NEW YORK — Pam Bondi, the former Florida attorney general, was chosen Thursday by Donald Trump to serve as U.S. attorney general hours after his first choice, Matt Gaetz, withdrew from consideration after a federal sex trafficking investigation and ethics probe made his ability to be confirmed dubious. The 59-year-old...
North Korean Leader Says Past Diplomacy Only Confirmed US Hostility
SEOUL, South Korea — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said his past negotiations with the United States only confirmed Washington's "unchangeable" hostility toward Pyongyang and described his nuclear buildup as the only way to counter external threats, state media said Friday. Kim spoke Thursday at a defense exhibition where...
Democrats Strike Deal to Get More Biden Judges Confirmed Before Congress Adjourns
WASHINGTON — The Senate won't hold votes on four of President Joe Biden's appellate court nominees as part of a deal with Republicans to allow for speedier consideration of other judicial nominations and bring Biden within striking distance of the 234 total judicial confirmations that occurred during President-elect Donald Trump's...
President Biden Welcomes 2024 NBA Champion Boston Celtics to White House
WASHINGTON — The White House was tinted green on Thursday, when President Joe Biden — secret service code name: Celtic — welcomed "Coach Joe" Mazzulla and the Boston Celtics to the South Lawn to celebrate the franchise's unprecedented 18th NBA championship. In a tradition believed to have begun when Bill...
Ohtani Makes History With 3rd MVP, Judge Claims 2nd AL Honor
NEW YORK — Shohei Ohtani won his third Most Valuable Player Award and first in the National League, and Aaron Judge earned his second American League honor on Thursday. Ohtani's Unanimous Victory Ohtani was a unanimous MVP for the third time, receiving all 30 first-place votes and 420 points in...
Trump Chooses Pam Bondi for Attorney General Pick After Gaetz Withdraws
WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday named Pam Bondi, the former attorney general of Florida, to be U.S. attorney general just hours after his other choice, Matt Gaetz, withdrew his name. Bondi is a longtime Trump ally and was one of his lawyers during his first impeachment trial when...
Average Rate on a 30-Year Mortgage in the US Rises to Highest Level Since July
The average rate on a 30-year mortgage in the U.S. edged closer to 7% this week, climbing to its highest level since July. The rate rose to 6.84% from 6.78% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. That's still down from a year ago, when the rate averaged 7.29%....
Cutting in Line? American Airlines’ New Boarding Tech Might Stop You at Now Over 100 Airports
NEW YORK — Sneaking a little ahead of line to get on that plane faster? American Airlines might stop you. In an apparent effort to reduce the headaches caused by airport line cutting, American has rolled out boarding technology that alerts gate agents with an audible sound if a passenger...
MLB Will Test Robot Umpires at 13 Spring Training Ballparks Hosting 19 Teams
NEW YORK — Major League Baseball will test robot umpires as part of a challenge system during spring training at 13 ballparks hosting 19 teams, which could lead to regular-season use in 2026. MLB has been experimenting with the automated ball-strike system in the minor leagues since 2019 but is...
Death Toll in Gaza From Israel-Hamas War Passes 44,000, Palestinian Officials Say
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — The death toll in the Gaza Strip from the 13-month-old war between Israel and Hamas has surpassed 44,000, local health officials said Thursday. The Gaza Health Ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count, but it has said that more than half...