Shea Stevens

Hundreds of protesters clashed with police in Madagascar's capital Thursday following days of demonstrations.

The protests were initially sparked by cuts to water and power services, but have been expanded to include allegations of corruption and nepotism.

A recalling itself Gen Z Madagascar is leading the protests, with the United Nations estimate has resulted in 22 deaths and dozens of injuries.

Madagascar is an island off the east coast of Africa.

This is NPR News.

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Shea Stevens.

U.S.

House Speaker Mike Johnson says he wants furloughed government workers to receive back pay, but he says the White House has the authority to withhold it.

Minority leader Joaquin Jeffries disagrees and says Democrats will fight to make sure those payments are made.

A shortage of air traffic controllers is disrupting travel at several airports across the nation as the partial government shutdown continues.

Democrats say they will not support a proposal to end the shutdown until Republicans restore health care subsidies expiring on December 31st.

U.S.

Attorney General Pam Bondi defended the Justice Department's actions under the Trump administration during a Senate hearing on Tuesday.

Bondi bristled when asked if DOJ is being weaponized, saying that happened during the Biden administration.

Bondi deflected questions on bribery allegations against the border czar Tom Pullman and unfinished business with the Jeffrey Epstein files.

Illinois Governor J.B.

Pritzker is accusing President Trump of using American troops as political props and pawns.

Pritzker says he made the remark as Texas National Guard members arrived in Chicago against his wishes.

President Trump insists federal intervention is needed to combat crime and illegal immigration in cities run by Democrats.

Meanwhile, a judge in California says the deployment of National Guard members in Los Angeles earlier this year was illegal.