Trump administration doesn’t need to restore more President’s House exhibits for now, appeals court says
PHILADELPHIA — President Donald Trump ‘s administration won its first court victory in the President’s House case Friday afternoon, when a federal appeals judge paused the injunction ordering the restoration of the slavery exhibits to the site. Third Circuit Judge Thomas M. Hardiman, a George W. Bush appointee, overruled a...
Trump administration to stand by tough Biden-era mandates to replace lead pipes
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration said Friday it backs a 10-year deadline for most cities and towns to replace their harmful lead pipes, giving notice that it will support a tough rule approved under the Biden administration to reduce lead in drinking water. The Environmental Protection Agency told a federal...
What happens next after the Supreme Court slapped down Trump’s tariffs
WASHINGTON — There’s little that President Donald Trump has cherished more in his second term than tariffs, a symbol of his imperious approach to the presidency. He has raised and lowered them at will, rewriting the rules of global commerce and daring anyone to stop him. Now that may be...
U.S. makes plans to reopen embassy in Syria after 14 years
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has informed Congress that it intends to proceed with planning for a potential re-opening of the U.S. Embassy in Damascus, Syria, which was shuttered in 2012 during the country’s civil war. A notice to congressional committees earlier this month, which was obtained by The Associated...
All truckers and bus drivers will be required to take commercial driver’s license tests in English
All truckers and pass drivers will have to take their commercial driver’s license tests in English as the Trump administration expands its aggressive campaign to improve safety in the industry and get unqualified drivers off the road. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the latest effort Friday to ensure that drivers...
What to know about the Florida bill to rename Palm Beach International Airport for Trump
ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida lawmakers this week approved renaming the international airport in West Palm Beach after President Donald Trump, just days after the Trump family company filed to trademark the use of the president’s name on airports. The legislation to switch the name of the Palm Beach International Airport...
Virginia Democrats pass map that could flip 4 U.S. House seats, if courts and voters approve
RICHMOND, Va. — Democrats passed a new congressional map through the Virginia legislature on Friday that aims to help their party win four more seats in the national redistricting battle. It’s a flex of state Democrats’ political power, however hurdles remain before they can benefit from friendlier U.S. House district...
Supreme Court strikes down Trump’s sweeping tariffs, upending central plank of economic agenda
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump’s far-reaching global tariffs on Friday, handing him a stinging loss that sparked a furious attack on the court he helped shape. Trump said he was “absolutely ashamed” of some justices who ruled against him, calling them “disloyal to our Constitution”...
British police search mansion used by former Prince Andrew
LONDON — British police on Friday were searching a mansion occupied until recently by Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former prince, a day after his stunning arrest over links to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. Mountbatten-Windsor was questioned until late Thursday at a police station in Norfolk over allegations of misconduct in public...
5 European nations pledge millions to use Ukrainian know-how to make cheap drone defenses
WARSAW — Five European nations have announced a new program to produce low-cost air defense systems and autonomous drones using Ukrainian expertise hard-won over the past four years of war against Russia. Friday’s initiative of the E5 nations — France, Poland, Germany, the United Kingdom and Italy — comes as...
Trump warns of ‘bad things’ if Iran doesn’t make a deal, as second U.S. carrier nears Mideast
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran held annual military drills with Russia on Thursday as a second American aircraft carrier drew closer to the Middle East, with both the United States and Iran signaling they are prepared for war if talks on Tehran’s nuclear program fizzle out. President Donald Trump...
Texas’ Senate primary race between Crockett and Talarico ramps up after pulled Colbert interview
FORT WORTH, Texas — Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas on Thursday urged supporters to look at experience in a heated U.S. Senate primary with state Rep. James Talarico, who is riding a burst of wider attention in the race’s pivotal final stretch over his unaired interview with late-night host...
