US & World News Archives - Page 6 of 76

Wisconsin Republican Bill Berrien quits governor’s race amid fallout over sexually explicit links

September 26, 2025

By SCOTT BAUER - Associated Press

Wisconsin business owner Bill Berrien has ended his Republican campaign for governor, days after it was reported that he followed numerous sexually explicit accounts online, including a nonbinary pornography performer. Berrien is a former Navy SEAL and one of three announced prominent Republican candidates. He issued a lengthy statement Friday saying, “I had no idea that running for political office could be almost as dangerous” as “hunting down war criminals in Bosnia.” Berrien said he concluded he could not win the Republican primary. Berrien’s departure leaves U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, who got into the race on Tuesday, and Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann as the only Republican candidates. There are numerous Democrats running.

Gunman who blamed NFL for hiding brain injury dangers had CTE, medical examiner confirms

September 26, 2025

By JAKE OFFENHARTZ - Associated Press

A medical examiner has confirmed that Shane Tamura, who killed four people in a Manhattan office tower this summer, was suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Tamura, a Las Vegas casino worker, shot himself in the chest after the July 28 shooting in a building housing NFL headquarters. The victims included a police officer, a security guard and two office workers. He accused the NFL of hiding evidence of brain injuries. A note found in Tamura’s wallet revealed his self-diagnosis and urged the study of his brain. Tamura played high school football in California a decade ago but never played in the NFL.

UN adds 68 companies to blacklist for alleged complicity in rights violations in Israeli settlements

September 26, 2025

By JAMEY KEATEN - Associated Press

The United Nations has added 68 more companies to a blacklist of companies from 11 countries that it says are complicit in violating Palestinian human rights through their business ties to Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. The new list spotlights companies that do business that’s deemed supportive of the settlements, which are considered by many to be illegal under international law. The list, formally known as a “database of companies,” now contains 158 companies, the vast majority Israeli. The others are from Britain, Canada, China, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and the United States.

Assata Shakur, a fugitive Black militant sought by the US since 1979, dies in Cuba

September 26, 2025

By PHILIP MARCELO - Associated Press

Assata Shakur, a Black liberation activist who was given political asylum in Cuba after her 1979 escape from a U.S. prison where she had been serving a life sentence for killing a police officer, has died. The Cuban government said Friday that Shakur died Thursday in Havana due to “health conditions and advanced age.” Shakur’s case had long been a thorny issue in the fraught relations between the U.S. and Cuba. Shakur was convicted in the 1973 death of Trooper Werner Foerster during a gunfight after a traffic stop on the New Jersey Turnpike. She was sentenced to life in prison but escaped and eventually fled to Cuba.

Minnesota’s political divide stalls gun control efforts after deadly church shooting

September 26, 2025

By STEVE KARNOWSKI - Associated Press

Minnesota is grappling with a political deadlock over gun control after a church shooting in August left two children dead and 21 injured. Gov. Tim Walz has vowed to call a special legislative session to address gun violence and school safety. However, a month later, discussions remain stalled. The state Legislature is very closely divided, making bipartisan support essential for any progress. Urban Democrats generally support gun restrictions, while rural Republicans oppose them. Walz has prioritized bans on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, but consensus remains elusive. Both parties continue to debate potential solutions without reaching an agreement.

FACT CHECK: AP’s director of climate news breaks down Trump’s remarks at the UN on climate change

September 26, 2025

By The Associated Press

This week, addressing the United Nations, President Donald Trump made several false claims about climate change, including that it didn’t actually exist. He called it “the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world” and urged world leaders to “get away from the green scam.” It was a pointed and extraordinary takedown of the intensely researched issue, and he did it in front of scores of leaders — including some from nations whose very existence is threatened by the effects of global warming. Among his remarks were several claims that are false or misleading.

Tennessee governor says more federal agents to join fight against crime in Memphis next week

September 26, 2025

By JONATHAN MATTISE - Associated Press

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee says an influx of additional federal law enforcement agents will focus on crime in Memphis starting next week. The Republican said at a news conference Friday in Memphis alongside city and state officials that 13 federal agencies will arrive in phases. They include the National Guard, though Lee did not say specifically when troops would arrive. He said the National Guard members will not make arrests and will not be armed, unless local law enforcement officials request it. He says he will not declare a state of emergency.

