This image released by the state-run Oman News Agency show the crew of the Galaxy Leader arriving in Muscat, Oman, after being released by Yemen's Houthi rebels on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. (Oman News Agency via AP)2025-01-22T13:11:14Z DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) Yemens Houthi rebels on Wednesday released the crew of the Galaxy Leader, a vehicle carrier seized in November 2023 at the start of their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea corridor over the Israel-Hamas war.The move by the Iranian-backed Houthis marks their latest effort to de-escalate their attacks following a ceasefire in Gaza. However, it came as U.S. President Donald Trump moved to reinstate a terrorism designation he made on the group late in his first term that had been revoked by President Joe Biden, potentially setting the stage for new tensions with the rebels.The Houthis said they released the sailors after mediation by Oman, a sultanate on the eastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula thats long been an interlocutor with the Houthis. A Royal Air Force of Oman jet took a flight to Yemen earlier Wednesday and took off again about an hour after the Houthi announcement with the crew, who smiled as they stepped off into freedom in Muscat. The Houthis also said Hamas separately requested the release of the ships crew of 25, who included mariners from the Philippines, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine and Mexico. This step comes in support of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, the Houthis said in a statement on rebel-controlled SABA news agency.In the Philippines, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed the release of 17 Filipino crew members, describing the moment as an utmost joy. The Filipinos, who were in the custody of the Philippine Embassy in Muscat, Oman, would be flown home soon, Marcos said. Bulgarias Foreign Ministry confirmed the release of two Bulgarians identified by officials as the ships captain, Lyubomir Chanev, and assistant captain, Danail Veselinov. A government jet was on the way to Oman to bring the Bulgarians home, the ministry said.Hans Grundberg, the United Nations special envoy to Yemen, called the crews release heartwarming news that puts an end to the arbitrary detention and separation that they and their families endured for more than a year.This is a step in the right direction, and I urge Ansar Allah to continue these positive steps on all fronts, including ending all maritime attacks, he added, using another name for the Houthis. Vessels link to Israeli billionaireThe Houthis said they hijacked the Galaxy Leader over its connection to Israel. The attack launched the rebels campaign targeting ships in international waters in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait that connects them.A representative for the Galaxy Leaders owners had no comment on Wednesday. The Bahamas-flagged vessel is affiliated with an Israeli billionaire, Abraham Rami Ungar, who is known as one of the richest men in Israel.The Houthi attack on the Galaxy Leader saw the rebels launch a helicopter-borne raid. Propaganda footage of the raid has been played constantly by the Houthis, who even shot a music video aboard the ship at one point. On Monday, the Houthis signaled they now will limit their attacks in the Red Sea corridor to only Israeli-affiliated ships after a ceasefire began in the Gaza Strip, but warned wider assaults could resume if needed. However, it likely wont be enough to encourage global firms to reenter the route thats crucial for cargo and energy shipments moving between Asia and Europe. Their attacks have halved traffic through the region, cutting deeply into revenues for Egypt, which runs the Suez Canal linking the Red Sea to the Mediterranean.The release of the vessels crew now may have been an effort to curry favor with the U.S., though the ship still remains moored off the Yemeni port city of Hodeida. This gesture by the Houthis may be intended as a goodwill measure towards the new Trump administration, said Yemen expert Mohammed al-Basha, of the Basha Report risk advisory firm.However, Trump signed an order urging Secretary of State Marco Rubio to reinstate a foreign terrorist organization designation on the Houthis. Rubio separately called Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the foreign minister of the United Arab Emirates, who have led a coalition battling the Houthis since 2015. Under President Trump, it is now the policy of the United States to cooperate with its regional partners to eliminate the Houthis capabilities and operations, deprive them of resources, and thereby end their attacks on U.S. personnel and civilians, U.S. partners, and maritime shipping in the Red Sea, the White House said. Biden lifted the designation early in his term, citing the humanitarian threat that the sanctions posed to ordinary Yemenis and to back an de facto ceasefire that still broadly holds in Yemens war. Houthi attacks targeted over 100 commercial shipsThe Houthis have targeted over 100 merchant vessels with missiles and drones since the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip started in October 2023, after Hamas surprise attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and saw 250 others taken hostage. Israels military offensive has killed over 46,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials who do not distinguish between civilians and combatants but say women and children make up more than half the fatalities.The Houthis have sunk two vessels in their campaign that has also killed four sailors. Other missiles and drones have either been intercepted by separate U.S.- and European-led coalitions in the Red Sea or failed to reach their targets, which have also included Western military vessels.The rebels had maintained that they only targeted ships linked to Israel, the U.S., or the U.K. However, many of the ships attacked had little or no connection, including some bound for Iran.The tempo of Houthi attacks has slowed in recent weeks, particularly involving ships at sea. That may be due in part to the U.S. airstrike campaign. The U.S. and its partners alone have struck the Houthis over 260 times, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies.___Associated Press writers Aamer Madhani in Washington and Jim Gomez in Manila, Philippines, contributed to this report. JON GAMBRELL Gambrell is the news director for the Gulf and Iran for The Associated Press. He has reported from each of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Iran and other locations across the world since joining the AP in 2006. twitter instagram mailto RSShttps://feedx.net https://feedx.site

President Donald Trump signs an executive order regarding the southern border in the Oval Office of the White House, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)2025-01-23T06:05:46Z SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) President Donald Trumps inauguration-day executive orders and promises of mass deportations of millions and millions of people will hinge on securing money for detention centers.The Trump administration has not publicly said how many immigration detention beds it needs to achieve its goals, or what the cost will be. However, an estimated 11.7 million people are living in the U.S. illegally, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement currently has the budget to detain only about 41,000 people. The government would need additional space to hold people while they are processed and arrangements are made to remove them, sometimes by plane. The Department of Homeland Security estimates the daily cost for a bed for one adult is about $165. Just one piece of Trumps plan, a bill known as the Laken Riley Act that Congress has passed, would require at least $26.9 billion to ramp up capacity at immigrant detention facilities to add 110,000 beds, according to a recent memo from DHS. That bill named after a Georgia nursing student whose murder by a Venezuelan man last year became a rallying cry for Trumps White House campaign expands requirements for immigration authorities to detain anyone in the country illegally who is accused of theft and violent crimes. Trump also is deploying troops to try and stop all illegal entry at the southern U.S. border. He triggered the Alien Enemies Act to combat cartels. The rarely used 1798 law allows the president to deport anyone who is not a U.S. citizen and is from a country with which there is a declared war or a threatened or attempted invasion or predatory incursion.Detention infrastructure also will be stretched by Trumps ban of a practice known as catch and release that allows some migrants to live in the U.S. while awaiting immigration court proceedings, in favor of detention and deportation. ICE uses facilities around the U.S. to hold immigrantsICE currently detains immigrants at its processing centers and at privately operated detention facilities, along with local prisons and jails under contracts that can involve state and city governments. It has zero facilities geared toward detention of immigrant families, who account for roughly one-third of arrivals on the southern U.S. border.Theres a limitation on the number of beds available to ICE, said John Sandweg, who was acting director of ICE under President Barack Obama. There are only so many local jails you contract with, private vendors who have available beds. And if the administration wants to make a major uptick in detention capacity, thats going to require the construction of some new facilities.Trumps declaration of a national emergency at the U.S. border with Mexico leverages the U.S. military to shore up mass deportations and provide appropriate detention space. The Pentagon also might provide air transportation support to DHS.Private investors are betting on a building boom, driving up stock prices at the top two immigration detention providers Florida-based GEO Group and Tennessee-based CoreCivic.A fast-track budgeting maneuver in Congress called reconciliation could provide more detention funding as soon as April. At the same time, the Texas state land commissioner has offered the federal government a parcel of rural ranchland along the U.S.-Mexico border for deportation facilities. Where could ICE add detention space?The American Civil Liberties Union estimates that ICE is considering an expansion of immigrant detention space across at least eight states, in locations ranging from Leavenworth, Kansas, to the outskirts of major immigrant populations in New York City and San Francisco, said Eunice Cho, senior staff attorney for the group and its National Prison Project.The ACLU sued for access to correspondence from private detention providers after ICE solicited feedback last year on a potential expansion. Related emails from detention providers suggest the possible redeployment of a tent facility at Carrizo Springs, Texas, previously used to detain immigrant children, and the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, Texas one of two major immigrant family detention centers that the Biden administration phased out in 2021. Under the Trump administration, Homeland Security will be working to try to detain everyone that it possibly can and also expand its detention capacity footprint well beyond what is currently available in the United States at this point, Cho said.Cho added that Congress ultimately holds the purse strings for immigrant detention infrastructure and that the Pentagons involvement under Trumps emergency edict warrants a debate.How does this detract from our own militarys readiness? she said. Does the military actually have the capacity to provide appropriate facilities for detention of immigrants? Using the militaryAdvocates for immigrant rights are warning against a hyper-militarized police state that could vastly expand the worlds largest detention system for migrants. Immigrant detention facilities overseen by ICE have struggled broadly to comply with some federal standards for care, hindering safety for staff and detainees, a Homeland Security Department inspector general found during 17 unannounced inspections from 2020-2023.During Trumps first administration, he authorized the use of military bases to detain immigrant children -- including Army installations at Fort Bliss, Texas, and Goodfellow Air Force Base. In 2014, Obama temporarily relied on military bases to detain immigrant children while ramping up privately operated family detention centers to hold many of the tens of thousands of Central American families caught crossing the border illegally.U.S. military bases have been used repeatedly since the 1970s to accommodate the resettlement of waves of immigrants fleeing Vietnam, Cuba, Haiti, Kosovo and Afghanistan.___Groves reported from Washington. Associated Press writer Rebecca Santana in Washington contributed. STEPHEN GROVES Groves covers Congress for The Associated Press. twitter mailto

A student walks from the Antioch High School after a shooting in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)2025-01-23T06:15:44Z NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) A shooting in a Nashville high school cafeteria Wednesday left a female student dead and another student wounded, nearly two years after another deadly school shooting in the city that ignited an emotional debate about gun control in Tennessee. The 17-year-old shooter, who was also a student at Antioch High School, later shot and killed himself with a handgun, Metro Nashville Police spokesperson Don Aaron said during a news conference. Police identified him as Solomon Henderson.Police Chief John Drake said the shooter confronted student Josselin Corea Escalante, 16, in the cafeteria and opened fire, killing her. The wounded student was grazed by a bullet. He was treated and released from the hospital, Drake said. Another student was taken to a hospital for treatment of a facial injury that happened during a fall, Aaron said. Metro Nashville Police, federal and state agencies are examining very concerning online writings and social media posts connected to 17-year-old Solomon Henderson as they work to establish a motive, police said in a statement Wednesday evening. Investigators at this point have not established a connection between Henderson and the victims, and police said the gunfire may have been random, according to the statement.Two school resource officers were in the building when the shooting happened around 11 a.m., Aaron said. They were not in the immediate vicinity of the cafeteria and by the time they got down there the shooting was over and the gunman had killed himself, Aaron said. The school has about 2,000 students and is in Antioch, a neighborhood about 10 miles (16 kilometers) southeast of downtown Nashville. At a family safety center close to a hospital, officials helped shocked parents reunite with their children. Dajuan Bernard was waiting at a Mapco service station to reunite with his son, a 10th grader, who was being held in the auditorium with other students Wednesday afternoon. He first heard of the shooting from his son, who was a little startled, Bernard said. His son was upstairs from the cafeteria but said he heard the gunfire. He was OK and let me know that everything was OK, Bernard said.This world is so crazy, it could happen anywhere, he said. Weve just got to protect the kids, and raise the kids right to prevent them from even doing this. Thats the hardest part.Fonda Abner said her granddaughter had called her a couple of times but that she only heard commotion and thought it was a pocket dial. They spoke briefly before being cut off.Its nerve-racking waiting out here, Abner said. United Family Fellowship, a church in Antioch, was hosting a vigil Wednesday night for anyone in the community who needs a space to pray, process, and find comfort, the church said on Facebook. Adrienne Battle, superintendent of Nashville schools, said earlier Wednesday that public schools have implemented a range of safety measures, including partnerships with police for school resource officers, security cameras with weapon-detection software, shatter-resistant film for glass, and security vestibules that are a barrier between outside visitors and the main entrance. Unfortunately, these measures were not enough to stop this tragedy, Battle said.She said there are questions about whether stationary metal detectors should be considered.While past research has shown they have had limitations and unintended consequences, we will continue to explore emerging technologies and strategies to strengthen school safety, Battle said.In October, a 16-year-old Antioch High School student was arrested after school resource officers and school officials discovered through social media that he had taken a gun to school the day prior. When he was stopped the following morning, officials found a loaded gun in his pants, police said.Wednesdays school shooting comes nearly two years after a shooter opened fire at a separate Nashville private elementary school and killed six people, including three children. The tragedy prompted a monthslong effort among hundreds of community organizers, families, protesters and others pleading with lawmakers to consider passing gun control measures.GOP lawmakers in the Republican-dominant state refused to do so. With the Republican supermajority intact after Novembers election, its unlikely attitudes have changed enough to consider any meaningful bills that would address gun control.Instead, lawmakers have been more open to adding more security to schools including passing a bill last year that would allow some teachers and staff to carry concealed handguns on public school grounds, and bar parents and other teachers from knowing who was armed.Antioch, a growing and diverse area of Nashville, has endured other prominent shootings in recent years. A 2017 fatal shooting at Burnette Chapel Church of Christ killed one woman and wounded seven people. And in 2018, a shooter killed four people at a Waffle House. State Rep. Shaundelle Brooks ran for office in large part due to her sons death in the Waffle House shooting and was elected last year after the Covenant shooting. She said the Antioch High shooting reinforces the need for gun control reforms. We must do better, she said.Ever since I lost my son, Akilah, in a mass shooting in 2018, I have been fighting to ensure this never happens again, the Nashville Democrat said in a statement. Here we are almost 7 years later, and our communities are still being impacted by gun violence.Samantha Dickerson had taken her 14-year-old sons phone away as a punishment, so when she got a message from his school about the shooting, she had no way to reach him.I was nervous, she said. I really was about to break down.After about three hours of waiting, she finally got a call from his English teacher and spoke with her son.When I heard his voice, I just broke down and started crying, she said.___Associated Press writers Kimberlee Kruesi in Nashville and Adrian Sainz in Memphis, Tennessee, contributed. KRISTIN M. HALL Hall is an Associated Press video journalist based in Nashville, Tennessee. She helps lead the video report in the Mid-South region.

Homeowner David Marquez, left, holds a metal detector as he shows recovered metal items found with his father, Juan Pablo Alvarado, right, inside the walls of their multi-generational home in the aftermath of the Eaton Fire, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)2025-01-23T05:04:29Z LOS ANGELES (AP) California Republicans are pushing back against suggestions by President Donald Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson and other Republicans that federal disaster aid for victims of wildfires that ravaged Southern California should come with strings attached, possibly jeopardizing the presidents policy agenda in a deeply divided Congress at the outset of his second term.With Trump planning to visit the fire-ravaged state this week, resistance from even a few House members to his efforts to put conditions on disaster aid could further complicate an already fraught relationship between reliably liberal California and the second Trump administration. Several Republicans who narrowly won California House seats in November have expressed dismay that the state relief could be hitched to demands in exchange for helping the thousands of Californians in their districts still reeling from this months disaster. Playing politics with peoples livelihoods is unacceptable and a slap in the face to the Southern California wildfire victims and to our brave first responders, Republican Rep. Young Kim, whose closely divided district is anchored in fire-prone Orange County, southeast of Los Angeles, said in a statement. In an interview aired Wednesday night, Trump said he may withhold aid to California until the state adjusts how it manages its scarce water resources. He falsely claimed that Californias fish conservation efforts in the northern part of the state are responsible for fire hydrants running dry in urban areas. I dont think we should give California anything until they let the water run down, Trump told Fox News Sean Hannity.Local officials have said the conservation efforts for the delta smelt had nothing to do with the hydrants running dry as firefighters tried to contain blazes around Los Angeles. They said intense demand on a municipal system not designed to battle such blazes was to blame. The wind-driven firestorms wiped out whole neighborhoods of Los Angeles County, left thousands homeless and killed more than two dozen people. Trump said earlier this week that discussions are underway in the White House to bring more water to perennially parched Los Angeles, alluding to rainfall runoff lost to the Pacific and the states vast water storage and delivery system.Los Angeles has massive amounts of water available to it. All they have to do is turn the valve, the president said.California has long been a favorite target of Trump, who also referred to the fires in his inaugural address Monday. In LA, he said, we are watching fires still tragically burn from weeks ago without even a token of defense.Thats going to change.Trump has made no mention of the multinational firefighting force deployed to contend with multiple blazes. Firefighters were gaining ground on the two major fires Wednesday when a third blaze broke out north of Los Angeles and quickly burned through hundreds of acres of dry brush. Johnson, a Louisiana Republican echoing Trumps complaints, has said there are serious problems in how the state is managed. Those include insufficient funding for forestry programs and water storage. He also noted the public dispute between the LA fire chief and City Hall over budget cuts. Johnson said Wednesday that Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass did not prepare the state or the city for what was to come. He particularly cited a 117-million-gallon reservoir left unfilled for nearly a year. Newsom has called for an independent investigation of the reservoir.Bass didnt directly respond to a question about possible conditions on disaster aid, saying in a statement: Our work with our federal partners will be based on direct conversations with them about how we can work together.Some Republicans have suggested that the congressional relief package could become entangled with efforts to raise the nations debt limit and with the House so closely divided, even a few breakaway votes from either party could alter the outcome. That leaves GOP lawmakers from California in a political quandary: whether to forcefully stand up for their home state, often pilloried by the GOP as representing all that is wrong with America, while Republicans in Congress are eager to show a unified front and parlay their November election wins into what Trump has called a new golden age for the nation. Several California representatives agreed that the federal government must guard against the misuse of funds but argued that the money should not be held up or saddled with restrictions not placed on other states after tornadoes and hurricanes. The dilemma played out in social media posts by Republican Rep. Ken Calvert, who narrowly prevailed in November in his swing district east of Los Angeles.Californians are entitled to receive federal disaster assistance in the same manner as all Americans, he wrote on X. But, he quickly added, Some federal policy changes may be needed to expedite rebuilding as well as improve future wildfire prevention. Those kind of policies are not conditions. Republican Rep. Kevin Kiley, whose sprawling district runs from east of Sacramento south to Death Valley, told KCRA-TV in Sacramento last week that Johnsons use of the word conditions was not especially helpful. Speaking at the Capitol Wednesday, he said there is a lot of ambiguity about what constitutes conditions for disaster aid. He said his focus is to make sure the money doesnt get wasted through government inefficiency.We want to make sure the money actually gets to the victims and they can use it to rebuild their homes and to recover, Kiley said.Politicians in Washington have feuded for years over how to restrain the growing wildfire threat across the West. Republicans have long complained that inadequate land management practices have exacerbated damage from wildfires, while Democrats have emphasized the role of climate change and the failure of the federal government to address it.About the only thing they agree on is that the problem persists.Some lawmakers have noted that disaster aid over the years for Johnsons home state of Louisiana did not come with conditions. Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries called the idea a non-starter.Republican Rep. Doug LaMalfa, whose largely rural district runs from the Sacramento area north to the Oregon border, said he wasnt too concerned about talk of conditions.Everything has conditions, especially the way California wastes money, LaMalfa said. We want to help people and we want to help with that, like weve helped with others. But California is very, very irresponsible.Trump plans to visit the state to see the damage firsthand on Friday. Newsom hasnt said publicly if hell accompany him on his tour.With the fragile GOP majority in the House there are 219 Republicans, 214 Democrats and one vacancy Johnson cannot afford defections on any vote. And it could be several weeks before a fuller accounting of the states recovery needs is ready and a formal request submitted to the White House. Following major natural disasters, the president typically makes supplemental spending requests, as happened after hurricanes Helene and Milton. Congress also could provide more disaster aid to California through legislation. Sen. Lindsey Graham, the Republican chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, said he would work to include disaster aid in a filibuster-proof bill Republicans hope to craft this year that would pay for some of Trumps top policy priorities.Newsom urged Johnson and other congressional leaders to quickly approve assistance for the state, where fires are still burning and strong winds continue to threaten new ones. In an email to supporters from his campaign committee, he warned that Republicans are holding federal aid hostage and said Democrats might be able to peel off a handful of GOP votes to push through an aid package.In times of natural disaster from Hurricane Katrina to Hurricane Helene Americans have always stood together, setting aside politics to extend a helping hand to those in need, the governor wrote. Historically, federal disaster aid has been provided without conditions. ___Freking reported from Washington. RSShttps://feedx.net https://feedx.site

County Sheriff officers return to their vehicle after monitoring flames caused by the Hughes Fire along a roadside in Castaic, Calif., Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)2025-01-23T06:24:53Z CASTAIC, Calif. (AP) Firefighters fought to maintain the upper hand on a huge and rapidly moving wildfire that swept through rugged mountains north of Los Angeles and resulted in more than 50,000 people being put under evacuation orders or warnings.The Hughes Fire broke out late Wednesday morning and in less than a day had charred nearly 16 square miles (41 square kilometers) of trees and brush near Lake Castaic, a popular recreation area about 40 miles (64 kilometers) from the devastating Eaton and Palisades fires that are burning for a third week.Though the region was under a red flag warning for critical fire risk, winds were not as fast as they had been when those fires broke out, allowing for firefighting aircraft to dump tens of thousands of gallons of fire retardant on the latest blaze. By Wednesday night, about 14% of the Hughes Fire had been contained. The situation that were in today is very different from the situation we were in 16 days ago, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said Wednesday evening.Red flag warnings were extended through 10 a.m. Friday in LA and Ventura counties. Officials remained concerned that the Palisades and Eaton fires could break their containment lines as firefighters continue watching for hot spots. More than 31,000 people have been ordered to evacuate from the Hughes Fire, and another 23,000 are under evacuation warnings, LA County Sheriff Robert Luna said. There were no reports of homes or other structures burned. Parts of Interstate 5 near the Hughes Fire that had been closed reopened Wednesday evening.A 30-mile (48-kilometer) stretch of the major north-south artery had been closed for emergency vehicles, to move equipment and to prevent accidents due to smoke billowing across it. Crews on the ground and in water-dropping aircraft tried to prevent the wind-driven fire from moving across the interstate and toward Castaic. Marrone said that because winds were not as strong as they were two weeks ago, aircraft crews were able to drop fire retardant on the south side of the fire, where the flames were moving, he said. More than 4,000 firefighters were assigned to the fire, he said.Winds in the area were gusting at 42 mph (67 kph) in the afternoon. They had reached as high as 65 mph (105 KPH) in some mountain pockets by Wednesday night, according David Roth, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.Kayla Amara drove to Castaics Stonegate neighborhood to collect items from the home of a friend who had rushed to pick up her daughter at preschool. As Amara was packing the car, she learned the fire had exploded in size and decided to hose down the property.Other people are hosing down their houses, too. I hope theres a house here to return to, Amara said as police cars raced through the streets and flames engulfed trees on a hillside in the distance.Amara, a nurse who lives in nearby Valencia, said shes been on edge for weeks as major blazes devastated Southern California. Its been stressful with those other fires, but now that this one is close to home its just super stressful, she said. To the south, Los Angeles officials began to prepare for potential rain even as some residents were allowed to return to the charred Pacific Palisades and Altadena areas. Gusty weather was expected to last through Thursday and precipitation was possible starting Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.Rains are in the forecast and the threat of mud and debris flow in our fire-impacted communities is real, Supervisor Kathryn Barger said during a Wednesday morning news conference.Fire crews were filling sandbags for communities while county workers installed barriers and cleared drainage pipes and basins.Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass warned that winds could carry ash and advised Angelenos to visit the citys website to learn how to protect themselves from toxic air during the latest Santa Ana wind event. LA County public health director Barbara Ferrer cautioned that the ash could contain heavy metals, arsenic and other harmful materials. Even a brief exposure can potentially cause skin irritation and lead to more serious problems, Ferrer said Wednesday, asking people to wear protective gear while cleaning up.The low humidity, bone-dry vegetation and strong winds came as firefighters continued battling the Palisades and Eaton fires, which have killed at least 28 people and destroyed more than 14,000 structures since they broke out Jan. 7. Containment of the Palisades Fire reached 70%, and the Eaton Fire was at 95%.Luna said Wednesday that his department was still investigating 22 active missing person reports in both fire zones. All of those reported missing are adults, he said.The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms is investigating the causes of the fires but has not released any findings. Several lawsuits have been filed by people who lost their homes in the Eaton Fire, alleging Southern California Edisons equipment sparked the blaze. On Tuesday, a judge overseeing one of the lawsuits ordered the utility to produce data from circuits in the area where the fire started. ___Weber reported from Los Angeles. Associated Press journalists Ethan Swope in Castaic, Hallie Golden in Seattle, Jaimie Ding in Los Angeles and Julie Walker in New York contributed to this report.

