World/National Archives

Families of wildfire victims mired in grief, questioning what more could have been done

Many families in California are full of grief and questions about what more they could have done to save their loved ones from the deadly wildfires. Experts say these survivors are victims themselves. The fires that swept through the Los Angeles area this month were fast-moving and fierce and there just wasn’t more they could do. But that doesn’t ease the pain or the questions for the families of the more than two dozen killed, some unable to escape, others unaware of what was coming, having survived other blazes unscathed. Despite reassurances, they can’t help but second-guess if they could have done more.… Continue Reading

Trump swearing-in will move inside Capitol Rotunda because of intense cold

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump will take the oath of office from inside the Capitol Rotunda on Monday due to forecasts of intense cold weather.Inaugural planners are discussing the possibility of moving Trump’s swearing-in inside due to the extreme temperatures and icy winds, the person said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss the planning before a final announcement was made. The Rotunda is prepared as the inclement weather alternative for each inauguration and a final decision would be up to the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies in consultation with the Trump, the person said.… Continue Reading

Supreme Court upholds law banning TikTok if it’s not sold by its Chinese parent company

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump says he talked with Chinese leader Xi Jinping about TikTok shortly before the Supreme Court unanimously upheld the federal law banning the app beginning Sunday unless it’s sold by its China-based parent company. The court held Friday the risk to national security posed by TikTok’s ties to China overcomes concerns about limiting speech by the app or its 170 million users in the U.S. A sale does not appear imminent. The court’s decision means new users won’t be able to download the app and updates won’t be available, but it won’t disappear from users’ phones. Trump had called on the court to keep the ban on hold until after he takes office Monday.… Continue Reading

Stock market today: Wall Street drifts lower as momentum slows for US stocks

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stock indexes drifted lower following a mixed set of earnings reports from Morgan Stanley, UnitedHealth Group and other big companies. The S&P 500 slipped 0.2% Thursday, even though more stocks rose than fell within the index. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.2%, and the Nasdaq composite fell 0.9%. Stocks had shot higher the day before on hopes that an encouraging report on inflation may convince the Federal Reserve to deliver more cuts to interest rates. Treasury yields eased in the bond market following some mixed reports on the U.S. economy.… Continue Reading

Blinken defends US policy on Gaza as his final State Department briefing is interrupted by protests

WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Antony Blinken has defended Biden administration policies on Israel’s war with Hamas after a ceasefire agreement in Gaza was reached. He said Thursday that he expects a deal to be implemented over the weekend, even as Israel says a last-minute dispute was holding up its approval. As he touted the deal during his final news conference at the State Department, two people in the room accused him of complicity in Israeli violence against Palestinian civilians in loud outbursts. One shouted, “Why aren’t you in the Hague?” referring to the International Criminal Court based in the Dutch city. Blinken asked them to “respect the process.” Both men were removed by security officers.… Continue Reading

Biden warns in farewell address that an ‘oligarchy’ of ultrarich in US threatens future of democracy

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has used his farewell address to the nation to warn of an “oligarchy” of the ultra-wealthy taking root in the country and of a “tech-industrial complex” that is infringing on Americans’ rights and the future of democracy. Speaking Wednesday from the Oval Office as he prepares to hand over power to President-elect Donald Trump, Biden spotlighted the accumulation of power and wealth in the U.S. among just a small few. The president warned Americans to be on guard for their freedoms and their institutions during a turbulent era of rapid technological and economic change. Biden also called for a constitutional amendment to end immunity for sitting presidents.… Continue Reading

Stock market today: Wall Street rips higher after inflation data and strong bank profits

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks are ripping higher an encouraging update on U.S. inflation. The S&P 500 jumped 1.7% Wednesday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 664 points, and the Nasdaq composite gained 2.2%. Strong profit reports from the biggest U.S. banks also helped launch indexes toward their best day in two months. Wells Fargo, Citigroup and Goldman Sachs helped lead the way. Treasury yields eased on hopes that Wednesday’s inflation update could help convince the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates further later this year. European stocks rallied, while Asian markets were more subdued.… Continue Reading

Bondi in her confirmation hearing says Trump was ‘targeted’ by Justice Department investigations

WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general, Pam Bondi, has insisted at her Senate confirmation hearing that Trump was targeted by years of investigations. Bondi pledges she would not “politicize” the Justice Department if confirmed as the country’s chief federal law enforcement officer. Bondi’s statements Wednesday echoed Trump’s claims the Justice Department had been weaponized against him. Democrats are concerned the Republican president-elect will look to use the agency’s law enforcement powers to exact retribution against his adversaries, including the investigators who investigated him. Bondi s a former Florida attorney general. Bondi says she would work to restore confidence and integrity to the Department of Justice.… Continue Reading

FDA floats plan to make cigarettes nonaddictive, but its fate rests with Trump

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is floating a long-awaited proposal to make cigarettes less addictive by capping their nicotine levels. But the plan comes in the final days of his presidency and is unlikely to take effect anytime soon. Implementing low-nicotine cigarettes would fall to the administration of incoming president-elect Donald Trump, who has generally favored lighter regulation of tobacco products. The FDA says making cigarettes nonaddictive would help millions of Americans quit smoking and stop future generations from starting. Antismoking advocates have long urged the FDA to take that step. But FDA efforts have been slowed by lobbying and political pushback.… Continue Reading

Hegseth confronts allegations of misconduct as senators grill Trump’s choice for Pentagon chief

WASHINGTON (AP) — Pete Hegseth vows to bring “warrior culture’” to the military if confirmed as President-elect Donald Trump’s defense secretary pick. Hegseth is dismissing the sexual assault allegations against him as a “smear” campaign. The former combat veteran and TV news show host calls himself a “change agent’ as senators determine whether he is fit to lead the U.S. military. Chairman Roger Wicker says Hegseth will “shake up” the Pentagon. But the top Democrat Sen. Jack Reed says the allegations against Hegseth are “extremely alarming.” Tuesday’s hearing starts a weeklong marathon as the Republican-led Senate rushes to have some of Trump’s Cabinet picks ready to be confirmed as soon as Inauguration Day, Jan. 20.… Continue Reading