In Ireland, Aaron Rodgers talks Guinness and NFL international growth

September 26, 2025

By KEN MAGUIRE - AP Sports Writer

Aaron Rodgers was dressed in black, appropriately, to field questions about Guinness. The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback spoke to the international media at a resort hotel where the team is staying ahead of Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings. Can’t avoid the Guinness questions in Ireland, it seems. He says “I don’t really drink beer, but if I do, I drink Guinness.” It would certainly taste better with a victory at Croke Park on Sunday, when Ireland joins the NFL’s growing list of host countries. The league is staging seven international games this season.

Hurricane Helene hit the reset button on one town’s goal of becoming an outdoor tourism mecca

September 26, 2025

By ALLEN G. BREED and BRITTANY PETERSON - Associated Press

The mountain “gateway” town of Old Fort, North Carolina, was well on its way to achieving a major goal: to become a hot spot for mountain biking and all things outdoors. Then nature, as one business owner put it, hit “the reset button.” A year ago, floodwaters from the remnants of Hurricane Helene inundated the town, washing out miles of multi-purpose trails and closing long stretches of the Blue Ridge Parkway, a tourist lifeline. Chad Schoenauer has reopened his Old Fort Bike Shop, but he’s doing more repairs than sales these days. Tourism spending last year was way off in the mountains, but many are hoping for a successful fall foliage season to hit the reset button again.

From Ralphie to Uga, live animal mascots inspire fans and create deep connections with their teams

September 26, 2025

By PAT GRAHAM - AP Sports Writer

Ralphie VII, the new live mascot for the Colorado Buffaloes, has made her debut, thrilling fans at Folsom Field. The year-old bison, weighing 700 pounds, ran across the field last weekend, marking the return of one of college football’s beloved live animal mascots. Ralphie VII had missed the first two home games as she got up to speed. Live mascots like Ralphie inspire fans and foster deep connections with their teams. Other famous live mascots include Georgia’s Uga, Texas’ Bevo, and LSU’s Mike the Tiger, each with their own unique traditions and fan followings.

Bryson DeChambeau put a charge into the Ryder Cup crowd. Europe has snuffed it out

September 26, 2025

By DOUG FERGUSON - AP Golf Writer

Bryson DeChambeau got this highly anticipated Ryder Cup off to a big start. The grandstands behind the first tee at Bethpage Black were filled in the Friday morning darkness. U.S. captain Keegan Bradley came out early to fire them up. But nothing did the trick quite like DeChambeau. He hit driver over the trees with a 344-shot just short of the green, and the Americans converted that into a birdie for an early lead. Europe led three of the four matches as foursomes reached the turn, subduing the American fans, many of whom also faced delays entering prompted by enhanced security.

Fed’s favored inflation gauge accelerates slightly in August

September 26, 2025

By PAUL WISEMAN - AP Economics Writer

The Federal Reserve’s favored inflation gauge accelerated slightly in August from a year earlier. The Commerce Department reported Friday that its personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index was up 2.7% in August from a year earlier, up from a 2.6% year-over-year increase in July and most since February. Excluding volatile food and energy prices, so-called core PCE inflation showed a 2.9% increase in prices from August 2024, same as in July. The increases were what forecasters had expected.

Thune says a shutdown can still be avoided if Democrats ‘dial back’ their demands

September 26, 2025

By MARY CLARE JALONICK - Associated Press

Senate Majority Leader John Thune is rejecting Democratic demands on health care as unserious but says a government shutdown is still “avoidable.” Thune tells The Associated Press in an interview he’s “a big believer that there’s always a way out.” Thune says Democrats are going to have to “dial back” their demands to immediately extend health insurance subsidies and reverse the health care policies Republicans passed over the summer. Absent that, the South Dakota Republican says, “we’re probably plunging forward toward the shutdown.” Democrats have shown little evidence of pulling back on their threats.

