US & World News

US Expands Probe Into Ford Engine Failures To Include Two Motors And Nearly 709,000 Vehicles

DETROIT (AP) — U.S. auto safety investigators have expanded a probe into Ford Motor Co. engine failures to include nearly 709,000 vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also said in documents posted Monday on its website that it upgraded the investigation to an engineering analysis, a step closer to a recall. The investigation now covers Ford’s F-150 pickup truck, as well…

Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein Of California, An Advocate For Liberal Priorities, Dies At Age 90

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California, a centrist Democrat who was elected to the Senate in 1992 in the “Year of the Woman” and broke gender barriers throughout her long career in local and national politics, has died. She was 90. Feinstein died on Thursday night at her home in Washington, D.C., her office confirmed on Friday. President Joe…

Judge Rules Donald Trump Defrauded Banks, Insurers While Building Real Estate Empire

NEW YORK (AP) — A judge ruled Tuesday that Donald Trump committed fraud for years while building the real estate empire that catapulted him to fame and the White House. Judge Arthur Engoron, ruling in a civil lawsuit brought by New York’s attorney general, found that the former president and his company deceived banks, insurers and others by massively overvaluing…

Lahaina Residents Begin Returning To Sites Of Homes Destroyed By Deadly Wildfire

LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — Some Lahaina residents returned to their devastated properties Monday for the first time since the Hawaii town was destroyed by wildfire nearly seven weeks ago. The prospect of returning has stirred strong emotions in residents who fled in vehicles or on foot as the wind-whipped flames raced across Lahaina, the historic capital of the former Hawaiian kingdom, and overcame people…

Auto Workers Are Expanding Their Strike To 38 Locations In 20 States, Targeting Stellantis And GM

(AP) — The United Auto Workers union expanded its strike against major carmakers Friday, walking out of 38 General Motors and Stellantis parts-distribution centers in 20 states. Ford was spared additional strikes because the company has met some of the union’s demands during negotiations over the past week, UAW President Shawn Fain said during an online presentation to union members….

Rupert Murdoch, The Creator Of Fox News, Is Stepping Down As Head Of News Corp. And Fox Corp.

NEW YORK (AP) — Rupert Murdoch, the 92-year-old Australian media magnate whose creation of Fox News made him a force in American politics, is stepping down as leader of both Fox’s parent company and his News Corp. media holdings. Fox said Thursday that Murdoch would become chairman emeritus of both companies, effective at board meetings in November. His son, Lachlan, will…

Biden Administration Announces $600M To Produce COVID Tests And Will Reopen Website To Order Them

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration announced Wednesday that it is providing $600 million in funding to produce new at-home COVID-19 tests and is restarting a website allowing Americans to again order up to four free tests per household — aiming to prevent possible shortages during a rise in coronavirus cases that has typically come during colder months. The Department of Health and Human Services says…

FDA Says It Needs More Research Before Deciding To Approve Nasal Spray To Treat Dangerous Allergies

(AP) — Federal regulators declined to approve a nasal spray to treat severe allergic reactions late Tuesday, calling for more research on what would have been the first alternative to injections using devices such as an EpiPen. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration told ARS Pharmaceuticals Inc., of San Diego, that the company needs to conduct another study on repeat…

United Auto Workers Threaten To Expand Targeted Strike If There Is No Substantive Progress By Friday

(AP) — The United Auto Workers union is stepping up pressure on Detroit’s Big Three by threatening to expand its strike unless it sees major progress in contract negotiations by Friday. In a video statement late Monday, UAW President Shawn Fain said workers at more factories will join those who are now in the fifth day of a strike at…

Hunter Biden Sues The IRS Over Tax Disclosures After Agent Testimony Before Congress

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hunter Biden sued the Internal Revenue Service on Monday, claiming that two agents publicly alleging tax-probe interference wrongly shared his personal information, a case that comes amid escalating legal and political struggles as the 2024 election looms. The agents “targeted and sought to embarrass Mr. Biden” with the sharing of confidential tax information in press interviews and testimony before Congress, the…

Planned Parenthood Resumes Offering Abortions In Wisconsin After More Than A Year

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Planned Parenthood resumed offering abortion services in Wisconsin on Monday after halting them for more than a year since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Providers across the state stopped offering abortions following the June 2022 decision, fearing enforcement of an 1849 state law that appears to ban the procedure but had previously been nullified…

Officials Say 5 Prisoners Sought By The US In A Swap With Iran Have Flown Out Of Tehran

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Five prisoners sought by the U.S. in a swap with Iran flew out of Tehran on Monday, officials said, part of a deal that saw nearly $6 billion in Iranian assets unfrozen. Despite the deal, tensions are almost certain to remain high between the U.S. and Iran, which are locked in various disputes, including over Tehran’s nuclear program. Iran says…

