WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has signed an executive order to split $7 billion in Afghan assets frozen in the U.S. to fund humanitarian relief in Afghanistan and create a trust fund to compensate Sept. 11 victims. The order calls for U.S. financial institutions to facilitate access to $3.5 billion for Afghan relief. The…
NEW YORK (AP) — Former President Donald Trump remains the most popular figure with the GOP base as he considers another bid for the White House. Trump is flexing the power of his endorsement in several high-profile midterm contests. In Georgia, Trump persuaded a candidate running for governor against his favored candidate to drop his…
As the omicron wave of the coronavirus subsides, several U.S. states and cities have lifted mask mandates for schools and indoor businesses. The White House says talks are underway about how and when to move the country out of the pandemic’s emergency phase. The CDC still recommends masks in indoor settings, with stronger masks such…
WASHINGTON (AP) — With American consumers spending freely and many supply chains still snarled, year-over-year inflation may have notched yet another four-decade high in January. The factors that have accelerated prices since last spring remain largely in place: Wages are rising at the fastest pace in at least 20 years. Ports and warehouses are overwhelmed,…
Responsibility for school mask mandates is shifting back to local leaders, who are caught in the middle of one of the most divisive issues of the pandemic. Some school officials around the country welcomed the state-imposed mandates to spare them from having to make unpopular decisions, especially early in the pandemic. But many superintendents say…
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell is criticizing the Republican National Committee for censuring two House GOP lawmakers investigating the “violent insurrection” on Jan. 6, 2021, saying it’s not the party’s job to decide whom to support. As former President Donald Trump has downplayed the attack, the RNC last week took a voice…
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Jury selection is set to resume in the high-profile trial of a former Kentucky police officer involved in the deadly raid that killed Breonna Taylor. The proceedings had been delayed for about a week because of inclement weather and after Hankison had to have minor surgery. Former officer Brett Hankison is…
WASHINGTON (AP) — A White House review has found credible evidence that top scientist Dr. Eric Lander violated its “Safe and Respectful Workplace Policy,” but the administration plans to keep him on the job after giving him counseling. Lander is the director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy and science adviser to President…
(AP) — Spotify’s CEO says that while he condemned podcaster Joe Rogan’s use of racial slurs, he doesn’t believe that cutting ties with the popular personality is the answer. Daniel Ek wrote in the letter to employees Sunday that “canceling voices is a slippery slope.” Ek also says the host behind the removal of dozens…
SAN DIEGO (AP) — A Navy SEAL candidate who died just hours after completing the grueling Hell Week test was identified Sunday as a 24-year-old sailor who joined the military last year. The Navy says Seaman Kyle Mullen died at a San Diego area hospital on Friday after he and another SEAL trainee reported experiencing…