Profit margin on flipping a home is at a 17-year low due to high prices

September 26, 2025

By ALEX VEIGA - AP Business Writer

It pays less and less to buy and flip a home these days. The typical home flipping profit margin fell in the second quarter to its lowest level since 2008, with a typical return of 25.1% before expenses. That’s according to an analysis by Attom, a real estate data company. Rising home prices are driving up acquisition costs, making flipping less profitable. The median price for a flipped home reached a record high of $259,700, according to Attom. Meanwhile, with many aspiring homeowners priced out of the market, real estate investors are taking up a bigger share of U.S. home sales overall.

Cal Raleigh makes history, but will the catcher’s 60 homers be enough to beat Aaron Judge for MVP?

September 26, 2025

By NOAH TRISTER - AP Baseball Writer

Seattle catcher Cal Raleigh has hit 60 home runs this season, joining an elite group in baseball history. He and Aaron Judge are the frontrunners for the American League MVP award. As of Thursday night, Raleigh was a slight favorite according to BetMGM Sportsbook. Judge, however, leads in advanced stats like wins above replacement. No catcher — and no switch-hitter — has ever hit as many homers as Raleigh in a season. In that sense, he’s had a more historic year than Judge. Now it’s up to the voters to decide if it was more valuable.

European countries meet to discuss a ‘drone wall’ as airspace violations mount

September 26, 2025

AP

Representatives from European countries with borders close to Russia and Ukraine are holding talks on building a drone wall to plug gaps in their defenses following several airspace violations. Europe’s borders have been increasingly tested by drones recently. Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland have been working on a drone wall project. EU Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius was chairing Friday’s talks. The virtual meeting was to include those countries plus officials from Bulgaria, Denmark Romania and Slovakia. Representatives from Ukraine and NATO were also due to take part. The aim is to establish what equipment those countries have to counter drones, what new projects they are planning, and what EU funds they might need.

Tigers and Guardians tied atop AL Central with 3 games left

September 26, 2025

By JOE REEDY - AP Sports Writer

The Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Guardians are both 86-73 and tied atop the American League’s Central Division with three games remaining. The last time the division was remotely close after 159 games was in 2014, when the Tigers had a two-game lead on the Kansas City Royals. The last time the AL Central was tied at this point was 2006 when the Tigers and Minnesota Twins had 95-64 records. The Tigers snapped an eight-game losing streak with a 4-2 win over Cleveland on Thursday night and go into Boston in control of their own destiny. Even though the Guardians were unable to sweep the Tigers for the second time in less than two weeks, they still got what they wanted by taking two out of three games. Cleveland hosts Texas beginning Friday.

Trump escalates retribution campaign with charges against Comey and threats against liberal groups

September 25, 2025

By JILL COLVIN - Associated Press

President Donald Trump’s unprecedented retribution campaign against his perceived political enemies reached new heights Thursday as his Justice Department brought criminal charges against a longtime foe and he expanded his efforts to classify certain liberal groups as “domestic terrorist organizations.” Former FBI Director James Comey, a longtime Trump target, was indicted by a grand jury for lying to Congress in a hastily brought case days after Trump publicly demanded action. Hours earlier, he signed a memorandum directing his administration to target backers of what he dubbed “left-wing terrorism” as he alleged without evidence a vast conspiracy by nonprofit groups and activists to finance violent protests.

Photos show the efforts to curb a measles outbreak in Indonesia

September 25, 2025

By DITA ALANGKARA - Associated Press

SUMENEP, Indonesia (AP) — Health workers in Sumenep, Indonesia, are delivering measles vaccines to curb an outbreak on Madura Island, which has persisted for nine months. Over 2,600 children have been infected this year, and 20 have died. Efforts face challenges due to concerns about the vaccine’s halal status, because some vaccines contain a pig-derived stabilizer. Some Islamic scholars say…

Israel’s Netanyahu to address UN as pressure mounts over Gaza war

September 25, 2025

By JENNIFER PELTZ and ADAM GELLER - Associated Press

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is getting his chance to speak at the U.N. General Assembly’s annual meeting of world leaders. The stakes are high as the Israeli leader faces international isolation, growing pressure to end Israel’s war in Gaza and accusations of war crimes, which he denies. Netanyahu says he plans to “tell our truth” of Israel’s citizens, soldiers and state during his speech Friday. Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas addressed the General Assembly by video Thursday because the U.S. denied him a visa to travel to the U.N. headquarters in New York. He says the international community needs to do more to help Palestinians achieve their long-sought independent state.

