Pope thanks children who prayed for him outside of the hospital, but remains out of sight
ROME — Dozens of children toting yellow and white balloons — many from war-torn countries — gathered outside Rome’s Gemelli hospital to greet Pope Francis on his fifth Sunday hospitalized with double pneumonia. While the pope did not appear from the 10th-floor suite of windows, he thanked them and acknowledged...
U.S. and Iran-backed Houthis vow escalation after airstrikes target rebels in Yemen
CAIRO — The United States and Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen are both vowing escalation after the U.S. launched airstrikes to deter the rebels from attacking military and commercial vessels on one of the world’s busiest shipping corridors. “We’re not going to have these people controlling which ships can go...
Suicide car bomber hits buses carrying security forces, killing 5 in southwestern Pakistan
QUETTA, Pakistan — A suicide car bomber targeted a convoy of buses carrying security forces in restive southwestern Pakistan on Sunday, killing at least five officers and wounding 10 others, police said. The attack occurred in Naushki, a district in Balochistan, said Zafar Zamanani, a local police chief. The dead...
At least 59 dead and more than 150 injured in nightclub fire in North Macedonia
KOCANI, North Macedonia — A massive fire tore through a nightclub in North Macedonia ‘s eastern town of Kocani early Sunday, killing 59 people and injuring 155, authorities said. The blaze broke out around 2:30 a.m. local time during a concert by a local pop group at Club Pulse, Interior...
Trump signs order to gut staff at Voice of America and other U.S.-funded media organizations
President Donald Trump’s administration on Saturday began making deep cuts to Voice of America and other government-run, pro-democracy programming, with a press advocacy group saying all VOA employees have been put on leave. On Friday night, shortly after Congress passed its latest funding bill, Trump directed his administration to reduce...
Trump invokes 18th century law to declare invasion by gangs and speed deportations
Claiming the United States was being invaded by a Venezuelan gang, President Donald Trump on Saturday invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, a sweeping wartime authority that allows the president broader leeway on policy and executive action to speed up mass deportations of people — potentially pushing his promised...
Trump signs a bill funding the government for 6 months, avoiding a shutdown
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has signed into law legislation funding the government through the end of September, ending the threat of a partial government shutdown and capping off a struggle in Congress that deeply divided Democrats. Harrison Fields, White House principal deputy press secretary, said in a post on...
Trump orders strikes on Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen and issues new warning
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — President Donald Trump said he ordered a series of airstrikes on Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, on Saturday, promising to use “overwhelming lethal force” until Iranian-backed Houthi rebels cease their attacks on shipping along a vital maritime corridor. “Our brave Warfighters are right now carrying out aerial...
‘Scum,’ ‘crooked’ elections and ‘corrupt’ media. What Trump said inside the Justice Department
President Donald Trump delivered what sounded like one of his typical meandering, grievance-laden campaign speeches on Friday, but it was where he did it — inside the U.S. Department of Justice — that mattered. The appearance marked Trump’s clearest exertion yet of personal control over the country’s federal law enforcement...
With Trump’s zigzag actions on trade, March came in like a lion and won’t be going out like a lamb
WASHINGTON — A gobsmacked planet is wondering what’s next from President Donald Trump on the tariff spree he’s set in zigzag motion. In recent weeks, Trump has announced punishing tariffs against allies and adversaries alike, selectively paused and imposed them, doubled and then halved some, and warned late in the...
Democrats confront limits of their minority power after bruising shutdown vote
WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats were grim Friday as they left Washington after a brutal 10-week stretch that consistently showed the limits of their power in the minority — and culminated with a deeply personal rupture over how to best counter President Donald Trump. “Everyone made hard decisions, right? Really hard...
Voters flood town halls with fears of Social Security cuts, putting heat on GOP over Musk and DOGE
HOLLAND, Mich. — One after another, callers on a telephone town hall with U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga pressed the Michigan Republican about possible cuts to Social Security. Among them was a retired teacher and coach from West Michigan who said he and his wife, both with disabilities, have struggled to...
