of service.

Israeli soccer fans were attacked in Amsterdam. The violence was condemned as antisemitic

AMSTERDAM (AP) — Dutch authorities say Israeli fans were assaulted after a soccer game in Amsterdam by hordes of young people apparently riled up by calls on social media to target Jewish people. Five people were treated at hospitals and dozens were arrested after the attacks, which were condemned as antisemitic by authorities in Amsterdam, Israel and across Europe. Reports of antisemitic speech, vandalism and violence have been on the rise in Europe since the start of the war in Gaza, and tensions mounted in Amsterdam ahead of Thursday night’s match between the Dutch team Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators were banned by local authorities from gathering outside the stadium, and video showed Israeli fans chanting anti-Arab slogans on their way to the game.

Southern California firefighters gain ground over wildfire thanks to decreased winds

CAMARILLO, Calif. (AP) — Southern California firefighters have gained ground against a wildfire that has destroyed at least 132 structures, mostly houses, as favorable conditions were expected to continue through the weekend after two days of dangerous gusty winds. Forecasters expect light winds over the weekend that will continue to aid firefighters. Meteorologists are monitoring a weather system that could hit Southern California next week but it is not expected to bring another round of extreme winds like earlier this week. Ventura County Sheriff James Fryhoff said Friday that 3,500 houses have been repopulated, but residents of 2,000 homes still have not been able to go back.

India’s ban on Salman Rushdie ‘The Satanic Verses’ may end — thanks to missing paperwork

NEW DELHI (AP) — The decadeslong ban of Salman Rushdie’s “The Satanic Verses” in his native India is now in doubt. That’s not because of a change of heart more than two years after the author’s near-fatal stabbing, but because of what amounts to some missing paperwork. Earlier this week, a court in Delhi closed proceedings on a petition filed five years ago that challenged the then-government’s decision to ban the import of the 1988 novel. “The Satanic Verses” had enraged Muslims worldwide because of its alleged blasphemy. In a ruling issued Tuesday, judges contended that authorities had failed to produce the notification of the ban. The petitioner’s lawyer says his client was motivated by being an avid reader.

Beyoncé leads the 2025 Grammy noms, becoming the most nominated artist in the show’s history

NEW YORK (AP) — The 2025 Grammy Award nominations are here. Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” rules the nation. She leads the nods with 11, bringing her career total to 99 nominations. That makes her the most-nominated artist in Grammy history. Trailing behind her with seven nominations each are Post Malone, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar and Charli XCX, who earned her first nominations as a solo artist. Taylor Swift and first-time nominees Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan boast of six nominations each. The 2025 Grammy Awards will air Feb. 2 live on CBS and Paramount+ from the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.