Biden Sending Aides To Detroit To Address Autoworkers Strike, Says ‘Record Profits’ Should Be Shared

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Friday dispatched two of his top aides to Detroit to help resolve the strike by unionized autoworkers, expressing sympathy for the union by suggesting that the Big 3 automakers should share their “record profits.” “No one wants to strike,” Biden said in brief remarks at the White House. “But I respect workers’ right to…

Hunter Biden Indicted On Federal Firearms Charges In Long-Running Probe Weeks After Plea Deal Failed

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hunter Biden was indicted Thursday on federal firearms charges, the latest and weightiest step yet in a long-running investigation into the president’s son. Biden is accused of lying about his drug use when he bought a firearm in October 2018, a period when he has acknowledged struggling with addiction to crack cocaine, according to the indictment filed in federal…

Utah GOP Sen. Mitt Romney, Former Presidential Candidate And Governor, Won’t Seek Reelection In 2024

(AP) — Utah Republican Sen. Mitt Romney said Wednesday that he will not run for reelection in 2024, creating a wide-open contest in a state that heavily favors Republicans and is expected to attract a crowded field. Romney, a former presidential candidate and governor of Massachusetts, made the announcement in a video statement. The 76-year-old said the country is ready for…

US Moves To Advance Prisoner Swap Deal With Iran And Release $6 Billion In Frozen Iranian Funds

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration has cleared the way for the release of five American citizens detained in Iran by issuing a blanket waiver for international banks to transfer $6 billion in frozen Iranian money from South Korea to Qatar without fear of U.S. sanctions. In addition, as part of the deal, the administration has agreed to release five Iranian citizens…

Bells Toll As The US Marks 22 Years Since 9/11, From Ground Zero To Alaska

NEW YORK (AP) — With tolling bells, personal tributes and tears, Americans looked back Monday on 9/11 at anniversary observances that stretched from ground zero to small towns. People gathered at memorials, firehouses, city halls, campuses and elsewhere to observe the 22nd anniversary of the deadliest terror attack on U.S. soil. “For those of us who lost people on that…

Monday Marks 22 Years Since 9/11 Attacks On America

On Monday, the United States and countries abroad will remember the tragic events of September 11th that killed almost 3,000 Americans 22 years ago. Gov. Tim Walz has ordered Flags at half-staff Monday in honor of September 11th. The order is in accordance with a proclamation issued by President Biden that all United States flags be flown at half-staff at…

University of North Carolina Graduate Student Charged With Murder In Killing Of His Faculty Advisor

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Authorities charged a University of North Carolina graduate student Tuesday with first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of his faculty advisor, in an attack that caused a campus lockdown while police searched for the gunman. Tailei Qi, 34, was due in court later Tuesday for an initial hearing in the Monday killing of Zijie Yan inside of…

Trump Trial Set For March 4, 2024, In Federal Case Charging Him With Plotting To Overturn Election

WASHINGTON (AP) — A judge on Monday set a March 4, 2024, trial date for Donald Trump in the federal case in Washington charging the former president with trying to overturn the results of the 2020 election, rejecting a defense request to push back the case by years. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan rebuffed claims by Trump’s attorneys that an April 2026 trial date…

Trump Surrenders At Atlanta Jail On Election Charges, Then Quickly Released

ATLANTA (AP) — Former President Donald Trump surrendered Thursday on charges that he illegally schemed to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia, a brisk 20-minute booking that yielded a historic first: a mug shot of a U.S. ex-president. He was released on $200,000 bond and headed back to the airport for his return flight home to New Jersey, flashing a…

Giuliani Turns Himself In On Georgia 2020 Election Charges After Bond Is Set At $150,000

ATLANTA (AP) — Rudy Giuliani surrendered to authorities in Georgia on Wednesday on charges alleging he acted as former President Donald Trump’s chief co-conspirator in a plot to subvert the 2020 election. The former New York City mayor, celebrated as “America’s mayor” for his leadership after 9/11, is charged with Trump and 17 other people under Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and…

Officials Say A Jet Crash In Russia Kills 10, Wagner Chief Prigozhin Was On Passenger List

MOSCOW (AP) — A private jet crashed in Russia on Wednesday, killing all 10 people aboard, emergency officials said. Mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin was on the passenger list, but it wasn’t immediately clear if he was on board. Prigozhin’s fate has been the subject of intense speculation ever since he mounted a short-lived mutiny against Russia’s military leadership in late…

Unionized UPS Workers Approve Contract Leaders Agreed To In Late July

(AP) — The union representing 340,000 UPS workers said Tuesday that its members voted to approve the tentative contract agreement reached last month, putting a final seal on contentious labor negotiations that threatened to disrupt package deliveries for millions of businesses and households nationwide. The Teamsters said in a statement that 86% of the votes casts were in favor of ratifying…

