Latest United States News
Leap of faith: A few young women in US buck the trends by joining the ranks of Catholic nuns
PALMYRA, Pa. (AP) — It was a radical idea, and for many years she had been resistant. But as Zoey Stapleton, 24, walked down a darkened hiking trail, steps behind her parents, she counted back from three and “took a leap of faith,” revealing to them that she wanted to become a...
Young nuns: Two diverse paths to a rare life of faith
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Less than 1% of Catholic nuns in the United States today are 30 or younger. Seyram Adzokpa and Zoey Stapleton are two of the young women who have made the rare decision to join a religious community and begin the long process to become nuns. Here are their stories. ...
Takeaways from AP’s reporting on young nuns
Less than 1% of nuns in the United States today are 30 or younger. That number has remained steady in the past decade but shows little signs of increasing. Between 100 and 200 young women enter into a religious vocation each year in the U.S., and not all of them will complete the...
Today in History: December 20, the Louisiana Purchase is completed
Today is Friday, Dec. 20, the 355th day of 2024. There are 11 days left in the year. Today in history: On Dec. 20, 1803, the Louisiana Purchase was completed as ownership of the territory was formally transferred from France to the United States. Also on...
Biden, on his way out, sets 'ambitious' climate goal: Cut US greenhouse gas emissions by over 60%
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is pledging to cut U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by more than 60% by 2035 as he fights to ensure his legacy on slowing global warming, even as President-elect Donald Trump vows to undo much of Biden's climate work when he takes office next month. ...
Immigration drives US population growth to highest rate in 23 years as residents pass 340 million
Immigration in 2024 drove U.S. population growth to its fastest rate in 23 years as the nation surpassed 340 million residents, the U.S. Census Bureau said Thursday. The almost 1% growth rate this year was the highest it has been since 2001, and it was a marked contrast to the record...
The US Census Bureau is adding refugees to its immigrant count
The U.S. Census Bureau is changing how it counts immigrants in annual estimates by including more people who were admitted for humanitarian, and often temporary, reasons. The change is being made in an effort to better reflect population shifts this decade, officials said Monday....
Supreme Court will hear arguments over the law that could ban TikTok in the US if it's not sold
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Wednesday said it will hear arguments next month over the constitutionality of the federal law that could ban TikTok in the United States if its Chinese parent company doesn't sell it. The justices will hear arguments Jan. 10 about whether the...
A new neutrino detector in China aims to spot mysterious ghost particles lurking around us
KAIPING, China (AP) — Underneath a granite hill in southern China, a massive detector is nearly complete that will sniff out the mysterious ghost particles lurking around us. The Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory will soon begin the difficult task of spotting neutrinos:...
Energy chief Granholm warns against 'unfettered exports' of liquefied natural gas
WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States should proceed cautiously as officials consider new natural gas export terminals, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said Tuesday, warning the incoming Trump administration that “unfettered exports" of liquefied natural gas, or LNG, could drive up domestic...