Tariffs paid by midsize U.S. companies tripled last year, a JPMorganChase Institute study shows
WASHINGTON — Tariffs paid by midsize U.S. businesses tripled over the course of past year, new research tied to one of America’s leading banks showed on Thursday — more evidence that President Donald Trump ‘s push to charge higher taxes on imports is causing economic disruption. The additional taxes have...
Trump’s refusal to invite all governors to a White House meeting prompts group to back out
WASHINGTON — The National Governors Association is pulling out of an annual meeting at the White House after President Donald Trump declined to invite two Democratic governors, undercutting one of Washington’s few remaining bipartisan gatherings. Trump is still expected to meet with governors at the White House on Friday but...
Police search Mountbatten-Windsor’s former home a day after his arrest
LONDON — Police continued on Friday to search the former home of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, a day after he was arrested and held in custody for the best part of 11 hours on suspicion of misconduct in public office linked to his friendship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein....
Trump says U.S. will release files related to aliens and UFOs
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said he is directing federal agencies to release government documents that discuss extraterrestrial life and unexplained aerial phenomenon. “Based on the tremendous interest shown, I will be directing the Secretary of War, and other relevant Departments and Agencies, to begin the process of identifying and...
Deluzio launches reelection campaign
U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio launched his reelection campaign Thursday with a kick-off event at a social hall in Green Tree. Deluzio, 41, of Fox Chapel, is seeking a third term representing a district that includes part of Allegheny County, including much of the Alle-Kiski Valley, and all of Beaver County....
Texas congressman claims he’s being ‘blackmailed’ over alleged affair with staffer who later died
HOUSTON — U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas claimed Thursday he was being “blackmailed” following a report he allegedly had an affair with a former staffer who later died after she set herself on fire. The claim by the married Republican congressman comes after the San Antonio Express-News reported that...
FCC confirms ‘enforcement action’ against ‘The View’ after James Talarico interview
The Federal Communications Commission has confirmed an “enforcement action” is underway against ABC’s “The View” after the talk show featured James Talarico, a Democratic Texas representative running for U.S. Senate. ” We’re taking a look at it,” FCC Chairman Brendan Carr told reporters, without providing specifics. His comments came nearly...
New Trump administration order could lead to the detention of thousands of legal refugees
MINNEAPOLIS — The Trump administration has issued a sweeping new order that could lead to the arrest of tens of thousands of refugees who are lawfully in the United States but do not yet have permanent residency, overturning years of legal and immigration safeguards. A memo filed by the Department...
New Mexico reopens investigation into alleged illegal activity at Epstein’s former Zorro Ranch
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — New Mexico’s attorney general has reopened an investigation into allegations of illegal activity at Jeffrey Epstein ’s former Zorro Ranch. Attorney General Raúl Torrez’s office made the announcement Thursday, saying the decision was made after reviewing information recently released by the U.S. Department of Justice. Although New...
Data center tax break created to boost economy, add jobs in Pa. could cost state billions
Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds power to account and drives positive change in Pennsylvania. Sign up for our free newsletters. HARRISBURG — As data centers spread and draw backlash across the state, new figures are emerging about their potential...
Large banner featuring Trump’s face displayed on Justice Department headquarters
WASHINGTON — A large banner featuring Donald Trump’s face was hung on the exterior of Justice Department headquarters on Thursday in a physical display of the Republican president’s efforts to exert power over the law enforcement agency that once investigated him. While Trump banners have been hung outside other agencies...
Assault on Sudanese city bore ‘hallmarks of genocide,’ U.N. finds
NAIROBI, Kenya — A brutal, 18-month assault by Sudanese paramilitaries on the city of el-Fasher, culminating in a spree of massacre, torture and rape in October, bore the “hallmarks of genocide,” according to a United Nations report published Thursday. The finding was documented in gruesome detail by human rights experts....
What to know about the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor
LONDON — The brother of King Charles III, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office in connection with his close relationship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. His arrest Thursday follows years of allegations over his links with Epstein, who took his own...