State Department Renews Ban On Use Of US Passports For Travel To North Korea

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is extending for another year a ban on the use of U.S. passports for travel to North Korea, the State Department said Tuesday. The ban was imposed in 2017 and has been renewed every year since. The latest extension comes as tensions with North Korea are rising over its nuclear and ballistic missile programs…

FDA Approves RSV Vaccine For Moms-To-Be To Guard Their Newborns

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. regulators on Monday approved the first RSV vaccine for pregnant women so their babies will be born with protection against the scary respiratory infection. RSV is notorious for filling hospitals with wheezing babies every fall and winter. The Food and Drug Administration cleared Pfizer’s maternal vaccination to guard against a severe case of RSV when babies are…

Trump Says He Will Surrender Thursday On Georgia Charges Tied To Efforts To Overturn 2020 Election

(AP) — Former President Donald Trump says he will surrender to authorities in Georgia on Thursday to face charges in the case accusing him of illegally scheming to overturn his 2020 election loss. “Can you believe it? I’ll be going to Atlanta, Georgia, on Thursday to be ARRESTED,” Trump wrote on his social media network Monday night, hours after court papers said his…

Trump Says He Will Skip GOP Presidential Primary Debates

NEW YORK (AP) — Former President Donald Trump confirmed Sunday that he will be skipping Wednesday’s first Republican presidential primary debate — and others as well. “The public knows who I am & what a successful Presidency I had,” Trump wrote on his social media site. “I WILL THEREFORE NOT BE DOING THE DEBATES!” His spokesman did not immediately clarify whether he…

Tropical Storm Hilary Carries Deluge To California After Making Landfall Along Mexico’s Baja Coast

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Deadly floodwaters inundated streets across Mexico’s arid Baja California on Sunday as Tropical Storm Hilary moved ashore carrying torrential rain into Southern California, and concerns mounted that flash floods could damage places as far north as Idaho that rarely get such heavy rain. Forecasters said Hilary was the first tropical storm to hit Southern California in 84…

US, Japan And South Korea Agree To Expand Security And Economic Ties At Historic Camp David Summit

CAMP DAVID, Md. (AP) — President Joe Biden and the leaders of Japan and South Korea agreed Friday to expand security and economic ties at a historic summit at the U.S. presidential retreat of Camp David. Their meeting and agreement come at a time that the three countries are on an increasingly tense ledge in their relations with China and…

Over 1.5 Million Dehumidifiers Are Under Recall After Fire Reports. Here’s What You Need To Know

NEW YORK (AP) — More than 1.5 million dehumidifiers are under recall following reports of nearly two dozen fires, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The recall impacts 42 models of dehumidifiers sold under five brand names: Kenmore, GE, SoleusAir, Norpole and Seabreeze. These products, all manufactured by the Zhuhai, China-based Gree Electric Appliances, were sold from January…

Some Abortion Drug Restrictions Are Upheld By An Appeals Court In A Case Bound For The Supreme Court

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — New restrictions on access to a drug used in the most common form of abortion would be imposed under a federal appeals court ruling issued Wednesday, but the Supreme Court will have the final say. The ruling by three judges on the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans overturned part of a lower court ruling…

Hawaii’s Governor Warns That Scores More People Could Be Found Dead Following Wildfires On Maui

LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — Hawaii’s governor warned that scores more people could be found dead following ferocious wildfires on Maui, as search and rescue crews scoured neighborhoods street by street and prepared to comb through buildings charred by flames that galloped a mile a minute. The blazes, which consumed most of the historic town of Lahaina, are already the deadliest in…

At Least 36 Killed On Maui As Fires Burn Through Hawaii And Thousands Race To Escape

WAILUKU, Hawaii (AP) — Wildfires fueled by a dry summer and strong winds from a passing hurricane killed 36 people and destroyed hundreds of homes and other buildings on the Hawaiian island of Maui, in the deadliest blaze in the U.S. in years. Rescuers searched Thursday through the leveled, ashen homes and businesses of Lahaina, which dates to the 1700s, is the biggest…

$1.58 Billion Mega Millions Ticket Sold In Florida

LOS ANGELES (KTTV) – We apparently may have found the Mega Million lottery jackpot winner. According to the Mega Millions website someone from Florida purchased a ticket with all six matching numbers – good for the top prize of up to $1.58 billion. The top prize bumped up to nearly $1.6 billion after no one got the six matching numbers for last week’s drawing….