California man wins $50 million in lawsuit over burns from Starbucks tea
LOS ANGELES — A delivery driver has won $50 million in a lawsuit after being seriously burned when a Starbucks drink spilled in his lap at a California drive-through, court records show. A Los Angeles County jury found Friday for Michael Garcia, who underwent skin grafts and other procedures on...
Monster storm across the U.S. sparks threat of tornadoes and fire, killing at least 17
The threat of violent tornadoes in parts of the U.S. proved deadly as well as destructive as whipping winds moved east into the Mississippi Valley and Deep South on Saturday, with at least 17 people killed and scores of homes decimated. The most fatalities as of Saturday morning were in...
Republican legislation seeks to ban Chinese nationals from studying in the U.S.
WASHINGTON — A group of House Republicans on Friday put forward legislation seeking to prevent Chinese students from studying in American schools as some U.S. lawmakers are targeting China over national security concerns. Rep. Riley Moore, R-W.Va., introduced the bill that could bar Chinese nationals from receiving visas that allow...
Appeals court lifts blocks on Trump’s orders restricting diversity, equity and inclusion programs
WASHINGTON — An appeals court Friday lifted a block on executive orders seeking to end government support for diversity, equity and inclusion programs, handing the Trump administration a win after a string of setbacks defending President Donald Trump’s agenda against dozens of lawsuits. The decision from a three-judge panel allows...
SpaceX launches a new crew to the space station to replace NASA’s stuck astronauts
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — The replacements for NASA’s two stuck astronauts launched to the International Space Station on Friday night, paving the way for the pair’s return after nine long months. Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams need SpaceX to get this relief team to the space station before they can...
Senate passes six-month funding bill hours before shutdown deadline
WASHINGTON — The Senate passed a six-month spending bill Friday hours before a government shutdown, overcoming sharp Democratic opposition to the measure and sending it to President Donald Trump to be signed into law. The vote was 54-46. Democrats voiced frustration that Republicans went ahead with a measure they said...
Measles cases reach nearly 300 in Texas and New Mexico. Here’s what you should know
Measles outbreaks in West Texas and New Mexico are now up to nearly 300 cases, and two unvaccinated people have died from measles-related causes. Measles is caused by a highly contagious virus that’s airborne and spreads easily when an infected person breathes, sneezes or coughs. It is preventable through vaccines...
Democratic Party fractures in government shutdown fight, with anger running high
WASHINGTON — The Democratic Party fractured Friday as a torrent of frustration and anger was unleashed at Senate Democrats, who faced what they saw as an awful choice: shut down the government or consent to a Republican funding bill that allows President Donald Trump to continue slashing the federal government....
Oz pledges to fight health care fraud but makes no commitments on Medicaid funding cuts
WASHINGTON — Dr. Mehmet Oz promised senators on Friday to fight health care fraud and push to make Americans healthier if he becomes the next leader of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. But the former heart surgeon and TV personality dodged several opportunities to say broadly whether he...
Man charged with intoxication manslaughter in Texas crash involving 17 vehicles that killed 5 people
A man was charged Friday with intoxication manslaughter after five people were killed and several injured in a late-night wreck in Austin, Texas, that involved over a dozen vehicles on Interstate 35, authorities said. Authorities said that the five people killed in the crash that involved 17 vehicles Thursday just...
Voice of America ending contracts with Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France Presse
The government agency that runs the Voice of America has moved to terminate contracts with The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse, and told its journalists Friday to stop using material from the wire services. Kari Lake, the former broadcaster turned Republican politician who was selected by President Donald Trump...
What’s Pi Day all about? Math, science, pies and more
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Math enthusiasts around the world, from college students to rocket scientists, celebrate Pi Day, which is March 14 or 3/14 — the first three digits of an infinite number with many practical uses. Many people will mark the day with a slice of pie —...
Alabama to execute inmate who dropped appeals and asked for death
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama has set an April execution date for a man who dropped his appeals and asked to be put to death for the 2010 rape and murder of a woman. James Osgood, 55, will be executed by lethal injection on April 24, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced....