Tigers beat Guardians 4-2 to end 8-game skid and move back into tie for AL Central lead

September 25, 2025

By JOE REEDY - AP Sports Writer

Jahmai Jones led off the game with a home run and the Detroit Tigers snapped an eight-game losing streak, beating Cleveland 4-2 on Thursday night to move back into a tie with the Guardians for the AL Central lead. Detroit and Cleveland are 86-73 with three games left to play. The Guardians hold the tiebreaker after going 8-5 in the season series. The Tigers head to Boston, where the Red Sox have a one-game lead for the AL’s second wild card. The Guardians will host Texas, which has lost nine of 10. Wenceel Pérez and Riley Greene also homered off Cleveland starter Parker Messick (3-1). Brant Hurter (4-3) got the win, and Will Vest picked up his 22nd save in 29 opportunities.

Trump to put import taxes on pharmaceutical drugs, kitchen cabinets, furniture and heavy trucks

September 25, 2025

By JOSH BOAK - Associated Press

President Donald Trump is putting import taxes of 100% on pharmaceutical drugs, 50% on kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities, 30% on upholstered furniture and 25% on heavy trucks starting on Oct. 1. Trump said Thursday on his social media site that foreign manufacturers of furniture and cabinetry were flooding the United States with their products and that tariffs must be applied “for National Security and other reasons.” Trump said that foreign-made heavy trucks and parts are hurting domestic producers.

What to know about Arizona serial killings that resulted in 8 murder convictions

September 25, 2025

AP

An Arizona man has been convicted on eight murder charges for a string of fatal shootings in Phoenix after a trial that spanned several months. The jury in Phoenix found 43-year-old Cleophus Cooksey Jr. guilty in the killings that targeted random victims and the defendant’s mother and stepfather over a three-week span in 2017. He was also found guilty of other crimes including kidnapping, sexual assault and armed robbery. The sentencing portion of the trial begins Monday, and prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. Cooksey has maintained his innocence.

Bruce Bochy’s future with the Texas Rangers is unclear

September 25, 2025

By STEPHEN HAWKINS - AP Baseball Writer

Bruce Bochy is in the final games of his three-year contract with the Texas Rangers, a span that began with the franchise’s only World Series title. Baseball’s winningest active manager isn’t ready to discuss if he will be back next season. Bochy said before Thursday’s 4-0 loss to Minnesota in the home finale that’s something to talk about after the season. Both Bochy and Chris Young, the team’s president of baseball operations, say they will talk about next season after this one is done. The Rangers, who will miss the playoffs for the second year in a row since that championship in 2023, finish with three games at Cleveland this weekend.

Ryder Cup matchups for the opening session at Bethpage Black

September 25, 2025

By DOUG FERGUSON - AP Golf Writer

Bryson DeChambeau will be leading off in foursomes for the Americans at the Ryder Cup on Friday. Europe counters with the equally fiery Jon Rahm, who has never lost a foursomes match. DeChambeau will have Justin Thomas as his partner in the opening match at Bethpage Black. Rahm is with Tyrrell Hatton again. They were sent off first two years ago in Rome. The other matchups are Ludvig Aberg and Matt Fitzpatrick vs. Scottie Scheffler and Russell Henley, Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood vs. Collin Morikawa and Harris English, and Robert MacIntyre and Viktor Hovland vs. Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay.

Arizona jury convicts man on 8 murder charges for metro Phoenix shootings in 2017

September 25, 2025

By JACQUES BILLEAUD and SEJAL GOVINDARAO - Associated Press

A man in Arizona has been convicted of killing eight people in the metro Phoenix area in 2017. Cleophus Cooksey Jr.’s trial came more than seven years after the killings due to repeated delays caused by the pandemic. The 43-year-old was accused of murder and other charges stemming from the fatal shootings in Phoenix and nearby Glendale over a three-week span. Prosecutors say they plan to seek the death penalty.

