Top General News

12 jurors have been picked for Donald Trump's hush money trial. Selection of alternates ongoing

Apr. 18, 2024 17:43 PM EDT

NEW YORK (AP) — A jury of 12 people was seated Thursday in former President Donald Trump’s history-making hush money trial, propelling the proceedings closer to opening statements and the start of weeks of dramatic testimony. The court quickly turned to selecting alternate...

The Latest | 12 jurors and 1 alternate seated in Trump hush money case

Apr. 18, 2024 17:31 PM EDT

NEW YORK (AP) — Twelve jurors and one alternate have been seated in Donald Trump 's hush money case, quickly propelling the jury selection process forward after a morning that saw two previously sworn-in jurors dismissed — one after she expressed new doubt in her ability to be fair and...

House leaders toil to advance Ukraine and Israel aid. But threats to oust speaker grow

Apr. 18, 2024 18:00 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — House congressional leaders were toiling Thursday on a delicate, bipartisan push toward weekend votes to approve a $95 billion package of foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, as well as several other national security policies at a critical moment at home and abroad. ...

First major attempts to regulate AI face headwinds from all sides

Apr. 18, 2024 17:19 PM EDT

DENVER (AP) — Artificial intelligence is helping decide which Americans get the job interview, the apartment, even medical care, but the first major proposals to reign in bias in AI decision making are facing headwinds from every direction. Lawmakers working on these bills, in...

US and UK issue new sanctions on Iran in response to Tehran's weekend attack on Israel

Apr. 18, 2024 17:16 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. and U.K. on Thursday imposed a new round of sanctions on Iran as concern grows that Tehran’s unprecedented attack on Israel could fuel a wider war in the Middle East. The sanctions are meant to hold Iran accountable for its weekend attack and to deter...

Legislation that could force a TikTok ban revived as part of House foreign aid package

Apr. 18, 2024 17:50 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Legislation that could ban TikTok in the U.S. if its China-based owner doesn’t sell its stake won a major boost late Wednesday when House Republican leaders included it in a package of bills that would send aid to Ukraine and Israel. The bill could be law as soon as next week...

Kennedy family makes ‘crystal clear’ its Biden endorsement in attempt to deflate RFK Jr.’s candidacy

Apr. 18, 2024 16:33 PM EDT

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — President Joe Biden scooped up endorsements from at least 15 members of the Kennedy political family during a campaign stop Thursday as he aims to undermine Donald Trump and marginalize the candidacy of independent Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Kerry Kennedy, a daughter...

Trump loses bid to halt Jan. 6 lawsuits while he fights criminal charges in the 2020 election case

Apr. 18, 2024 16:53 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump lost a bid Thursday to pause a string of lawsuits accusing him of inciting the U.S. Capitol attack, while the former president fights his 2020 election interference criminal case in Washington. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta in Washington denied...

Two shootings, two different responses — Maine restricts guns while Iowa arms teachers

Apr. 18, 2024 13:25 PM EDT

Six months after a deadly mass shooting by an Army reservist, Maine lawmakers this week passed a wide-ranging package of new gun restrictions. Three months after a fatal school shooting, Iowa lawmakers this week passed legislation allowing trained teachers and staff to carry guns on...

Judge in Trump case orders media not to report where potential jurors work

Apr. 18, 2024 18:15 PM EDT

NEW YORK (AP) — The judge in Donald Trump's hush money trial ordered the media on Thursday not to report on where potential jurors have worked and to be careful about revealing information about those who will sit in judgment of the former president. Judge Juan Merchan acted after...

Latest General News

The Latest | US vetoes UN resolution backing full Palestinian membership and puts sanctions on Iran

Apr. 18, 2024 18:32 PM EDT

Israel has vowed to respond to Iran’s unprecedented weekend attack, leaving the region bracing for further escalation after months of fighting in Gaza. Israel’s allies have been urging Israel to hold back on any response to the attack that could spiral. The U.S. on Thursday...

California governor pledges state oversight for cities, counties lagging on solving homelessness

Apr. 18, 2024 18:31 PM EDT

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Nearly $200 million in grant money will go to California cities and counties to move homeless people from encampments into housing, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Thursday while also pledging increased oversight of efforts by local governments to reduce homelessness. ...

Argentina asks to join NATO as President Milei seeks a more prominent role for his nation

Apr. 18, 2024 18:31 PM EDT

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Argentina formally requested on Thursday to join NATO as a global partner, a status that would clear the way for greater political and security cooperation at a time when the right-wing government of President Javier Milei aims to boost ties with Western powers and...

Kentucky governor announces lottery to award initial round of medical cannabis business licenses

Apr. 18, 2024 18:29 PM EDT

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky will use a lottery system to award an initial round of licenses to businesses competing to participate in the state's startup medical cannabis program, Gov. Andy Beshear announced Thursday. The governor called it a fair way to give each applicant that...

Legislation allowing doctor-assisted suicide narrowly clears Delaware House, heads to state Senate

Apr. 18, 2024 18:28 PM EDT

DOVER, Del. (AP) — A bill allowing doctor-assisted suicide in Delaware narrowly cleared the Democrat-led House on Thursday and now goes to the state Senate for consideration. The bill is the latest iteration of legislation that has been repeatedly introduced by Newark Democrat Paul...

Nebraska lawmakers end session, leaving taxes for later

Apr. 18, 2024 18:22 PM EDT

Nebraska lawmakers adjourned Thursday knowing they'll be called back by Republican Gov. Jim Pillen for a summer session to ease soaring property taxes. A Pillen-backed sales tax expansion failed on the last day of the session after its author, Omaha Sen. Lou Ann Linehan, pulled it...

Tennessee lawmakers approve $52.8B spending plan as hopes of school voucher agreement flounder

Apr. 18, 2024 18:20 PM EDT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee's Republican-dominant Statehouse approved a $52.8 billion spending plan Thursday for the upcoming fiscal year that includes an eye-popping $1.95 billion tax break and refund for businesses, but little new tax relief for most Tennessee families. ...

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. secures ballot access in battleground state of Michigan

Apr. 18, 2024 18:16 PM EDT

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has secured a place on the ballot in the battleground state of Michigan, state officials confirmed Thursday, elevating his potential to affect the November election. Kennedy's independent bid has spooked allies of both...

Judge in Trump case orders media not to report where potential jurors work

Apr. 18, 2024 18:15 PM EDT

NEW YORK (AP) — The judge in Donald Trump's hush money trial ordered the media on Thursday not to report on where potential jurors have worked and to be careful about revealing information about those who will sit in judgment of the former president. Judge Juan Merchan acted after...

High mercury levels in some Lake Maurepas fish bring meal restrictions, state officials say

Apr. 18, 2024 18:12 PM EDT

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana residents are being urged to limit their consumption of fish from Lake Maurepas in Livingston and St. John the Baptist parishes where high levels of mercury have been detected. According to a fish consumption advisory issued by the state...