Supreme Court Reinstates Regulation Of Ghost Guns, Firearms Without Serial Numbers

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is reinstating a regulation aimed at reining in the proliferation of ghost guns, firearms without serial numbers that have been turning up at crime scenes across the nation in increasing numbers. The court on Tuesday voted 5-4 to put on hold a ruling from a federal judge in Texas that invalidated the Biden administration’s regulation of ghost gun…

The Mega Millions Jackpot Has Soared To $1.55 Billion. Here’s How Hard It Is To Win

NEW YORK (AP) — There’s no shaking it. Your chances of winning the lottery are extremely slim. After no big winner Friday night, the Mega Millions jackpot climbed to an estimated $1.55 billion. If someone wins it all on Tuesday, when the next Mega Millions drawing takes place, the prize would one of the largest in U.S. lottery history. But don’t plan on…

Trump Pleads Not Guilty To Federal Charges That He Tried To Overturn The 2020 Election

WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump pleaded not guilty Thursday to trying to overturn the results of his 2020 presidential election loss, answering for the first time to federal charges that accuse him of orchestrating a brazen and ultimately failed attempt to block the peaceful transfer of presidential power. Trump appeared before a magistrate judge in Washington’s federal courthouse two days after being…

Trump Arraignment: Protesters Gather In DC Ahead Of Former President’s Court Appearance

WASHINGTON (FOX9) – President Donald Trump has landed in Washington, D.C. and will soon be on his way to court to be arraigned on federal charges in connection to his claims of election fraud and attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. It’s a historic day that will set the former president squarely between two significant landmarks from his…

IRS Aims To Go Paperless By 2025 As Part Of Its Campaign To Conquer Mountains Of Paperwork

(AP) — Most taxpayers will be able to digitally submit a slew of tax documents and other communications to the IRS next filing season as the agency aims to go completely paperless by 2025. The effort to reduce the exorbitant load of paperwork that has plagued the agency — dubbed the “paperless processing initiative” — was announced Wednesday by Treasury Secretary Janet…

Trump Charged By Justice Department For Efforts To Overturn His 2020 Presidential Election Loss

(AP) — Donald Trump was charged Tuesday in a Justice Department investigation into his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, a frantic but ultimately failed endeavor that culminated in the violent riot by his supporters at the U.S. Capitol. The indictment, the third criminal case brought against the former president as he seeks to reclaim the White…

First US Nuclear Reactor Built From Scratch In Decades Enters Commercial Operation In Georgia

ATLANTA (AP) — A new reactor at a nuclear power plant in Georgia has entered commercial operation, becoming the first new American reactor built from scratch in decades. Georgia Power Co. announced Monday that Unit 3 at Plant Vogtle, southeast of Augusta, has completed testing and is now sending power to the grid reliably. At its full output of 1,100 megawatts…

Supreme Court’s Student Loan Decision Will Lower US Deficit According To New White House Projection

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court ruling that upended President Joe Biden’s plan to forgive student loan debt changed his budget math, modestly lowering the projected deficit for this year, his budget office reported Friday. The White House expects to pare back $259 billion in spending that otherwise would have gone to erasing student loans. This contributed to lowering expected red ink…

A Meat Allergy Caused By Tick Spit Is Getting More Common, CDC Says

NEW YORK (AP) — More than 100,000 people in the U.S. have become allergic to red meat since 2010 because of a weird syndrome triggered by tick bites, according to a government report released Thursday. But health officials believe many more have the problem and don’t know it. A second report estimated that as many as 450,000 Americans have developed…

Trump Lawyers Meet With Jack Smith’s Team Ahead Of Possible 2020 Election Indictment, AP Source Says

WASHINGTON (AP) — Lawyers for Donald Trump were meeting Thursday with members of special counsel Jack Smith’s team ahead of a potential indictment over the former president’s efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, according to a person familiar with the matter. The meeting included Trump lawyer John Lauro, said the person, who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of…

Whistleblower Claims US Is Concealing Program That Captures UFOs

(FOX 9) — The U.S. is concealing a longstanding program that retrieves and reverse engineers unidentified flying objects, a former Air Force intelligence officer testified Wednesday to Congress. The Pentagon has denied his claims. Retired Maj. David Grusch’s highly anticipated testimony before a House Oversight subcommittee was Congress’ latest foray into the world of UAPs — or “unidentified aerial phenomena,” which…

Sinéad O’Connor, Gifted And Provocative Irish Singer, Dies At 56

LONDON (AP) — Sinéad O’Connor, the gifted Irish singer-songwriter who became a superstar in her mid-20s but was known as much for her private struggles and provocative actions as for her fierce and expressive music, has died at 56. “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Sinéad. Her family and friends are devastated and have requested…

US To Send Up To $400 Million In Military Aid To Ukraine

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is sending up to $400 million in additional military aid to Ukraine, including a variety of munitions for advanced air defense systems and a number of small, surveillance Hornet drones, the Pentagon announced Tuesday, as attacks in the war escalated to include strikes in Moscow and Crimea. The package includes an array of ammunition — ranging…