Wisconsin Planned Parenthood pauses abortions amid federal Medicaid funding cut

September 25, 2025

By SCOTT BAUER and GEOFF MULVIHILL - Associated Press

Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin says it will stop scheduling patients for abortions starting next week as it works to provide the service in the face of Medicaid funding cuts in President Donald Trump’s tax and spending bill. Abortion funding across the U.S. has been under siege, particularly Planned Parenthood affiliates, which are the biggest provider. The organization warned earlier this year that about half its clinics that provide abortion could be closed as a result of a ban on Medicaid funding for the nonprofit for services other than abortion. Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin said Thursday it would pause scheduling abortions after the new law takes effect on Wednesday.

Trump snubs Biden with autopen photo on new Presidential Walk of Fame

September 25, 2025

By DARLENE SUPERVILLE - Associated Press

President Donald Trump has added a Presidential Walk of Fame to the White House, featuring portraits of previous commanders-in-chief — except for one. Instead of Joe Biden’s portrait, Trump hung a photo of an autopen signing the Democrat president’s name. This move reflects Trump’s ongoing attempts to delegitimize Biden, whom he has frequently criticized. Trump has never acknowledged his defeat to Biden in the 2020 election, falsely attributing it to voter fraud. The Walk of Fame is part of several design changes Trump has made since resuming office, including adding gold flourishes and new flagpoles.

Hard pass. Cold brew. Dad bod. Merriam-Webster adds over 5,000 words to ‘Collegiate’ dictionary

September 25, 2025

By LEANNE ITALIE - AP Lifestyles Writer

Merriam-Webster has fully revised its popular “Collegiate” dictionary with over 5,000 new words. They include “petrichor,” “dumbphone” and “ghost kitchen.” Also “cold brew,” “rizz,” “dad bod,” “hard pass,” “cancel culture” and more. The 12th edition is the first update in 22 years. It will be released Nov. 18. The company removed outdated geographical and biographical sections to make room for new content. Merriam-Webster’s president, Greg Barlow, says the goal is to make the dictionary more useful and engaging. Despite declining dictionary revenue among sellers overall, Merriam-Webster remains committed to its print editions. It sells about 1.5 million dictionaries a year but makes most of its money through digital content. The company’s website logs a billion visits annually.

Greenspan, Bernanke and Yellen urge Supreme Court to let Lisa Cook keep her job as a Fed governor

September 25, 2025

By MARK SHERMAN - Associated Press

Alan Greenspan, Ben Bernanke, Janet Yellen and other former top economic officials appointed by presidents of both parties are urging the Supreme Court to preserve the Federal Reserve’s political independence and allow Lisa Cook to remain as a central bank governor for now. The filing Thursday comes as the justices are weighing an emergency appeal from the administration to remove Cook while her lawsuit challenging her firing by President Donald Trump proceeds through the courts. The Fed board was designed to be largely independent from day-to-day politics. No president has fired a sitting Fed governor in the agency’s 112-year history.

LA County response to deadly fires slowed by lack of resources, outdated alert process, report says

September 25, 2025

By CHRISTOPHER WEBER and REBECCA BOONE - Associated Press

An outside review of Los Angeles County’s response to January’s deadly wildfires found a lack of resources and an outdated emergency alert process led to delays in warning residents about the need to evacuate as flames began consuming neighborhoods. The Independent After-Action Report was commissioned by county supervisors after the Eaton and Palisades fires killed more than 30 people and destroyed thousands of homes. The report released Thursday says a series of weaknesses, including “outdated policies, inconsistent practices and communications vulnerabilities,” hampered the effectiveness of the county’s response. The county says it’s not intended to investigate or assess blame.

