1. Obama apologizes for deadly strike on hospital in Afghanistan
President Obama personally apologized to Doctors Without Borders International President Joanne Liu on Wednesday for last week's bombing of the medical aid group's hospital in Kunduz, Afghanistan. White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Obama phoned Liu to offer "his heartfelt apology" and promise to determine what went wrong. The airstrike killed 22 people, including 12 Doctors Without Borders staff members. The U.S. was providing air support for Afghan forces battling the Taliban for control of the city.
Reuters
2. Svetlana Alexievich of Belarus wins Nobel for literature
Belarusian journalist Svetlana Alexievich, 67, has won the 2015 Nobel Prize for Literature "for her polyphonic writings, a monument to suffering and courage in our time," the Swedish Academy announced Thursday. Alexievich is best known for her work shining light on the lives of survivors of World War II, the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, and the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. She is the 14th woman, and the first writer from Belarus, to win the literature prize.
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3. Hillary Clinton opposes Pacific trade pact in latest break with Obama
Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton came out against the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership on Wednesday in her latest break with the Obama administration on key policies. Clinton backed the trade pact as it stood during negotiations when she was President Obama's secretary of state, but said she did not think the final deal reached Monday did enough to prevent currency manipulation and high drug prices. Rival candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) also opposes the deal, as do labor groups.
PBS Reuters
4. Russia launches missiles to support Syria ground offensive
Russia fired cruise missiles into Syria on Wednesday from ships in the Caspian Sea to help Syrian government forces launching a ground offensive against rebels. Russia said the missiles struck in Raqqa and Aleppo provinces, Islamic State strongholds, in the north, and Idlib province in the northwest, where the al-Qaeda-linked Nusra Front has fighters. U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said Russia continued to target other rebel groups not tied to Islamist extremists.
The Associated Press
5. Coast Guard suspends search for El Faro survivors
The Coast Guard on Wednesday ended the search for survivors from the U.S.-based cargo ship El Faro, which sank last week after losing power in Hurricane Joaquin. There were 33 crew members on board. Containers and other debris, as well as one still-unidentified body, have been recovered. Authorities believe the 760-foot ship went down near its last known location off the Bahamas. The National Transportation Safety Board has requested a Navy salvage unit for an underwater search.
CNN
6. Iranian leader bans further talks with the U.S.
Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, banned any further negotiations with the U.S., dousing moderates' hopes of building on a July nuclear agreement. "Through negotiations Americans seek to influence Iran," he told Revolutionary Guards Navy commanders. The warning contradicted moderate Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's recent declaration that his government was willing to hold talks with the U.S. on ending Syria's civil war, in which Washington and Tehran back warring sides.
Reuters
7. South Carolina coast braces for more flooding
Storm water flowing toward the Atlantic Ocean caused more flooding in South Carolina on Wednesday, days after historic rains drenched the state. Two people in a work crew died when their truck was swept away by water, pushing the statewide death toll to 17. Two others died in North Carolina. South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R) visited coastal areas, saying they would face flood danger for up to two more days. "Things are about to get worse on the coast," Haley said. "It's not over yet."
The Associated Press CNN
8. UAW deal with Fiat Chrysler averts strike
The United Auto Workers union announced at midnight that it reached a tentative labor agreement with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles late Wednesday, averting a strike. Details of the agreement have not yet been released. Local union leaders will vote on the deal Friday in Detroit. The union represents 40,000 Fiat Chrysler Automobiles workers at 23 U.S. plants. Last week, UAW members rejected a deal they said did not do enough to restore benefits lost in previous contracts.
The Associated Press
9. VW's U.S. chief says he learned of diesel emissions issue 18 months ago
Volkswagen's top U.S. executive, Michael Horn, said in written testimony submitted to Congress that he found out in Spring 2014 that the company was possibly breaking rules to pass U.S. diesel emissions tests. That was about 18 months before VW admitted using software installed in diesel vehicles to cheat on such tests. Horn is due to appear at a congressional hearing on Thursday. He is expected to announce that VW has decided not to sell 2016 diesel models in the U.S.
Reuters Los Angeles Times
10. Cubs win wild-card game in first post-season win since 2003
The Chicago Cubs advanced to the National League Division Series by defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-0 in the wild-card game on Wednesday. Cubs starting pitcher Jake Arrieta threw a four-hit, complete game shutout to lead his team to its first postseason win since 2003. The Cubs, seeking their first World Series title since 1908, go up against the St Louis Cardinals next in the division series.
Sports Illustrated
