Protests planned

in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Officials and community leaders in Charlotte, North Carolina, are opposing a pending federal immigration crackdown. They describe it as an invasion and urge residents to protest peacefully and record agents’ actions from a distance.

Mecklenburg County Commissioner Susan Rodriguez-McDowell criticizes the federal government’s approach. Sheriff Garry McFadden confirmed that U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents would soon start an enforcement operation. Local organizations are training volunteers to protest and inform immigrants of their rights.

President Donald Trump’s administration defends these operations as necessary for fighting crime. Local officials emphasize that the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department isn’t involved in federal immigration enforcement.

Russian attack

kills 6 in Kyiv

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia has launched a major missile and drone attack on Kyiv, killing six people and wounding at least 35, including a pregnant woman.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday’s assault targeted high-rise apartment blocks and was intended to harm civilians. The attack, which also hit Odesa and Kharkiv, is the biggest on Kyiv in almost three weeks.

Ukraine used American-made Patriot air defense systems to shoot down 14 missiles. In response, Ukraine has launched its own drones and missiles against Russian targets. Moscow officials deny targeting civilian areas, claiming they hit military facilities.

Opioid deal

goes forward

NEW YORK (AP) — A federal bankruptcy court judge on Friday said he will approve OxyContin-maker Purdue Pharma’s latest deal to settle thousands of lawsuits over the toll of opioids that includes some money for thousands of victims of the epidemic.

The deal overseen by U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Sean Lane would require members of the Sackler family who own the company to contribute up to $7 billion and give up ownership. The new agreement replaces one the U.S. Supreme Court rejected last year, finding it would have improperly protected members of the family against future lawsuits.

The judge said he would explain his decision in a hearing on Tuesday.