Top General News
2 jurors dismissed from Trump hush money trial as prosecutors seek to hold ex-president in contempt
NEW YORK (AP) — Two jurors in Donald Trump's hush money trial were dismissed Thursday, one after expressing doubt about her ability to be fair following disclosure of details about her identity and the other over concerns that some of his answers in court may have been inaccurate. ...
The Latest | A second seated juror is dismissed from Trump's hush money trial by judge
NEW YORK (AP) — Jury selection in Donald Trump ’s hush money case encountered setbacks Thursday as two previously sworn-in jurors were excused — one after backtracking on whether she could be impartial and fair and the other over concerns that he may not have been truthful about whether he...
Kennedy family makes ‘crystal clear’ its Biden endorsement in attempt to deflate RFK Jr.’s candidacy
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...
US and UK issue new sanctions on Iran in response to Tehran's weekend attack on Israel
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 were meant to hold Iran accountable for its weekend attack and to deter...
Israelis grapple with how to celebrate Passover, a holiday about freedom, while many remain captive
JERUSALEM (AP) — Every year, Alon Gat’s mother led the family's Passover celebration of the liberation of the ancient Israelites from Egypt thousands of years ago. But this year, Gat is struggling with how to reconcile a holiday commemorating freedom after his mother was slain and other family...
Once a fringe Indian ideology, Hindu nationalism is now mainstream, thanks to Modi's decade in power
AHMEDABAD, India (AP) — Hindu nationalism, once a fringe ideology in India, is now mainstream. Nobody has done more to advance this cause than Prime Minister Narendra Modi, one of India’s most beloved and polarizing political leaders. And no entity has had more influence on his...
Two shootings, two different responses — Maine restricts guns while Iowa arms teachers
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...
Climate change concerns grow, but few think Biden's climate law will help, AP-NORC poll finds
Like many Americans, Ron Theusch is getting more worried about climate change. A resident of Alden, Minnesota, Theusch has noticed increasingly dry and mild winters punctuated by short periods of severe cold — symptoms of a warming planet. As he thinks about that,...
Once praised, settlement to help sickened BP oil spill workers leaves most with nearly nothing
When a deadly explosion destroyed BP’s Deepwater Horizon drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico, 134 million gallons of crude erupted into the sea over the next three months — and tens of thousands of ordinary people were hired to help clean up environmental devastation from the biggest offshore...
NFL draft has potential to set a record for most players on offense selected in the first round
The NFL draft will be offensive. We’re not talking about hurt feelings. This draft has the potential to set a record for most offensive players selected in the first round. No draft has seen more than 19 players on offense chosen in the first round. That happened...
Latest General News
Missouri lawmakers back big expansion of low-interest loans amid growing demand for state aid
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri lawmakers gave final approval Thursday to significantly expand a low-interest loan program for farmers and small businesses, in a move that reflects strong consumer demand for such government aid amid persistently high borrowing costs. The...
Sluggish start for spring homebuying season as home sales fall in March with mortgage rates rising
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The spring homebuying season is off to a sluggish start as home shoppers contend with elevated mortgage rates and rising prices. Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes fell 4.3% in March from the previous month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.19...
Average long-term US mortgage rate climbs above 7% to highest level since late November
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Prospective homebuyers are facing higher costs to finance a home with the average long-term U.S. mortgage rate moving above 7% this week to its highest level in nearly five months. The average rate on a 30-year mortgage rose to 7.1% from 6.88% last week, mortgage...
Closing arguments heard in trial of an Arizona rancher charged in fatal shooting of unarmed migrant
NOGALES, Ariz. (AP) — Lawyers in closing arguments Thursday debated the actions of an Arizona rancher charged with fatally shooting an unarmed migrant on his property near the U.S.-Mexico border last year. The case has attracted national attention as border security continues to be...
Growing demand for minerals sparks Indigenous outcry over "business as usual" mining practices
BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) — Indigenous representatives from 35 countries issued a declaration Thursday criticizing the fact that they are too rarely consulted about mining that takes place on or near their lands, an issue that has become more acute with increased demand for minerals needed in the...
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. secures ballot access in battleground state of Michigan
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...
2 jurors dismissed from Trump hush money trial as prosecutors seek to hold ex-president in contempt
NEW YORK (AP) — Two jurors in Donald Trump's hush money trial were dismissed Thursday, one after expressing doubt about her ability to be fair following disclosure of details about her identity and the other over concerns that some of his answers in court may have been inaccurate. ...
Convenience store chain where Biden bought snacks while campaigning hit with discrimination lawsuit
A convenience store chain where President Joe Biden stopped for snacks this week while campaigning in Pennsylvania has been hit with a lawsuit by federal officials who allege the company discriminated against minority job applicants. Sheetz Inc., which operates more than 700 stores...
Husband of former Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon charged with embezzlement in party finance probe
LONDON (AP) — The husband of former Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon was charged Thursday with embezzlement in a probe into the finances of Scotland’s pro-independence governing party, a shocking setback for the country's most powerful political couple. Police in Scotland said a...
Rap artist GloRilla has been charged with drunken driving in Georgia
SUWANEE, Ga. (AP) — The rap artist known as GloRilla has been charged with drunken driving in Georgia, jail records show. GloRilla, whose real name is Gloria Woods, was charged Tuesday with first-offense driving under the influence of alcohol; having an open container of alcohol;...