The water in the Gulf of Mexico appears bluer than usual off of East Beach, Saturday, June 24, 2023, in Galveston, Texas. (Jill Karnicki/Houston Chronicle via AP, File)2025-01-23T06:38:37Z Whats in a name change, after all?The water bordered by the Southern United States, Mexico and Cuba will be critical to shipping lanes and vacationers whether its called the Gulf of Mexico, as it has been for four centuries, or the Gulf of America, as President Donald Trump ordered this week. North Americas highest mountain peak will still loom above Alaska whether its called Mt. Denali, as ordered by former President Barack Obama in 2015, or changed back to Mt. McKinley as Trump also decreed.But Trumps territorial assertions, in line with his America First worldview, sparked a round of rethinking by mapmakers and teachers, snark on social media and sarcasm by at least one other world leader. And though Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis put the Trumpian Gulf of America on an official document and some other gulf-adjacent states were considering doing the same, it was not clear how many others would follow Trumps lead. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum joked that if Trump went ahead with the renaming, her country would rename North America Mexican America. On Tuesday, she toned it down: For us and for the entire world it will continue to be called the Gulf of Mexico. The politics of maps are undeniableMap lines are inherently political. After all, theyre representations of the places that are important to human beings and those priorities can be delicate and contentious, even more so in a globalized world. Theres no agreed-upon scheme to name boundaries and features across the Earth.Denali is the mountains preferred name for Alaska Natives, while McKinley is a tribute to President William McKinley, designated in the late 19th century by a gold prospector. China sees Taiwan as its own territory, and the countries surrounding what the United States calls the South China Sea have multiple names for the same body of water. The Persian Gulf has been widely known by that name since the 16th century, although usage of Gulf and Arabian Gulf is dominant in many countries in the Middle East. The government of Iran formerly Persia threatened to sue Google in 2012 over the companys decision not to label the body of water at all on its maps. Many Arab countries dont recognize Israel and instead call it Palestine. And in many official releases, Israel calls the occupied West Bank by its biblical name, Judea and Samaria. Americans and Mexicans diverge on what to call another key body of water, the river that forms the border between Texas and the Mexican states of Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas. Americans call it the Rio Grande; Mexicans call it the Rio Bravo.Trumps executive order titled Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness concludes thusly: It is in the national interest to promote the extraordinary heritage of our Nation and ensure future generations of American citizens celebrate the legacy of our American heroes. The naming of our national treasures, including breathtaking natural wonders and historic works of art, should honor the contributions of visionary and patriotic Americans in our Nations rich past. But what to call the gulf with the 3,700-mile coastline? It is, I suppose, an internationally recognized sea, but (to be honest), a situation like this has never come up before so I need to confirm the appropriate convention, said Peter Bellerby, who said he was talking over the issue with the cartographers at his London company, Bellerby & Co. Globemakers. If, for instance, he wanted to change the Atlantic Ocean to the American Ocean, we would probably just ignore it.For some, its decision timeAs of Wednesday night, map applications for Google and Apple still called the mountain and the gulf by their old names. Spokespersons for those platforms did not immediately respond to emailed questions.A spokesperson for National Geographic, one of the most prominent map makers in the U.S., said this week that the company does not comment on individual cases and referred questions to a statement on its web site, which reads in part that it strives to be apolitical, to consult multiple authoritative sources, and to make independent decisions based on extensive research. National Geographic also has a policy of including explanatory notes for place names in dispute, citing as an example a body of water between Japan and the Korean peninsula, referred to as the Sea of Japan by the Japanese and the East Sea by Koreans. In discussion on social media, one thread noted that the Sears Tower in Chicago was renamed the Willis Tower in 2009, though its still commonly known by its original moniker. Pennsylvanias capital, Harrisburg, renamed its Market Street to Martin Luther King Boulevard and then switched back to Market Street several years later with loud complaints both times. In 2017, New Yorks Tappan Zee Bridge was renamed for the late Gov. Mario Cuomo to great controversy. The new name appears on maps, but no one calls it that, noted another user. Are we going to start teaching this as the name of the body of water? asked one Reddit poster on Tuesday.I guess you can tell students that SOME PEOPLE want to rename this body of water the Gulf of America, but everyone else in the world calls it the Gulf of Mexico, came one answer. Cover all your bases they know the reality-based name, but also the wannabe name as well.Wrote another user: Ill call it the Gulf of America when Im forced to call the Tappan Zee the Mario Cuomo Bridge, which is to say never. LAURIE KELLMAN Kellman has covered U.S. politics and foreign affairs for the Associated Press, including 23 years reporting from Washington and three from Jerusalem. She is based in London. twitter facebook mailto

Humanitarian aid trucks enter through the Kerem Shalom crossing from Egypt into the Gaza Strip, in Rafah, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, days after the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas came into effect. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)2025-01-23T06:48:02Z Israeli forces have killed two Palestinian militants who carried out a deadly attack on a bus in the West Bank earlier this month.The Israeli military said Thursday that the two men barricaded themselves in a structure in the West Bank village of Burqin and exchanged fire with Israeli troops before they were killed overnight. The army said a soldier was moderately wounded.The military said Mohammed Nazzal and Katiba al-Shalabi were operatives with the Islamic Jihad militant group.The Hamas militant group released a statement claiming the two men were members of its armed wing and praising the bus attack. Hamas and the smaller and more radical Islamic Jihad are allies that sometimes carry out attacks together.The Jan. 6 attack on the bus carrying Israelis killed three people and wounded six others.Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Mideast war. The Palestinians want it to form the main part of their future state. ___Heres the latest: Al Jazeera says the Palestinian Authority arrested one of its reportersThe Al Jazeera news network says the Palestinian Authority arrested one of its reporters after preventing him from covering an Israeli operation in the occupied West Bank.The Qatar-based news network reported Thursday that its reporter, Mohammed al-Atrash, was arrested from his home.It said Palestinian security forces had earlier prevented him from reporting on a large Israeli military operation in Jenin, an epicenter of Israeli-Palestinian violence in recent years. The Palestinian Authority launched its own crackdown on militants in the city late last year. There was no immediate comment from the Palestinian Authority.Both Israel and the Western-backed Palestinian Authority banned Al Jazeera last year. Israel accuses it of being a mouthpiece of Hamas over its coverage of the war in the Gaza Strip and says some of its reporters are also militants.The pan-Arab broadcaster has rejected the allegations and accused both Israel and the Palestinian Authority of trying to silence critical coverage.The internationally recognized Palestinian Authority administers parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank and cooperates with Israel on security matters. It is unpopular among Palestinians, with critics portraying it as a corrupt and authoritarian ally of Israel. Israels Netanyahu will probably visit Trump in the next few weeks, official saysUNITED NATIONS Israels ambassador to the United Nations believes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will travel to Washington to meet President Donald Trump in a few weeks.Danny Danon told reporters Wednesday: Im sure he would be one of the first foreign leaders invited to the White House.Danon said he expects their discussions to include the current ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza and the release of hostages taken during Hamas Oct. 7, 2023 attack in southern Israel. RSShttps://feedx.net https://feedx.site

Switzerland's Defense Minister Federal Councillor Viola Amherd, right, shakes hands with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, left, prior to a bilateral meeting on the sideline of the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. (Laurent Gillieron/Keystone via AP)2025-01-23T08:28:49Z BRUSSELS (AP) NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte warned on Thursday that a Russian victory over Ukraine would undermine the dissuasive force of the worlds biggest military alliance and that its credibility could cost trillions to restore.NATO has been ramping up its forces along its eastern flank with Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, deploying thousands of troops and equipment to deter Moscow from expanding its war into the territory of any of the organizations 32 member countries.If Ukraine loses then to restore the deterrence of the rest of NATO again, it will be a much, much higher price than what we are contemplating at this moment in terms of ramping up our spending and ramping up our industrial production, Rutte said.It will not be billions extra; it will be trillions extra, he said, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Rutte insisted that Ukraines Western backers must step up and not scale back the support they are providing to the country, almost three years after Russias full-fledged invasion began.We have to change the trajectory of the war, Rutte said, adding that the West cannot allow in the 21st century that one country invades another country and tries to colonize it. We are beyond those days, he said.Anxiety in Europe is mounting that U.S. President Donald Trump might seek to quickly end the war in talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on terms that are unfavorable to Ukraine, but Rutte appeared wary about trying to do things in a hurry. If we got a bad deal, it would only mean that we will see the president of Russia high-fiving with the leaders from North Korea, Iran and China and we cannot accept that, the former Dutch prime minister said. That would be geopolitically a big, big mistake.Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski welcomed Trumps acknowledgement that it must be Russia which should make the first peace moves, but he cautioned that this is not the Putin that President Trump knew in his first term. On Wednesday, Trump threatened to impose stiff taxes, tariffs and sanctions on Moscow if an agreement isnt reached to end the war, but that warning will probably fall on deaf ears in the Kremlin. Russias economy is already weighed down by a multitude of U.S. and European sanctions.Sikorksi warned that Putin should not be put at the center of the world stage over Ukraine.The president of the United States is the leader of the free world. Vladimir Putin is an outcast and an indicted war criminal for stealing Ukrainian children, Sikorski said.I would suggest that Putin has to earn the summit, that if he gets it early, it elevates him beyond his, significance and gives him the wrong idea about the trajectory of this, he said.

A TV screen shows footage of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)2025-01-23T04:49:22Z SEOUL, South Korea (AP) South Korean investigators asked prosecutors to indict the countrys detained President Yoon Suk Yeol over his short-lived imposition of martial law last month, as it accused him of rebellion, abuse of power and obstruction of parliament on Thursday.The Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials said that Yoon staged a riot and sought to undermine the constitution when he declared martial law on Dec. 3 and sent troops and police officers to seal the National Assembly.Lee Jae-seung, deputy chief prosecutor at the CIO, told a televised briefing that Yoon also abused his power by mobilizing troops for an illegitimate purpose and attempted to obstruct parliaments right to vote on ending martial law. Despite the presence of armed troops, lawmakers managed to enter the assembly chamber and called for an end to the emergency decree in a unianimous vote. The assembly later impeached Yoon, suspending his presidential powers, and the Constitutional Court is now deliberating to determine whether to formally throw Yoon out of office or reinstate him. Yoon has steadfastly maintained that his actions were intended to issue a warning to the opposition-controlled parliament over its obstruction of his agenda, rather than to disrupt its work. The Corruption Investigation Office has been leading a probe into Yoon with police and military authorities, and detained him last week. As you know, despite facing a nationally grave allegation as ringleader of a rebellion, the suspect has been constantly maintaining uncooperative stance and defying criminal judicial proceedings, Lee said.Yoon rebuffed efforts to question him for weeks and used the presidential security service to repel a first attempt to detain him.Yoon argues that the investigation and his detention are illegal. Yoons defense team issued a statement accusing the CIO of humiliating Yoon by trying to pressure him to speak to investigators and abusing his human rights by preventing him from contacting family members. Yoon has refused to participate in questioning since being detained, citing his right to remain silent. Appearing at a Constitutional Court hearing for the first time on Tuesday, Yoon denied that he ordered the military to drag lawmakers out of the National Assembly to prevent them from voting. Commanders of military units that were sent to the assembly have testified that Yoon ordered them to pull lawmakers out.Yoons martial law decree has shaken South Korean politics and financial markets and hurt its international image. Yoons subsequent defiance and the oppositions push to oust him have also intensified South Koreas already-serious internal divide. HYUNG-JIN KIM Hyung-jin is an Associated Press reporter in Seoul, South Korea. He reports on security, political and other general news on the Korean Peninsula. twitter mailto

President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)2025-01-22T22:05:23Z WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trumps sweeping orders to end the governments diversity, equity and inclusion effort mark a sea change for the country, unwinding decades-long priorities for the nations largest employer the federal government and broader efforts to push the private sector to ensure its workforce is diverse and inclusive too.Trump, only days into his second term as president, has shown with his wide-reaching moves that hes willing to use all the levers of the government to fulfill a longstanding campaign promise and bring about a profound cultural shift across the U.S. from promoting diversity to an exclusive focus on merit. Hours after taking the oath of office, the president signed an executive order ending diversity, equity and inclusion programs within the federal government, which he and conservatives have long condemned as discriminatory. His administration then moved Tuesday to end affirmative action in federal contracting a move first required by President Lyndon Johnson and ordered all federal diversity, equity and inclusion staff be put on paid leave and eventually laid off. The effort escalates a push Trump made in his last term as president and relies on the very same tools his predecessor, former President Joe Biden, used to try to promote DEI programs across American life by embedding the priority into rules for federal contractors and grant recipients. Biden and his supporters cast DEI efforts as a way to ensure that historically marginalized communities are included and represented. Trump has branded the programs discrimination and said he wants to restore merit-based hiring.Everett Kelley, national president of the American Federation of Government Employees, said the government already hires and promotes exclusively based on merit.The results are clear: a diverse federal workforce that looks like the nation it serves, with the lowest gender and racial pay gaps in the country. We should all be proud of that, Kelley said in a statement. Kelley called Trumps actions a smokescreen for firing civil servants, undermining the apolitical civil service, and turning the federal government into an army of yes-men loyal only to the president, not the Constitution.The Trump order directs federal agencies to develop plans to deter DEI programs in the private sector and at universities and list potential civil compliance investigations that could be launched to bring about that aim. Its a marked attempt to chill DEI initiatives across the country, placing them in the crosshairs of the federal government such that even if conducted lawfully, private employers may be forced to respond to federal probes.Shifting federal priorities between administrations of different political parties is nothing new. But the scale and speed of the countrys onetime embrace of DEI programs and Trumps systematic effort to root them out is dizzying.At the end of Trumps first term, the Republican sought to ban federal agency contractors and recipients of federal funds from carrying out corporate diversity initiatives. Biden rescinded that order on his first day as president and issued two executive orders aiming to stitch throughout the government and the workforce at large a sensitivity about bias and discrimination. I cannot describe to you how influential that executive order was. It really dictated the four years of the Biden administration, said Mike Gonzalez, a senior fellow at the conservative Heritage Foundation whose writings have included a focus on DEI programs. The first thing Trump does is rescind that executive order.Gonzalez said the breadth of Trumps actions and the fact that they came so quickly was a pretty sweeping statement. Gonzalez said DEI programs adopted across American society, from the federal government to private corporations, are dangerous, demeaning and immoral, and violate the Civil Rights Act and the 14th Amendments guarantees of equal protection under the law.He called Bidens actions on DEI very misguided and regrettable. We have gone down that path before as a society, he said. We decided this was something we did not want to do, to promote or hire on the basis of race.Most Americans agree that being white and a man helps peoples ability to get ahead in the U.S. today, and that being Black hurts peoples ability to get ahead, according to a Pew Research Center poll conducted in 2023. Theyre also more likely to say that being a woman, Hispanic or Asian is more harmful than helpful.But another Pew Research Center poll from 2024 found that U.S. adults are more split on the extent to which white people benefit from advantages that Black people dont have, or if women still face obstacles that make it harder for them to get ahead than men.And there are indications that Trumps supporters are particularly concerned about gains for groups like women and racial minorities coming at the expense of others. According to AP VoteCast, relatively few voters in the 2024 election overall about 3 in 10 -- said they were very or somewhat concerned that U.S. society has focused too much on gains for women at the expense of men, but Trumps supporters were more divided. A majority were not too concerned or not at all concerned about gains for women coming at the expense of men, but about 4 in 10 said they were at least somewhat concerned. Even before Trumps actions, a backlash to DEI programs has been already underway in corporate America. Dozens of prominent companies started to roll back, or even eliminate, their DEI commitments in the wake of a 2023 Supreme Court ruling eliminating affirmative action at universities, a decision that unleashed a flood of conservative-backed lawsuits against diversity efforts in the corporate world. The trend accelerated sharply after Trumps election as companies anticipated his aggressive orders to dismantle DEI.Walmart, for instance, announced in November that it would no longer consider race and gender when offering supplier contracts, a decision that mirrors reforms the Trump administration will pursue with federal contracts. Already, conservative lawsuits have successfully forced some government agencies to stop considering race when awarding government contracting and financing. Facebook owner META, McDonalds and Boeing are among other companies that have dropped DEI commitments in response to the changing legal landscape and the change of government.However, many of the countrys top companies have stuck by their DEI policies, including some with government contracts such as tech giant Microsoft and global consulting firm Accenture. ___Associated Press writers Amelia Thomson-Deveaux in Washington and Alexandra Olson in New York contributed to this report. MICHELLE L. PRICE Price is a national political reporter for The Associated Press. She is based in New York. twitter mailto ZEKE MILLER Zeke is APs chief White House correspondent twitter mailto

Aryna Sabalenka, right, of Belarus is congratulated by Paula Badosa of Spain following during their semifinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)2025-01-23T10:18:47Z MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) Aryna Sabalenka moved one win away from becoming the first woman since 1999 to win three consecutive Australian Open titles, recovering from a slow start to beat good friend Paula Badosa 6-4, 6-2 Thursday night and return to the final.I have goosebumps. Im so proud of myself. Im proud of my team that we were able to put ourselves in such a situation, said the No. 1-seeded Sabalenka, who will face No. 2 Iga Swiatek or No. 19 Madison Keys for the championship. If Ill be able to put myself in the history (books), its going to mean a lot. Its going to mean the world to me.Just 10 minutes into her semifinal, Sabalenka was down a break and trailed 2-0, 40-love. She was making unforced errors, shaking her head or gesturing toward her entourage in the stands after many. But the 26-year-old from Belarus quickly figured things out, especially once Rod Laver Arenas retractable roof was shut late in the first set because of a drizzle. She straightened her strokes, frequently using huge returns and groundstrokes to overpower the 11th-seeded Badosa, who had eliminated No. 3 Coco Gauff on Tuesday to reach her first major semifinal. Sabalenka grabbed four games in a row and five of six to lead 5-3 and soon was ending that set with a 114 mph (184 kph) ace. She broke to lead 2-1 in the second set helped by two double-faults by Badosa and again to go up 4-1. The key statistic: Sabalenka finished with a 32-11 advantage in winners. Thats the sort of excellence that helped Sabalenka win her first major trophy at Melbourne Park in 2023, and she since has added two more in Australia a year ago and at the U.S. Open last September. The last woman to reach three finals in a row at the years first Grand Slam tournament was Serena Williams, who won two from 2015-17. Martina Hingis was the most recent woman with a threepeat, doing it from 1997-1999. Thursday nights second match featured Swiatek against Keys. Swiatek is a five-time major champion who entered the semifinals having dropped a total of just 14 games through five matches as she bids to reach the final at Melbourne Park for the first time. Keys went in on a 10-match winning streak, including taking the title at a tuneup event in Adelaide, and was hoping to reach her second Grand Slam title match after finishing as the runner-up at the 2017 U.S. Open.The mens semifinals are Friday: Novak Djokovic vs. Alexander Zverev, followed by defending champion Jannik Sinner vs. Ben Shelton.The womens final is Saturday; the mens is Sunday.Sabalenka and Badosa did their best to avoid any eye contact for much of the evening, whether up at the net for the coin toss or when they crossed paths at changeovers.One exception came early in the second set, when Badosa tumbled to the court and flung her racket away to avoid injury. Badosa immediately put up a thumb to make clear she was fine. When a replay was shown on stadium video screens, Sabalenka pantomimed to indicate Badosa took a dive, and they both smiled. When the match was over, they met at the net for a lengthy hug.During Sabalenkas on-court interview, she joked about maybe taking Badosa who by then was sitting in a hallway, her head bowed on a shopping spree to make things up to her, paying for whatever the Spaniard wants.After a couple of battles against each other, we spoke and decided to put it aside, said Sabalenka, who leads their head-to-head series 6-2. She wanted it badly. We both wanted it badly. No matter what happens on the court, were going to be friends after our matches.Then Sabalenka paused, before joking: I hope shes still my friend. Im sure shell hate me for the next hour or day. Im OK with that.___Howard Fendrich has been the APs tennis writer since 2002. Find his stories here: https://apnews.com/author/howard-fendrich. More AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis HOWARD FENDRICH Fendrich is an Associated Press national writer based in Washington, D.C. He reports on tennis and other sports. twitter mailto

AP Illustration / Annie Ng2025-01-23T12:41:59Z NEW YORK (AP) The trouble started every day at around 3 p.m., after Cathy Higgins had spent five or six hours staring at an array of computer screens at her desk. Her university job overseeing research projects involved peering closely at numbers and details on contracts, applications and budgets.My vision was so blurry, I couldnt even see what was on the screen, and I was squinting so much that I could not function, Higgins said. When her eyesight got bad, Higgins walked around and spoke with members of her staff. She began planning in-person meetings for afternoons. But she would resume the computer work late at night after her children went to bed.If I had to continue working through the blurry vision, thats when the migraines would happen, Higgins said.Digital screens are pervasive, not only at work but in our homes, schools and shops. An estimated 104 million Americans of working age spend more than seven hours a day in front of screens, according to the American Optometric Association. All that screen time can take a toll. Too much exposure to screens can lead to dry or watery eyes, fuzzy vision and headaches. It can also lead to myopia, or nearsightedness, in some people, especially children. Some technology workers even describe short bouts of vertigo when they look at screens for too long. This article is part of APs Be Well coverage, focusing on wellness, fitness, diet and mental health. Read more Be Well. Overworked eyesOne reason for the discomfort is that staring closely at screens for prolonged periods causes the muscle that helps eye focus to tighten up. That muscles not supposed to stay tight all day long. And if it does, its like picking up a light weight and trying to hold it over your head for hours, American Optometric Association President Steven Reed said. Its not hard to pick it up. But after a while, even though its not a heavy lift, your body just gets tired. Fortunately, exposure to blue light from computer screens and devices has not been shown to cause permanent eye damage, according to the American Academy of Opthalmology. Nevertheless, symptoms can disrupt work, family time and rest. As an optometrist in Mississippi, Reed sees patients who complain of frequent eye pain, headaches and blurry vision associated with computer use. He advises getting an eye exam and taking frequent breaks.For Higgins, trying to catch up on the work she couldnt do when her eyes were too fatigued on weekdays cut into time she spent with her daughters on weekends. Theyd be playing together, and I couldnt be as engaged as I would have liked to have been in what they were doing, she said.Here are some tips from eye health professionals to reduce eye strain caused by devices. Follow the 20-20-20 ruleTake a break every 20 minutes from sitting at a computer. During the break, focus your eyes on something thats about 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Pausing close-up work and looking at something in the distance gives tired, tight muscles time to relax. Luckily, eye strain is temporary, said Raj Maturi, an ophthalmologist at Midwest Eye Institute in Indianapolis who serves as spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. The best way to avoid these symptoms is by taking breaks from our screens or near work activities and using lubricating eye drops, if needed. People usually blink about 18 to 22 times per minute. But when looking at a screen, the rate drops to three to seven times per minute, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Thats where eye drops come in.Its good to move around and go outside, but when you dont have time for an outdoor walk, frequent 20-second breaks can help.Change your desk setupSome people find that using a larger computer monitor helps reduce eye fatigue. You can also increase the font size on your laptop, monitor or smartphone screen. Higgins did all of the above after she started a new job as senior vice president at Stand Up to Cancer. Since she works remotely from home in Midlothian, Virginia, she got a 29-inch monitor and sits about three feet away from it, about a foot farther than in most office setups. The changes helped. She still has occasional issues with blurriness, but not as frequently. When I have an extended day, like a 12-hour day, thats when I start to have vision issues again, she said.Sitting an arms length away from your screen and adjusting it so youre looking slightly downward also can help reduce eye strain, according to the American Academy of Opthalmology. Be wary of product claimsSome products, such as blue light glasses, are marketed with claims that they will reduce digital eye strain, improve sleep and prevent eye disease. But several studies have found the glasses are not very effective, according to the American Academy of Opthalmology. Its really our behavior with digital devices that causes symptoms, not the small amount of blue light coming from screens, the group said. Extracurricular opticsAfter stepping away from computers at work, many people find themselves reading or scrolling on smartphone screens. Its not just workers: children are using laptops, tablets and smart screens in school settings throughout the day. Too much screen time or focusing on nearby objects can accelerate the onset and progression of nearsightedness, especially in children, said Ayesha Malik, pediatric optometrist in the division of ophthalmology at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia. Anyone streaming shows should do so on a television, instead of a tablet, to help relieve eye strain, she said.Children should follow the 20-20-20-2 rule, which includes an extra 2 at the end to encourage playing outdoors for 2 hours a day, which helps with eye development, she said.The reality is that most children are engaging with screens throughout the day at school and home. It becomes difficult to track the total number of hours, Malik said. Aim for not more than 20 minutes during any one session. Sleeping soundlyThe blue light that digital screens emit can increase alertness, so watching Netflix on an iPad or scrolling through social media feeds in bed may make it hard to get restful sleep.To give your eyes and brain the rest they need, doctors recommend turning off screens one to two hours before going to sleep. You can also set devices to dark mode in the evening to reduce the impact of bright light. If youre used to streaming videos at night, try listening to an audiobook or podcast instead.___Have you overcome an obstacle or made a profound change in your work? Send your questions and story ideas to [emailprotected]. Follow APs Be Well coverage, focusing on wellness, fitness, diet and mental health at https://apnews.com/hub/be-well. CATHY BUSSEWITZ Bussewitz is a national business reporter for The Associated Press. She writes about the workplace, job issues and wellness. twitter mailto

This image made from video provided by KSAT shows law enforcement vehicles after multiple San Antonio, Texas, police officers were shot in San Antonio, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. (KSAT via AP)2025-01-23T04:49:04Z SAN ANTONIO (AP) Seven San Antonio police officers were shot while responding to a suicide in progress call and the suspect was later found dead inside an apartment after a standoff, the citys police chief said.The officers were shot Wednesday night and a SWAT team was called to the Stone Oak neighborhood, San Antonio Police Chief Bill McManus said early Thursday. After several hours, the suspect was dead but it wasnt immediately known how he died, McManus said.He described the suspect as a man in his 40s and said the original call to police came from a family member.Earlier, McManus had said four officers were wounded and none of those officers injuries were believed to be life-threatening. In his later remarks, he didnt address the specific conditions of the officers.___EDITORS NOTE This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org. Helplines outside the U.S. can be found at www.iasp.info/suicidalthoughts. RSShttps://feedx.net https://feedx.site

