American consumers felt more confident in August as their outlook for the future improved. Confidence Index Rose The Conference Board, a business research group, said Tuesday that its consumer confidence index rose to 103.3 in August from 101.9 in July. The index measures both Americans’ assessment of current economic conditions...
Zuckerberg Alleges Biden Officials Pressured Facebook to Censor COVID-19 Content
WASHINGTON — Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg says senior Biden administration officials pressured Facebook to “censor” some COVID-19 content during the pandemic and vowed that the social media giant would push back if it faced such demands again. In a letter to Rep. Jim Jordan, the Republican chair of the House...
Coco Gauff Begins Her US Open Title Defense With an Easy Win After a Two-Match Losing Streak
NEW YORK — The chant rang out in cavernous Arthur Ashe Stadium on Monday at the U.S. Open before Coco Gauff's first service game of her first match of her first Grand Slam tournament as a defending champion: "Here we go, Coco! Here we go!" Coming to Flushing Meadows off...
Israeli Military Says It Has Rescued Another Hostage Abducted in Hamas’ Oct. 7 Attack
JERUSALEM — The Israeli military said Tuesday it rescued a hostage from an underground tunnel in Gaza, freeing one of the scores of people abducted during the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas that ignited the war in Gaza. The rescue brought a rare moment of joy to Israelis amid 10...
Which 2024 California Bills Will Gov. Newsom Sign Into Law?
For California laws, the buck does really stop at Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk. While the Legislature approves hundreds of bills each session — and will add to that list before adjourning Saturday — Newsom decides whether they become law. As of Aug. 15, Newsom had signed 164 bills and vetoed four....
It’s Official, the Census Says: Gay Male Couples Like San Francisco. Lesbians Like the Berkshires
Gay male couples tend to gravitate toward big cities on the U.S. coasts, while lesbian couples tend to prefer smaller, more pastoral cities or towns, according to 2020 census figures that reinforce some preconceived notions about LGBTQ+ communities in the U.S. Counties with the highest concentrations of male same-sex couple...
Ukraine Claims Control of 500 Square Miles in Kursk, Captures 594 Russian Troops
KYIV, Ukraine — The chief of Ukraine’s army said Tuesday that the country’s troops have gained control of nearly 1,300 square kilometers (500 square miles) of Russia’s Kursk region since their surprise incursion three weeks ago. Ukraine Captured 594 Russian Prisoners Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi also said that Ukraine has captured...
Harris Launches Ad Highlighting Plans to Build 3 Million Homes, Reduce Inflation
WASHINGTON — Vice President Kamala Harris has a new advertising push to draw attention to her plan to build 3 million new homes over four years, a move designed to contain inflationary pressures that also draws a sharp contrast to Republican Donald Trump's approach. Harris, the Democratic nominee for president,...
The New COVID Vaccine Is Out. Why You Might Not Want to Rush to Get It.
The FDA has approved an updated COVID shot for everyone 6 months old and up, which renews a now-annual quandary for Americans: Get the shot now, with the latest COVID outbreak sweeping the country, or hold it in reserve for the winter wave? The new vaccine should provide some protection...
Receiver CeeDee Lamb Agrees to 4-Year, $136M Deal With Cowboys, AP Sources Say
FRISCO, Texas — CeeDee Lamb's monthslong holdout with the Dallas Cowboys is over, and the All-Pro receiver is a close second to Justin Jefferson as the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. Lamb and the Cowboys agreed Monday on a $136 million, four-year contract with $100 million guaranteed, three people familiar...