What recent events occurred in Ukraine involving Russia?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. Russia carried out drone and missile strikes on Ukraine's capital overnight. Authorities say two people were killed and at least seven were wounded. The attacks come as the White House continues to make a new diplomatic push to end the conflict. NPR's Charles Maines reports from Moscow.
The Kremlin says the U.S. has now provided a document outlining the main parameters of its peace proposal, one amended with input from Ukraine and Europe after an earlier version was criticized as heavily tilted in Moscow's favor. Russian President Vladimir Putin has suggested the plan could still be the basis of a settlement, but only if Ukraine is the one to make key concessions.
Among them, a demand to surrender territory claimed but not controlled by Russia after more than three years of fighting. The topic is sure to come up when Ukrainian negotiators meet with White House envoy Steve Witkoff and other administration officials this weekend in Florida. Witkoff then heads to Russia for talks with Putin in the coming days. Charles Baines, NPR News, Moscow.
Some states are watching for a Supreme Court ruling on the Voting Rights Act that may prompt a new wave of congressional redistricting. NPR's Hansi Lowong reports the timing of the court's decision could have big implications for the gerrymandering fight ahead of next year's midterm elections.
It's not clear when the Supreme Court will issue its decision in a closely watched redistricting case out of Louisiana. But after the justices held a rare second hearing for the case in October, some court watchers say the court's conservative majority may soon issue a ruling that weakens the Voting Rights Act's protections against voting districts that dilute the power of racial minorities.
That could lead to Republican-led states, particularly in the South, undoing districts where Black voters have a realistic opportunity of electing their preferred candidates, who are usually Democrats. But congressional maps for next year's midterms have to be finalized before a state's filing deadline for candidates running in the primary.
And those deadlines are coming up in December for Mississippi, in January for Alabama, and in February for Louisiana. Anzi Luong, NPR News.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency will have a new acting chief starting in December. NPR's Michael Copley reports the shakeup comes ahead of a report that's expected to recommend sweeping changes at the department that manages federal disaster response.
Karen Evans takes over as FEMA's acting administrator on Monday. She's been serving as the agency's chief of staff, according to a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security. Evans' predecessor, David Richardson, left his post in November. FEMA's been in turmoil this year, with President Trump saying the agency should be eliminated.
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