The logo for the Justice Department is seen before a news conference at the Department of Justice, Aug. 23, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)2025-01-23T03:59:54Z WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trumps new Justice Department leadership has put a freeze on civil rights litigation and suggested it may reconsider police reform agreements negotiated by the Biden administration, according to two memos obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press. Attorneys in the departments Civil Rights Division were ordered not to file any new complaints, amicus briefs or other certain court papers until further notice, one of the memos said. Another memo directed attorneys to notify leadership of any settlements or consent decrees court-enforceable agreements to reform police agencies that were finalized by the Biden administration within the last 90 days. It said the new administration may wish to reconsider such agreements, raising the prospect that it may abandon two consent decrees finalized in the final weeks of the Biden administration in Louisville, Kentucky, and Minneapolis, Minnesota. Those agreements, reached after investigations found police engaged in civil rights violations, still need to be approved by a judge. They were among 12 investigations into law enforcement agencies launched by the Civil Rights Division under Attorney General Merrick Garland. The Minneapolis City Council earlier this month approved the agreement to overhaul the citys police training and use-of-force policies in the wake of the 2020 murder of George Floyd. The Justice Department announced last month it had reached the agreement with Louisville to reform the citys police force after an investigation prompted by the fatal police shooting of Breonna Taylor in 2020 and police treatment of protesters. The memos, sent by new chief of staff Chad Mizelle, is a sign of major changes expected in the Civil Rights Division under Trump. His pick to lead the division is Harmeet Dhillon, a well-known conservative attorney who last year made an unsuccessful bid for Republican National Committee chair. The Justice Department under the first Trump administration curtailed the use of consent decrees, and the Republican was expected to again radically reshape the departments priorities around civil rights.Its unclear how long the litigation freeze may last. The memo said the move was necessary to ensure that the federal government speaks with one voice in its view of the law and to ensure that the Presidents appointees or designees have the opportunity to decide whether to initiate new cases. ALANNA DURKIN RICHER Richer is an Associated Press reporter covering the Justice Department and legal issues from Washington. twitter mailto

AP Illustration / Annie Ng2025-01-23T13:19:57Z Theyre the possessions that tell your story: the photos of old friends and relatives. The ring your mom left you. The hand-knit Christmas stockings. Your grandfathers secretary desk and the letters inside.When disasters strike, these artifacts of your own rich history might be the toughest belongings to lose.It still hits me now a picture of my dad that my grandmother painted, which was hanging on the wall by the piano, says Martha Tecca, whose house in Lyme, New Hampshire, burned to the ground 10 years ago. She and her husband had been on a hike, and lost everything but the clothes they were wearing.The things that are sort of generational those are the pieces you feel worst about at the time, she says.Of course, lost things are just things. Those who mourn them are conscious that others are suffering far worse from catastrophes, including the wildfires, hurricanes, floods and other natural disasters that have struck with greater intensity in recent years.Still, these family heirlooms, mementoes and handmade relics are irreplaceable. How do you cope with losing them and perhaps recapture some of the lost memories? Be patient in processing it allGrief is the natural response to loss, whatever that loss is, says Mary-Frances OConnor, a psychology professor at the University of Arizona and author of The Grieving Body: How the Stress of Loss Can Be an Opportunity for Healing. Objects are often cues for our memory, our habits, for our culture, our social interaction. And it takes time, she says, to understand: What does it mean for our life that this thing is gone?There are so many immediate, practical tasks to attend to after a catastrophic event finding a place to live, filing insurance claims that it might take a while to really absorb the loss of mementoes.In Barbara Lamberts case, she gave herself permission to stop searching for everything that might have been lost, reluctant to stir up sadness over things she hadnt looked at in a long time, anyway. Lamberts Larchmont, New York, home was gutted by the remnants of Hurricane Ida in 2021. She grabbed documents, jewelry and medications as the waters rose around her legs. But the flood destroyed relics like scrapbooks, old Playbills from Broadway shows, ticket stubs and her sons grade-school art.Its very overwhelming, devastating, but you realize what you really need to get through life, she says.Look to communityJenny Mackenzies home in Peacham, Vermont, was destroyed along with half her familys belongings in the floods created by the remnants of Hurricane Beryl in 2024. While she was able, over time, to find and restore items like her daughters stuffed animals in the debris, the toughest loss was a handmade canoe shed received as a college graduation present. She found it two weeks later in shards along the river.Were it not for friends and neighbors, she would have walked away from the mud-filled house without trying to retrieve much. But dozens of people turned up to help. A neighbor came and dug up what was salvageable of her beloved garden beds, since replanted. Other neighbors spent days rescuing and restoring furniture. Picture over 60 people shoveling mud and passing our possessions across the river, she recalls. Natural disasters often affect entire communities, OConnor notes, so this is a shared loss.Our shared response builds meaning, and memorializes, she says.Tecca said friends around the country sent photos to help fill the gaps in her collection, unsolicited. One friend got Tecca and her husband new copies of their college diplomas.In terms of things, we ended up getting more than we lost, she said.Jack Pitney and his wife were at Toys R Us with their toddler when a mudslide slammed into their Glendale, California, house in 2005. They came home to find his playroom buried, and with it, all his toys.The only one he had left was in his hand: It was the one we had just bought, Pitney says. It was a big deal. For a 2-year-old, there is no such thing as an unimportant toy.Friends and colleagues brought toys from their own homes, helping to distract his son from what had happened. Remember, its not the things, its the storiesPersonal items matter because of the histories behind them, but theyre not the only way to tell those tales.The stuff is just a vehicle for the stories, says Matt Paxton, author of Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff. A decluttering expert, he often works with families who struggle to let go of sentimental belongings.Even those who have just experienced a calamity should still document and hold on to the meaning of whats lost, he says: Youre the most raw youve ever been right now. But now is the time to record the stories. You dont need the things for your legacy to live forward.Write down the memories and tell them to your kids and friends. Document the heirlooms and their history on apps like Artifcts, he says. Digitize any photos and videos you still might have, and any going forward. Your kids art? Scan it. The oldest story in the book is telling stories and passing them on thats why it hurts so much when we lose them, he says.While experts recommend digitizing, they acknowledge that a tactile object can evoke a more emotional response.Humans are such visual beings, but its not our only sense, says Jennifer Talarico, a psychology professor at Lafayette College. She cites the feel of a souvenir in your hand, the sound of a loved ones voice on voicemail, the taste of something that takes you back to childhood.Many items have stories that no one else would understand. Paxton remembers one family that held on to their grandmothers remote, the one she loved to watch Jeopardy! with.The new stuff will carry extra meaning tooMany survivors found, with time, that not everything from the experience was negative.It sounds weird maybe, but there was something in there that was a little bit freeing, free of having all that stuff. Of not knowing what to do with it, said Lambert.Going to a new home and acquiring new things marks a transitional moment, Talarico says. Its OK to mourn, but have faith that you can refill photo albums with new memories.A disaster, she says, might be a marker of the before and after, but there is an after.The gifts from friends carry tremendous emotional value themselves, says Tecca, who now lives in a different town. There are new stories, of the fire and of rebuilding.Every piece in our house at the moment is something someone gave us, or that we intentionally got, she says. The things become precious, the things you now fill your house with. Julia Rubin Rubin edits Lifestyles stories for The Associated Press. She was previously APs news editor in New York City and Anchorage; correspondent in Moscow; and entertainment editor. mailto

This image released by Netflix shows Karla Sofa Gascn, right, and Zoe Saldaa in a scene from "Emilia Prez." (Shanna Besson/Netflix via AP)2025-01-23T05:02:58Z In the wake of devastating wildfires in Los Angeles that struck at the heart of the movie industry, an embattled Hollywood lined up behind the Netflix narco-musical about trans identity Emilia Prez in Oscar nominations Thursday.Jacques Audiards Emilia Prez, a Spanish language, French-made film, dominated the nominations with a leading 13 nominations, including best picture and best actress for Karla Sofa Gascn, making her the first openly trans actor ever nominated for an Oscar. The film also landed nominations for directing, original screenplay, two of its songs and for Zoe Saldaa. Netflix, despite its starring role in Hollywood, has never won best picture. Many of its top contenders have previously racked up large numbers of nominations (including Mank, The Irishman and Roma) but gone home with only a handful of trophies.Emilia Prez, though, may be its best chance yet. It became the most nominated non-English language film ever, surpassing Netflixs own Roma, which scored 10 nominations.Another musical Wicked, the smash Broadway adaptation came away with nearly as many nominations. Jon M. Chus lavish Wizard of Oz riff scored 10 nominations, including best picture and acting nods for its stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.The Brutalist, Brady Corbets postwar epic filmed in VistaVision, also came away with a commanding 10 nominations, including best picture, best director and nominations for actor Adrien Brody, Guy Pearce and Felicity Jones.The nominees for best picture are: Anora; The Brutalist; A Complete Unknown; Conclave; Dune: Part Two; Emilia Prez; Im Still Here.; Nickel Boys; The Substance; Wicked.In a wide-open Oscar race, the six most honored films Emilia Prez, Wicked, The Brutalist, Anora (six nominations) Conclave (nine nominations) and A Complete Unknown (eight nominations) all fared as expected. The biggest surprises were the Brazilian film Im Still Here, which also landed Fernanda Torres a best actress nomination, and RaMell Ross Nickel Boys, a POV-shot drama. The nominations had originally been planned for Jan. 17. But after wildfires on Jan. 7 began burning through the Pacific Palisades, Altadena and other areas around Los Angeles, leaving behind historic levels of destruction, the academy extended its voting window and twice postponed the nominations announcement. Fresh fires outside Los Angeles continued Thursday. One of 2024s most audacious films, The Apprentice " landed two nominations, for Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong. The film dramatizes the formative years of President Donald Trump s emergence in New York real estate under the tutelage of attorney Roy Cohn. Trump has called those involved with the film human scum. With so many in the film industry reeling from the fires, some called on the academy to cancel the Oscars altogether. Academy leaders have argued the March 2 ceremony must go ahead, for their economic impact on Los Angeles and as a symbol of resilience for the industry. Organizers have vowed this years awards will celebrate the work that unites us as a global film community and acknowledge those who fought so bravely against the wildfires. We will reflect on the recent events while highlighting the strength, creativity, and optimism that defines Los Angeles and our industry, Bill Kramer, academy chief executive, and Yang said in an email to members Wednesday.But much of the usual frothiness Hollywoods award season has been severely curtailed due to the fires, which continue to burn. The film academy canceled its annual nominees luncheon. Other events have been postponed or downsized. On Wednesday, Kramer and Yang said original song nominees wont be performed this year. Conan OBrien, whose Pacific Palisades home was spared by the fires, is hosting. ___For more coverage of this years Oscars, visit: https://apnews.com/hub/academy-awards JAKE COYLE Coyle has been a film critic and covered the movie industry for The Associated Press since 2013. He is based in New York City. twitter mailto

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs the ball for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football NFC divisional playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton, File)2025-01-23T14:00:13Z Josh Allen, Saquon Barkley, Joe Burrow, Jared Goff and Lamar Jackson are finalists for The Associated Press 2024 NFL Most Valuable Player award.Barkley, Burrow and Jackson also are finalists for Offensive Player of the Year and Burrow is also in the running for Comeback Player of the Year.The winners will be announced at NFL Honors on Feb. 6. A nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the league completed voting before the playoffs began.Here are the finalists, in alphabetical order, for the eight AP NFL awards: Most Valuable PlayerAllen helped the Bills win their fifth straight AFC East title. He threw for 3,731 yards, 28 TDs and had six picks for a 101.4 passer rating. Allen ran for 531 yards and 12 scores.Barkley ran for 2,005 yards, eighth-best in NFL history. He sat out Philadelphias final regular-season game when he needed 101 yards to break Eric Dickersons single-season record. Barkley helped the Eagles win the NFC East and advance to the conference championship game.Burrow led the NFL with a career-high 4,918 yards passing and 43 TDs but the Cincinnati Bengals finished 9-8 and missed the playoffs. Goff threw for 4,629 yards, 37 TDs, nine interceptions and led Detroit to the No. 1 seed in the NFC. The Lions were eliminated in the divisional round by Washington.Jackson, the reigning winner, is seeking his third MVP award after leading the Ravens to an AFC North title. Jackson had career-highs with 4,172 yards passing, 41 TDs to just four interceptions and a 119.6 passer rating, which led the NFL. He was a first-team All-Pro for the third time and also ran for 915 yards and four TDs. The Ravens were knocked out of the divisional round by Allen and the Buffalo Bills. Offensive Player of the YearBarkley, Burrow, JaMarr Chase, Derrick Henry and Jackson are finalists for the award.Chase won the receiving triple crown, leading the league with 127 receptions, 1,708 yards and 17 TDs. The Bengals star wide receiver was a unanimous selection for All-Pro.Henry, the 2020 Offensive Player of the Year, had 1,921 yards rushing and 16 TDs in his first season with the Ravens. Defensive Player of the YearEagles linebacker Zack Baun went from mostly playing special teams for the Saints to earning All-Pro honors in his first season in Philadelphia.All-Pro edge rusher Myles Garrett, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, had 14 sacks for the Cleveland Browns.Bengals All-Pro edge rusher Trey Hendrickson led the NFL with 17 1/2 sacks.Broncos All-Pro cornerback Patrick Surtain II allowed just 37 receptions, had four picks and opposing quarterbacks had a 61.1 passer rating throwing against himSteelers edge rusher T.J. Watt, the 2021 winner, had 11 1/2 sacks and forced six fumbles. Offensive Rookie of the YearRaiders tight end Brock Bowers set a rookie record with 112 receptions and his 1,194 yards receiving were the most by a first-year player at his position. Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels led the team to an eight-win improvement and has them one win away from a Super Bowl appearance. He threw for 3,568 yards, 25 TDs and posted a 100.1 rating. Daniels also ran for 891 yards and six scores.Giants receiver Malik Nabers had 109 catches for 1,204 yards and seven TDs.Broncos QB Bo Nix helped the team reach the playoffs for the first time in nine years. He had 3,775 yards passing, 29 TDs, 12 picks and ran for 430 yards and four scores.Jaguars receiver Brian Thomas Jr. caught 87 passes for 1,282 yards and 10 TDs.Defensive Rookie of the YearEagles cornerback Cooper DeJean was among the highest-rated players in the slot, holding opponents to 50 receptions. He had five pass breakups and quarterbacks had an 82.2 passer rating against him.Rams defensive tackle Braden Fiske led the team and all rookies with 8 1/2 sacks. He had 51 pressures, two forced fumbles and recoveries, 10 tackles for loss and 10 quarterback hits.Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell allowed 40 receptions, had nine pass breakups and quarterbacks had an 87 passer rating against him.Dolphins edge Chop Robinson had six sacks, 20 pressures and eight tackles for loss.Rams edge Jared Verse had 4 1/2 sacks but led all rookies in quarterback hits (18), pressures (77) and hurries (56). He also had 11 tackles for loss. Coach of the YearDetroits Dan Campbell, Minnesotas Kevin OConnell, Denvers Sean Payton, Washingtons Dan Quinn and Kansas Citys Andy Reid are the finalists.Campbell guided the Lions (15-3) to the NFCs No. 1 seed. Connell led the Vikings (14-4) to the playoffs despite the departure of Kirk Cousins in free agency and losing rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy to a season-ending knee injury in training camp.Payton helped the Broncos (10-8) overcome salary-cap woes stemming from the decision to release Russell Wilson and ended a nine-year playoff drought.Quinn took over a 4-13 team and turned the Commanders into a 12-win playoff team.Reid had the Chiefs (16-2) back atop the AFC as the No. 1 seed in a quest for a third straight Super Bowl victory. Assistant Coach of the YearBills offensive coordinator Joe Brady, Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, Vikings DC Brian Flores, Lions DC Aaron Glenn and Lions OC Ben Johnson made the list.Comeback Player of the YearBurrow, Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold, Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins, Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez and Bills safety Damar Hamlin are the finalists.___AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl ROB MAADDI Maaddi is senior NFL writer for The Associated Press. Hes covered the league for 24 years, including the first two decades as the Eagles beat writer. mailto

A pseudonymous coder has created and released an open source tar pit to indefinitely trap AI training web crawlers in an infinitely, randomly-generating series of pages to waste their time and computing power. The program, called Nepenthes after the genus of carnivorous pitcher plants which trap and consume their prey, can be deployed by webpage owners to protect their own content from being scraped or can be deployed offensively as a honeypot trap to waste AI companies resources.It's less like flypaper and more an infinite maze holding a minotaur, except the crawler is the minotaur that cannot get out. The typical web crawler doesn't appear to have a lot of logic. It downloads a URL, and if it sees links to other URLs, it downloads those too. Nepenthes generates random links that always point back to itself - the crawler downloads those new links. Nepenthes happily just returns more and more lists of links pointing back to itself, Aaron B, the creator of Nepenthes, told 404 Media.Of course, these crawlers are massively scaled, and are downloading links from large swathes of the internet at any given time, they added. But they are still consuming resources, spinning around doing nothing helpful, unless they find a way to detect that they are stuck in this loop.Human users can see how Nepenthes works by clicking here, though I must warn that the page loads incredibly slowly (on purpose) and links endlessly to pages that load the same way. It looks like this, in practice: 0:00 /0:31 1 Aaron Bs website says THIS IS DELIBERATELY MALICIOUS CODE INTENDED TO CAUSE HARMFUL ACTIVITY. DO NOT DEPLOY IF YOU ARENT FULLY COMFORTABLE WITH WHAT YOURE DOING. It also notes it can be deployed defensively to flood our valid URLs within your sites domain name, making it unlikely the crawler will access the real content and offensively to actively trap and waste computing power: Let's say you've got horsepower and bandwidth to burn, and just want to see these AI models burn. Nepenthes has what you need In short, let them suck down as much bullshit as they have diskspace for and choke on it.We have previously written about the difficulty that website owners have had in blocking the web crawlers that train large language models. It is possible to use robots.txt to ask specific bots not to crawl a webpage, but different companies use different bots, the names of those bots often change, and some companies do not honor robots.txt requests or find ways to get around them. Nearly endless internet art projects have proven particularly difficult for bots to crawl; last year, the man who wrote The Internet for Dummies had the worlds lamest content farm, a website made up of billions of interconnected single-page sites, hit more than 3 million times by OpenAIs training bot in a single day. Anthropics AI scraper later hit the DIY repair company iFixit more than a million times in a day.Hearing these stories recently definitely pushed me into putting out a release, Aaron B said. It's also sort of an art work, just me unleashing shear unadulterated rage at how things are going. I was just sick and tired of how the internet is evolving into a money extraction panopticon, how the world as a whole is slipping into fascism and oligarchs are calling all the shots - and it's gotten bad enough we can't boycott or vote our way out, we have to start causing real pain to those above for any change to occur.Since they made and deployed a proof-of-concept, Aaron B said their pages have been hit millions of times by internet-scraping bots. On a Hacker News thread, someone claiming to be an AI company CEO said a tarpit like this is easy to avoid; Aaron B told 404 Media If thats, true, Ive several million lines of access log that says even Google Almighty didnt graduate to avoiding the trap.

The mountains above the village of Davos, where the annual meeting of World Economic Forum will take place, are covered with snow, in Davos, Switzerland, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)2025-01-23T08:55:09Z DAVOS, Switzerland (AP) Donald Trump is coming back to Davos. This time, virtually.The freshly reinaugurated U.S. president is to speak Thursday to an international audience for the first time after returning to the White House three days earlier, with a speech and question-and-answer by video conference at the World Economic Forums annual event. The fourth day of the annual gathering also has featured Javier Milei, the brash Argentine president, and Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate who became interim leader of Bangladesh after the longtime president was driven from power during a public uprising.Business and tech whizzes will get their turns too. Dario Amodei of Anthropic, maker of artificial intelligence model Claude, and chief AI scientist Yann LeCun of Mark Zuckerbergs Meta will tackle the future of technology. EU chief Ursula von der Leyen will take up energy transition with the head of the International Energy Agency, Fatih Birol. A day earlier, a small group of pro-environment demonstrators staged a rally in which one placard read Sun Baby Sun a retort in favor of solar power to Trumps call for the United States to drill, baby, drill fossil fuels earlier this week.Heres a look at some of the main events Thursday in Davos: Trump shows, just not in-person Trump is no stranger to the gathering of CEOs, startup visionaries, government leaders, world-class academics and other elites who meet in the snowy Swiss town of Davos each January. He came twice during his first term.His barrage of executive orders including calling for a U.S. pullout from the Paris climate deal, creating a new agency to collect tariffs and a pause in a TikTok ban have fed the chatter in the Davos Congress Center corridors. His promotion of a business joint venture that could invest up to $500 billion in infrastructure tied to AI has drawn plaudits from tech-oriented executives in Davos, even if Trump ally and multibillionaire Elon Musk who is not on hand scoffed on his X social media platform that the partners dont actually have the money. Trump also drew praise from the U.N. chief. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, during a question-and-answer session after his speech a day earlier that focused on the threats of global warming and ungoverned AI, credited Trumps efforts before the inauguration to help win a ceasefire in Gaza.The negotiations were dragging, dragging, dragging. And then, all of a sudden, it happened, Guterres said as he also praised efforts by Qatar and Turkey. I think there was a large contribution of robust diplomacy of at the time the president-elect of the United States. Argentinas Milei rails against wokeismMilei launched a diatribe against what he called the ills of wokeism and described a global struggle between libertarians like him and left-wing progressives. He slammed social welfare, feminism, identity politics and the fight against climate change.I have come here to tell you that while our battle is not won, there is now hope that our moral duty has been reborn as well as our historic responsibility to dismantle the ideological structure of this sick wokeism, Milei said. Trump and Musk are among leaders forming an alliance of all the nations that want to be free, he said.The common denominator for the countries that are failing is the mental virus of woke ideology, he said. It is the great pandemic of our time that needs to be cured. It is the cancer that must be cut out. Pope Francis envoy evokes fraternityIn a message read by his envoy to Davos, Pope Francis praised technological advancements but warned about the dangers AI could pose to human dignity and fraternity.When used correctly, AI assists the human person in fulfilling his or her vocation in freedom and responsibility, Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana said, reading the message.AI must be ordered to the human person and become part of efforts to achieve greater justice, more extensive fraternity, and a more humane order of social relations, which are more valuable than advances in the technical field, he added.The pontiff also expressed concerns about AIs effect on the growing crisis of truth in the public forum, Turkson said. NATOs Rutte urges more support for UkraineAnxiety in Europe has grown that Trump might seek to quickly end Russias war in Ukraine through talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on terms that might be unfavorable to Kyiv. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, speaking at a breakfast on the sidelines of the forum hosted by Ukrainian tycoon Victor Pinchuk, urged Ukraines Western backers to keep up their support nearly three years into the war. If we got a bad deal, it would only mean that we will see the president of Russia high-fiving with the leaders from North Korea, Iran and China and we cannot accept that, Rutte said. That would be geopolitically a big, big mistake.Richard Grenell, Trumps nominee as envoy for special missions, said by video from Los Angeles that Trump faced a terrible mess and not a lot of great choices in efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war. President Trump is somebody who has a credible threat and has already made clear that hes going to pressure both sides to end this. Hes focused on trying to stop the killing, the envoy-designate said.Putting more pressure on Putin economic or military remained a legitimate option for Trump, Grenell said.I would say just give President Trump a little time, he said.___Associated Press writer Lorne Cook in Brussels and Joseph Wilson in Barcelona, Spain, contributed to this report. JAMEY KEATEN Keaten is the chief Associated Press reporter in Geneva. He previously was posted in Paris and has reported from Afghanistan, the Middle East, North Africa and across Europe. twitter RSShttps://feedx.net https://feedx.site

Amanda Knox arrives flanked by her husband Christopher Robinson, right, at the Florence courtroom in Florence, Italy, Wednesday, June 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni, File)2025-01-23T05:39:38Z ROME (AP) Amanda Knox has a final shot at clearing her name of the last vestige of criminal wrongdoing when Italys highest court on Thursday hears her appeal of a slander conviction for falsely accusing a Congolese bar owner in the 2007 murder of her British flatmate.But the innocent man she accused, Patrick Lumbumba, told reporters outside Italys Cassation Court that he hopes the conviction stands and stays with her for the rest of her life.Both sides presented their cases during a two-hour hearing, with the high court set to begin deliberations later Thursday, but it was unclear when a verdict would be announced. The ruling should bring an end to a sensational 17-year legal saga that saw Knox and her Italian ex-boyfriend convicted and acquitted in flip-flop verdicts in 21-year-old Meredith Kerchers brutal murder, before being exonerated by the highest Cassation Court in 2015. The slander conviction against Knox remained the last legal stain against her. It survived multiple appeals, and Knox was reconvicted on the charge in June after a European court ruling that Italy had violated her human rights cleared the way for a new trial.Knox is watching the verdict at home confident and respectful of the justice system as she always has been. She is confident that this story will end today, her defense lawyer Carlo Dalla Vedova told reporters. Speaking recently on her Labyrinths podcast, Knox said: I hate the fact that I have to live consequences for a crime I did not commit. Her defense team says she accused Lumumba, who employed her at a bar in the central Italian university town of Perugia, during a long night of questioning and under pressure from police, who they said fed her false information. The European Court of Human Rights found that the police deprived her of a lawyer and provided a translator who acted more as a mediator. Ive been having nightmares about getting a bad verdict and just living the rest of my life with a shadow hanging over me. Its like a scarlet letter, Knox said on her podcast.Even if the high court upholds the conviction and three-year sentence, Knox does not risk any more time she jail. She has already served nearly four years during the investigation, initial murder trial and first appeal. Knox said the aim is to clear her name of all criminal wrongdoing. Living with a false conviction is horrific, personally, psychologically, emotionally,' she said on the podcast. Im fighting it, and well see what happens.Knox returned to the United States in 2011, after being freed by an appeals court in Perugia, and has established herself as a global campaigner for the wrongly convicted. She has a podcast with her husband and has a new memoir coming out titled, Free: My Search for Meaning. Knox returned to Italy in June for the verdict in the slander trial, and Dalla Vedova said at the time that she was very embittered by the conviction.Knox was a 20-year-old student in the central Italian university town of Perugia when Kercher was found stabbed to death on Nov. 2, 2007, in her bedroom in the apartment they shared with two Italian women. The case made global headlines as suspicion quickly fell on Knox and her boyfriend of just days, Rafaelle Sollecito. After eight years of trial, including two appeals to Italys highest court, they were fully exonerated in the murder in 2015.Another man, Rudy Hermann Guede, from the Ivory Coast, was convicted of murder after his DNA was found at the crime scene. He was freed in 2021, after serving most of his 16-year sentence. The European court ordered Italy to pay Knox damages for the police failures, noting she was particularly vulnerable as a foreign student not fluent in Italian.Italys high court ordered the new slander trial based on that ruling. It threw out two signed statements drafted by police falsely accusing Lumumba in the murder, and directed the appellate court that the only evidence it could consider was a hand-written letter she later wrote in English attempting to walk back the accusation. However, the appellate court in its reasoning said that the four-page memo supported a slander finding.On the basis of Knoxs statements, Lumumba was brought in for questioning, despite having an ironclad alibi. His business suffered, and he eventually moved to Poland with his Polish wife. Arriving at court, he underlined that Knox has never apologized to me.___Barry reported from Milan.

