Comey pleads not guilty, Ukraine’s Donetsk region, aid cuts in Myanmar

Your afternoon news update

ADVERTISEMENT View in Browser | APNews DONATE View in Browser | APNews DONATE AP Afternoon Wire Advancing the Power of Facts Policy changes, but facts endure. AP delivers accurate, fact-based journalism to keep the world informed in every administration. Support independent reporting today. Donate. By Sallee Ann Harrison October 08, 2025 By Sallee Ann Harrison October 08, 2025 Good afternoon and welcome to your afternoon news update from AP. Today, former FBI Director James Comey pleads not guilty in a criminal case, the significance of Ukraine's Doetsk region to Russia, and how U.S. aid cuts are affecting Myanmar.  UP FIRST This courtroom sketch depicts former FBI Director James Comey, second from left, and his attorneys during his arraignment at the federal courthouse in Alexandria, Va., on Wednesday. (Dana Verkouteren via AP) Comey pleads not guilty as lawyers signal intent to argue the case is politically motivated  James Comey pleaded not guilty Wednesday in a criminal case that has highlighted the Justice Department's efforts to target adversaries of President Donald Trump, with lawyers for the former FBI director saying they plan to argue the prosecution is politically motivated and should be dismissed. Read more. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Trump says Illinois governor and Chicago mayor should be jailed as they oppose Guard deployment Trump's $100,000 H-1B visa fee threatens rural schools and hospitals reliant on immigrant workers WATCH: How is Trump's use of the National Guard testing presidential power? TOP STORIES Ukraine's Donetsk region seen as Russia's gateway, not the ultimate prize in war For more than a decade, Russian aggression has made Ukraine's Donetsk region synonymous with war. It's both a symbol of Kyiv's resistance and a gauge of the conflict's progress. Analysts say control of Donetsk isn't Russian President Vladimir Putin's ultimate goal, but that securing the region would provide a gateway to other parts of the country. Read more. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Russian strike seriously damages Ukrainian power plant as winter approaches, officials say Russia hosts Taliban delegation and warns against foreign military presence in Afghanistan EU chief says Russia is waging a 'gray zone campaign' and Europe must meet the challenge Starving children screaming for food as US aid cuts unleash devastation and death across Myanmar Myanmar once counted the U.S. as its largest humanitarian donor. Now, in Asia, it has become the epicenter of the suffering unleashed upon the world's most vulnerable by President Donald Trump's dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development. A statement from the State Department that did not address most of AP's questions said the U.S. "continues to stand with the people of Burma," using another name for Myanmar. Read more. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Myanmar's military strikes village in glider raid, killing at least 24 people including children ADVERTISEMENT IN OTHER NEWS An aerial view shows the devastation left by the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles on Jan. 27. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) Palisades fire: Authorities make an arrest related to deadly January wildfire that leveled LA neighborhoods World's oldest head of state: Cameroon's 92-year-old president makes rare public appearance to campaign for reelection Politician attacked: Daughter suspected in an attack on a newly elected mayor in Germany Uvalde school shooting: Trials delayed for 2 Uvalde school police officers, 1 to be moved out of town Obit: Joan Kennedy, first wife of Sen. Edward Kennedy, has died $800,000 prize: This year's MacArthur Foundation's 'genius' award winners hold a mirror up to our world WATCH: Scare school trains actors to terrify haunted house visitors TRENDING A blue jay appears on a feeder in Maryland in May 2020. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) As the garden winds down, it's time to care for winter-prepping birds When fall descends and the garden slows down, birds could use some extra help. That's true whether they're migrating south or roughing out northern winters. Gardeners are in a unique position to provide birds sustenance beyond bird feeders. Please let us know what you think of this newsletter. You can sign up for more and invite a friend here. For news in real time visit APNews.com. - Sallee Ann Please let us know what you think of this newsletter. You can sign up for more and invite a friend here. For news in real time visit APNews.com. - Sallee Ann SUPPORT THE AP. DONATE. Manage preferences | Privacy policy | Unsubscribe   *Advertisers have no control over editorial decisions or content. If you're interested in advertising, contact us here. ADVERTISEMENT