Ireland is home turf for Rooney family as Steelers lead NFL into Dublin game

September 25, 2025

By KEN MAGUIRE - AP Sports Writer

The game Sunday between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings is a homecoming of sorts for the Rooney family, which traces its roots to Newry in Northern Ireland. Team officials were in Newry on Thursday for an event with the Ireland Funds, a philanthropic organization that his father cofounded more than 30 years before becoming U.S. ambassador to Ireland in 2009. They announced the creation of a scholarship fund in the name of Daniel and Patricia Rooney. As ambassador, Daniel M. Rooney made it a point to visit all 32 counties in Ireland, that’s 26 in the Republic and six in the North. Dublin’s Croke Park is the setting for Ireland’s first regular-season NFL game.

Hegseth abruptly summons top military commanders to a meeting in Virginia next week

September 25, 2025

By KONSTANTIN TOROPIN, EMMA BURROWS, BEN FINLEY - Associated Press

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has summoned hundreds of generals and admirals to a base in northern Virginia for a sudden meeting next week. The directive doesn’t offer a reason for the gathering Tuesday of senior commanders of the one-star rank or higher and their top advisers. Confirmation comes from two people familiar with the matter who weren’t authorized to publicly discuss the sensitive plans and spoke on condition of anonymity. The Pentagon’s top spokesman confirms that Hegseth “will be addressing his senior military leaders early next week.”

First radar images from new Earth-mapping satellite showcase Maine coast and North Dakota farmland

September 25, 2025

By MARCIA DUNN - AP Aerospace Writer

NASA has released the first radar images from a new Earth-mapping satellite showing the Maine coast and North Dakota farmland in incredible detail. The pictures are from a spacecraft that rocketed into orbit from India two months ago. The joint U.S.-Indian mission will survey virtually all of the world’s land and ice masses multiple times. By tracking even the slightest shifts in land and ice, the satellite will give forecasters and first responders a leg up in dealing with natural disasters. NASA says the pictures released Thursday are a preview of what’s to come once science operations begin in November.

Starbucks to close hundreds of stores, lay off 900 workers as part of turnaround plan

September 25, 2025

By DEE-ANN DURBIN - AP Business Writer

Starbucks said Thursday it’s closing hundreds of stores in the U.S., Canada and Europe and laying off 900 nonretail employees so it can focus resources on its turnaround plan. The Seattle coffee giant wouldn’t say exactly how many stores it’s closing. But the company expects to end its fiscal year this Sunday with 434 fewer stores in North America than it had at the end of June. Starbucks also said it’s closing some stores in the U.K., Austria and Switzerland. Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol said company is closing stores that don’t have a path to financial stability or have physical spaces that don’t meet customers’ expectations.

Fast-moving Hurricane Gabrielle to bring heavy rain and storm surge to the Azores

September 25, 2025

AP

A fast-moving Hurricane Gabrielle is expected to bring heavy rain, high winds and a storm surge to the Azores islands. The National Hurricane Center in Miami says a hurricane warning is in effect for all of the Azores as Gabrielle approaches Thursday. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Humberto is gaining strength Thursday to the east-northeast of the northern Leeward Islands. Humberto is expected to become a hurricane in a day or so and a major hurricane over the weekend. In the Pacific Ocean, Hurricane Narda is moving away from Mexico for now, but could bring rough surf and rip currents to coastal areas. Narda could become a Category 2 hurricane again by Friday.

Amazon to pay $2.5 billion to settle FTC allegations it duped customers into enrolling in Prime

September 25, 2025

By SALLY HO - The Associated Press

Amazon reached a historic $2.5 billion settlement with the Federal Trade Commission which said the online giant tricked customers into signing up for its Prime memberships, and made it difficult to cancel after they did so. The trial in Seattle started this week after the case was filed two years ago.

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs returns to court a week before he faces sentencing

September 25, 2025

By LISEBERTH GUILLAUME - Associated Press Writer

Sean “Diddy” Combs has returned to court a week before the Grammy-winning hip-hop producer faces sentencing for his July conviction on two prostitution-related charges. He waved to supporters and touched his heart before sitting down in Manhattan federal court on Thursday. Judge Arun Subramanian listened to arguments from lawyers on points of law that might help him decide how long the Bad Boy Records founder must spend behind bars. The 55-year-old Combs will have been jailed for nearly 13 months when he is sentenced on Oct. 3. His lawyers, noting that he was acquitted of the most series charges he faced, say he should go free now. Prosecutors say he should spend years more locked up.