US President Donald J. Trump is shown on screens as he addresses via remote connection a plenary session in the Congress Hall, during the 55th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), in Davos, Switzerland, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025. (Michael Buholzer/Keystone via AP)2025-01-23T16:40:09Z WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump used an address Thursday to the World Economic Forum to promise global elites lower taxes if they bring manufacturing to the U.S. and threatened to impose tariffs if they dont.Speaking by video from the White House to the annual summit in Davos, Switzerland, on his third full day in office, Trump ran through his flurry of executive actions since his swearing-in and claimed that he had a massive mandate from the American people to bring change. He laid out a carrot-and-stick approach for private investment in the U.S.Come make your product in America and we will give you among the lowest taxes as any nation on earth, Trump said. But if you dont make your product in America, which is your prerogative, then very simply, you will have to pay a tariff differing amounts but a tariff, which will direct hundreds of billions of dollars and even trillions of dollars into our treasury to strengthen our economy and pay down debt under the Trump administration. Trump, who spoke Wednesday to Saudi Arabias crown prince, also said Thursday that the kingdom wants to invest $600 billion in the U.S. but that he would ask Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to increase it to $1 trillion. The remark drew some laughter from the crowd in the hall in Davos.Introducing Trump, Davos founder Klaus Schwab told the new president that his return and his agenda have been at the focus of our discussions this week. He invited Trump to speak at the summit in person next year.___Keaton reported from Davos, Switzerland. ZEKE MILLER Zeke is APs chief White House correspondent twitter mailto JOSH BOAK Boak covers the White House and economic policy for The Associated Press. He joined the AP in 2013. twitter mailto

Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Southport stabbings suspect Axel Rudakubana, 18, shouting from the dock as he appeared at Liverpool Crown Court, for his sentencing hearing after he pleaded guilty to murdering three young girls in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class, in Liverpool, England, Thursday Jan. 23, 2025. (Elizabeth Cook/PA via AP)2025-01-23T05:31:57Z LONDON (AP) A teenager who stabbed three young girls to death at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in England was sentenced Thursday to more than 50 years in prison for what a judge called the most extreme, shocking and exceptionally serious crime.Judge Julian Goose said 18-year-old Axel Rudakubana wanted to try and carry out mass murder of innocent, happy young girls and planned to kill as many people as he could.Goose said that he couldnt impose a sentence of life without parole, because Rudakabana was under 18 at the time of the crime.But the judge said he must serve more than 51 years before being considered for parole and it is likely he will never be released.Rudakbuana was 17 when he attacked the children in the seaside town of Southport in July. He killed girls, ages 6, 7 and 9, and wounded eight other children and two adults.The attack shocked the country and set off both street violence and soul-searching. The government has announced a public inquiry into how the system failed to stop the killer, who had been referred to the authorities multiple times over his obsession with violence. Defendant disrupts the hearing Rudakubana faced three counts of murder, 10 of attempted murder for those he wounded, and additional charges of possessing a knife, the poison ricin and an al-Qaida manual. He unexpectedly changed his plea to guilty on all charges on Monday.But he wasnt in court to hear the passing of the sentence on Thursday.Hours earlier he had been led into the dock at Liverpool Crown Court in northwest England, dressed in a gray prison tracksuit.But as prosecutors began outlining the evidence, Rudakubana interrupted by shouting from the dock that he felt ill and wanted to see a paramedic.Goose urged lawyers to continue, then ordered the accused to be removed when he continued shouting. A person in the courtroom shouted Coward! as Rudakubana was taken out. The hearing continued without him. Horror on a summer dayThe attack occurred on the first day of summer vacation when two dozen little girls were gathered around the tables making bracelets and singing along to Taylor Swift songs, prosecutor Deanna Heer told the court. Rudakubana, armed with a large knife, intruded and began stabbing the girls and their teacher.He lunged at each child in turn, the prosecutor said, acting so quickly that it was only when teacher Leanne Lucas was stabbed herself that she realized what was happening.The court was shown video of Rudakubana arriving at the Hart Space venue in a taxi and entering the building. Within seconds, screams erupted and children ran from the building in panic, some of them wounded. One girl made it to the doorway, but was pulled back inside by the attacker. She was stabbed 32 times but survived.Gasps and sobs could be heard in court as the videos played.Rudakubana killed Alice Da Silva Aguiar, 9, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Bebe King, 6. Eight other girls, ranging in age from 7 to 13, were wounded, along with Lucas and John Hayes, who worked in a business next door and intervened.Heer said two of the dead children suffered particularly horrific injuries which are difficult to explain as anything other than sadistic in nature. One of the dead girls had 122 injuries, while another suffered 85 wounds. Wrenching testimony from victimsSeveral relatives and survivors read emotional statements in court about the impact of the attack.Lucas, 36, who ran the dance class, said that the trauma of being both a victim and a witness has been horrendous.I cannot give myself compassion or accept praise, as how can I live knowing I survived when children died? she said.A 14-year-old survivor, who cant be named because of a court order, described her serious injuries and said that while she was physically recovering. we will all have to live with the mental pain from that day forever.I hope you spend the rest of your life knowing that we think youre a coward, she said.The prosecutor read out a statement from the parents of Alice Da Silva Aguiar, who said their daughters killing had shattered our souls.We used to cook for three. Now we only cook for two. It doesnt seem right, they said. Alice was our purpose for living, so what do we do now? A teenager obsessed with violenceThe prosecutor said Rudakubana had no political or religious cause, but had a longstanding obsession with violence, killing, genocide.His only purpose was to kill. And he targeted the youngest and most vulnerable in society, she said, as relatives of the victims watched on in the courtroom.Heer said that when he was taken to a police station, Rudakubana was heard to say: Its a good thing those children are dead, Im so glad, Im so happy.The killings triggered days of anti-immigrant violence across the country after far-right activists seized on incorrect reports that the attacker was an asylum-seeker who had recently arrived in the U.K. Some suggested the crime was a jihadi attack, and alleged that police and the government were withholding information. Rudakubana was born in Cardiff, Wales, to Christian parents from Rwanda, and investigators havent been able to pin down his motivation. Police found documents about subjects including Nazi Germany, the Rwandan genocide and car bombs on his devices. In the years before the attack, he had been reported to multiple authorities over his violent interests and actions. All of the agencies failed to spot the danger he posed.In 2019, he phoned a childrens advice line to ask What should I do if I want to kill somebody? He said he had taken a knife to school because he wanted to kill someone who was bullying him. Two months later, he attacked a fellow student with a hockey stick and was convicted of assault.He was referred three times to the governments anti-extremism program, Prevent, when he was 13 and 14 once after researching school shootings in class, then for uploading pictures of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi to Instagram and for researching a London terror attack.The government has declared the case a wake-up call and ordered a public inquiry into the failures that allowed Rudakubana to carry out his rampage.Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that laws might need updating to combat a new threat from violent individuals whose mix of motivations test the traditional definition of terrorism, acts of extreme violence carried out by loners, misfits, young men in their bedrooms. JILL LAWLESS Lawless is an Associated Press reporter covering U.K. politics and more. She is based in London. twitter mailto

On day one of his presidency, one of Donald Trumps first acts in office was to sign an executive order declaring that there are only two sexes: male and female.The order is a transphobic, scientifically incorrect screed titled Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism And Restoring Biological Truth To The Federal Government that mischaracterizes sex and gender and demands that every agency and all Federal employees acting in an official capacity on behalf of their agency shall use the term sex and not gender in all applicable Federal policies and documents.The Social Security Administration and other government departments are complying with the order by scrubbing information about changing ones sex from its website.Are you a federal employee or contractor with knowledge of the changes described in this piece, or how employees are reacting to these changes? I would love to hear from you. Using a non-work device, you can message me securely on Signal at sam.404. Otherwise, send me an email at sam@404media.co.Ari Drennen spotted the change to the change sex identification site and posted a screenshot on X:And just like that, the how to change sex identification page has vanished from the Social Security Administration website. pic.twitter.com/cNj7XeeuVH Ari Drennen (@AriDrennen) January 23, 2025The site now says you are not authorized to access this page, blocking it from public view. It used to show basic information about how to change your sex on record with the Social Security Administration by requesting a new Social Security card, and a link to a questionnaire that helped determine how to go about it. You don't need to provide medical or legal evidence of your sex designation, the site said when it was online. Currently, you can change your sex identification to either male or female, but we are examining ways to provide an unspecified sex identification option in the future.The "change sex identification" page, on January 21 compared to today.Information about gender identity and access to guides on changing ones sex have also been scrubbed from the administrations main LGBTQIA+ site. Heres what looks like today, compared to how it looked last week.How the page looks today / How the SSA LGBTQI+ page looked on December 22, via the Internet ArchiveThe Gender Identity link thats now missing from that site and inaccessible to the publicshowing a 404 error and not a CMS login message, unlike the change sex identification siteused to provide links to forms one would need to fill out to start the process.Form SS-5: Application for A Social Security Card is still available for download on the Internet Archive. A page about how to get a social security card is still online, as is a page for locating a Social Security office.Several other government websites about gender identity and discrimination are also offline, including a Department of Labor site about discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and a State Department site about how to select your gender marker on your passport, are also gone or scrubbed of mentions of gender identity.Aside from being unscientific nonsense and anti-abortion rhetoric, the Defending Women from Gender Ideology executive order has triggered all of this essential information to go offline across the internet, adding to the confusion and panic that many queer and trans peopleand anyone who actually cares about reproductive rights or freedom of speechalready face going into Trumps presidency. And its not the first time Trumps administration took down a bunch of government websites to try to suppress scientific information: thousands of pages with climate change information were removed or buried during his first term.

Nitza Rubenstein, owner of Julia's Tienda Latina, a grocery store selling products from Latin America poses for a photo in Flandreau, S.D., Jan. 16, 2025. Rubenstein, who came to the U.S. from Honduras decades ago, is a community activist who assists younger generations of migrants, many in the U.S. illegally, who have flocked to this rural state seeking a brighter future. (AP Photo/Joshua Goodman)2025-01-23T18:04:45Z PIERRE, S.D. (AP) On a face-numbingly frigid afternoon last week, Gov. Kristi Noem used a farewell address to South Dakotans to warn of an invasion far away from the states windswept prairies and freedom-loving farmers.The illegal aliens and got-aways crossing the southern border, the governor said, pose an existential threat to the U.S. economy and national security, spreading cartel violence and deadly drugs.We see the consequences of Washingtons inaction here, said Noem, President Donald Trumps pick to lead the Department of Homeland Security, a job that would put her at the forefront of the administrations promised immigration crackdown. Even known terrorists have crossed the border amongst the illegals and they could be anywhere.But Noems heated rhetoric belies a stark reality: With unemployment at 1.9% the lowest in the country her state faces an acute labor shortage and has grown increasingly dependent on the same migrants she may be tasked with deporting. Its those migrants, many in the U.S. illegally, who provide the low-paid labor powering the booming slaughterhouses, dairy farms and construction sites in South Dakota. And any immigration actions spearheaded by Noem, who is expected to be confirmed by the Senate in coming days, could have crippling consequences for businesses in her own backyard. That disconnect reflects a broader clash with fellow Republicans here who say shes put her own ambition for higher office ahead of local needs. The tension is most apparent in her embrace of Trumps hardline stance on immigration. Whether its expressing support for a Muslim ban during Trumps first administration, or dispatching South Dakotas national guard to the southern border war zone more than 1,000 miles away, Noem has left little doubt she will follow Trumps orders.And that is what is terrifying migrants, business owners and advocates alike. If strict enforcement comes into play, were going to drown in our own red meat, said Ray Epp, a hog farmer and former Yankton County commissioner, who noted the unparalleled work ethic and growing presence of migrant laborers in the states pork industry. Thered be a crash. Nitza Rubenstein, a community activist who works closely with migrants, was even more blunt: Whos going to milk the cows? If the Latinos dont, nobody will.Freedom fighter brand of politicsIn Noems telling, her fathers death in a farming accident in 1994 produced a political awakening that would come to define her small government, freedom fighter brand of politics.Pregnant at the time, she dropped out of college to take the reins of the family business soon feuding with bureaucrats over what she called a death tax that nearly bankrupted the ranch.Overseeing all the operations was eye-opening, she wrote in No Going Back, an autobiography that drew scorn last year for describing how she killed a rambunctious puppy. The government had its hand in everything we did.Twelve years later, at the urging of Tom Daschle, then the top Democrat in the U.S. Senate, Noem ran for the state Legislature as a Republican. An unbeaten string of eight electoral victories followed on her way to Congress and then the top office in the Mount Rushmore State. Noem won those races thanks to a homespun and hard-knuckled approach to politics. As if to emphasize her reputation for bashing opponents, she ended her State of the State address last week handing her longtime lieutenant governor a signed baseball bat.This used to be an old mens club, said Jim Smith, the Capitols longtime sergeant at arms, who remembers when lawmakers kept whisky bottles on their desk and filled the chambers with cigar smoke. You need sharp elbows to survive. Wooing TrumpShe catapulted to national prominence in 2020 as South Dakota rejected COVID-19 restrictions and remained open for business during the pandemic. That year she also wooed Trump to Mount Rushmore for a Fourth of July fireworks display over the objection of federal bureaucrats concerned about potential wildfires.As her national profile has risen, South Dakotas first female governor feuded repeatedly with state Republican lawmakers who said they believe she has been more focused on auditioning for Trump than on the states needs. Those fights range from her use of a government plane to attend out-of-state political events, state funding for a shooting range the Legislature previously rejected and a pipeline project she backed over the objections of landowners.Valuable time has been wasted on one persons political aspirations while life-changing issues have gone on the back burner, said Steven Haugaard, a former speaker of the South Dakota House of Representatives who challenged Noem in 2022 for the Republican nomination for governor, garnering 24% of the vote.As her political ambition outgrew the newly fenced-in governors residence in Pierre, Noem increasingly has turned her attention to immigration, though her record was not always as harsh as her rhetoric. In 2019, for example, Noem rejected an offer by the first Trump administration to stop South Dakotas cooperation with a U.S. State Department program to resettle refugees. Its not clear how she feels about that program now. In her address last week, she criticized programs that have allowed many thousands who caught a free plane ride over our borders courtesy of the federal government.At her Senate confirmation hearing last week, Democrats questioned Noems qualifications for the job. As DHS secretary, shell be charged with managing the third-largest federal agency, with 240,000 employees and a budget of $108 billion more than 15 times the spending of South Dakota, with just 13,000 workers.The sprawling department is not only responsible for running immigration and border policy but oversees agencies investigating terrorism and cybersecurity threats as well as the U.S. Coast Guard, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Secret Service.When asked how she would protect rural states from work shortages while carrying out Trumps deportation plans, she offered few details other than to say shell focus initially on what she claimed were 425,000 migrants with criminal convictions.The number of migrants encountered trying to enter the U.S. skyrocketed under President Joe Biden, peaking in December 2023, when officials reported 301,000 encounters at the border. But theyve since ebbed to less than a third that amount.Noem, 53, didnt respond to repeated interview requests but has left little doubt on how she will run DHS.We will ensure that our borders are secure, she told the committee, and were addressing all threats that may come in from any direction.Migrants, business owners are anxious about crackdownAmong those bracing for the crackdown is a young Guatemalan couple living without legal status in a prairie hamlet about an hour from Noems homestead.Yoni and Petrona fell in love in South Dakota after each handed over their lifes savings to human smugglers, known as coyotes, to guide them across the U.S. border during the pandemic. Like many migrants interviewed by the AP, the two lack health insurance, a drivers license and cant open a bank account. But that hasnt stopped them from finding work.Within two weeks of arriving, Yoni, just 15 at the time, landed a job at the local egg farm for $12 an hour with a fake green card he bought for $150. He now earns double that in construction and says hes able to wire more remittances to family in Guatemala than friends who settled in California because rent in his state is cheap.The couples dream is to gain legal status or save enough to return home and provide their 18-month-old daughter, who was born in the U.S., a better upbringing than the one they had. The Associated Press agreed not to disclose the couples last names because they are afraid of being arrested and deported. Things are a little bit better here, Yoni said in Spanish on a rare day off because his employer suspended work due to the extreme cold. At least I know that if I work hard here Ill get paid.The couple, who spoke to the AP days before Trump was sworn in, live in fear that Noem will follow through on the threats and one day separate them from their daughter. Ive heard that theyre only going to deport the mothers and the kids will stay here, said Petrona. Imagine that.But those fears, stoked by Trump and Noem, dont match the warm welcome migrants described in nearby Huron, where on a recent evening a red wolf moon flooded the desolate plains surrounding the towns turkey plant.A co-op of ethnic German Hutterite farmers, who arrived in the 19th century, own the Dakota Provisions plant. But migrants from Venezuela, Thailand and other countries, earning around $14 per hour, perform the dangerous, back-breaking work.Huron, population 14,000, flourished with the arrival of the railroad in the 1880s, attracting migrants from all over Europe. But when the rail depot fell into disuse in the 1960s, the city began a long decline: a college closed, businesses shuttered and families uprooted.Migrants are now fueling something of a rural renaissance.The first contingent arrived some 20 years ago from Mexico and Central America. The latest are refugees fleeing ethnic violence in Myanmar. At the Beadle County courthouse, translation services are now offered in seven languages: Arabic, French, Karen, Nepali, Russian, Spanish and Swahili. A beef processing plant that is about to break ground is expected to attract even more foreign workers.All the while, the towns high school soccer team has become competitive. A half-dozen Latin bodegas sell exotic foods. And once-abandoned parks are brimming with families.Its not an invasion its an invitation, said Todd Manolis, owner of Manolis Grocery on Main Street. There were lots of growing pains at first. But without a doubt they saved us.On a recent afternoon, as Manolis waited on customers who chewed the fat and bought goods on store credit, the owner pointed to the stores license hanging from a wall. It showed the business had been started a century ago by Manolis grandfather, shortly after his arrival as an immigrant from Greece. ___Associated Press writer Stephen Groves contributed to this report from Washington. JOSHUA GOODMAN Goodman is a Miami-based investigative reporter who writes about the intersection of crime, corruption, drug trafficking and politics in Latin America. He previously spent two decades reporting from South America. twitter mailto JIM MUSTIAN Mustian is an Associated Press investigative reporter for breaking news. twitter mailto

A drill rig stands at a Fervo Energy geothermal site near Milford, Utah, Nov. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt, File)2025-01-23T14:31:43Z As promised, President Donald Trump began reversing the countrys energy policies his first day in office with a spate of orders largely favoring oil, gas and coal. But there is one renewable energy that did find favor: geothermal. Energy experts say that makes sense geothermal energy makes electricity 24/7. Many people working in the field came from the oil and gas industry and they use much of the same technology for drilling wells. Trump strongly supports and gets support from the oil and gas industry. And theres bipartisan support in Congress for geothermal. The embrace of advanced geothermal under this new administration, Id say is not a giant surprise, said Alex Kania, a managing director at Marathon Capital. Its reliable, its efficient, and frankly their ties to the more conventional forms of energy production, I think, is probably not lost on some people. Geothermal creates electricity cleanly by making steam from the Earths natural heat and using that steam to spin a turbine. Its a climate solution because it reduces the need for traditional power plants that burn fossil fuels and cause climate change. Trump declared an energy emergency on Monday, and included geothermal heat as one of the domestic energy resources that could help ensure a reliable, diversified and affordable supply of energy. Solar, wind and battery storage were omitted, and wind was singled out in a separate order with measures intended to slow it down. Geothermal is heating up and the Trump administration is going to empower the industry over the next four years to achieve its potential, said Bryant Jones, executive director of the geothermal trade association, Geothermal Rising.Its a vibrant business right now.New geothermal companies are adapting technology and practices from oil and gas to create steam from ubiquitous hot rock. That would make this kind of electricity possible in many more places. The Energy Department estimates the next generation of geothermal projects could provide some 90 gigawatts in the U.S. by 2050 enough to power 65 million homes or more. Former Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm supported geothermal as a climate solution. Trumps pick for energy secretary, Chris Wright, is a fossil fuel executive who values geothermal, too. His company, Denver-based Liberty Energy, invested in Fervo Energy, a Houston-based geothermal company. Wright said at his confirmation hearing that hes excited about geothermal as an an enormous, abundant energy resource below everyones feet. Wrights appointment is a clear signal that this administration will support geothermal, said Terra Rogers, a program director who focuses on the technology at the nonprofit Clean Air Task Force.Hes well-informed of its risks and opportunities, and continues to be a strong advocate for what it could be, Rogers said. The United States is a world leader in electricity made from geothermal energy, but it still accounts for less than half a percent of the nations total large-scale generation, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The big states are California, Nevada, Utah, Hawaii, Oregon, Idaho and New Mexico, where reservoirs of steam, or very hot water, lie close to the surface. In its first actions this week, the new administration also indicated support for nuclear power and removing obstacles to mining uranium, which can be refined into nuclear fuel. Like geothermal, nuclear power does not cause climate change. The executive order also backs hydropower. Solar is the fastest-growing source of electricity generation in the United States. Trump wants to increase production of oil and gas in order for the U.S. to have the lowest-cost energy and electricity of any nation in the world, he says. He took aim at wind energy, temporarily halting offshore wind lease sales in federal waters and pausing federal approvals, permits and loans for projects both onshore and offshore. Trump says wind turbines are horrible, only work with subsidies and are many, many times more expensive than natural gas. Offshore wind is one of the most expensive sources of new power generation, but onshore wind is cheaper than new natural gas plants, according to estimates from the Energy Information Administration. Jones, at Geothermal Rising, said the industry hopes the support for geothermal energy will lead to streamlined permitting, more federal research and tax credits to promote innovation.Sage Geosystems in Houston is a geothermal company launched by former executives at oil and gas giant Shell. CEO Cindy Taff said its exciting to see more momentum building for geothermal. She hopes it will spur investment in large projects, including those that meet surging demand for electricity from data centers and artificial intelligence, and projects to make military facilities energy resilient. If geothermal projects could multiply fast across the country, she said, it would bring the cost down, and that would be good for everyone. This could be the decade of geothermal, Taff said. ___The Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org. JENNIFER McDERMOTT McDermott is a reporter on the Associated Press Climate and Environment team. She focuses on the transition to clean energy. twitter mailto

John Ratcliffe, President-elect Donald Trump's choice to be the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, appears before the Senate Intelligence Committee for his confirmation hearing, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)2025-01-23T19:26:35Z WASHINGTON (AP) The Senate on Thursday confirmed John Ratcliffe as CIA director, giving President Donald Trump the second member of his new Cabinet.Ratcliffe was director of national intelligence during Trumps first term and is the first person to have held that position and the top post at the CIA, the nations premier spy agency. The Texas Republican is a former federal prosecutor who emerged as a fierce Trump defender while serving as a congressman during Trumps first impeachment.The vote was 74-25.At his Senate hearing last week, Ratcliffe said the CIA must do better when it comes to using technology such as artificial intelligence to confront adversaries including Russia and China. He said the United States needed to improve its intelligence capabilities while also ensuring the protection of Americans civil rights.Ratcliffe said that if confirmed, he would push the CIA to do more to harness technologies such as AI and quantum computing while expanding use of human intelligence collection. Were not where were supposed to be, Ratcliffe told members of the Senate Intelligence Committee. Democrats raised questions about Ratcliffes objectivity and whether his loyalty to Trump would prompt him to politicize his position and blind him to the duties of the job. Concerns from Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., forced the Senates Republican leaders to postpone Ratcliffes confirmation vote, which originally was scheduled for Tuesday. Former Florida Sen. Marco Rubio was confirmed earlier this week as secretary of state, the first member of Trumps Cabinet.Ratcliffe has said he views China as Americas greatest geopolitical rival, and that Russia, Iran, North Korea and drug cartels, hacking gangs and terrorist organizations also pose challenges to national security.He supports the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, a government spying program that allows authorities to collect without warrant the communications of non-Americans outside the country. If those people are communicating with Americans, those conversations can be swept up, too, which has led to questions about violations of personal rights. Trump and other Republicans have criticized the work of the CIA and other spy agencies, saying they have focused too much on climate change, workforce diversity and other issues.The calls for a broad overhaul have worried some current and former intelligence officials who say the changes could make the country less safe.Like other Trump nominees, Ratcliffe is a Trump loyalist. Aside from his work to defend Trump during his first impeachment proceedings, Ratcliffe also forcefully questioned former special counsel Robert Mueller when he testified before lawmakers about his investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.As director of national intelligence, Ratcliffe oversaw and coordinated the work of more than a dozen spy agencies. Among other duties, the office directs efforts to detect and counter foreign efforts to influence U.S. politics. Trump picked Ratcliffe to serve in that position in 2019, but he quickly withdrew from consideration after lawmakers raised questions about his qualifications. He was ultimately confirmed by a sharply divided Senate after Trump resubmitted the nomination.In that job, Ratcliffe was accused by Democrats of politicizing intelligence when he declassified Russian intelligence that purported to reveal information about Democrats during the 2016 election even as he acknowledged the information might not be accurate.Trumps second-term nominee for director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, faces a tougher road to confirmation. Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii, has faced bipartisan criticism over past comments supportive of Russia and 2017 meetings with then-Syrian President Bashar Assad.

