KYIV, UkraineThe Ukrainian capitalwasblanketed by darknessMonday, even as residents were bolstered by a sense that their American allies had finally seen the light. PresidentJoe Bidenhasauthorized Kyiv to use U.S. weapons for strikes deep inside Russia, according to two U.S. officials a major policy shift that drew a furious response from the Kremlin on Monday, accusing the administration of pouring "oil on the fire" two months before President-elect Donald Trump takes office. Crucially for Ukraine, the decision comes after months of pleading and just as Russia has intensified a wave of aerial attacks that forced widespread blackouts and killed more than a dozen people, according to local officials. "It is excellent news for us and a significant move," Kyiv resident Maryna Vlasenko,...

Former President Donald Trump has clinched a second term in the White House, and his Republican Party has won control of the Senate and the House. But several races remain uncalled. While Republicans will control both chambers, with five House races and one Senate race still uncalled, it remains to be seen how large their majorities will be and therefore how easily they can move to implement Trump's agenda. With votes still being counted, here's a look at the key races that remain uncalled by the NBC News Decision Desk (read more abouthow those races are called). The lone Senate race left to call Pennsylvania:Although Trump won Pennsylvania, the Senate race there isheaded to a recount. Democratic Sen. Bob Casey is running for a third term against Republican Dave McCormick, a former he...

Even though Black Friday is just two weeks away, you shouldn't put off your shopping. If you don't seize a fantastic deal as soon as you see it, it may sell out because many merchants are already advertising their best pricing of the season. You may maximize your budget and spread out your spending by starting to shop Black Friday discounts now. I have five years of experience covering Cyber Monday and Black Friday at NBC Select, so I know how to spot deals that are truly worth checking out. The top early Black Friday offers of 2024 from some of our favorite stores, including Amazon, Target, Walmart, Home Depot, and REI, are compiled below. In the upcoming weeks, I'll be regularly updating this list with the newest offers, the best pricing, and other promotions you won't want to pass up. G...

Black Fridayis about two weeks away, but that doesn t mean you should wait to shop. Many retailers are already offering their best prices of the season, so if you don t take advantage of a great discount as soon as you see it, it might sell out. Starting to shop Black Friday deals now also helps you spread out your spending and maximize your budget. I ve been covering Black Friday andCyber Mondayat NBC Select for five years, so I know how to find sales that areactually worth shopping. Below, I rounded up the best early Black Friday deals of 2024 from some of our favorite retailers, likeAmazon,Target,Walmart,Home DepotandREI. I ll frequently update this list in the coming weeks with new deals, the most recent prices and additional promos you won t want to miss. SKIP AHEADBestearlyBlack Frid...

Israeli airstrikes overnight and into Sunday have killed scores in Gaza, according to local health officials,as police in Israel arrested three suspects after flares were fired atPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahushome inthe city of Caesarea. The Israeli military also advanced farther north into Lebanon as Hezbollah forces mull aU.S. brokered cease-fire agreementthat would bring an end to 13 months of exchanges of fire between the two sides. The Israel Defense Forces said Sunday it killed Hezbollah s chief spokesperson, Mohammed Afif al-Naboulsi, in a "precise" strike in Beirut. It said the spokesperson "wielded significant influence over Hezbollah s military operations" and was "directly involved in advancing and executing Hezbollah s terrorist activities against Israel." Hezbollah confirm...

North Korean leaderKim Jong Unurged the country s military to improve capabilities for fighting a war in a speech last week, state media KCNA said on Monday, afterPyongyang dispatched thousands of troops to Russia. Kim delivered the speech to a conference of battalion commanders and political instructors held in Pyongyang on Friday, during which he called for building political and military strength and fighting efficiency to ensure that the armed forces can cope with a war. Threats from the United States and its allies includingSouth Koreaand their military confrontation with North Korea have brought tension to the worst phase in history, he said, calling the Korean peninsula the world s biggest hotspot. He ardently called upon all the participants to go all out for bringing about subs...

EMILY s List, a national group that backs Democratic women running for office, endorsed Rep. Mikie Sherrill s bid for New Jersey governor on Monday, just hours after she announced her campaign. In a statement shared first with NBC News, EMILY s List President Jessica Mackler highlighted Sherrill s military service and her time in Congress, adding that the group hopes she ll become the first Democratic woman to serve as governor in the Garden State. In the United States Navy and in Congress, Rep. Sherrill has shown her unwavering commitment to serving our country and the people of New Jersey. Her record passing bipartisan legislation to bring down health care costs, lower taxes for New Jersey residents, and fight for our reproductive rights is clear. We are thrilled to support Rep. Sherrill...

If you still haven t booked yourholiday travel plans, take note: Prices tend to rise the closer you get to the days you re looking totravel. To afford holiday trips, about 50% of respondents are cutting back on other expenses while 49% are picking up discounts and deals,accordingto the 2024 Holiday Travel Outlook by Hopper, a travel site. Some last-minute holiday travelers are leaning into so-calledTravel Tuesdayor the Tuesday after Cyber Monday and Black Friday which falls on Dec. 3 this year. Search interest for Travel Tuesday rose more than 500% from 2021 to 2023,accordingto a recent report by McKinsey and Company. There s a reason why shoppers are searching for the term. Last year, 83% more deals were offered on Travel Tuesday versus Cyber Monday and 92% more than Black Friday, accor...

Pope Francishas suggested the global community should study whetherIsrael s military campaign in Gazaconstitutes agenocide of the Palestinian people, in some of his most explicit criticism yet of Israel s conduct in its year-long war. In excerpts published on Sunday from a forthcoming book, the pontiff said some international experts say that what is happening in Gaza has the characteristics of a genocide. We should investigate carefully to assess whether this fits into the technical definition (of genocide) formulated by international jurists and organizations, the pope said in the excerpts, published by Italian daily La Stampa. Last DecemberSouth Africa filed a case against Israel at the International Courtof Justice for allegedly violating the Genocide Convention. In January the judge...

The NBA fined Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball $100,000 Sunday for using offensive and derogatory language during a postgame TV interview. At issue was an anti-gay phrase Ball used when answering a sideline interviewer s question about defending the last shot against Milwaukee s Giannis Antetokounmpo in Charlotte s 115-114 win over the Bucks on Saturday. Hornets coach Charles Lee addressed Ball s remark in his postgame press conference and said Ball was very apologetic. As an organization, that is obviously not something we condone, said Lee, who is in his first season as Charlotte s coach. Our standards and what is required of our players in the environment we create is really important to us. Ball, 23, is averaging 29.6 points through 12 games for the Hornets, ranking fifth in th...