NEWS
Good morning!🙋🏼♀️ I’m Nicole Fallert. Fatal Fury made its long-awaited return.
Quick look at Thursday’s news:
Making progress in New Jersey wildfire fight
Firefighters continue battling a massive wildfire burning in central New Jersey into Thursday that threatened to become the largest blaze in the state in nearly 20 years. The Jones Road wildfire had consumed 13,250 acres, and firefighters had achieved 50% containment late Wednesday, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. All evacuation orders were lifted for the about 5,000 residents who fled the fire in Ocean and Lacey townships, the fire service said. The Garden State Parkway and Route 9, parts of which were previously closed, have also reopened. The wildfire was no longer threatening populated areas but a “soaking rainfall” is needed to stop the blaze, officials warned. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Crowds line up to honor Pope Francis
“It’s just such a surreal (feeling) … and seeing the body and just remembering everything that he stood for is very important.”
~ American Alex Lenrtz, who was among the first mourners to stand in line on Wednesday to pay final respects to Pope Francis. Mourners continued to stream into Vatican City early Thursday to view the body of the pontiff. The line the previous day was so long officials have considered extending visitation time for the faithful to pay homage at St. Peter’s Basilica.
More news to know now
What’s the weather today? Check your local forecast here.
Russia wields nuclear threat as it attacks Ukraine
The Kremlin’s top security official, Sergei Shoigu, said his country reserves the right to use nuclear weapons if it faces aggression by Western countries. The comments came as overnight Russian missile and drone strikes on Ukraine’s capital Kyiv killed at least nine people and injured more than 70 others in one of its deadliest assaults on Ukraine in months. The attack followed President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance warning that Washington could abandon trying to negotiate a Ukraine-Russia peace settlement if there is no progress on a deal soon. Shoigu said Russia might consider a nuclear strike in response to a conventional attack on Russia or its ally, Belarus.
Democratic states sue Trump over international tariffs
A coalition of Democrat-governed states is suing to halt President Donald Trump’s international trade tariffs, arguing only Congress has the power to levy them.
Many of Trump’s tariffs have not yet come into force. The lawsuit filed in the U.S. Court of International Trade says the measures have injected massive uncertainty into the nation’s economy.
Today’s talkers
What surprises are coming for NFL Draft round one?
As the 2025 NFL draft nears, many have been forecasting that several teams in Green Bay, Wisconsin, could scramble to make a move for a quarterback in the late first round. But what if they just…don’t? The Cleveland Browns, New York Giants and New Orleans Saints all have early second-round picks, which could create pressure for one to jump up to Day 1 in order to land its signal-caller of choice. But if Shedeur Sanders makes it past the Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 21 and there’s a glut of options available, it could cement that this quarterback class will go down as analogous to the 2022 group, which produced just one first-round passer. Don’t rule out the possibility that teams simply stand down.
- What time is the first pick of NFL draft? Here’s how to watch Day 1.
Photo of the day: Basketball or football?
The Rockets and Warriors grabbed and clutched and crashed to the court on Wednesday, with the Rockets wrestling a 109-94 victory in Game 2 of the best-of-seven first-round Western Conference series. USA TODAY Sports asks: Is that the kind of NBA we want to watch? A football game on the basketball court?
Nicole Fallert is a newsletter writer at USA TODAY, sign up for the email here. Want to send Nicole a note? Shoot her an email at [email protected].