President Donald Trump signs an executive order regarding the southern border in the Oval Office of the White House, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)2025-01-23T16:30:47Z An executive order President Donald Trump signed on his first day back in office offers a new federal government definition of the sexes that could have a major impact on transgender people nationwide.The order calls for the federal government to define sex as only male or female and for that to be reflected on official documents such as passports and policies such as federal prison assignments. As for federal spending, its not clear what his vow to end broader gender classifications will mean on the ground.Many of the provisions are likely to be challenged in court.Heres a look at the order. Defining male and female based on cells that dont exist at conceptionThe order declares that there are just two sexes, male and female. It rejects that people can transition from one gender to another or be considered something other than male or female such as nonbinary, which describes people who dont identify as strictly men or women, or intersex.The position reflects what many social conservatives have called for and conflicts with what the American Medical Association and other mainstream medical groups say: that extensive scientific research suggests sex and gender are better understood as a spectrum than as an either-or definition.Trumps order says it is intended to protect womens spaces from those who self-identify as women.It defines the sexes in an unconventional way, based on the reproductive cells large cells in females or small ones in males. And it suggests that humans have those cells at conception. Biologists say thats a problem because egg cells develop many weeks later, and sperm cells are produced at puberty, not at conception.At that stage, sexual differentiation has not started to take place, said Carl Bergstrom, a University of Washington evolutionary biologist. I cant see any logically coherent way to interpret the definition in this executive order, given the addition of the phrase at conception.Bergstrom said a scientific explanation could specify sex chromosomes, but the executive order seems to deliberately avoid that, presumably to sidestep the range of variations that include intersex people, who have physical traits that dont fit typical definitions for male or female categories. What parts of the order are in effect?The order has been signed, but much of it requires more federal action.Nothing is in effect, said Heron Greenesmith, deputy director of policy at the Transgender Law Center.The executive order tells one White House staff member to draft a bill for Congress within 30 days that would codify the definitions into law. Federal agencies must tell the president within 120 days what theyve done to comply with the order. Some parts might require going through the regulatory process or passing new laws.Omar Gonzalez-Pagan, a Lambda Legal lawyer, said on a call with journalists this week that the order does not change current law but rather creates a clear signal and road map of where this administrations policies lie when it comes to transgender people.State laws on participation in sports, bathroom use, gender-affirming care and other issues are not directly affected. What does it mean for federally-issued documents?The order calls for passports, visas and Global Entry cards to reflect the administrations definition of sexes.The State Department, which is responsible for passports, declined to answer questions about the current state of policy. The order suggests getting rid of the X designation that has been available on passports since 2021 after a long legal battle waged by an intersex activist.A department webpage that described how people could change their gender marker was taken offline, and Chase Strangio, an ACLU lawyer, said its unlikely that any new application to change the gender marker on a passport will be approved.What about transgender federal prison inmates?The order contains specific details on how it should apply in federal prisons, which house nearly 2,300 transgender inmates about 1.5% of the total population.It calls for housing transgender women there are more than 1,500 in mens prisons, and for halting gender-affirming medical care.At least two transgender inmates have had government-funded gender-affirming surgery in recent years as a result of court orders. A larger number have received other treatment, such as hormones. Sarah Warbelow, legal director at Human Rights Campaign, said court orders that grant inmates access to treatment remain in effect, even if federal policy changes.The ACLU says its heard from some defense lawyers that incarcerated transgender women were being moved into isolation or being told they would be transferred to mens prisons.The Bureau of Prisons did not respond to questions about whether inmates are to be moved. Will this stop Medicaid from paying for gender-affirming care?Medicaid, a joint federal-state health insurance program for lower-income people, covers gender-affirming care in some states.Former President Joe Bidens administration adopted a rule to make it do so nationally. But judges put that on hold.So far, its unclear what might happen to the coverage in states that chose to offer it.Lindsey Dawson, director of LGBTQ health policy at the health policy research organization KFF, said that eliminating the coverage where its already in place would likely involve a long process and, like others, would probably face court challenges.___The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. GEOFF MULVIHILL Covering state government issues nationally twitter mailto CARLA K. JOHNSON Johnson covers research in cancer, addiction and more for The Associated Press. She is a member of APs Health and Science team. twitter mailto

The Purdue Pharma offices are seen, May 8, 2007, in Stamford, Conn. (AP Photo/Douglas Healey, File)2025-01-23T17:05:49Z Members of the family who own OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma, and the company itself, agreed to pay up to $7.4 billion in a new settlement to lawsuits over the toll of the powerful prescription painkiller, the attorneys general from several states announced Thursday.The deal, agreed to by Purdue Pharma, the Sackler family members who own the company and lawyers representing state and local governments and thousands of victims of the opioid crisis, replaces a previous settlement deal that was rejected last year by the U.S. Supreme Court. In the new one, the Sacklers agreed to pay up to $6.5 billion and give up ownership of the company, which would pay nearly $900 million. The maximum contribution from family members is $500 million more than the previous deal.Its among the largest settlements reached over the past several years in a series of lawsuits by local, state, Native American tribal governments and others seeking to hold companies responsible for a deadly epidemic. Aside from the Purdue deal, others worth around $50 billion have been announced and most of the money is required to be used to stem the crisis. The deal still needs court approval, and some of the details are yet to be ironed out. An arm of the federal Department of Justice opposed the previous settlement, even after every state agreed, and took the battle to the U.S. Supreme Court. But under President Donald Trump, the federal government is not expected to oppose the new deal. We are extremely pleased that a new agreement has been reached that will deliver billions of dollars to compensate victims, abate the opioid crisis, and deliver treatment and overdose rescue medicines that will save lives, Stamford, Connecticut-based Purdue said in a statement. Representatives for Sackler family members did not immediately respond to requests for comment.Kara Trainor, a Michigan woman in recovery for 17 years, said she became addicted to opioids after receiving a prescription for OxyContin to deal with a back injury 23 years ago, praised the deal. Everything in my life is shaped by a company that put profits over human lives, she said.While no amount of money will ever fully repair the damage they caused, this massive influx of funds will bring resources to communities in need so that we can heal, New York Attorney General Letitia James said.Joining James in reaching the deal were the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia.Not every state has signed on yet. A spokesperson for Washington Attorney General Nick Brown, said the office is still reviewing the deal and weighing its options.Under the new proposal, like the previous one, members of the Sackler family would also give up ownership of Purdue, Theyve already stepped down from the companys board and have not taken distributions from Purdue since before the bankruptcy filing. The company would become a new entity with its board appointed by states and others who sued the company. Between $800 million and $850 million is also to go to victims of the opioid crisis or their survivors, Ed Neiger, a lawyer for individual victims said; thats a feature something that most opioid settlements do not include. The deal also includes as much as $800 million set aside to pay for future settlements if new lawsuits arise against the Sacklers, according to the New York attorney generals office.The Supreme Court blocked the earlier agreement last year because it protected members of the wealthy family from civil lawsuits over OxyContin even though the family members themselves were not in bankruptcy. The new agreement protects family members from lawsuits only from entities that agree to the settlement.If a new deal is not approved, it could open the floodgates to lawsuits against Sackler family members. A U.S. Bankruptcy judge is expected to decide Friday whether to keep temporary protections for them in place through February. The new settlement could bring to a close a chapter in a long legal saga over the toll of an opioid crisis that some experts assert began after the blockbuster painkiller OxyContin hit the market in 1996. Since then, opioids have been linked to hundreds of thousands of deaths in the U.S. The deadliest stretch has been since 2020, when illicit fentanyl has been found as a factor in more than 70,000 deaths annually.Members of the Sackler family been cast as villains and have seen their name removed from art galleries and universities around the world because of their role in the privately held company. Theyve continued to deny claims of any wrongdoing.Collectively, family members have been estimated to be worth billions more than theyd contribute in the settlement, but much of the wealth is in offshore accounts and might be impossible to access through lawsuits. Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, a Democrat, said the settlement will be a big hit to the personal wealth of the Sackler family, but not financial ruin for them.This is about families impacted by this crisis. And this is about a group of people and a family that are among the most notorious wrongdoers and we are holding them accountable, he said.Purdue sought bankruptcy protection in 2019 as it faced thousands of lawsuits over the opioid crisis. Among the claims are that the company targeted doctors with a message that the addiction risk to the powerful painkillers was low.In an October 2024 filing, one branch of the family pledged to defend itself in any cases that are allowed to move ahead, saying that the legal theory at the heart of the lawsuits that Purdue and Sackler family members created a public nuisance is utterly devoid of merits.___Associated Press reporters David Collins and in Hartford, Connecticut, and Anthony Izaguirre in Albany, New York, contributed to this article. GEOFF MULVIHILL Covering state government issues nationally twitter mailto

People shop for Black Friday deals at a Walmart store in Rochester, New York on Friday, November 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File)2025-01-23T17:26:09Z WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump has pledged cheaper prices and lower interest rates, but an economy transformed by the pandemic will make those promises difficult to keep. Economic growth is solid, driven by healthy consumer spending. And budget deficits are huge and could get even larger. Meanwhile, businesses are borrowing more to step up their investments in data centers and artificial intelligence, leading to a greater demand for loans that can raise interest rates.And if Trump follows through on his promises to impose widespread tariffs on imports and deport millions of immigrants, economists expect inflation could worsen -- making it less likely the Federal Reserve will cut its key interest rate much this year.All of these trends will likely keep borrowing costs higher, including for homes and cars. Yet on Thursday during the World Economic Forums annual event in Davos, Switzerland, Trump said, Ill demand that interest rates drop immediately, and likewise, they should be dropping all over the world, though he did not provide further details. The biggest reason for the likely persistence of higher borrowing costs is the surprising resilience of the economy following the upheavals of the pandemic, trillions of dollars of government financial support from Trump and former President Joe Biden, an inflation spike, and several rounds of recession fears. Jan Hatzius, chief economist at Goldman Sachs, says the economy is in the sweet spot of healthy growth. It has expanded at an annual rate of at least 3% for four out of the last five quarters, the longest such streak in a decade. Unemployment is at a historically low 4.1%. And inflation, which soared to a four-decade high in 2022 and soured most Americans on the economy, is back down to 2.4%, according to the Feds preferred measure. And wages, which badly trailed prices in 2021 and 2022, have risen faster than inflation for the past 18 months, which provides the needed fuel for ongoing growth. A healthier economy spurs more Americans to borrow to buy cars, homes, and large appliances, and businesses to invest in IT equipment and factories. Such moves are great for the economy but more demand for loans to fund all that spending can also keep interest rates elevated. And steadier growth could keep prices higher. Companies that see healthy consumer demand may decide they can charge more, as Netflix announced it would do Tuesday after signing up a surge of subscribers.Such trends are a big change from the last time Trump entered the White House in 2017. Back then, the U.S. economy was slowly emerging from an extended period of sluggish growth and very low inflation that followed the painful 2008-2009 Great Recession. Millions of households held back on spending and saved more after a borrowing binge earlier in the decade that drove up mortgage and credit card debt.Households were shrinking their balance sheets relative to their income, and thats a very significant disinflationary force that is not present now, said Julia Coronado, president of MacroPolicy Perspectives and a former Fed economist. Today, most households are carrying less debt and upper-income families in particular are benefitting from strong gains in home values and stock market wealth. About 40% of homes are now owned free and clear without a mortgage. Greater wealth can spur ongoing spending on travel, electronics, and dining out.In addition, high-tech firms are ramping up their investment in data centers to accelerate their work on artificial intelligence. Trump announced Tuesday a joint venture between OpenAI, Oracle and Japans Softbank to invest $500 billion in data centers and electricity generation to fuel AI research. Before the pandemic, many companies were stockpiling cash and werent investing as much, which can keep interest rates lower. We are in a different world, said Joe Brusuelas, chief economist at RSM, a tax advisory and consulting firm. Gone is the era of low inflation and low interest rates. In its place is a new framework featuring scarce capital and higher rates. As a result, Trumps promises to stimulate the economy through tax cuts and deregulation, while also promising to impose tariffs and immigration restrictions, could keep prices elevated. Thats going to be inflationary, and thats going to push (Fed) policymakers to adopt more stringent policies than they would otherwise, said Gregory Daco, chief economist at EY. So youre going to be in a higher interest-rate environment. Trump is seeking to foster more production of oil and gas in the U.S., with the goal of reducing energy prices and bringing down broader inflation. That, in turn, would enable the Fed to cut its key interest rate. But that doesnt factor in the reaction of financial markets, which also affects the cost of borrowing for a home or car. Since the Fed began cutting its key rate in September, the yield on the 10-year Treasury note which strongly influences mortgage rates has actually risen substantially. Gennadiy Goldberg, head of U.S. rates strategy at TD Securities, says investors are anticipating a continuation of stronger growth, in part fueled by Trumps proposals to cut taxes and reduce regulation. In that scenario, the Fed would be less likely to cut its key rate. Many investors are discounting Trumps tariff threats, hoping that he intends to use them as leverage in international talks, rather than permanently impose them. I think there was an expectation that President Trump would bring all of the good policies and leave all of the bad policies for growth at the door, Goldberg said. Another trend that Trump has helped spark is the rise of protectionist measures around the world, after two decades of globalization. That has led to a scramble by multinational corporations to relocate their production from countries that are the target of Trumps ire, particularly China, to others, such as Vietnam or Malaysia. Instead of globalization driving prices lower, or at the very least putting a constraint on them, were now relocating supply chains and protectionist barriers are going up, Brusuelas said. Nearly all economists forecast that will push prices higher, though the increase could be modest. Another shift is that stubbornly high yearly budget deficits threaten to lift interest rates as well, because Wall Street investors may require higher yields to buy all the Treasury securities needed to finance the debt. Last week, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said this years deficit would likely reach $1.9 trillion, and grow to $2.7 trillion in a decade. Trumps proposals to extend his 2017 tax cuts, and implement new ones, such as eliminating taxes on tips, could raise deficits further. If we dont get fiscal deficits down, were going to see higher longer-term bond yields, said Fed governor Chris Waller earlier this month. And thats what were starting to see. CHRISTOPHER RUGABER Rugaber has covered the Federal Reserve and the U.S. economy for the AP for 16 years. He is a two-time finalist for the Gerald Loeb award for business reporting. twitter mailto

You can see the specific steps that a government agency is taking to comply with the Trump administrations policies against diversity, equity, and inclusion on the agencys GitHub, which shows it frantically deleting and editing various documents, employee handbooks, Slack bots, and job listings across everything the agency touches.18F is a much-hyped government agency within the General Services Administration that was founded under the Obama Administration after the disastrous rollout of Healthcare.gov. It more or less had the specific goal of attracting Silicon Valley talent to the federal government to help the government innovate and make many of its websites and digital services suck less. It is one of the cooler federal agencies, and has open sourced many of its projects on GitHub.GitHub is a website for open source development that shows changes across different commits, or changes to code and documentation. In the first days of the Trump administration, 18Fs commit list is full of change logs detailing the administrations attempts to destroy the concept of diversity, equity, and inclusion.The changes show that in the last 48 hours, 18F has edited text and wholesale deleted both internal and external web pages about, for example Inclusive behaviors, healthy conflict and constructive feedback, DEIA resources, and Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. It deleted a webpage about psychological safety (which now 404s) deleted all information about the DE&I leads at the agency, as well as language for employees that said "Anyone who has issues or concerns related to inclusion or equity in the 18F engineering chapter should feel empowered to reach out to the DE&I Leads. It has deleted, in various places, the word inclusion, as well as the term affinity groups.It also deleted an internal Slack Bot called Inclusion Bot, which is described as being integrated into Slack and passively listens for words or phrases that have racist, sexist, ableist, or otherwise exclusionary or discriminatory histories or backgrounds. When it hears those words, it privately lets the writer know and offers some suggested alternatives.Do you work for the federal government? I would love to hear from you. Using a non-work device, you can message me securely on Signal at +1 202 505 1702. Otherwise, send me an email at jason@404media.co.It has also notably deleted information intended for improving accessibility for blind and visually impaired employees, which asked employees to use visual descriptions when introducing themselves on Zoom meetings.In a hiring document, the language Teams should consider factors of equity and complexity of the research when determining compensation for participants on their project has been changed to team should consider other factors or complexity of the research.The Trump administration has not tried to hide that it is trying to delete web pages and employee information across the government. But seeing the change logs pop up as theyre happening on GitHub shows exactly how these changes are being done and how theyre rolling out.

Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's choice to be Defense Secretary, poses for a photo with Cabinet picks, other nominees and appointments, at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)2025-01-23T18:36:00Z WASHINGTON (AP) Sen. Lisa Murkowski announced Thursday that she will vote against confirming Pete Hegseth to lead Pentagon, becoming the first Republican to oppose one of President Donald Trumps Cabinet picks.The Alaska Republicans decision comes ahead of a crucial test vote to advance Hegseths nomination toward confirmation.THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. APs earlier story follows below.WASHINGTON (AP) Senate GOP leaders rushed to advance Pete Hegseth as President Donald Trumps defense secretary nominee in a crucial test vote Thursday, despite grave objections from Democrats and stirring unease among Republicans over his behavior and qualifications to lead the U.S. military.Rarely has a Cabinet choice encountered such swirling allegations of wrongdoing, including excessive drinking and aggressive actions toward women, which he has largely denied. Trump is standing by Hegseth, and the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee has dismissed the claims as factually inaccurate. I am ironclad in my assessment that the nominee, Mr. Hegseth, is prepared to be the next secretary of defense, the chairman, Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., said in a statement on the eve of the test vote. The Senate needs to confirm this nominee as fast as possible. A new presidents national security nominees are often the first to be lined up for confirmation, to unsure U.S. safety at home and abroad. Already the Senate has overwhelmingly confirmed Marco Rubio as secretary of state in a unanimous vote, and it was on track to confirm John Ratcliffe as CIA director later Thursday. But Hegseth stands in a category of his own amid allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman at a Republican conference in California, which he has denied as a consensual encounter, and of heavy drinking at events when he led a veterans organization. He has also said women should not work in combat roles, a view he has since tempered during his confirmation process. A new claim emerged this week in an affidavit from a former sister-in-law who claimed Hegseth was abusive to his second wife to the point that she feared for her safety. Hegseth has denied the allegation. In divorce proceedings, neither Hegseth nor the woman claimed to be a victim of domestic abuse.Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said Thursday that Hegseth is unqualified for the job because of his personal behavior, including drinking, and his lack of experience.One of the kindest words that might be used to describe Mr. Hegseth is erratic, and thats a term you dont want at DOD, Schumer said. He has a clear problem of judgment.A Princeton and Harvard-educated former combat veteran, Hegseth went on to make a career at Fox News, where he hosted a weekend show. Trump tapped him as the defense secretary to lead an organization with nearly 2.1 million service members, about 780,000 civilians and a budget of $850 billion.Hegseth has promised not to drink on the job if confirmed.But senators have remained doubtful of his experience and abilities and the alleged behavior that could lead to reprimand or firing for military personnel he would now be expected to lead. It will take a simple majority of 50 senators to advance Hegseths confirmation in Thursdays vote. Most Republicans, who hold a 53-seat majority in the chamber, have signaled they will back the nominee, including Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, herself a combat veteran and sexual assault survivor.However, several GOP senators, including Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, are being widely watched for their votes.Vice President JD Vance could be called upon to break a tie vote to advance Hegseth toward confirmation.During a fiery confirmation hearing, Hegseth swatted away allegations of wrongdoing one by one dismissing them as smears as he displayed his military credentials and vowed to bring warrior culture to the top Pentagon post.Wicker said he had been briefed a third time on the FBI background investigation into Hegseth. He said the allegations unfairly impugning his character do not pass scrutiny.

This image released by Briarcliff Entertainment shows Jeremy Strong, left, and Sebastian Stan in a scene from the film "The Apprentice." (Pief Weyman/Briarcliff Entertainment via AP)2025-01-23T15:33:51Z PARK CITY, Utah (AP) In one of the more wide-open Oscar fields in recent history, there were plenty of nominations surprises Thursday.Not too long ago, it seemed that people like Angelina Jolie and Nicole Kidman were destined for best actress nominations, while general audience disinterest in the young Donald Trump movie The Apprentice might have indicated its awards chances were dead on arrival.But the members of the film academy had something different in mind. Here are some of the biggest snubs and surprises from the 97th Oscar nominations.SURPRISE: Jeremy Strong and Sebastian Stan, The ApprenticeThe young Trump movie The Apprentice has been one of the bigger awards season question marks, especially after it failed to resonate with moviegoers in theaters. And yet both Jeremy Strong, for his portrayal for Trump lawyer Roy Cohn, and Sebastian Stan (who was also in the conversation for A Different Man ), for playing the future two-time president, made it in. Only Strong got nominated by the Screen Actors Guild. SNUB: Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Hard TruthsThis will forever be one of the more confounding awards season oversights. Marianne Jean-Baptiste delivered one of the all-time great performances in Mike Leighs Hard Truths, as the perpetually aggrieved and sharp-tongued London woman Pansy. The general thinking is that it was either going to be Jean-Baptiste or Fernanda Torres, and Torres got in for the equally beloved Im Still Here. SNUB: Pamela Anderson, The Last ShowgirlThis is perhaps up for debate, but there was certainly a lot of goodwill behind Andersons movie-star turn in Gia Coppolas The Last Showgirl, especially considering her SAG nomination. But like with Jennifer Lopez and Hustlers a few years ago, it was not meant to be at the Oscars. SURPRISE: James Mangold, A Complete UnknownJames Mangold has directed several awards darlings, including Ford v Ferrari and Walk the Line but had consistently missed out on a best director nomination, until this year with A Complete Unknown. It may have come at the expense of Edward Berger, who missed out on a nod for Conclave or Denis Villeneuve for Dune: Part Two. SNUB: Daniel Craig, QueerDaniel Craig gave one of his best performances as an American expat in Mexico in the torrid May-December romance in Queer, but it hasnt been resonating with awards voters. The Oscar snub is the final piece in a puzzle that just never came together.SNUB: Angelina Jolie, MariaIf there ever were a shoo-in for a nomination and an Oscar, on paper at least, it would be for Angelina Jolie playing opera legend Maria Callas. Filmmaker Pablo Larran had not missed yet in getting best actress nominations for his famous, tragic women biopics, including Natalie Portman for Jackie and Kristen Stewart for Spencer. But somehow Jolie did not make the cut in the end.SNUB: Nicole Kidman, BabygirlBabygirl is not a cliche awards movie by a long stretch, but Nicole Kidmans performance as Romy, the buttoned-up, married CEO who begins a dangerous affair with a young intern at her company was undeniable. But a best actress win at the Venice Film Festival has never guaranteed Oscar success.SURPRISE: Felicity Jones, The BrutalistDespite the wide love for The Brutalist, Felicity Jones has been curiously absent from many nominations lists for her sharp portrayal of Erzsbet Tth. The cast did not even get recognized by SAG. But it just goes to show that its never too late to sneak in for the big one SNUB: Danielle Deadwyler, The Piano LessonA few years after Danielle Deadwyler was famously snubbed for Till, she has another snub to add to her resume for Malcolm Washingtons adaptation of The Piano Lesson. This latest campaign might not have had as much steam behind it as Till, but at the very least one would assume that it could have been a make good.SURPRISE: Monica Barbaro, A Complete UnknownSupporting actress was one of the more chaotic and unpredictable categories this year, with so many deserving performers in the mix. Monica Barbaro was one of those that was on the fringe of possibilities for her turn as Joan Baez, singing and all, for A Complete Unknown.SNUB: Selena Gomez, Emilia PrezOne who was not so lucky was Selena Gomez for Emilia Prez, perhaps because she was partially competing with her co-star, Zo Saldaa who simply had more momentum (and gave a moving speech at the Golden Globes). SNUB: Clarence Maclin, Sing SingThe incarceration drama Sing Sing did get several significant nominations including for Colman Domingo, adapted screenplay and original song. But Clarence Divine Eye Maclin, who delivered a revelatory performance based on his own experience, was not among them. He is, however, credited with helping to write the story.SNUB: Margaret Qualley, The SubstanceMargaret Qualley seems to have been unfairly left out of much of the awards conversation around The Substance, a movie that only works with a great Sue. But the focus has been more on Demi Moore, overdue for such recognition, and Coralie Fargeat the only woman to score a best director nomination.SNUB: Challengers scoreTrent Reznor and Atticus Ross delivered one of their most popular scores ever this year for Challengers and yet were left off in a batch of nominees that included The Brutalist, Conclave, Emilia Prez, Wicked and The Wild Robot. Its not even that theyre consistently overlooked by the academy theyve already won twice, for Soul and The Social Network. SURPRISE: FlowEveryone expected the Latvian cat movie Flow to get a best animated feature nomination, especially after it won the Golden Globe. But the big surprise is that it got a second for best international feature a first for Latvia. This is not a first for an animated movie to get into the international category, though: Waltz with Bashir and Flee had the honor before Flow, but neither ended up winning.SURPRISE: Nickel BoysRaMell Ross Nickel Boys has had quite the rollercoaster awards season journey, even though its widely considered one of the best films of the year. The film academy thought so too, including it among the 10 best picture nominees (alongside other relative surprises like Im Still Here and Dune: Part Two). Oddly, though, it missed out on cinematography despite its inventive first-person point of view.SNUB: Denzel Washington, Gladiator IIDenzel Washington was not about to hit the campaigning trail for Gladiator II but he was, at least at one point, thought to be a sure thing for a supporting nomination. In his review, AP film writer Jake Coyle wrote that Washingtons performance as the Machiavellian power broker Macrinus is a delicious blur of robes and grins so compellingly over-the-top that he nearly reaches 1990s Al Pacino standards. But dont cry for Washington: Hes notched an incredible 10 Oscar nominations in his career, including one for producing Fences, and two wins: supporting actor for Glory and best actor for Training Day. LINDSEY BAHR Bahr has been a film writer and critic for The Associated Press since 2014. twitter instagram mailto

