Latest United States News
Biden signs a bill officially making the bald eagle the national bird of the US
WASHINGTON (AP) — The bald eagle, a symbol of the power and strength of the United States for more than 240 years, earned an overdue honor on Tuesday: It officially became the country's national bird. President Joe Biden signed into law legislation sent to him by Congress that...
Biden will decide on US Steel acquisition after influential panel fails to reach consensus
WASHINGTON (AP) — A powerful government panel on Monday failed to reach consensus on the possible national security risks of a nearly $15 billion proposed deal for Nippon Steel of Japan to purchase U.S. Steel, leaving the decision to President Joe Biden, who opposes the deal. The...
Trump threatens to try to take back the Panama Canal. Panama's president balks at the suggestion
PHOENIX (AP) — Donald Trump suggested Sunday that his new administration could try to regain control of the Panama Canal that the United States “foolishly” ceded to its Central American ally, contending that shippers are charged “ridiculous” fees to pass through the vital transportation...
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....
