Tag Archives: United States

Harris says leaving reelection decision to Biden was ‘recklessness,’ but she defends his abilities

Harris says leaving reelection decision to Biden was ‘recklessness,’ but she defends his abilities

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ex-Vice President Kamala Harris says it was reckless for Democrats to let President Joe Biden decide whether to seek reelection last year. But in an excerpt of Harris’ new book she defends Biden’s ability to do the job. In an excerpt of “107 Days” published Wednesday in The Atlantic, Harris writes it was “recklessness” that she and others left the decision about Biden continuing his campaign up to him and first lady Jill Biden. It’s the first time Harris has been publicly critical of Biden’s decision to run again. Biden eventually dropped out after a disastrous debate performance and was replaced by Harris, who lost to Republican Donald Trump. Biden’s office hasn’t commented.… Continue Reading

Alex Jones asks US Supreme Court to hear appeal of $1.4 billion Sandy Hook judgment

Alex Jones asks US Supreme Court to hear appeal of $1.4 billion Sandy Hook judgment

Far-right conspiracy theorist Alex Jones has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to hear his appeal of the $1.4 billion judgment a Connecticut jury and judge issued against him for calling the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting a hoax. The Infowars host argues in a filing to the court that the judgment for defamation and infliction of emotional distress violates his constitutional rights, including freedom of speech and protections against excessive punishment. The shooting killed 20 children and six adults in Newtown, Connecticut. The legal judgment came in lawsuits filed by some of the shooting victims’ relatives, whose lawyers dispute Jones’ claims to the Supreme Court.… Continue Reading

Jury selection begins in the trial of the man accused of attempting to assassinate Trump in Florida

Jury selection begins in the trial of the man accused of attempting to assassinate Trump in Florida

FORT PIERCE, Fla. (AP) — Jury selection has begun in the trial of Ryan Routh, who is charged with attempting to assassinate Donald Trump last year at a golf course in South Florida. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon approved Routh’s request to represent himself but insisted on standby counsel. Jury selection started Monday, with three batches of 60 jurors arriving at the federal courtroom in Fort Pierce. Routh wanted to ask potential jurors about their views on the war in Gaza and the talk of the U.S. acquiring Greenland, but the judge said those questions were irrelevant. Routh has pleaded not guilty to charges of attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and several firearm violations.… Continue Reading

Judge OKs settlement in North Carolina voter registration lawsuit by Justice Department

Judge OKs settlement in North Carolina voter registration lawsuit by Justice Department

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A federal judge has approved a settlement in a lawsuit filed by President Donald Trump’s Justice Department against North Carolina election officials. The lawsuit demanded officials collect missing identification numbers from what became more than 100,000 registered voters. U.S. District Judge Richard Myers signed the consent agreement Monday. The lawsuit accused the state board of violating the Help America Vote Act by not ensuring accurate registration records for federal elections. The state board had already started a project to address this issue in mid-July that included a public database and mailings. So far, more than 22,000 voter records have been successfully amended.… Continue Reading

RFK. Jr’s family members say he is a ‘threat’ to Americans’ health and call for his resignation

RFK. Jr’s family members say he is a ‘threat’ to Americans’ health and call for his resignation

WASHINGTON (AP) — Members of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s family are calling for him to step down as health secretary. This follows a contentious congressional hearing this past week, when the Trump Cabinet official faced bipartisan questioning about his tumultuous leadership of federal health agencies. Kennedy’s sister, Kerry Kennedy, and his nephew, Joseph P. Kennedy III, have issued scathing statements on social media, saying their relative is a “threat to the health and wellbeing of every American.” Several of Kennedy’s family members also had objected to his presidential run in the last campaign. Others wrote to senators earlier this year calling for them to reject his nomination to lead Health and Human Services.… Continue Reading

Trump executive order aims to rename the Department of Defense as the Department of War

Trump executive order aims to rename the Department of Defense as the Department of War

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to rebrand the Department of Defense as the Department of War. He criticized the previous name as “woke” and said the new name is “more appropriate.” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, now referred to as the “secretary of war,” emphasized a shift to “maximum lethality.” The change requires congressional approval, but Trump plans limited rebranding efforts to save money. This move is part of a broader effort to reshape the U.S. military and challenge progressive ideology. Supporters in Congress are proposing legislation to formalize the name change.… Continue Reading

US hiring stalls with employers reluctant to expand in an economy grown increasingly erratic

US hiring stalls with employers reluctant to expand in an economy grown increasingly erratic

WASHINGTON (AP) — The American job market, a pillar of U.S. economic strength since the pandemic, is crumbling under the weight of President Donald Trump’s erratic economic policies. Uncertain about where things are headed, companies are reluctant to hire, leaving agonized jobseekers unable to find work and worrying the consumers (70% of U.S. economic activity) whose spending has driven impressive growth for the world’s biggest economy since the COVID-19 disruptions of 2020. The Labor Department reported Friday that U.S. employers — companies, government agencies and nonprofits — added just 22,000 jobs last month, down from a 79,000 in July and well below the 80,000 that economists had expected. The unemployment rate ticked up to 4.3% last month, the highest since 2021.… Continue Reading

Kennedy tries to defend COVID-19 vaccine stance in raucous Senate hearing

Kennedy tries to defend COVID-19 vaccine stance in raucous Senate hearing

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced tough bipartisan questioning about his COVID-19 policies in a Senate committee hearing. On Thursday, Democratic senators clashed with Kennedy over his changes to vaccine recommendations, while some Republican senators also expressed concerns. Kennedy praised President Donald Trump for the Operation Warp Speed initiative but criticized the safety of mRNA vaccines. He defended the firing of the CDC director, claiming she was dishonest. Kennedy’s actions, including replacing a vaccine advisory panel with skeptics, have drawn criticism from medical groups. They warn his policies could increase vaccine-preventable diseases and have called for his resignation.… Continue Reading

Judge reverses Trump administration’s cuts of billions of dollars to Harvard University

Judge reverses Trump administration’s cuts of billions of dollars to Harvard University

BOSTON (AP) — A federal judge in Boston has ordered the reversal of over $2.6 billion in federal funding cuts to Harvard University. The ruling, issued Wednesday, marks a significant victory for Harvard in its legal battle with the Trump administration. Judge Allison Burroughs found the cuts were illegal retaliation for Harvard’s refusal to comply with White House demands on governance and policies. The administration had linked the funding freezes to antisemitism issues on campus, but the judge called this a smokescreen. The White House said the administration would appeal the decision, making it unlikely that researchers receive funding any time soon.… Continue Reading

Podcasters and influencers: The unexpected jobs covered under Trump’s ‘no tax on tips’ plan

Podcasters and influencers: The unexpected jobs covered under Trump’s ‘no tax on tips’ plan

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Treasury Department has released a preliminary list of jobs exempt from income tax on tips, including food service, concierge, and salon workers. Surprisingly, podcasters and digital content creators are also included. This move fulfills a campaign promise by President Donald Trump, part of a tax and spending law signed in July. The provision is temporary, expiring in 2028, and applies to those earning less than $160,000 in 2025. Only tips reported on a worker’s W-2 qualify. Analysts project the provision could increase the deficit by $40 billion through 2028. Public opinion on the law is mixed.… Continue Reading

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