WASHINGTON — The Republican-controlled Senate on Wednesday confirmed Lee Zeldin to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, a key role to help President Donald Trump fulfill his pledge to roll back major environmental regulations, including those aimed at slowing climate change and encouraging use of electric vehicles. The vote was 56-42...
Trump’s Orders Aim at Critical Race Theory and Antisemitism on Campuses
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is ordering U.S. schools to stop teaching what he views as "critical race theory" and other material dealing with race and sexuality or risk losing their federal money. A separate plan announced Wednesday calls for aggressive action to fight antisemitism on college campuses, promising to...
At Signing of Laken Riley Act, Trump Says He Plans to Send Migrants in US Illegally to Guantanamo
WASHINGTON — At the signing of the Laken Riley Act, President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he is directing the opening of a detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to hold up to 30,000 migrants who are living illegally in the United States and cannot be deported to their home...
Ex-New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez Sentenced to 11 Years in Prison for Bribery Conviction
NEW YORK — Former U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez was sentenced to 11 years in prison Wednesday for accepting bribes of cash and gold bars and serving as an agent of Egypt as he sold influence to businessmen eager to exploit his political power. U.S. District Judge Sidney H. Stein in...
Tyrese Maxey Scores 43 to Lift 76ers Past LeBron, Lakers 118-104
PHILADELPHIA — Tyrese Maxey scored 43 points to lead a Philadelphia 76ers team without injured Joel Embiid and Paul George to a 118-104 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night. Last season's NBA Most Improved Player, Maxey continued his recent hot scoring streak as he tries to keep...
Dennis Schroder Scores 23 Points as Warriors Beat Jazz 114-103
SAN FRANCISCO — Dennis Schroder scored 23 points with five 3-pointers, Brandin Podziemski contributed 20 points off the bench with Stephen Curry sitting out to rest his troublesome knees, and the Golden State Warriors beat the stumbling Utah Jazz 114-103 on Tuesday night. Collin Sexton matched his season high with...
Hamas Will Free 3 Israelis and 5 Thais in Next Hostage Release Thursday
JERUSALEM — Hamas will release three Israelis, including two women and an 80-year-old man, as well as five Thai nationals during the next hostage release set for Thursday, Israel and Hamas said Wednesday as their tenuous ceasefire moves ahead. The Israeli women are Arbel Yehoud, 29, and Agam Berger, 20,...
Study Says Climate Change Made Conditions That Fed California Wildfires More Likely, More Intense
WASHINGTON — Human-caused climate change increased the likelihood and intensity of the hot, dry and windy conditions that fanned the flames of the recent devastating Southern California wildfires, a scientific study found. But the myriad of causes that go into the still smoldering fires are complex, so the level of...
Tax Season Has Begun. Here’s When You’ll Get Your Refund
NEW YORK — Tax season is underway, and the IRS expects 140 million people will file returns by April 15. The agency has also debuted a new online tool to help taxpayers check the status of any refund they may be entitled to. President Donald Trump this week offered all...
RFK Jr. Struggles to Answer Questions on Medicare and Medicaid at Hearing
WASHINGTON — In a contentious confirmation hearing to be the nation's top health official, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. struggled to answer questions about how he would reform Medicaid or Medicare, the government health care programs used by millions of disabled, poor and older Americans. Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana,...