Scientists find marine life thriving on World War II explosives in the Baltic Sea

September 25, 2025

By ADITHI RAMAKRISHNAN - AP Science Writer

An undersea submersible has spotted crabs, worms and fish thriving on the surfaces of World War II explosives thought to be toxic to marine life. Scientists found more creatures living on top of warheads than in the surrounding seabed at a former weapons dump site in the Baltic Sea. Researchers filmed networks of anemones, starfish and other underwater life in the Bay of Lübeck off the coast of Germany. The study was published Thursday in the journal Communications Earth and Environment. It’s the latest example of wildlife flourishing in polluted sites. Scientists hope to calculate how much contamination was absorbed by sea life.

What to know about the opposition around renaming new Pell grants after Trump

September 25, 2025

By KIMBERLEE KRUESI - Associated Press

A proposal to name a new provision in the federal Pell Grant program after President Donald Trump has sparked controversy. The name change is part of a House appropriations bill for the upcoming fiscal year. Rhode Island’s congressional delegation says renaming the new grant would erase the legacy of U.S. Sen. Claiborne Pell, who was instrumental in creating the program in 1973. Pell Grants provide financial aid to students with significant financial need. A new grant called the Workforce Pell Grant was introduced under a tax and spending cuts package Trump signed into law earlier this year.

US economy expanded at a surprising 3.8% pace in significant upgrade of second quarter growth

September 25, 2025

By PAUL WISEMAN - AP Economics Writer

The U.S. economy expanded at a surprising 3.8% from April through June in a dramatic upgrade of the government’s previous estimate of second-quarter growth. The Commerce Department said Thursday that U.S. gross domestic product — the nation’s output of goods and services — rebounded in the spring from a 0.6% first-quarter drop caused by fallout from President Donald Trump’s trade wars. The department had previously estimated second-quarter growth at 3.3%. The first-quarter GDP drop, the first retreat of the U.S. economy in three years, was mainly caused by a surge in imports as businesses hurried to bring in foreign goods before Trump could impose sweeping taxes on them.

Iran has likely carried out an undeclared missile test, satellite photos analyzed by the AP show

September 25, 2025

By JON GAMBRELL - Associated Press

Iran has likely carried out an undeclared missile test at its Imam Khomeini Spaceport. That’s according to satellite photos analyzed by The Associated Press. Iran has not formally acknowledged the test last week at a circular pad that has hosted other major launches by the country’s civilian space program. A single lawmaker in Iran’s parliament, however, claimed without offering evidence that Tehran tested a possible intercontinental ballistic missile. The test and the claim raise concerns that Iran may be trying to expanding the reach of its missiles as tensions remain high ahead of United Nations sanctions, which are likely to be reimposed this weekend over Tehran’s nuclear program.

Texas man facing execution for fatally beating 13-month-old girl during ‘exorcism’

September 25, 2025

By JUAN A. LOZANO - Associated Press

A Texas man is facing execution for killing his girlfriend’s 13-month-old daughter in what the couple had said was part of an “exorcism” to expel a demon from the child’s body. Blaine Milam was set to receive a lethal injection Thursday evening at the state penitentiary in Huntsville. He was condemned for the December 2008 hammer beating of Amora Carson at his East Texas trailer. Prosecutors said Milam savagely beat, bit and strangled the girl over 30 hours. Milam has claimed innocence, blaming the killing on the girl’s mother. Milam’s attorneys have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to stop his execution, arguing his conviction was based in part on now discredited bite mark evidence.

Streaming is overtaking theaters for movie watchers, an AP-NORC poll finds

September 25, 2025

By LINDSEY BAHR and AMELIA THOMSON-DEVEAUX - Associated Press

A new poll finds Americans are more likely to watch recently released movies from the comfort of their own homes instead of heading out to a theater. The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll shows about three-quarters of U.S. adults say they watched a new movie on streaming instead of in the theater at least once in the past year, while about two-thirds say they’ve watched a movie in a theater. The results suggest American moviegoers are more likely to stream a film than see it in the theaters, a shifting tide that was accelerated during the coronavirus pandemic and its aftermath. Convenience and cost are both factors.

