Government shutdown, Tennessee explosion, Spain’s NATO membership

[AP Afternoon Wire]

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 Amy Langfield October 10, 2025 By Amy Langfield October 10, 2025 Good afternoon and welcome to your afternoon news update from AP. Today, firings of federal workers begin as White House seeks to pressure Democrats in government shutdown, many unresolved questions remain as a ceasefire begins in Gaza, and Spain’s defense minister has defended her country’s commitment to NATO after Trump floated the idea of expulsion. UP FIRST The U.S. Capitol is silhouetted by the stark glare of the morning sun as a government shutdown begins its tenth day, in Washington, Friday. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Firings of federal workers begin as White House seeks to pressure Democrats in government shutdown The White House budget office said Friday that mass firings of federal workers have started in an attempt to exert more pressure on Democratic lawmakers in the ongoing government shutdown. Read more. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Speaker Johnson keeps House lawmakers away, canceling another week’s session as shutdown drags Wall Street drops to its worst day since April after Trump’s threats of tariffs shatter its calm MIT president says she ‘cannot support’ proposal to adopt Trump priorities for funding benefits TOP STORIES Many unresolved questions remain as a ceasefire begins in Gaza Bombardment stopped and Israeli troops pulled back in Gaza on Friday under a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. But will the agreement lead, as U.S. President Donald Trump proclaimed, to “a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace”? Read more. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Some Palestinians pack up and move north toward their homes in Gaza after ceasefire goes into effect An AP photographer shares the stories behind some of her most poignant Gaza images Trump blasts Spain for being NATO’s spending ‘laggard.’ Madrid replies that it is a ‘loyal’ ally Spain’s defense minister has defended her country’s commitment to NATO after U.S President Donald Trump floated the idea that the southern European country should be expelled from the military alliance for not spending enough on its armed forces. Read more. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ NATO begins a big nuclear exercise next week. Protecting the weapons is a key part of the drill Russian strikes wound at least 20 in Ukraine’s capital as child is killed in separate attack Melania Trump says 8 kids displaced by Russia-Ukraine war reunite with families after Putin talks ADVERTISEMENT IN OTHER NEWS Debris covers the ground and vehicles after a powerful blast ripped through a military explosives manufacturing plant in Hickman County, Tenn., on Friday. (WTVF-TV via AP) BREAKING: Blast at a Tennessee explosives plant leaves 19 people missing and feared dead, sheriff says France: Macron asks newly resigned Sebastian Lecornu to try again to form a government Balkans: Kosovo lawmakers break 8-month deadlock with election of an ethnic Serb to the leadership team  Indiana: Man convicted of killing a 15-year-old girl in her home in 2001 is executed by injection Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt: Beloved chaplain for Loyola Chicago’s men’s basketball team dies at 106 John Lodge: Singer and bassist of Moody Blues during classic era dies at 82 WATCH: Norwegian Nobel Institute director tells Machado she has won the Nobel Peace Prize TRENDING A gallery of photos marking the 80th founding anniversary of the ruling Workers' Party in Pyongyang, North Korea, on Tuesday and Thursday. (AP Photos/Cha Song Ho and Jon Chol Jin) Photos show state celebrations on the 80th anniversary of the ruling Workers’ Party Gymnasts, children and others perform as the North Korean state marks official commemorations on the 80th anniversary of the founding of the ruling Workers’ Party. See this photo gallery curated by AP photo editors. 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. - Amy 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. - Amy 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