President Donald Trump holding up a order for clemency for anti-abortion protesters as he signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)2025-01-23T21:36:18Z CHICAGO (AP) President Donald Trump announced Thursday he would pardon anti-abortion activists convicted of blockading abortion clinic entrances.Trump called it a great honor to sign this.They should not have been prosecuted, he said as he signed pardons for peaceful pro-life protesters.The people pardoned were involved in the October 2020 invasion and blockade of a Washington clinic.Lauren Handy was sentenced to nearly five years in prison for leading the blockade by directing blockaders to link themselves together with locks and chains to block the clinics doors. A nurse sprained her ankle when one person pushed her while entering the clinic, and a woman was accosted by another blockader while having labor pains, prosecutors said. Police found five fetuses in Handys home after she was indicted.Trump pardoned Handy and her nine co-defendants: Jonathan Darnel of Virginia; Jay Smith, John Hinshaw and William Goodman, all of New York; Joan Bell of New Jersey; Paulette Harlow and Jean Marshall, both of Massachusetts; Heather Idoni of Michigan; and Herb Geraghty of Pennsylvania. In the first week of Trumps presidency, anti-abortion advocates have ramped up calls for Trump to pardon protesters charged with violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, which is designed to protect abortion clinics from obstruction and threats. The 1994 law was passed during a time where clinic protests and blockades were on the rise, as was violence against abortion providers, such as the murder of Dr. David Gunn in 1993. Trump specifically mentioned Harlow in a June speech criticizing former President Joe Bidens Department of Justice for pursuing charges against protesters involved in blockades. Many people are in jail over this, he said in June, adding, Were going to get that taken care of immediately.Abortion rights advocates slammed Trumps pardons as evidence of his opposition to abortion access, despite his vague, contradictory statements on the issue as he attempted to find a middle ground on the campaign trail between anti-abortion allies and the majority of Americans who support abortion rights. Donald Trump on the campaign trail tried to have it both ways bragging about his role in overturning Roe v. Wade while saying he wasnt going to take action on abortion, said Ryan Stitzlein, vice president of political and government relations for the national abortion rights organization Reproductive Freedom for All. We never believed that that was true, and this shows us that we were right.The legal group Thomas More Society argued the FACE Act defendants they represent had been unjustly imprisoned.They have been heartened during their imprisonment and unjust prosecutions by your repeated messages to them during your campaign, urging them to persevere until you were able to take office, review their cases, and free them, the legal group said in a January letter to Trump.Republican Sen. Josh Hawley, among Trumps most loyal supporters, called the prosecution of anti-abortion protesters a grotesque assault on the principles of this country and urged Trump to pardon them while reading the stories of such anti-abortion protesters on the Senate floor Thursday. He highlighted Eva Edl, who was involved in a 2021 Tennessee clinic blockade and whose story has garnered attention from the largest national anti-abortion groups.Hawley said he had a great conversation Thursday morning with Trump about the protesters.The news of the pardons comes ahead of Fridays annual anti-abortion protest March for Life in Washington, where the president is expected to address the crowd in a video. RSShttps://feedx.net https://feedx.site

Enrique Tarrio, center right, is hugged by a supporter after arriving at Miami International Airport, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in Miami. Tarrio was pardoned by President Donald Trump after he was convicted of seditious conspiracy for his role in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)2025-01-23T18:35:13Z WASHINGTON (AP) After President Donald Trump pardoned around 1,500 Jan. 6 Capitol rioters on Monday, far-right activists cheered the move and said it strengthened their loyalty to him. Some also borrowed from the presidents own rhetoric, calling for retribution.Well never forget, well never forgive. You cant get rid of us, a California chapter of the far-right Proud Boys posted on Telegram.You are on notice. This is not going to end well for you, read an X post from one pardoned rioter addressed to anyone still attempting to continue to hold my brethren hostage.Enrique Tarrio, the former national Proud Boys leader whose 22-year sentence on seditious conspiracy charges was pardoned by Trump, went on the podcast of conspiracy theorist Alex Jones after his release.The people who did this, they need to feel the heat, Tarrio said. We need to find and put them behind bars for what they did. The pardons and rhetoric of retribution from some of those released this week is raising deep concern among attorneys, former federal investigators and experts who follow extremism. They worry that the indiscriminate release of everyone charged in the riots could embolden extremists and make political violence more common, including around contentious political issues such as border security and elections. This move doesnt just rewrite the narrative of January 6, said Heidi Beirich, co-founder of the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism. It sets a dangerous precedent that political violence is a legitimate tool in American democracy. Plenty of the charges filed in the sprawling investigation didnt involve violence, and many who received clemency seem ready to move on with their lives. But for some, it could become a megaphone, said Michael Premo, director of the documentary Homegrown, which followed three right-wing activists, including a Proud Boy who participated in the riot. This going to build that base of support so when the next election cycle comes around ... theres the potential for Trump to hold onto power or to ensure his successor comes into office, Premo said.Trumps sweeping clemency order on Monday delivered on a campaign promise for the rioters he frequently referred to as patriots and political prisoners. He pardoned or vowed to dismiss the cases of nearly everyone charged in the Jan. 6 riots. Fourteen defendants, including several convicted of seditious conspiracy, had their sentences commuted.The order freed from prison people caught on camera viciously attacking police as well as leaders of far-right extremist groups convicted of orchestrating violent plots to stop the peaceful transfer of power after his 2020 election loss. It also pardoned rioters who had been convicted of obstructing an official proceeding and already served their terms. Among them is Jacob Chansley, who became widely recognized for the horned fur hat he wore during the riot. Chansley celebrated the news of his pardon with an expletive on the social platform X, NOW I AM GONNA BUY SOME MOTHER ... GUNS!!! Former Metropolitan Police Officer Michael Fanone, who lost consciousness and suffered a heart attack after a rioter shocked him with a stun gun, said he tried and failed this week to obtain a protective order against those who assaulted him and have been let out of prison. The problem is that he couldnt determine where his assailants live now, information Trumps Department of Justice would have given him if the agency still considered him a victim.Because of the pardons, he and his family are left to fend for themselves. We have no recourse, he said, outside of buying a gun.Barb McQuade, a former U.S. attorney in Michigan who has written critically of Trumps messaging, said she worries the pardons of even violent offenders send a signal that political violence is acceptable when its committed in service of the leader.Many of the pardoned rioters and others who organized events around Jan. 6 responded to the news with devotion to Trump. I would storm the Capitol again for Donald Trump, Stop the Steal organizer Ali Alexander, who helped organize rallies before the attack but was not charged with any crimes, said in a Telegram livestream the day after the pardons were announced. I would start a militia for Donald Trump. I dare say Id I would die for Donald Trump, obviously.Tarrio called Trump the best president, I think, since George Washington.I love you, I love Elon Musk, and I love President Donald Trump and Im happy that all of us are going to be working together to make America great again, Tarrio said during his interview with Jones, the conspiracy theorist who lost a defamation lawsuit for spreading lies about the 2012 Sandy Hook school massacre that killed 20 first-graders and six educators. Tarrio wasnt in Washington when members of the Proud Boys joined the riot, having followed a judges order to leave the city after being arrested on charges that he defaced a Black Lives Matter banner during an earlier rally. During his sentencing, he called Jan. 6 a national embarrassment, apologizing to police officers and lawmakers and insisting he was done with politics.Stewart Rhodes, the founder of the far-right Oath Keepers militia who was found guilty of orchestrating a weekslong plot that culminated in his followers attacking the Capitol, told reporters outside the District of Columbia jail on Tuesday that Jan. 6 should be remembered as Patriots Day.Im only guilty of opposing those who are destroying the country, said Rhodes, whose 18-year sentence on seditious conspiracy charges was commuted by Trump. We stood up for our country because we knew the election was stolen. Biden did not get 81 million votes.The results of the 2020 election were affirmed by reviews, recounts and audits in all six of the battleground states where Trump disputed his loss. That included, Arizona and Georgia, which at the time had Republican governors and secretaries of state. Trumps own attorney general said there was no evidence of widespread fraud, and an Associated Press review in the six states revealed there far too few cases of potential fraud to have any impact on the outcome.Rhodes visited Capitol Hill on Wednesday to advocate for the release of another defendant. Rep. Jamie Raskin, a Maryland Democrat who was on the House committee that investigated the attack, questioned whether he and other defendants had been reformed by their shortened sentences.These people are definitely not innocent, and they havent suffered any procedural unfairness, he said. So, the question is, are they contrite? Are they repentant? Are they reformed or do they still pose a threat to police officers and to government in different parts of the country?Rhodes maintained Wednesday that he came to Washington to protest the election results in 2021, but didnt lead anything on Jan. 6 and does not bear responsibility for the riot. He did not enter the building that day and said other members of the Oath Keepers who did made a stupid decision, but werent criminals.Larry Rosenthal, chair of the UC Berkeley Center for Right-Wing Studies, said one marker of fascism throughout history has been the marriage of private militias with a political party. In fascist Italy, he said, such groups worked on behalf of the party in power to punish political enemies who wouldnt fall in line.Rosenthal said that in light of Trumps pardons, militia groups already active at the U.S. southern border would likely seek the Trump administrations approval when his sweeping immigration enforcement plan gets underway.The question, he said, is whether Trumps administration will bring them into the fold.Asked Tuesday if there was room for the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers in his movement, Trump said, Well, we have to see. Theyve been given a pardon. I thought their sentences were ridiculous and excessive.___Swenson reported from New York.___The Associated Pressreceives support from several private foundations to enhance its explanatory coverage of elections and democracy. See more about APs democracy initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content. ALI SWENSON Swenson reports on election-related misinformation, disinformation and extremism for The Associated Press. twitter LINDSAY WHITEHURST Whitehurst covers the Supreme Court, legal affairs and criminal justice for The Associated Press in Washington, D.C. Past stops include Salt Lake City, New Mexico and Indiana. twitter mailto RSShttps://feedx.net https://feedx.site

President Donald Trump holds a signed an executive order regarding the declassification and release of records relating to the assassinations of former President John F. Kennedy, Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)2025-01-23T21:51:09Z Follow live updates on President Donald Trumps return to Washington DALLAS (AP) President Donald Trump has ordered the release of thousands of classified governmental documents about the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy, which has fueled conspiracy theories for decades. The executive order Trump signed Thursday also aims to declassify the remaining federal records relating to the assassinations of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. The order is among a flurry of executive actions Trump has quickly taken the first week of his second term.Speaking to reporters, Trump said, everything will be revealed.Trump had promised during his reelection campaign to make public the last batches of still-classified documents surrounding President Kennedys assassination in Dallas, which has transfixed people for decades. He made a similar pledge during his first term, but ultimately bended to appeals from the CIA and FBI to keep some documents withheld. Trump has nominated Kennedys nephew, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., to be the health secretary in his new administration. Kennedy, whose father, Robert F. Kennedy, was assassinated in 1968 as he sought the Democratic presidential nomination and has said he isnt convinced that a lone gunman was solely responsible for the assassination of his uncle, President Kennedy, in 1963. The order directs the director of national intelligence and the attorney general to develop a plan within 15 days to release the remaining John F. Kennedy records, and within 45 days for the other two cases. It was not clear when the records would actually be released. Trump handed the pen used to sign the order to an aide and directed it to be given to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.Only a few thousand of the millions of governmental records related to the assassination of President Kennedy have yet to be fully declassified. And while many who have studied whats been released so far say the public shouldnt anticipate any earth-shattering revelations, there is still an intense interest in details related to the assassination and the events surrounding it. Theres always the possibility that something would slip through that would be the tiny tip of a much larger iceberg that would be revealing, said Larry J. Sabato, director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics and author of The Kennedy Half-Century. Thats what researchers look for. Now, odds are you wont find that but it is possible that its there. Kennedy was fatally shot in downtown Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963, as his motorcade passed in front of the Texas School Book Depository building, where 24-year-old assassin Lee Harvey Oswald had positioned himself from a snipers perch on the sixth floor. Two days after Kennedy was killed, nightclub owner Jack Ruby fatally shot Oswald during a jail transfer. In the early 1990s, the federal government mandated that all assassination-related documents be housed in a single collection in the National Archives and Records Administration. The collection of over 5 million records was required to be opened by 2017, barring any exemptions designated by the president. The order notes that although no congressional act directs the release of information on the assassinations of Robert F. Kennedy or King, those governmental records being made public is also in the public interest.During his first term, Trump boasted that hed allow the release of all of the remaining records on the presidents assassination but ended up holding some back because of what he called the potential harm to national security. And while files have continued to be released under President Joe Biden, some still remain unseen.Sabato, who trains student researchers to comb through the documents, said that most researchers agree that roughly 3,000 records have not yet been released, either in whole or in part, and many of those originated with the CIA.The documents released over the last several years offer details on the way intelligence services operated at the time, and include CIA cables and memos discussing visits by Oswald to the Soviet and Cuban embassies during a trip to Mexico City just weeks before the assassination. The former Marine had previously defected to the Soviet Union before returning home to Texas. King and Robert F. Kennedy were assassinated within two months of each other in 1968.King was outside a motel in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968, when shots rang out. The civil rights leader, who had been in town to support striking sanitation workers, was set to lead marches and other nonviolent protests there. He died at a hospital less than an hour later.James Earl Ray pleaded guilty to assassinating King. He later though renounced that plea and maintained his innocence up until his death. FBI documents released over the years show how the bureau wiretapped Kings telephone lines, bugged his hotel rooms and used informants to get information against him. The agencys conduct was the subject of the recent documentary film, MLK/FBI. Robert F. Kennedy, then a New York senator, was fatally shot on June 5, 1968, at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles moments after giving his victory speech for winning Californias Democratic presidential primary. His assassin, Sirhan Sirhan, was convicted of first-degree murder and is serving life in prison.There are still some documents in the JFK collection though that researchers dont believe the president will be able to release. Around 500 documents, including tax returns, werent subject to the 2017 disclosure requirement. And, researchers note, documents have also been destroyed over the decades.___Associated Press writer Terry Tang contributed to this report from Phoenix.

Traders work on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange in New York, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)2025-01-23T04:26:16Z NEW YORK (AP) U.S. stocks rose to a record Thursday as Wall Street regained some of the momentum that catapulted it to 57 all-time highs last year.The S&P 500 climbed 0.5% to surpass its record set early last month after coming close the day before. It was the seventh gain in eight days for the main measure of Wall Streets health. The Dow Jones Industrial Average piled on 408 points, or 0.9%, while the Nasdaq composite added 0.2%.The gains came amid relatively calm moves for Treasury yields in the U.S. bond market. Big swings there in recent months have been shaking the stock market, particularly when rising worries about inflation and the U.S. governments heavy debt send Treasury yields higher. AP AUDIO: Stock market today: S&P 500 hangs near its record as markets worldwide drift The APs Seth Sutel reports stocks are losing some momentum. Treasury yields took a brief turn upward after President Donald Trump began talking about the prospect of tariffs in a speech by video at the World Economic Forum, saying products made outside of the United States will be subject to a tariff, but they pulled back after he gave few details. Crude prices also sank after Trump called on oil-producing countries to reduce the price of crude, which would ease worries about inflation. The yield on the 10-year Treasury climbed to 4.64% from 4.61% late Wednesday, though it remains below its high from earlier this month. The two-year Treasury yield eased to 4.29% from 4.30% late Wednesday.Yields earlier in the day had held relatively steady after a report showed slightly more U.S. workers applied for unemployment benefits last week than economists expected. While the numbers increased, they were well within the modest range established in recent months, according to Chris Larkin, managing director, trading and investing, at E-Trade from Morgan Stanley. Employment continues to highlight US economic outperformance. Traders dont expect the report to push the Federal Reserve to cut its main interest rate at its upcoming meeting next week, according to data from CME Group. If theyre correct, it would be the first meeting since September where the Fed hasnt lowered the federal funds rate to take pressure off the U.S. economy. Lower rates can goose prices for investments, but they can also give inflation more fuel. On Wall Street, GE Aerospace flew 6.6% higher after reporting stronger profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected. The company, which split off from General Electric with two other companies last year, said orders for its airplane engines and services jumped 50% from a year earlier to $12.9 billion.Netflix was another one of the strongest forces lifting the S&P 500. It rose another 3.2% after jumping 9.7% the day before following a better-than-expected profit report. Union Pacific chugged 5.2% higher after beating analysts expectations for profit in the latest quarter. The railroad said its workforce was more productive during the quarter, and its fuel consumption rate likewise improved. American Airlines lost 8.7% even though it reported stronger profit and revenue for the latest quarter than analysts expected. It said it may report a bigger loss for the first three months of 2025 than analysts expected. American also gave a forecasted range for profit over the full year whose midpoint fell short of analysts expectations. Video game maker Electronic Arts dropped 16.7% after it warned of a slowdown in revenue related to its soccer game, EA Sports FC25. It also said fewer gamers played its Dragon Age game during the latest quarter than it expected, further cutting into its revenue. All told, the S&P 500 rose 32.34 points to 6,118.71. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 408.34 to 44,565.07, and the Nasdaq composite added 44.34 to 20,053.68.In stock markets abroad, movements were mostly quiet, even after Chinas latest attempt to juice stock prices in the worlds second-largest economy. Stocks in Hong Kong got a brief boost from Chinas ordering of pensions and mutual funds to invest more in domestic stocks, for example, but the Hang Seng index ended with a dip of 0.4%. Japans Nikkei 225 gained 0.8% despite a sharp drop for Fuji Media Holdings after Masahiro Nakai, a top TV host and former pop star, said he was retiring to take responsibility over sexual assault allegations that are part of a wave roiling Japans entertainment industry. The Fuji TV scandal triggered an avalanche of lost advertising at one of the networks where he worked. In the cryptocurrency market, where prices have surged on hopes President Donald Trump will make Washington friendlier to the industry, bitcoin fell below $103,000, according to CoinDesk. It had set a record above $109,000 on Monday. ___AP Business Writers Matt Ott and Elaine Kurtenbach contributed. RSShttps://feedx.net https://feedx.site

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters as he signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)2025-01-23T21:18:00Z From federal agencies to stakeholders who get federal dollars for special training, many are trying to process how President Donald Trumps sweeping executive order putting a stop to diversity, equity and inclusion programs across the U.S. government will upend their work.DEI laws and programs have been under attack for years by Republicans who contend that the measures threaten merit-based hiring, promotion and educational opportunities of white people, specifically white men. Criticism comes from other sectors, as well: Some Asian Americans argue it unfairly limits opportunities for high-achieving students and workers, and some in the Black community believe it undermines years of progress.However, DEI supporters say the programs are necessary to ensure that institutions meet the needs of increasingly diverse populations and the impact of the loss of these measures goes beyond people of color. On Wednesday, Trump put the federal governments weight behind the push to end such programs by signing an executive order that would effectively dismantle them from all aspects of the federal government. To the people who oppose us, the ones who attack DEI, they have tried to bastardize that acronym, Virginia Kase Solomn, president and CEO of Common Cause, said Wednesday during a call-to-action panel after Trumps anti-DEI executive order. Instead, they want to diminish and exterminate and incapacitate progress towards a multiracial democracy to maintain white supremacy and concentration of wealth. How did it happen?Republican lawmakers who oppose DEI programs created to address systemic inequities faced by certain groups say they are discriminatory and promote left-wing ideology. During his campaign for president, Trump vowed to end wokeness and leftist indoctrination in education. He pledged to dismantle diversity programs that he says amount to discrimination and to impose fines on colleges up to the entire amount of their endowment.In 2023, conservatives notched a long-sought win when the U.S. Supreme Court struck down affirmative action programs in higher education, finding that race-conscious admissions violate the Constitution. That ruling drew increased legal challenges to DEI initiatives, with some American companies citing the decision in scaling back their diversity policies.What does Trumps order call for?The executive action calls for the termination of DEI programs, mandates, policies, preferences and activities in the federal government along with the review and revision of existing federal employment practices, union contracts and training policies or programs. Agency, department and commission heads have 60 days to terminate to the maximum extent allowed by law all DEI, DEIA and environmental justice offices and positions, action plans, equity-related grants or contracts as well as end all DEI or DEIA performance requirements.It also targets federal contractors who have provided DEI training or materials, and grantees who received federal funding to provide or advance DEI programs, services or activities since former President Joe Biden took office in 2021. Paolo Gaudiano provides DEI consulting services to a government contractor and a federal academy via his company, Aleria, which helps organizations measure inclusion, and ARC, a nonprofit focused on DEI research. He has not heard from any agencies he works with about his contract status since Trumps executive order. What he is hearing is that employees are terrified because the orders meaning is unclear.Does it mean closing the office but giving them a different position? Gaudiano said. It is a mess, a complete mess.Many federal employees would not speak with reporters out of concern about the punitive environment within the White House. Its possible that I will reach out to them and find out that theyve all been terminated, Gaudiano said. Even with a rollback, Gaudiano is sure employees and contractors will still pursue some form of DEI programs, especially if it helps productivity. Although anti-DEI groups often focus on racial identity, underrepresented populations can mean women, the LGBTQ community, people with disabilities or veterans. What is happening is that youre focusing on structural organizational problems, which often impacts minority groups or underrepresented groups more than majority groups, Gaudiano said. When youre fixing the problems, you fix the problems for everybody. And it just happens to benefit underrepresented groups as well as minority groups.What effect did the anti-DEI movement have before the executive order? Dozens of diversity, equity and inclusion programs have already closed in Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, North Carolina, Iowa, Nebraska, Texas and other states. Almost 200 diversity, equity and inclusion staff positions were either cut or reassigned across North Carolinas public university system. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Board of Trustees in May approved diverting $2.3 million of state funds for advancing diversity to public safety and policing. Texas 2023 law led to the University of Texas cutting 300 full- and part-time positions and eliminating more than 600 programs related to diversity, equity and inclusion training. In 2023, Oklahoma Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt signed an anti-DEI order that led to last years termination of the national womens leadership program at the University of Oklahoma. Universities of Wisconsin regents reached a deal with Republican lawmakers in 2023 to limit DEI positions at the systems two dozen campuses in exchange for funds for staff raises and construction projects. The deal imposed a hiring freeze on diversity positions through 2026 and shifted more than 40 diversity-related positions to focus on student success.How will the executive order be carried out?The Office of Personnel Management in a Tuesday memo directed agencies to place DEI office staffers on paid leave by 5 p.m. Wednesday and take down all public DEI-focused webpages by the same deadline. Agencies must also cancel any DEI-related training and end any related contracts, and federal workers are being asked to report to Trumps Office of Personnel Management if they suspect any DEI-related program has been renamed to obfuscate its purpose within 10 days or face adverse consequences.By Thursday, federal agencies are directed to compile a list of federal DEI offices and workers as of Election Day. By next Friday, they are expected to develop a plan to execute a reduction-in-force action against those federal workers.It may be easy for Trump to sign such an order but more difficult to carry out, said Frederick Gooding Jr., African American studies professor at Texas Christian University and author of American Dream Deferred: Black Federal Workers in Washington, D.C., 1941-1981.Its not going to be as easy to execute. Its going to be more of a fantasy. There are no quick fixes for these issues that took years, if not centuries, to develop, Gooding said Wednesday.The National Urban League and the National Fair Housing Alliance, as government contractors, and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund filed a lawsuit against a similar executive order issued during Trumps first administration, arguing it trampled on freedom of speech rights. A California federal court suspended that order in response to a similar lawsuit filed by Lambda Legal, an organization that advocates for the rights of LGBTQ people. This will test us, National Urban League President Marc Moriel said Wednesday during a call-to-action roundtable that the group hosted. These orders are unlawful; they are unconstitutional.___ Figueroa reported from Austin, Texas. Alexander reported from Washington. Williams reported from Detroit. Associated Press reporter Alexandra Olson in New York City contributed to this report. FERNANDA FIGUEROA Figueroa reports on Latino/Hispanic affairs as a member of the APs Race & Ethnicity team. twitter mailto

