Twin suicide bombings rock central Baghdad, at least 28 dead
The rare suicide bombing attack hit the Bab al-Sharqi commercial area in central Baghdad amid heightened political tensions over planned early elections and a severe economic crisis.
National News
Jackpot winner in $730 million Powerball sold in Maryland
Winning numbers for Wednesday night’s Powerball drawing were: 40-53-60-68-69 and a Powerball of 22.
No-go for Joe Exotic: Trump pardon list omits ‘Tiger King’
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – One name missing in President Donald Trump’s flurry of pardons is “Tiger King” Joe Exotic. The zookeeper-turned-reality-TV-star is now serving a 22-year federal prison sentence in Texas. His backers were so confident in a pardon that they readied a limousine and a hair and wardrobe team for Joe Exotic, whose real […]
Mets fire GM after he sent explicit texts to female reporter
By MIKE FITZPATRICK AP Baseball Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Mets general manager Jared Porter was fired Tuesday after sending graphic, uninvited text messages and images to a female reporter in 2016 when he was working for the Chicago Cubs…
Sources: Trump expected to issue around 100 pardons
Experts say some pardons Trump could issue would lower his approval rating even more. (CNN) — Before leaving office Wednesday, President Trump is planning a pardoning spree as one of his final acts. Sources say Trump is expected to grant clemency to nearly 100 people after an intense lobbying campaign by former administration officials, political […]
Panel: China, World Health Organization should have acted quicker to stop pandemic
It also declined to call out WHO for its failure to more sharply criticize countries for their missteps instead of lauding countries for their response efforts.
FBI vetting Guard troops in DC amid fears of insider attack
U.S. defense officials say they are worried about an insider attack or other threat from service members involved in securing President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day: 5 surprising facts about the civil rights hero
By Stephen Sorace Martin Luther King Jr. carved his way into history as a civil rights hero whose influence and legacy continue to inspire people around the world more than half a century after his death. While the civil rights…
Phil Spector, famed music producer and murderer, dies at 81
Phil Spector, the eccentric and revolutionary music producer who transformed rock music with his “Wall of Sound” method and who later was convicted of murder, has died. He was 81.
Trump administration carries out 13th and final execution
The 48-year-old Higgs was convicted in the killings of three women in a Maryland wildlife refuge. He was the third inmate to receive a lethal injection this week at the federal prison in Terre Haute, Indiana.
Mega Millions jackpot jumps to $750 million ahead of Friday night drawing
The second largest jackpot in Mega Millions history is up for grabs on Friday, January 15 – an estimated $750 million, or $550.6 million cash. The jackpot continues to roll after no ticket matched all six numbers drawn Tuesday night…
Biden picks Samantha Power, former UN envoy, for US aid post
Power served as U.N. ambassador from 2013 to 2017.
TikTok tightens privacy features for younger users
Setting changes begin Wednesday
US carries out its 1st execution of female inmate since 1953
Lisa Montgomery was pronounced dead at 1:31 a.m. Wednesday after receiving a lethal injection at the federal prison complex in Terre Haute, Indiana.
US will require all arriving passengers to get COVID-19 test
Anyone flying to the U.S. will soon need to show proof of a negative test for COVID-19.
Pence rules out invoking 25th Amendment on Trump
Vice President Mike Pence is ruling out invoking the 25th Amendment to remove President Donald Trump from power, less than a week after the president fomented the violent insurrection at the Capitol.
State Department investigating website ‘prank’ involving Trump bio page
The State Department is investigating what appears to be a “prank” after its website suggested President Donald Trump’s term would end Monday evening.
Acting Homeland Security chief Wolf is resigning
Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf is stepping down from his post, days after criticizing President Donald Trump over the riot at the U.S. Capitol.
With virus surging, Biden to speed release of COVID vaccines
By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR and ZEKE MILLER WASHINGTON (AP) - President-elect Joe Biden will be taking a new direction to speed release of coronavirus vaccines when he assumes office Jan. 20. His office said Friday Biden would curtail the current practice…
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos resigns after Capitol insurrection
WASHINGTON (AP)-Education Secretary Betsy DeVos has become the second Cabinet secretary to resign a day after a pro-Trump insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. In a resignation letter Thursday, DeVos blamed President Donald Trump for inflaming tensions in the violent assault…
President Donald Trump condemns Capitol riot, concedes to Biden
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump is conceding to President-elect Joe Biden and condemning the violent supporters who stormed the nation’s Capitol Wednesday. In a new video message, Trump says that now that Congress has certified the results, the “new…
Donald Trump banned from Facebook and Instagram "indefinitely," Mark Zuckerberg announces
(WXXV) — Facebook and Instagram will block President Donald Trump from posting from his account for an indefinite amount of time and at least until President-elect Joe Biden assumes the Oval Office. The decision comes after Facebook on Wednesday said it…
AP PHOTOS: Scenes of violence at U.S. Capitol shock world
WASHINGTON (AP) — Pro-Trump protesters breached the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday afternoon, violently clashing with law enforcement as lawmakers were gathered inside to formalize President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in November’s presidential election. Law enforcement instructed lawmakers to retrieve masks from…
Trump says his term is ending, transition will be orderly
Trump issued a statement early Thursday acknowledging his term in office is coming to a close just minutes after Congress certified his loss to Biden.