At least 17 killed in Gaza Strip as leaders ramp up pressure for a ceasefire

September 25, 2025

By WAFAA SHURAFA, DAVID RISING and KAREEM CHEHAYEB - Associated Press

At least 17 people have been killed in Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip, according to local health officials, as international pressure for a ceasefire continued to grow. On the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, French President Emmanuel Macron told France 24 his country had recognized a Palestinian state on the conviction it “is the only way to isolate Hamas.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lashed out at the idea early Thursday before heading to New York himself, saying he would denounce those leaders who had recognized a Palestinian state.

The issue of drugs doesn’t usually get showcased at the UN General Assembly. This year is different

September 25, 2025

By JENNIFER PELTZ - Associated Press

Every year, tons of heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and other drugs flow around the world. It’s an underground river that crisscrosses borders and continents and spills over into violence, addiction and suffering. Yet when nations’ leaders give the U.N. their annual take on big issues, drugs don’t usually get much of the spotlight. But this was no usual year. First, U.S. President Donald Trump touted his aggressive approach to drug enforcement. Hours later, his Colombian counterpart fired back that Trump should face criminal charges for allowing an attack on unarmed “young people who were simply trying to escape poverty.”

Former French President Sarkozy found guilty on key charge, acquitted of others in Libya case

September 25, 2025

By SYLVIE CORBET - Associated Press

A Paris court has found former French President Nicolas Sarkozy guilty on one charge but acquitted him on others in his trial for the alleged illegal financing of his 2007 presidential campaign with money from Libya. The court is still detailing its ruling and hasn’t immediately sentenced Sarkozy. He can appeal the guilty verdict, which would suspend any sentence pending the appeal. Sarkozy, who was elected in 2007, denied all wrongdoing during a three-month trial. Prosecutors have argued for a seven-year prison sentence. Sarkozy remains an influential figure in right-wing politics in France.

Trump is hosting Turkey’s Erdogan at the White House as the US considers lifting ban on F-35 sales

September 24, 2025

By AAMER MADHANI - Associated Press

President Donald Trump plans to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the White House on Thursday. Trump has hinted that the U.S. might soon lift its hold on advanced fighter jet sales to Turkey. During Trump’s first term, the U.S. removed Turkey from the F-35 program because of concerns over Turkey’s use of Russia’s S-400 missile defense system. Trump recently suggested a resolution might be near, mentioning ongoing trade and military deals with Turkey. Despite tensions over Turkey’s human rights record and ties with Russia, Trump sees Erdogan as a crucial partner, especially in efforts to resolve conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.

Guardians defy odds with historic comeback for AL Central lead

September 24, 2025

By JOE REEDY - AP Sports Writer

Steven Kwan wasn’t focused on standings in early July when the Cleveland Guardians were struggling. But on Wednesday night, Cleveland made history. They moved into first place with a 5-1 win over Detroit. This marks the biggest comeback in baseball history, overcoming a 15-and-a-half-game deficit. Cleveland now leads Detroit by one game with four games left. The Guardians have been on fire in September, boasting an 18-5 record. Their pitching has been stellar, allowing two or fewer runs in 19 consecutive games. Manager Stephen Vogt praised the team’s resilience but emphasized there’s more work to do.

White House budget office tells agencies to draft mass firing plans ahead of potential shutdown

September 24, 2025

By SEUNG MIN KIM - Associated Press

The White House is telling agencies to prepare large-scale firings of federal workers if the government shuts down next week. In a memo released Wednesday night, the Office of Management and Budget said agencies should consider a reduction in force for federal programs whose funding would lapse next week, is not otherwise funded and is “not consistent with the President’s priorities.” That would be a much more aggressive step than in previous shutdowns. A reduction in force would not only lay off employees but eliminate the position. That adds potential pressure on Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who have kept nearly all of their ranks united against a clean funding bill pushed by Republicans.