Dogs are near a border wall separating Mexico from the United States Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)2025-01-23T22:42:59Z WASHINGTON (AP) Active duty military troops will begin arriving in El Paso, Texas, and San Diego on Thursday evening, in what defense officials said is the first batch of the new forces being deployed to secure the southern border.The Pentagon announced on Wednesday that about 1,500 troops were being sent to the border this week, as the department scrambles to put in motion President Donald Trumps executive order demanding an immediate crackdown on immigration.U.S. officials said they expect additional troops to be ordered to deploy in the next few days as defense and homeland security leaders iron out requests for more support. The officials said its not yet clear how many more service members would get tapped in the near future, but they would include active duty, National Guard and Reserves, and come from land, air and sea forces. Other defense and military officials this week estimated that the additional number deployed could be in the thousands. The troops announced Wednesday include about 1,000 Army soldiers from a variety of units and 500 Marines from Camp Pendleton in California. Officials said Thursday that they expect the bulk of them to be in El Paso including Fort Bliss or in San Diego by Friday, where they will get their mission assignments and prepare to spread out along the border. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to provide details on troop movements. There were already about 2,500 Guard and Reserve forces deployed to the border, and the new 1,500 would add to that total. But officials noted that given the length of the nearly 2,000-mile border with Mexico, it will take additional forces to help put large rolls of concertina wire barriers in place and provide needed transportation, intelligence and other support to the Border Patrol.As of Thursday there were still no requests for the use of military bases to house migrants or for troops to be used for law enforcement duties. LOLITA C. BALDOR Baldor has covered the Pentagon and national security issues for The Associated Press since 2005. She has reported from all over the world including warzones in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria. twitter mailto RSShttps://feedx.net https://feedx.site

Ippei Mizuhara, left, stands next to Los Angeles Dodgers player Shohei Ohtani, right, during an interview at Dodger Stadium, Feb. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel, File)2025-01-24T03:02:43Z A nearly four-minute audio recording allegedly captured Shohei Ohtani s former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara impersonating the baseball star on a call with a bank as he attempted to transfer $200,000 for what he describes as a car loan, federal prosecutors said Thursday. The recording referenced in a court filing and obtained by The Associated Press is being used to back up prosecutors push for a nearly five-year sentence for Mizuhara, who previously pleaded guilty to bank and tax fraud for stealing almost $17 million from the Los Angeles Dodgers star.Prosecutors are also seeking restitution of the nearly $17 million to Ohtani, as well as a penalty of more than $1 million to the IRS.Mizuhara is due to be sentenced Feb. 6 after pleading guilty to one count of bank fraud and one count of subscribing to a false tax return.His attorney, Michael G. Freedman, did not respond to an email from The Associated Press requesting comment. In the recording, a man is heard identifying himself as Ohtani and saying that he tried to log into online banking but it wasnt available. He later confirms that the transaction amount is $200,000. When the woman from the bank asks him the reason for the transaction, he says its for a car loan.What is your relationship to the payee? she asks.Um, hes my friend, the man responds.The recording was obtained from the bank, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeff Mitchell. Its unclear when it was made. Towards the end of the call, the woman from the bank asks, Will there be any future wires to your friend?Possibly, the man says.The recording was first obtained by The Athletic.The legal filing says Mizuhara accessed Ohtanis account beginning around November 2021 and changed its security protocols so he could impersonate him to authorize wire transfers. By 2024, Mizuhara allegedly had used that money to buy about $325,000 worth of baseball cards at online resellers eBay and Whatnot. Mizuhara pleaded guilty in June to spending millions from Ohtanis Arizona bank account to cover his growing gambling bets and debts with an illegal bookmaker, as well as medical bills and the $325,000 worth of baseball cards.Mizuhara was there for many of the Japanese sensations career highlights: He was Ohtanis catcher during the Home Run Derby at the 2021 All-Star Game and was also present for his two American League MVP wins and record-shattering $700 million, 10-year deal with the Dodgers. Off the field, he became Ohtanis friend and confidant. Mizuhara famously resigned from the Los Angeles Angels during the 2021 MLB lockout so he could keep speaking to Ohtani he was rehired after a deal was struck and their wives reportedly socialized.But he gambled it all away, betting tens of millions of dollars that werent his to wager on international soccer, the NBA, the NFL and college football though prosecutors said he never bet on baseball.

Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's choice for defense secretary, appears before the Senate Armed Services Committee for his confirmation hearing, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)2025-01-23T21:46:56Z WASHINGTON (AP) Pete Hegseth, President Donald Trumps nominee for defense secretary, paid $50,000 to the woman who accused him of sexual assault in 2017, according to answers he provided to a senator during his confirmation process that The Associated Press has obtained.The written answers were provided to Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren in response to additional questions she had for Hegseth as part of the vetting process.His attorney, Timothy Parlatore, declined to comment Thursday on the dollar figure, which was previously unknown. In November, Parlatore confirmed that the settlement payment had been made, and Hegseth told senators during his confirmation hearing last week that he was falsely accused and completely cleared. News of the payment came as the Senate advanced Hegseths nomination along party lines, with a final vote on his confirmation expected Friday. Democrats and two Republicans have raised concerns about Hegseth, who also has faced allegations of excessive drinking and abuse of his second wife, which he denies. Two days after Hegseth was grilled by senators at this confirmation hearing, Trumps transition team briefed the two leaders of the Senate Armed Services Committee on an additional statement that Hegseths second wife, Samantha Hegseth, had provided to the FBI. In the statement that the transition team read Jan. 16 to Mississippi Republican Roger Wicker and Rhode Island Democrat Jack Reed, she said Pete Hegseth had and continues to have a problem with alcohol abuse, a person familiar with the FBI briefing and its findings told The Associated Press. Reed has called Hegseths FBI background check substandard. He said in a statement Thursday that he and Wicker received multiple FBI briefings about the defense secretary nominee, something he had not seen in more than 25 years on the Armed Services Committee, and that the recent reports about the contents of the background briefings on Mr. Hegseth are true and accurate. Parlatore, Hegseths attorney, said Thursday that Reed is knowingly lying because what Samantha Hegseth actually told the FBI is that Pete Hegseth drinks more often than not, but she also acknowledged that she had not spent time with him for about seven years.Senators also received an affidavit Tuesday from a former sister-in-law of the Pentagon nominee alleging his repeated drunkenness and that he was abusive to Samantha Hegseth to the point where she feared for her safety. He and his ex-wife have denied that he was abusive, and Parlatore called the affidavit a clear and admitted partisan attempt to derail Mr. Hegseths confirmation.Meanwhile, the $50,000 payment was made years after the woman told police that Hegseth sexually assaulted her in a California hotel room in 2017 after he took her phone, blocked the door and refused to let her leave, according to an investigative report released in November.Hegseth told police at the time that the encounter had been consensual and denied any wrongdoing. The report does not say that police found the allegations were false. Police recommended the case report be forwarded to the Monterey County District Attorneys Office for review.Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni said her office declined to file charges in January 2018 because it didnt have proof beyond a reasonable doubt.Parlatore has said the payment was made as part of a confidential settlement a few years after the police investigation because Hegseth was concerned that she was prepared to sue and that could have gotten him fired from Fox News, where he was a popular host.___AP reporter Eric Tucker contributed from Washington. TARA COPP Copp covers the Pentagon and national security for the Associated Press. She has reported from Afghanistan, Iraq, throughout the Middle East, Europe and Asia. twitter mailto

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau answers questions from reporters as he makes his way to a meeting of the Liberal caucus in West Block on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP)2025-01-24T00:21:39Z TORONTO (AP) Outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Thursday American consumers will pay more whenever President Donald Trump decides to apply sweeping tariffs on Canadian products. Trump told reporters in the Oval Office Thursday that he still plans to tariff Canada and Mexico at 25% rates starting as soon as Feb. 1. Trump previously threatened to impose sweeping new tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China as soon as he took office but the tariffs werent applied on day one.Trudeau said if Trump does go forward whether it be back on Jan. 20th, on Feb. 1st or Feb. 15th as a Valentines Day present, or on April 1st or whenever Canada will respond with retaliatory tariffs and prices for American consumers on just about everything will go up.We dont think he wants that, Trudeau told reporters in Ottawa. By targeting Americas second largest trading partner after Mexico, Trump risks upending the markets for autos, lumber and oil all of which could carry over quickly to consumers. The premier of oil-rich Alberta, Danielle Smith, said Americans in some states could pay more than a dollar per gallon more for gas if Trump puts the tariff on Canadian oil. Despite Trumps repeated claim that the U.S doesnt need Canada, nearly a quarter of the oil America consumes per day comes from Canada.Americas northern neighbor also has 34 critical minerals and metals that the U.S. is eager for and is also the largest foreign supplier of steel, aluminum and uranium. The U.S. should be working even more with Canada on our energy, on our critical minerals, on the goods they need to deliver the economic growth that Donald Trump has promised, Trudeau said. That is our first choice. If they do move forward on tariffs we are ready to respond in a strong way but in a way ... to figure out how to get them removed as soon as possible. Canada is looking at putting retaliatory tariffs on American orange juice, toilets and some steel products if Trump follows through with his threat. When Trump imposed higher tariffs during his first term in office, Canada announced billions of dollars in new duties in 2018 against the U.S. in a tit-for-tat response to new taxes on Canadian steel and aluminumEverything is on the table. Trudeau said. It would be bad for Canada, but it would also be bad for American consumers.Nearly $3.6 billion Canadian dollars ($2.7 billion) worth of goods and services cross the border each day. Canada is the top export destination for 36 U.S. states.Trudeau said Trump remains preoccupied with the border. The U.S. president told reporters at the White House earlier this week that, in his opinion, the amount of fentanyl coming through Canada and Mexico is massive.We have highlighted that less than one percent of illegal drugs coming into the United States, less than one percent of migrants going into the United States come from Canada but were still investing over a billion dollars and strengthening our border, Trudeau said. Trump continues to erroneously cast the U.S. trade deficit with Canada a natural resource-rich nation that provides the U.S. with commodities like oil as a subsidy. Trump incorrectly claims the U.S. has a $200 billion trade deficit.Were not going to have that anymore. We cant do that, Trump said in a virtual appearance at the World Economic Forum. You can always become a state, and if youre a state, we dont have a deficit. We wont have to tariff you.

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters as he signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)2025-01-24T05:05:04Z WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump is heading to hurricane-battered western North Carolina and wildfire-ravaged Los Angeles on Friday, using the first trip of his second administration to tour areas where politics has clouded the response to deadly disasters. The Republican president has criticized former President Joe Biden for his administrations response in North Carolina, and hes showered disdain on California leaders for water policies that he falsely claimed worsened the recent blazes.Trump is also considering overhauling the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Some of his conservative allies have proposed reducing how much the agency reimburses states for handling floods, hurricanes, tornadoes and other calamities. The White House has asked California congressional members, including Democrats, to hold a roundtable at an airplane hanger in Santa Monica during Trumps visit, according to a person briefed on the plans who demanded anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss them. Any meeting could be contentious. Trump has suggested using federal disaster assistance as a bargaining chip during unrelated legislative negotiations over government borrowing, or as leverage to persuade California to change its water policies. Southern California and California has always been there for other regions of the country in their time of crisis, and we expect our country to be there for us, Sen. Alex Padilla, a Democrat from the state, said this week. Trump has a history of injecting politics and falsehoods into disaster response. During his first term, he talked about limiting help for Democratic states that didnt support him, according to former administration officials. While running for president last year, he claimed without evidence that Democrats were going out of their way to not help people in Republican areas of the battleground state of North Carolina. More recently, hes falsely insisted that California water policies, specifically fish conservation efforts in the northern part of the state, contributed to hydrants running dry in the Los Angeles area. I dont think we should give California anything until they let the water run down, Trump said in an interview with Fox News Channels Sean Hannity on Wednesday. The president also suggested shifting more responsibility to individual states for managing disasters.Id rather see the states take care of their own problems, he told Hannity, adding that FEMA is getting in the way of everything.Michael Coen, who served as chief of staff at FEMA during the Biden administration, said Trump was misinformed about an agency that provides critical help to states when theyre overwhelmed by catastrophe. In addition, Coen criticized the idea of attaching strings to assistance. Youre going to pick winners and losers on which communities are going to be supported by the federal government, he said. I think the American people expect the federal government will be there for them on their worst day, no matter where they live. The last time Trump was president, he visited numerous disaster zones, including the aftermaths of hurricanes and tornados. But he also often sparked controversy, like when he tossed paper towels to survivors of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico.If youre a disaster survivor, no matter who you voted for, its always good when the president comes to town, said Pete Gaynor, who headed FEMA during the first Trump administration between 2019 and 2021. You can see him and hopefully talk to him about what you need in your community. Laurie Carpenter, a 62-year-old retiree in Newland, North Carolina, said shes looking forward to Trump visiting because shes been disappointed by the federal response. She said theres still debris and trash strewn around her part of the state months after Hurricane Helene. If anybodys going to do something about it, I think he will, Carpenter said.Trump tapped Cameron Hamilton, a former Navy SEAL with limited experience managing natural disasters, as FEMAs acting director. He also said that individual states should be in charge of directing response to natural disasters rather than FEMA, and that the federal government should only step in subsequently to provide funding. Biden vowed before leaving office that the federal government would cover all the costs of responding to the wildfires around Los Angeles, which could end up being the costliest natural disasters in U.S. history. However, that promise wont be kept unless Congress comes up with more funding. Fridays trip could prompt some uncomfortable conversations about climate change, which Trump has played down and denied. Both Hurricane Helene and the Los Angeles wildfires were exacerbated by global warming.In Helenes case, a study by international climate scientists at World Weather Attribution found that climate change boosted the storms rainfall by 10%. In California, the state suffered a record dry fall and winter its traditional wet season which made the area around Los Angeles more vulnerable to blazes. This is just breaking our comfort zone of what is supposed to be normal, said University of Oregon researcher Amanda Stasiewicz. After visiting North Carolina and California, Trump plans to hold a Saturday rally in Las Vegas. Advisers said he will offer details on keeping a campaign promise to exclude tips from federal taxes, while reveling in having won Nevada in an Election Day upset.Im going to go to Nevada to thank them, Trump said. He was the first Republican candidate to win the state since 2004, when George W. Bush beat John Kerry. Las Vegas 24-hour economy is fueled by the hospitality and service industries, where everyone from restaurant waiters to valet parkers to hotel maids relies on gratuities. However, exempting them from taxes would likely be difficult to implement and require an act of Congress to remain permanent. ____ Associated Press writers Stephen Groves, Seth Borenstein and Makiya Seminera contributed to this report. WILL WEISSERT Weissert covers national politics and the White House for The Associated Press. He is based in Washington. twitter mailto CHRIS MEGERIAN Megerian covers the White House for The Associated Press. He previously wrote about the Russia investigation, climate change, law enforcement and politics in California and New Jersey. twitter mailto

Water is dropped by helicopter on the Palisades Fire in Mandeville Canyon, Jan. 11, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer,File)2025-01-24T05:09:50Z As President Donald Trump prepares to tour wildfire damage in California, hes zeroing in on one of his frequent targets for criticism: State water policy. Since the fires broke out Jan. 7, Trump has used social media and interviews to accuse the state of sending too much water to the Pacific Ocean instead of south toward Los Angeles and highlighted how some hydrants ran dry in the early hours of the firefight in Pacific Palisades. In the first hours of his second term, Trump called on federal officials to draft plans to route more water to the crop-rich Central Valley and densely populated cities in the southern part of the state. Two days later he threatened to withhold federal disaster aid unless California leaders change the states approach on water.Heres a look at the facts behind Trumps comments and what power the president has to influence California water: Where does Southern Californias water come from?In general, most of the states water is in the north, while most of its people are in the drier south. Los Angeles, the nations second largest city, depends on drawing water from elsewhere. Meanwhile the relatively dry Central Valley is home to fertile land where much of the nations fruits and vegetables are grown. Two complex systems of dams and canals channel rain and snowmelt from the mountains in the north and route it south. One is managed by the federal government and known as the Central Valley Project, while the other is operated by the state of California and known as the State Water Project. Both transport water through the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, an estuarythat provides critical habitat to fish and wildlife including salmon and the delta smelt, one of Trumps fascinations. Southern California gets about half its water from local supplies such as groundwater, according to the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, a regional water wholesaler. Metropolitan provides the rest of the water from state supplies and the federally managed Colorado River system. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power also manages its own aqueducts that draw water from the eastern Sierra Nevada. What does Washington have the power to do?Federal officials guide how much is routed to the delta to protect threatened species and how much goes to Central Valley Project users, mostly farms. That project does not supply water to Los Angeles.State officials are expected to follow the same environmental guidelines, said Caitlin Peterson, a research fellow at the Public Policy Institute of Californias Water Policy Center. Federal and state officials typically coordinate how they operate those systems.The delta connects inland waterways to the Pacific, and keeping a certain amount of water flowing through helps support fish populations and the waterway itself. But Trump and others say the state lets too much water go to the ocean rather than cities and farms. What measures did Trump take on California water policies in the past?His prior administration allowed more water to be directed to the Central Valley and out of the delta. Environmental groups opposed that, saying it would harm endangered species.Gov. Gavin Newsom filed a lawsuit saying the rules would drive endangered fish populations to extinction. There were concerns about the tiny delta smelt, which is seen as an indicator of the waterways health, as well as and chinook salmon and steelhead trout, which return annually from the Pacific to spawn in freshwater rivers. Then-President Joe Bidens administration issued its own rules in December that environmental groups said provided modest improvements over those of the first Trump administration.What is Trumps position now?He has continued to question how Californias water managed. Last year on his Truth Social platform, he criticized the rerouting of MILLIONS OF GALLONS OF WATER A DAY FROM THE NORTH OUT INTO THE PACIFIC OCEAN, rather than using it, free of charge, for the towns, cities, & farms dotted all throughout California.Such comments buoyed the spirits of many farmers and water managers in the Central Valley who say federal water allocations have been too limited in the past two years since ample rain boosted reservoir levels. A series of major storms in 2023 helped California emerge from a multi-year drought, but dry conditions have started to return in the central and southern parts of the state. Trump has now directed the federal government again to route more water in the system it controls to farmers and cities. What does all this have to do with the Los Angeles fires?Not much. The farms-versus-fish debate is one of the most well-worn in California water politics and doesnt always fall along party lines. Some environmentalists think Newsom is too friendly to farming interests. But that debate is not connected to fire-related water troubles in Los Angeles.Trump has suggested that state officials turn the valve to send more water to the city. But state water supplies are not to blame for hydrants running dry and a key reservoir near Pacific Palisades that was not filled.The problem with the hydrants was that they were overstressed, and the Santa Ynez Reservoir was empty because it was undergoing maintenance. Newsom has called for an investigation into how the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power managed both issues. The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California has enough water in storage to meet roughly three years of water demand, said Deven Upadhyay, the agencys interim general manager. We can deliver what our agencies need, he said.If the Trump administration chooses to route more water to system users, that wont necessarily benefit Los Angeles, Upadhyay said. Unless there is coordination between the federal and state systems, greater draws from the delta on the federal side could lead California officials to cut allocations to cities and farms to protect waterway, he added.

Water is dropped by helicopter on the Palisades Fire in Mandeville Canyon, Jan. 11, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer,File)2025-01-24T05:04:53Z SEATTLE (AP) President Donald Trumps executive order denying U.S. citizenship to the children of parents living in the country illegally faced the first of what will be many legal tests on Thursday. It didnt fare well.A Justice Department lawyer had barely started making his arguments in a Seattle courtroom when U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour began blistering him with questions, calling the executive order blatantly unconstitutional. Coughenour went on to temporarily block it pending further arguments.Here are some things to know about the decision and the lawsuits challenging Trumps order.What is birthright citizenship?Birthright citizenship is the principle that someone born in a country is a citizen of that country. In the United States, its enshrined in the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, which states: All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. It was ratified in 1868 to ensure the citizenship of former slaves after the Civil War.Critics of unfettered immigration have argued that provides an incentive for people to come to, or remain in, the U.S. illegally: They know that if they have children in the U.S., those children will be citizens, who might later petition for them to become legal permanent residents.In an effort to curb unlawful immigration, Trump issued the executive order just after being sworn in for his second term on Monday. Trumps order drew immediate legal challenges across the country, with at least five lawsuits being brought by 22 states and a number of immigrants rights groups. A lawsuit brought by Washington, Arizona, Oregon and Illinois was the first to get a hearing. Whats next for the legal challenges?The judges ruling Thursday was a temporary restraining order. It blocked the administration from enforcing or implementing Trumps order nationally for the next 14 days. Over the next two weeks, the sides will submit further briefings on the legal merits of the executive order. Coughenour scheduled another hearing Feb. 6 to hear arguments on whether to issue a preliminary injunction, which would block the executive order long term while the case proceeds.In the meantime, some of the other cases challenging the order are also getting underway.The next hearing is in a case brought in Maryland by CASA, a nonprofit that supports children who have been abused or neglected in foster care. Thats set for Feb. 5 at U.S. District Court in Greenbelt.Another lawsuit, led by New Jersey on behalf of 18 states, the District of Columbia and San Francisco, and a challenge brought in Massachusetts by the Brazilian Worker Center do not yet have hearings scheduled.Aside from arguing the executive orders constitutionality, the states say the order would subject all the children affected by it to deportation and make many of them stateless. It would strip them of their rights and render them unable to participate in economic or civic life, the states argue. Why did the judge block Trumps order?Coughenour did not detail his reasoning during Thursdays hearing, but his assertion that the order is blatantly unconstitutional, as well as point-blank questioning of DOJ attorney Brett Shumate and his lack of questions for Washingtons assistant attorney general, Lane Polozola suggested he agreed with the states arguments.The states say its well-settled that the 14th Amendment guarantees birthright citizenship and that the president lacks authority to determine who should or should not be granted U.S. citizenship at birth.Ive been on the bench for over four decades. I cant remember another case where the question presented was as clear as this one is, Coughenour told Shumate.The Department of Justice later said in a statement that it will vigorously defend the presidents executive order.We look forward to presenting a full merits argument to the Court and to the American people, who are desperate to see our Nations laws enforced, the department said. Who is the judge?Coughenour, 84, got his law degree from the University of Iowa in 1966 and was appointed to the bench by President Ronald Reagan in 1981. Hes been a federal judge for more than four decades; he has taken semi-retired senior status but continues hearing cases. He has a reputation as a tough, independent and sometimes cantankerous jurist.Newly elected Washington Attorney General Nick Brown a former Seattle U.S. attorney said after Thursdays hearing that he wasnt surprised by Coughenours reaction to the absurdity of the executive order.Ive been in front of Judge Coughenour before to see his frustration personally, Brown said. But I think the words that he expressed, and the seriousness that he expressed, really just drove home what we have been saying. ... This is fairly obvious.Among the thousands of cases Coughenour has handled, covering everything from criminal to environmental law, probably the most famous was that of millennium bomber Ahmed Ressam. Ressam was arrested entering the U.S. in December 1999 with a trunk full of explosives and plans to bomb Los Angeles International Airport on New Years Eve. Coughenour repeatedly butted heads with federal prosecutors during Ressams sentencing, disagreeing about how much credit Ressam should receive for cooperating with them after his conviction. Twice Coughenour sentenced Ressam to 22 years far less than prosecutors were seeking and twice the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned him. Coughenour finally sentenced Ressam to 37 years in 2012. At the time, he said Ressams case was the only one he could think of in which the appeals court deemed him too lenient.___Catalini reported from Trenton, New Jersey. MIKE CATALINI Catalini covers government, elections and news primarily in New Jersey for The Associated Press. He focuses on accountability and how policy affects people. twitter

