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Good afternoon and welcome to your afternoon news update from AP. Today, Sen. Elissa Slotkin rejects a Justice Department request for an interview on Democrats’ video about “illegal orders;” the chairman of a prominent law firm resigns after release of emails linking him to Jeffrey Epstein; and a new warning about the rise of measles cases across the Americas.

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UP FIRST

Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., speaks at the Center for American Progress, in June, in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)

Slotkin rejects Justice Department request for interview on Democrats’ video about ‘illegal orders’

Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan is refusing to voluntarily comply with a Justice Department investigation into a video she organized urging U.S. military members to resist "illegal orders" — escalating a dispute that President Donald Trump has publicly pushed. The refusal marks a potential turning point in the standoff, shifting the burden onto the Justice Department. Read more.

TOP STORIES

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

Brad Karp, chairman of one of the country’s most prestigious law firms, has resigned from his position after the release of emails revealing his exchanges with Jeffrey Epstein, a high-profile departure in the fallout among those with ties to the late convicted sex offender. Read more.

Regional health organization issues alert as measles cases surge across the Americas

The Pan American Health Organization, PAHO, issued a new epidemiological alert following a surge of measles cases across the Americas, with Mexico reporting the highest numbers. It also called for urgent vaccination campaigns, highlighting that 78% of recent cases involved unvaccinated people. The alert follows Canada’s loss of measles-free status in November — a setback the United States and Mexico could soon mirror. Read more.

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IN OTHER NEWS

This image provided by the Netherlands Ministry of Defense shows Queen Máxima beginning training as a reservist for the Royal Netherlands Army, Wednesday, in Breda, Netherlands. (Phil Nijhuis/Netherlands Ministry of Defense via AP)

Fears about peace and security in Europe: Queen Máxima starts training to become a Dutch army reservist

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Nordic combined: An American skier is fighting to open up the last Winter Olympic sport off limits to women

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