The University of Southern California canceled its main stage graduation ceremony Thursday as college officials across the U.S. worried that ongoing campus protests against the Israel-Hamas war could disrupt May commencement ceremonies. Police Activity During Protests Some universities called in police to break up the demonstrations, resulting in ugly scuffles and dozens...
US Growth Slows Sharply Amid High Interest Rates and Inflation
WASHINGTON — The nation’s economy slowed sharply last quarter to a 1.6% annual pace in the face of high interest rates, but consumers — the main driver of economic growth — kept spending at a solid pace. Commerce Department Report Thursday’s report from the Commerce Department said the gross domestic...
Lawyer Says Iran Rapper Famous for Songs After 2022 Killing of Mahsa Amini Sentenced to Death
JERUSALEM — A rapper in Iran who came to fame over his lyrics about the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini and criticizing the Islamic Republic has been sentenced to death, his lawyer and rights activists said Thursday. Confusion still surrounds the death sentence issued against 33-year-old metal shop worker Toomaj...
Supreme Court Seems Skeptical of Trump’s Claim of Absolute Immunity But Decision’s Timing Is Unclear
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Thursday appeared likely to reject former President Donald Trump’s claim of absolute immunity from prosecution over election interference, but it seemed possible Trump could still benefit from a lengthy trial delay, possibly beyond November’s election. Chief Justice John Roberts was among at least five...
Hamas Official: We’ll Put Down Arms if an Independent Palestine Is Created
ISTANBUL — A top Hamas political official told The Associated Press the Islamic militant group is willing to agree to a truce of five years or more with Israel and that it would lay down its weapons and convert into a political party if an independent Palestinian state is established...
Tennessee Legislators Join Movement Permitting Teachers to Carry Guns in Schools
Some public school teachers in Tennessee could gain new powers to carry concealed guns into the classroom, a year after a deadly school shooting in the state's capital city stirred impassioned debate about the best ways to curb such violence. The Republican-led Legislature in Tennessee gave final approval to the legislation Tuesday, just days...
Strict New EPA Rules Would Force Coal-Fired Power Plants to Capture Emissions or Shut Down
WASHINGTON — Coal-fired power plants would be forced to capture smokestack emissions or shut down under a rule issued Thursday by the Environmental Protection Agency. New limits on greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel-fired electric plants are the Biden administration's most ambitious effort yet to roll back planet-warming pollution from...
Jayden Daniels Downplays Issues With Commanders, Says He’d Be ‘Blessed’ to Go No. 2 Overall
DETROIT — Jayden Daniels handled the media with the same poise and command he displays in the pocket. Asked a few times about speculation that he doesn’t want to play for Washington and whether he prefers going to another team, Daniels understandably took a diplomatic approach one day before the...
Ex-State Department Official: Israeli Military Gets Preferential Treatment on Abuses
WASHINGTON — A former senior U.S. official who until recently helped oversee human-rights compliance by foreign militaries receiving American military assistance said Wednesday that he repeatedly observed Israel receiving “special treatment” from U.S. officials when it came to scrutiny of allegations of Israeli military abuses of Palestinian civilians. Former U.S....
Down 2-0, the 76ers, Magic & Lakers Hope for Homecourt Lift
Joel Embiid and the 76ers had just dropped two straight playoff games in New York that left them feeling like — well, like their playoff series against the Knicks was far from over. “We’re going to win this series," Embiid said. A bold statement from last season's NBA MVP, for...