Samir al-Baghdadi, 46, left, stands on his brother Fayez outside his family's home that was destroyed during the civil war in the Qaboun neighborhood of Damascus, Syria, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Sanadiki)2025-01-24T05:20:18Z DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) Samir al-Baghdad grabbed his pickax and walked up a wobbly set of stairs made of cinderblocks and rubble.He is rebuilding his destroyed family house in the Qaboun neighborhood near Damascus, Syria s capital.The traditional building, which once housed his family, parents and some relatives, had a courtyard decorated with plants and tiled floors where guests were received. But the house, like scores of others nearby, has been reduced to heaps of rubble during years of civil war.Al-Baghdadi cant afford to hire workers or rent a bulldozer to clear the debris and fix the house. He makes just about enough money as a mechanic to feed his family. But hes desperate to rebuild it because he is struggling to pay skyrocketing rent for an apartment.Economic opportunities are basically nonexistent, al-Baghdadi said, sitting on a pile of rubble and debris where the houses entrance used to be. So were going to slowly rebuild with our own hands. Although Syrian President Bashar Assad was toppled last month in a lightning insurgency, the countrys dire economic conditions that protesters decried have not changed. The economy has been battered by corruption and 13 years of civil war. Coupled with international sanctions and mismanagement, inflation skyrocketed, pulling some 90% of the country into poverty. Over half the population -- some 12 million people -- dont know where their next meal will come from, according to the U.N. World Food Program. With no sign of a full-scale withdrawal of international sanctions and continuing caution among potential overseas investors, the honeymoon period for the countrys new rulers could be short-lived.Qaboun, just a stones throw away from the city center, and other eastern Damascus neighborhoods became rebel strongholds in 2012, when the countrys mass protests against Assad spiraled into all-out war. It suffered government airstrikes and artillery fire, and at one point Islamic State group extremists. In 2017, government forces reclaimed the neighborhood, but when al-Baghdadi tried to return in 2020, security forces kicked him out and forced him to sign a pledge to never return, saying it was a security zone that was off limits.After Assads fall, al-Baghdadi was finally able to return. Like many, he was euphoric and hoped it would pave the way for better times despite the many challenges that lay ahead, including rampant power cuts and fuel shortages.For years, Syrian families have relied on humanitarian aid and remittances from family members living abroad to survive. On top of the gargantuan costs of rebuilding the countrys destroyed electricity, water and road infrastructure, money is needed to restore its battered agriculture and industrial sectors to make its hobbled economy productive again.The United Nations in 2017 estimated that it would cost at least $250 billion to rebuild Syria. Some experts now say that number could reach at least $400 billion.Wealthy Gulf countries have pledged to build economic partnerships with Syrias new interim rulers, while Washington has eased some restrictions without fully lifting its sanctions. The U.S. Treasury Department issued a six-month license authorizing some transactions with Syrias interim government. While it includes some energy sales, Syrians say it isnt enough. Sinan Hatahet, an economic researcher at the Washington-based Atlantic Council think tank, said the U.S. actions were the bare minimum needed to show good faith to Damascus and arent enough to help Syria jumpstart its economy.It doesnt help the private sector to engage, Hatahet said. The restrictions on trade, the restrictions on reconstruction, on rebuilding the infrastructure are still there.While countries are hesitant to make more impactful decisions as they hope for a peaceful political transition, many Syrians say the economy cant wait.Without jobs, without huge flows of money and investments these families have no way of making ends meet, Hatahet said. The executive director of the World Food Program echoed similar sentiments, warning Syrias neighbors that its food and economic crisis is also a crisis of security.Hunger does not breed good will, Cindy McCain said in an interview during her first visit to Damascus.In the Syrian capitals bustling old marketplace, crowds of people pack the narrow passageways as the countrys new de facto flag is draped over the crowded stalls. Merchants say the atmosphere is pleasant and celebratory, but nobody is buying anything.People stop to smell the aromatic and colorful spices or pose for photos next to masked fighters from the ruling Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group guarding the markets entrances.Were very happy with our liberation, thank God, but there are few jobs, said Walid Naoura, who works with his father at a clothing shop. Yes, weve been relieved of thuggery and oppression, but all these people here have come to celebrate but not to buy anything because things are expensive. Nearby, Abou Samir, a carpenter, saws a piece of wood as he assembles a chest of drawers. There is no electricity to power his machinery, so hes doing it by hand.Im working at a loss and you cant make larger workshops work because there is no electricity, he said.His sons live abroad and send money to help him get by, but he refuses to stop his carpentry work which has been his livelihood for 50 years.In Qaboun, al-Baghdadi sips tea on a makeshift porch overlooking his neighborhood, which has turned into empty plots and a gathering point for local buses and minivans. It was a successful day because he managed to connect an electric cable to power a single light bulb but part of his roof collapsed.He still hasnt been able to secure running water but hopes that he and his family can move into the house with its many memories before summer, even if it is far from completion because of his financial situation.I prefer that to living in a palace elsewhere, al-Baghdadi said. KAREEM CHEHAYEB Chehayeb is an Associated Press reporter in Beirut. twitter instagram mailto RSShttps://feedx.net https://feedx.site

Holocaust survivor Naftali Frst pauses during an interview at home in Haifa, Israel, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)2025-01-24T05:08:43Z HAIFA, Israel (AP) Naftali Frst will never forget his first view of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, on Nov. 3, 1944. He was 12 years old.SS soldiers threw open the doors of the cattle car, where he was crammed in with his mother, father, brother, and more than 80 others. He remembers the tall chimneys of the crematoria, flames roaring from the top.There were dogs and officers yelling in German get out, get out! forcing people to jump onto the infamous ramp where Nazi doctor Josef Mengele separated children from parents.Frst, now 92, is one of a dwindling number of Holocaust survivors able to share first-person accounts of the horrors they endured, as the world marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazis most notorious death camp. Frst is returning to Auschwitz for the annual occasion, his fourth trip to the camp. Each time he returns, he thinks of those first moments there.We knew we were going to certain death, he said from his home in Haifa, northern Israel, earlier this month. In Slovakia, we knew that people who went to Poland didnt return. Strokes of luckFrst and his family arrived at the entrance to Auschwitz on Nov. 3, 1943 one day after Nazi leader Heinrich Himmler ordered the cessation of the use of the gas chambers ahead of their demolition, as the Soviet troops neared. The order meant that his family wasnt immediately killed. It was one of many small bits of luck and coincidences that allowed Frst to survive.For 60 years, I didnt talk about the Holocaust, for 60 years I didnt speak a word of German even though its my mother tongue, said Frst.In 2005, he was invited to attend the ceremony to mark the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Buchenwald, where he was liberated on April 11, 1944, after being moved there from Auschwitz. He realized there were fewer and fewer Holocaust survivors who could give first-person accounts, and decided to throw himself into memorial work. This will be his fourth trip to a ceremony at Auschwitz, having also met Pope Francis there in 2016. Some 6 million European Jews were killed by the Nazis during the Holocaust the mass murder of Jews and other groups before and during World War II. Soviet Red Army troops liberated Auschwitz-Birkenau on Jan. 27, 1945, and the day has become known as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. An estimated 1.1 million people, mostly Jews, were killed in Auschwitz-Birkenau. Just 220,000 Holocaust survivors are still alive, according to the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, and more than 20 percent are over 90. A meeting place after the warFrst, originally from Bratislava, then part of Czechoslovakia, was just 6 when the Nazis first started implementing measures against the countrys Jews. He spent ages 9 to 12 in four different concentration camps, including Auschwitz. His parents had planned to jump off of the cattle car on the way to the camp, but people were packed so tightly they couldnt reach the doors. His father instructed the entire family, no matter what, to meet at 11 ulekova Street in Bratislava after the war. Frst and his brother were separated from their mother. After numbers were tattooed on their arms, they also were taken from their father. They lived in Block 29, without many other children. As the Soviet army closed in on the area, so close they could hear the booms from the tanks, Frst and his brother, Shmuel, were forced to join a dangerous journey toward Buchenwald, marching for three days in the cold and snow. Anyone who lagged behind was shot. We had to prove our desire to live, to do another step and another step and keep going, he said. Many people gave up, longing to end the hunger and thirst and cold, and just sat down, where they were shot by the guards. We had this command from my father: You must adapt and survive, and even if youre suffering, you must come back, Frst recalled.Frst and his brother survived the march, and an open-car train ride in the snow, but they were separated at the next camp. When Frst was liberated from Buchenwald, captured in a famous photo that included Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel in the bunkbeds, he was sure he was alone in the world. But within months, just as Frsts father had instructed, the four family members reunited at the address they memorized, the home of family friends. The rest of their family grandparents, aunts, uncles, were all killed. His family later moved to Israel, where he married, had a daughter, four grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren, with another on the way. We couldnt imagine this tragedyOn Oct. 7, 2023, Frst awoke to the Hamas attack on southern Israel, and immediately thought of his granddaughter, Mika Peleg, and her husband, and their 2-year-old son, who live in Kfar Aza, a kibbutz on the border with Gaza where scores of people were killed or kidnapped.No one in the family could get in touch with the family.It just kept getting worse all day, we couldnt get any information what was happening with them, said Frst. We saw the horrors, that we couldnt imagine this type of horror is happening in 2023, 80 years after the Holocaust.Toward midnight on Oct. 7, Pelegs neighbors sent word that the family had survived. They spent almost 20 hours locked inside their safe room with no food or ability to communicate. Her husbands parents, who both lived on Kfar Aza, were killed.Despite his close connection, comparisons between Oct. 7 and the Holocaust make Frst uncomfortable. Its awful and terrible and a catastrophe, and hard to describe, but its not a Holocaust, he said. As awful as the Hamas attack was for his granddaughter and others, the Holocaust was a multi-year death industry with massive infrastructure and camps that could kill 10,000 people a day for months at a time, he said.Frst, who was previously involved in coexistence work between Jews and Arabs, said his heart also goes out to Palestinians in Gaza, although he believes Israel needed to respond militarily. I feel the pain of everyone who is suffering, everywhere in the world, because I think I know what suffering is, he said.Frst knows that he is one of very few Holocaust survivors still able to travel to Auschwitz, so its important for him to be present there to mark the 80th anniversary. These days, he is telling his story as many times as he can, taking part in documentaries and movies, serving as the president of the Buchenwald Prisoners Association and working to create a memorial statue at the Sered concentration camp in Slovakia. He feels a responsibility to be the mouthpiece for the millions who were killed, and people can relate to the story of a single person more than the hard numbers of 6 million deaths, he said.Whenever I finish, I tell the youth, the fact that you were able to see living testimony (from a Holocaust survivor) puts a requirement on you more than someone who did not: you take it on your shoulders the obligation to continue to tell this. MELANIE LIDMAN Lidman is an Associated Press reporter based in Tel Aviv, Israel.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., puts his signature on the Laken Riley Act with members of the Georgia congressional delegation attending, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)2025-01-24T05:02:19Z President Donald Trump is poised to sign the first bill of his new administration, and it is named after a slain Georgia nursing student whose name became a rallying cry during his White House campaign.If signed into law, the Laken Riley Act would require the detention of unauthorized immigrants accused of theft and violent crimes. The bill won bipartisan support in both the House and Senate. Here are some things to know about the Laken Riley Act: Who was Laken Riley?Riley, 22, was a student at Augusta University College of Nursing when she went out for a run on Feb. 22, 2024. Prosecutors said she was encountered by Jose Antonio Ibarra, who killed her during a struggle. Ibarra waived his right to a jury trial and was found guilty in November of murder and other crimes by a judge, who alone heard and decided the case. He was sentenced to life without parole.Trump and other Republicans blamed former President Joe Biden for her death because Ibarra had been arrested for illegal entry in September 2022 near El Paso, Texas, amid an unprecedented surge in migration and released to pursue his case in immigration court. If this act had been the law of the land, he never would have had the opportunity to kill her, said Rep. Mike Collins, a Georgia Republican.Biden mentioned Riley during his State of the Union address last year as he spoke about border security and after U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene shouted at him, Say her name! What does the bill do?Under the new law, federal officials would be required to detain any migrant arrested or charged with crimes like shoplifting or assaulting a police officer or crimes that injure or kill someone.If you come into this country illegally and you commit a crime, you should not be free to roam the streets of this nation, said Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., who helped push the bill through the Senate.The bill also empowers state attorneys general to sue the federal government for harm caused by failures or decisions in immigration enforcement that harm states or people. That includes releasing migrants from custody or failing to detain migrants who have received deportation orders. The provision gives states some power in setting immigration policy when they have been trying to push back against presidential decisions under both the Trump and Biden administrations.While Republicans control both chambers of Congress, 46 Democrats in the House and 12 Democrats in the Senate supported the measure.Why did most Democrats oppose it?Some have raised concerns that the bill would strip due process rights for migrants, including minors or recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.In the wake of tragedy we are seeing a fundamental erosion of our civil rights, said Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, a New York Democrat. In this bill, if a person is so much as accused of a crime, if someone wants to point a finger and accuse someone of shoplifting, they would be rounded up and put into a private detention camp and sent out for deportation without a day in court.Most Democrats criticized the lack of funding in the bill, arguing the new law would not solve immigration problems but would impose new requirements on federal authorities. Democrats on the Appropriations Committee estimate the bill would cost $83 billion over the next three years, according to a memo obtained by The Associated Press.Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said the bill is a totally unfunded mandate. Why did some Democrats back it?Democrats who supported it were mostly from five battleground states and said their constituents demanded more border security and supported deportations of migrants accused of crimes. Anyone who commits a crime should be held accountable. Thats why I voted to pass the Laken Riley Act, Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., said on social media after its passage. New Hampshire Democratic Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan and Virginia Sen. Mark Warner also supported the bill. Shaheen and Warner are each up for a fourth term next year.Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., who also backed the bill because he wants a secure border, was the first Senate Democrat to meet with Trump after the election. He has met with many of Trumps Cabinet picks and broken with his own party on some policy. Sen. Ruben Gallego, whose parents are immigrants from Mexico and Colombia, was just elected in November and became Arizonas first Latino senator. He said he supported the bill.We must give law enforcement the means to take action when illegal immigrants break the law, to prevent situations like what occurred to Laken Riley, he said in a statement. ADRIANA GOMEZ LICON Gomez Licon writes about national politics for The Associated Press. She is based in Florida. twitter mailto

White House staff secretary Will Scharf talks with President Donald Trump after he signed executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)2025-01-24T05:01:10Z WASHINGTON (AP) Those binders full of executive orders that President Donald Trump has been signing with a flourish and a wide-tipped Sharpie during his first week in office dont just magically appear before him. White House staff secretary Will Scharf has been a prominent part of the tableau, standing at Trumps side and teeing up the leather-bound folders, one by one, for the president. With the cameras rolling, Scharf provides running narration on what Trump is signing, at times leaning into a nearby microphone at the presidents direction. He was by Trumps side Thursday as the president signed orders and memoranda at the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office. And in the first hours of Trumps return to power, he was there with Trump at the Capitol, at a nearby rally and the White House as the president scrawled his name on stacks of orders implementing his agenda. Scharf doesnt just act the straight man as Trump talks up his orders, cracks jokes and fields questions from reporters. He also plays a key role in the White House, overseeing the flow of information and business coming to and from the president. A look at Scharf and his new job: The presidential in-boxThe staff secretarys job has traditionally involved managing the papers that cross the presidents desk. It serves almost as air traffic control for the West Wing tracking the drafting and approval of memos and statements as they work their way to the presidents desk and then out to the world.The StaffSec coordinates the work of the White House policy, communications and legal teams as information flows around the building, and traditionally is a neutral arbiter in policy debates.The staff secretary has nearly unparalleled visibility to the goings-on of the West Wing and leads one of the least-known but most impactful teams in a well-functioning White House. Who is Will Scharf?Scharf was a member of Trumps legal team before joining the new administration. He previously worked as a policy director for former Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens and on the campaign of 2016 Republican gubernatorial candidate Catherine Hanaway.He graduated from Princeton and Harvard Law School before moving to Missouri in 2011 to clerk for Judge Raymond Gruender on the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals. He also worked as an assistant U.S. attorney.Trump tapped Scharf to be his staff secretary in November, citing his experience as a lawyer on the future presidents criminal cases and Scharfs work during the first Trump presidency getting judges and justices confirmed. They included U.S. Supreme Court Justices Brett Kavanaugh who himself served as White House staff secretary for President George W. Bush and Amy Coney Barrett.He helped Trump fight his legal battlesScharf joined Trumps legal team in October 2023 and was one of the presidents lawyers in the election interference case brought by special counsel Jack Smith. The case went before the Supreme Court, which ruled that presidents enjoy sweeping immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts.Scharf is among several of Trumps lawyers who have been rewarded with spots in his new administration. Todd Blanche and Emil Bove, who defended Trump at his hush money criminal trial in New York, both got high-ranking Justice Department posts.Will Scharf is a brilliant legal mind who has extensive experience defending President Trump from the witch-hunts against him, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. Will is perfectly suited to help execute President Trumps agenda in this important role. Its not Scharfs first time in the public eyeScharfs spot by Trumps side as he rolled out his Day One executive actions was not his first time in public view. He has appeared on cable news and has written opinion columns discussing Trumps legal cases.In 2023, Scharf and Newsweek senior editor Josh Hammer co-founded a group called Jews Against Soros, launching a campaign arguing that criticism of George Soros, the billionaire Democratic donor and philanthropist, is not antisemitic.Scharf ran unsuccessfully for Missouri attorney general in 2024, losing to incumbent Andrew Bailey. His campaign included a memorable ad in which the mild-mannered lawyer appears to use a grenade launcher to fire on a pile of boxes that were labeled to look like they contained legal documents related to Trumps criminal cases.___Associated Press writer Eric Tucker contributed to this report. MICHELLE L. PRICE Price is a national political reporter for The Associated Press. She is based in New York. twitter mailto

Dania Hanatsheh, right, a former Palestinian prisoner who was released from an Israeli prison as part of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, poses for a photo at a reception for released prisoners, West Bank city of Ramallah, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)2025-01-24T05:22:21Z RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) When Dania Hanatsheh was released from an Israeli jail this week and dropped off by bus into a sea of jubilant Palestinians in Ramallah, it was an uncomfortable dj vu. Dania Hanatsheh, right, a former Palestinian prisoner who was released from an Israeli prison as part of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, poses for a photo at a reception for released prisoners, West Bank city of Ramallah, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean) Dania Hanatsheh, right, a former Palestinian prisoner who was released from an Israeli prison as part of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, poses for a photo at a reception for released prisoners, West Bank city of Ramallah, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean) Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Read More After nearly five months of detention, it was the second time the 22-year-old woman had been freed as part of a deal between Israel and Hamas to pause the war in Gaza.Hanatshehs elation at being free again is tinged with sadness about the devastation in Gaza, she said, as well as uncertainty about whether she could be detained in the future a common feeling in her community. Palestinian families are prepared to be arrested at any moment, said Hanatsheh, one of 90 women and teenagers released by Israel during the first phase of the ceasefire deal. You feel helpless like you cant do anything to protect yourself.Nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners are to be released as part of a deal to halt the fighting for six weeks, free 33 hostages from Gaza, and increase fuel and aid deliveries to the territory. Many of the prisoners to be released have been detained for infractions such as throwing stones or Molotov cocktails, while others are convicted of killing Israelis. Palestinian female prisoners, who were released from an Israeli prison as part of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, wave from inside a bus as they arrive in the West Bank city of Beitunia, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Leo Correa, File) Palestinian female prisoners, who were released from an Israeli prison as part of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, wave from inside a bus as they arrive in the West Bank city of Beitunia, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Leo Correa, File) Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Read More Hanatsheh was first arrested in November 2023, just weeks into the war triggered by Hamas deadly attack on Israel. She was freed days later during a weeklong ceasefire in which hundreds of Palestinians were released in exchange for nearly half of the roughly 250 hostages Hamas and others dragged into Gaza. She was detained again in August, when Israeli troops burst through her door, using an explosive, she said. On neither occasion was she told why shed been arrested, she said. A list maintained by Israels justice ministry says Hanatsheh was detained for supporting terror, although she was never charged or given a trial and doesnt belong to any militant group. Dunya Shtayyeh, center, was released from an Israeli prison as part of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, in the West Bank village of Salem, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed, File) Dunya Shtayyeh, center, was released from an Israeli prison as part of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, in the West Bank village of Salem, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed, File) Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Read More Her story resonates across Palestinian society, where nearly every family in Gaza, the West Bank and east Jerusalem has a relative who has spent time in an Israeli jail. This has left scars on generations of families, leaving fewer breadwinners and forcing children to grow up without one or both parents for long stretches. Since the start of the war 15 months ago, the number of Palestinians in Israeli jails has doubled to more than 10,000, a figure that includes detainees from Gaza, and several thousand arrested in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, according to Hamoked, an Israeli legal group. A female Palestinian prisoner in a wheelchair is greeted following her release from an Israeli prison, in the West Bank city of Beitunia, early Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Leo Correa, File) A female Palestinian prisoner in a wheelchair is greeted following her release from an Israeli prison, in the West Bank city of Beitunia, early Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Leo Correa, File) Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Read More Many prisoners are never told why they were detained. Israels administrative detention policy allows it to jail people as it did with Hanatsheh based on secret evidence, without publicly charging them or ever holding a trial. Only intelligence officers or judges know the charges, said Amjad Abu Asab, head of the Detainees Parents Committee in Jerusalem. Under the terms of the ceasefire, the Palestinian prisoners released by Israel cannot be later rearrested on the same charges, or returned to jail to finish serving time for past offenses. Prisoners are not required to sign any document upon their release. The conditions for Palestinian prisoners deteriorated greatly after the war in Gaza began. The countrys then-national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, boasted last year that prisons will no longer be summer camps under his watch.Several of the prisoners released this week said they lacked adequate food and medical care and that they were forced to sleep in cramped cells. Khalida Jarrar, 62, a leading member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, is greeted after disembarking from a bus following her release from an Israeli prison, in the West Bank city of Beitunia, early Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Leo Correa) Khalida Jarrar, 62, a leading member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, is greeted after disembarking from a bus following her release from an Israeli prison, in the West Bank city of Beitunia, early Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Leo Correa) Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Read More Men and women prisoners in Israel are routinely beaten and sprayed with pepper gas, and they are deprived of family visits or a change of clothes, said Khalida Jarrar, the most prominent detainee freed.For years, Jarrar, 62, has been in and out of prison as a leading member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a leftist faction with an armed wing that has carried out attacks on Israelis. Human Rights Watch has decried Jarrars repeated arrests she was last detained late in 2023 as part of an unjust Israeli crackdown on non-violent political opposition. At an event in Ramallah to welcome home the newly released prisoners, Jarrar greeted a long line of well- wishers. But not everyone was celebrating. Some families worried the ceasefire wouldnt last long enough for their relatives to be freed.During the ceasefires first phase, Israel and Hamas and mediators from Qatar, the U.S. and Egypt will try to agree upon a second phase, in which all remaining hostages in Gaza would be released in exchange for more Palestinian prisoners, a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a sustainable calm. Negotiations on the second phase begin on the sixteenth day of the ceasefire. A Palestinian prisoner is greeted after being released from an Israeli prison, in the West Bank city of Beitunia, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Leo Correa) A Palestinian prisoner is greeted after being released from an Israeli prison, in the West Bank city of Beitunia, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Leo Correa) Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Read More For Yassar Saadat, the first release of prisoners was a particularly bittersweet moment. His mother, Abla Abdelrasoul, was freed after being under administrative detention since September, according to the justice ministry, which said her crime was security to the state - other. But his father one of the most high-profile prisoners in Israel remains behind bars. We dont know if hell be released, but we dont lose hope, he said. His father, Ahmad Saadat, is a leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine who was convicted of killing an Israeli Cabinet minister in 2001 and has been serving a 30-year sentence.Its unclear if hell be released and, even if he is, whether hell be able to see his family. The ceasefire agreement says all Palestinian prisoners convicted of deadly attacks who are released will be exiled, either to Gaza or abroad, and barred from ever returning to Israel or the West Bank.The release of some convicted murderers is a sore spot for many Israelis, and particularly those whose relatives were killed.Micah Avnis father, Richard Lakin, was shot and stabbed to death by a member of Hamas on a public bus in 2015 and his killers name is on the list of prisoners to be freed in phase one. While Avni is grateful that more hostages in Gaza are beginning to come home, he doesnt believe itll lead to long-term peace between Israel and Hamas. A female Palestinian prisoner, facing the camera, is greeted after her release from an Israeli prison, in the West Bank city of Beitunia, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Leo Correa, File) A female Palestinian prisoner, facing the camera, is greeted after her release from an Israeli prison, in the West Bank city of Beitunia, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Leo Correa, File) Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Read More These deals come with a huge, huge cost of life and there are going to be many, many, many more people murdered in the future by the people who were released, he said.Israel has a history of agreeing to lopsided exchanges. In 2011, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to release more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for a single Israeli soldier, Gilad Schalit, taken hostage by Hamas. One of the prisoners released during that deal was Hamas former top leader, Yahya Sinwar, a mastermind of the Oct. 7 attack who was killed by Israeli troops in Gaza last year.Some Palestinians said the lopsided exchanges of prisoners for hostages is justified by Israels seemingly arbitrary detention policies. Others said, for now, all they want to focus on is lost time with their families. Amal Shujaeiah, a former Palestinian prisoner who was released from an Israeli prison as part of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, poses for a photo at her home in Dayr Jarir, West Bank, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean) Amal Shujaeiah, a former Palestinian prisoner who was released from an Israeli prison as part of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, poses for a photo at her home in Dayr Jarir, West Bank, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean) Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Read More Amal Shujaeiah, a former Palestinian prisoner who was released from an Israeli prison as part of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, embraces relatives at her home in Dayr Jarir, West Bank, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean) Amal Shujaeiah, a former Palestinian prisoner who was released from an Israeli prison as part of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, embraces relatives at her home in Dayr Jarir, West Bank, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean) Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Read More Amal Shujaeiah said she spent more than seven months in prison, accused by Israel of partaking in pro-Palestinian events at her university and hosting a podcast that talked about the war in Gaza.Back home, the 21-year-old beamed as she embraced friends and relatives.Today I am among my family and loved ones, indescribable joy ... a moment of freedom that makes you forget the sorrow. SAM MEDNICK Mednick is the West and Central Africa reporter for the Associated Press. She focuses on conflict, humanitarian crises and human rights abuses. twitter