Top General News

Slovakia's populist prime minister shot in assassination attempt, shocking Europe before elections

May. 15, 2024 16:18 PM EDT

BANSKA BYSTRICA, Slovakia (AP) — Slovakia’s populist prime minister, Robert Fico, was shot multiple times and gravely wounded Wednesday while greeting supporters at an event in an attempted assassination that shocked the small country and reverberated across Europe weeks before an election. ...

Biden and Trump, trading barbs, agree to 2 presidential debates, in June and September

May. 15, 2024 15:33 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump on Wednesday agreed to hold two campaign debates — the first on June 27 hosted by CNN and the second on Sept. 10 hosted by ABC — setting the stage for their first presidential face-off to play out in just over a month. ...

Netanyahu fends off criticism at home and abroad over his lack of a postwar plan for Gaza

May. 15, 2024 16:15 PM EDT

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday fended off criticism that he is not planning for a postwar reality in the Gaza Strip, saying it was impossible to prepare for any scenario in the embattled Palestinian enclave until Hamas is defeated. Netanyahu...

The jurors in Trump's hush money trial are getting a front row seat to history -- most of the time

May. 15, 2024 12:38 PM EDT

A gag order. The House Speaker turning up outside court. Angry denouncements of the judge overseeing the case. Some of the most explosive moments in Donald Trump's hush money trial have played out for most of the world to see — except for the people who are actually deciding his...

On the eve of his visit to China, Putin says Russia is prepared to negotiate over Ukraine

May. 15, 2024 10:37 AM EDT

BEIJING (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin says the Kremlin is prepared to negotiate over the conflict in Ukraine in an interview with Chinese media on the eve of visit to partner Beijing that has backed Moscow in its full-scale invasion of its neighbor. “We are open to a...

What is the celebrity 'blockout' over the war in Gaza?

May. 15, 2024 13:53 PM EDT

NEW YORK (AP) — Some social media users are calling out celebrities for what they say is inaction in the face of a humanitarian crisis in Gaza — and they've taken to a “blockout” to pressure the stars to take a stand. For the blockout, users put a block on seeing any and all...

Fewer US overdose deaths were reported last year, but experts are still cautious

May. 15, 2024 12:58 PM EDT

NEW YORK (AP) — The number of U.S. fatal overdoses fell last year, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data posted Wednesday. Agency officials noted the data is provisional and could change after more analysis, but that they still expect a drop when the final...

Driver said he smoked pot oil, took medication before Florida crash that killed 8 Mexican workers

May. 15, 2024 16:01 PM EDT

OCALA, Fla. (AP) — A man with a long record of dangerous driving told investigators he smoked marijuana oil and took prescription drugs hours before he sideswiped a bus, killing eight Mexican farmworkers and injuring dozens more, according to an arrest report unsealed Wednesday. ...

Stock market today: Wall Street rallies to records after inflation slows

May. 15, 2024 16:26 PM EDT

NEW YORK (AP) — Hopes that inflation is finally heading back in the right direction swept through Wall Street Wednesday and ignited a record-setting rally for U.S. stocks. The S&P 500 jumped 1.2% to top its prior high set a month and a half ago. The Nasdaq composite added 1.4%...

This, too, could pass: Christian group's rule keeping beaches closed on Sunday mornings may end

May. 15, 2024 15:25 PM EDT

OCEAN GROVE, N.J. (AP) — In this seaside community that calls itself “God's Square Mile at the Jersey Shore,” all the land is owned by a religious group that has for generations enforced an 11th Commandment: Thou shalt stay off the beach on Sunday morning. But there are signs...

Latest General News

#MeToo struggled to find traction in France. Then Judith Godrèche came forward

May. 15, 2024 16:33 PM EDT

CANNES, France (AP) — Before Judith Godrèche kickstarted a #MeToo wave in the French industry, she was one of the first prominent actors to go on the record against Harvey Weinstein. Godrèche was 24 and attending the Cannes Film Festival for the premiere of her film...

House signs off on FAA bill that addresses aircraft safety and the refund rights of passengers

May. 15, 2024 16:29 PM EDT

Congress gave final approval Wednesday to a $105 billion bill designed to increase the number of air traffic controllers, add more safety inspectors at aircraft factories, and require airlines to automatically pay refunds to travelers whose flights are canceled or significantly delayed. ...

Boat operator who fatally struck a 15-year-old girl in Florida has been identified, officials say

May. 15, 2024 16:27 PM EDT

MIAMI (AP) — Investigators have identified the man who was operating the boat that fatally struck a 15-year-old girl off a South Florida beach and then left the area, but no criminal charges have been filed, according to a report released Wednesday. The 78-year-old man owns the...

Stock market today: Wall Street rallies to records after inflation slows

May. 15, 2024 16:26 PM EDT

NEW YORK (AP) — Hopes that inflation is finally heading back in the right direction swept through Wall Street Wednesday and ignited a record-setting rally for U.S. stocks. The S&P 500 jumped 1.2% to top its prior high set a month and a half ago. The Nasdaq composite added 1.4%...

Slovakia's populist prime minister shot in assassination attempt, shocking Europe before elections

May. 15, 2024 16:18 PM EDT

BANSKA BYSTRICA, Slovakia (AP) — Slovakia’s populist prime minister, Robert Fico, was shot multiple times and gravely wounded Wednesday while greeting supporters at an event in an attempted assassination that shocked the small country and reverberated across Europe weeks before an election. ...

Man pleads guilty in theft of Arnold Palmer green jacket, other Masters memorabilia from Augusta

May. 15, 2024 16:17 PM EDT

CHICAGO (AP) — A former warehouse assistant for the Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia pleaded guilty on Wednesday to transporting millions of dollars' worth of stolen Masters tournament memorabilia and historic items, including one of Arnold Palmer's iconic green jackets. ...

Barge hits bridge connecting Galveston and Pelican Island, causing partial collapse and oil spill

May. 15, 2024 16:17 PM EDT

GALVESTON, Texas (AP) — A barge slammed into a bridge pillar in Galveston, Texas, on Wednesday, spilling oil into surrounding waters and closing the only road to a smaller and separate island that is home to a university, officials said. There were no immediate reports of injuries, although...

Netanyahu fends off criticism at home and abroad over his lack of a postwar plan for Gaza

May. 15, 2024 16:15 PM EDT

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday fended off criticism that he is not planning for a postwar reality in the Gaza Strip, saying it was impossible to prepare for any scenario in the embattled Palestinian enclave until Hamas is defeated. Netanyahu...

Judge quickly denies request to discard $38 million verdict in New Hampshire youth center abuse case

May. 15, 2024 16:15 PM EDT

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — The judge who oversaw a landmark trial about New Hampshire’s youth detention center has refused to discard the $38 million verdict, saying the facility’s leadership “either knew and didn’t care or didn’t care to learn the truth” about endemic physical and sexual...

Canadians are hopeful shifting winds may push wildfire away from the oil sands hub of Fort McMurray

May. 15, 2024 16:10 PM EDT

EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Favorable winds are expected to push an “out of control” wildfire away from Canada’s oil sands hub of Fort McMurray, Alberta, officials said Wednesday, a day after thousands were evacuated. Wildfire season has started early in Canada this year with...