AP News Summary at 7:24 p.m. EST

Savannah Guthrie's missing mother is 'still out there,' sheriff says, but no suspects

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Investigators believe the missing mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie is “still out there,” but they have not identified any suspects. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos also said Thursday that DNA tests showed blood found on Nancy Guthrie’s porch came back to her. He said: “Right now, we believe Nancy is still out there. We want her home.” Nanos spoke at a news conference five days after she was reported missing. Investigators say they are taking ransom notes sent to media outlets seriously. The FBI chief in Phoenix say the notes included a demand for money with a deadline.

US and Russia agree to reestablish military dialogue after Ukraine talks

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The U.S. and Russia have agreed to reestablish high-level, military-to-military dialogue for the first time in more than four years. The step is another sign of warming relations between the two countries since President Donald Trump took office and sought to end the war in Ukraine. The agreement emerged from a meeting between senior Russian and American military officials in the capital of the United Arab Emirates. High-level military communication was suspended in 2021, as relations between Moscow and Washington became increasingly strained ahead of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Meanwhile, talks in Abu Dhabi between American, Russian and Ukrainian officials on ending the war entered a second day.

Russia says it regrets expiration of last nuclear arms treaty, but Trump says he wants a new pact

MOSCOW (AP) — The Kremlin says it regrets the expiration of the last remaining nuclear arms pact between Russia and the United States, while President Donald Trump declared he was against keeping its limits and wants a better deal. The end of the New START treaty left no caps on the two largest atomic arsenals for the first time in more than half a century, fueling fears of a new nuclear arms race. Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed readiness Thursday to stick to the pact’s limits for another year if Washington agreed. But Trump said he wants a new pact. The treaty was signed in 2010. It was extended in 2021 for five more years.

What to know as Iran and US prepare for nuclear talks in Oman

MUSCAT, Oman (AP) — Iran and the United States are set for talks Friday in Oman over Tehran's nuclear program. This comes after Israel launched a 12-day war on Iran in June and Iran's crackdown on nationwide protests. U.S. President Donald Trump has increased pressure on Iran and moved aircraft carriers to the Gulf, suggesting possible military action over the protests. Trump has also pushed Iran's nuclear program back into focus after the June war disrupted previous talks. Oman has mediated past talks between the two nations. Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful, but has been enriching uranium to near-weapons-grade levels.

Homeland Security shutdown grows more likely as Republicans rebuff Democrats' ICE demands

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Majority Leader John Thune says Democrats' demands for new restrictions on federal immigration officers are “unrealistic.” And he's warning that the Department of Homeland Security will shut down next week if Democrats don’t work with Republicans and the White House. Democrats are pressing for changes at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other federal law enforcement agencies in the wake of the fatal shootings of two protesters in Minneapolis last month. The Democratic congressional leaders have come out with an expanded list of 10 detailed proposals. Short-term funding for DHS lasts through Feb. 13.

Chairman of prominent law firm Paul Weiss resigns after release of emails linking him to Epstein

The chairman of prestigious law firm Paul Weiss has resigned from that position after emails revealed his exchanges with Jeffrey Epstein. Brad Karp will remain at the firm where he's practiced for 40 years and has served as chairman since 2008. He said in a statement from the firm that “recent reporting has created a distraction and has placed a focus on me that is not in the best interests” of Paul Weiss. Emails recently released by the Department of Justice as part of its Epstein investigation show Karp thanking Epstein for hosting an unforgettable evening in 2015. Karp also sought Epstein's help in 2016 for Karp's son's film career.

A funeral home stashed 189 decaying bodies and handed out fake ashes. His mother was among them

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — Derrick Johnson buried his mother’s ashes in 2023 alongside his home on Maui, fulfilling her wish of a final resting place overlooking her grandchildren. The FBI called Johnson a year later. They said his mother’s remains weren’t in the ashes he buried. Instead, his mother was among nearly 200 decomposing bodies found inside a Colorado funeral home. The funeral home owners had given families fake ashes for years, trying to conceal the bodies. Jon and Carie Hallford were arrested in 2023 and charged with abusing nearly 200 corpses. On Friday, Jon Hallford will be sentenced. Johnson will be among the grieving families to speak, advocating for the maximum sentence of 50 years in prison.

Trump administration to launch TrumpRx website for discounted drugs

NEW YORK (AP) — The Trump administration is set to launch TrumpRx, a website to help patients buy prescription drugs directly from manufacturers at discounted rates. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced Thursday's expected unveiling in a social media post. The website is not a purchasing platform but directs users to drugmakers’ own sites. President Trump first mentioned TrumpRx in September, highlighting deals with pharmaceutical companies to lower drug prices. The website's release faced delays, but it now showcases efforts to reduce costs through agreements with major companies like Pfizer and AstraZeneca. However, the actual savings for consumers remain unclear.

Companies can now claim 'no artificial colors' if they add plant-based color to food

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is relaxing rules that restrict when food companies can claim their products have no artificial colors. The agency said Thursday that labels may now claim to have “no artificial colors” when they are free of petroleum-based dyes, even when they contain dyes made from natural sources such as plants. In the past, those claims could be made only when products had no added color whatsoever. The move is another step toward the Trump administration's aim to phase out synthetic dyes from the U.S. food supply. Limited evidence suggests artificial dyes may affect kids' behavior.

NFL MVP and other top awards to be announced at NFL Honors

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The league MVP and the other seven AP NFL awards will be announced at NFL Honors on Thursday night, days before Super Bowl 60. Christian McCaffrey is a finalist for three awards, including the 2025 NFL Most Valuable Player. He joins Josh Allen, Trevor Lawrence, Drake Maye and Matthew Stafford in the MVP race. Maye, who is leading the New England Patriots against the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl, and McCaffrey are also finalists for Offensive Player of the Year. A panel of 50 media members completed voting before the playoffs. The awards ceremony will be held in San Francisco.