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AP Afternoon Wire

Advancing the Power of Facts

Good afternoon and welcome to your afternoon news update from AP. Today, a billionaire couple makes a historic donation to encourage families to claim “Trump Accounts;” a federal review finds 44% of U.S. trucking schools don’t comply with government rules; and Ukrainian troops doubt a pact with Russia will bring lasting peace.

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UP FIRST

Michael and Susan Dell pose for photographs on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Michael and Susan Dell donate $6.25 billion to encourage families to claim ‘Trump Accounts’

Billionaires Michael and Susan Dell pledged $6.25 billion Tuesday to provide 25 million American children under 10 an incentive to claim the new investment accounts for children created as part of President Donald Trump’s tax and spending legislation. The historic gift has little precedent, with few single charitable commitments in the past 25 years exceeding $1 billion, much less multiple billions. Read more.

TOP STORIES

Federal review finds 44% of US trucking schools don’t comply with government rules

Nearly 44% of the 16,000 truck driving programs listed nationwide by the government may be forced to close if they lose their students after a review by the federal Transportation Department found they may not be complying with government requirements. Separately, the Department of Homeland Security is auditing trucking firms owned by immigrants to verify whether their drivers are qualified to hold a commercial license. Read more.

Ukrainian troops doubt the proposed pact with Russia will bring lasting peace

Ukrainian troops fighting in eastern Ukraine are expressing doubts that a peace proposal currently being negotiated will prevent Russia from attacking their country again. In interviews with The Associated Press, the soldiers say they don't believe Moscow will abide by such a pact and it would only allow Russia to rebuild and rearm its military for another invasion in a few years. Read more.

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IN OTHER NEWS

A person walks a dog in the snow in Portsmouth, N.H., on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Caleb Jones) 

Wintry weather: The first big snowstorm of the winter hits the Northeast

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Mangione trial: Police bodycam footage played in court shows the minutes leading up to Luigi Mangione's arrest

Exotic pet trade: The growing exotic pet trade drives illegal sales online and a push for tighter rules

Higher education: