WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve kept its key interest rate unchanged Wednesday for a third straight time, and its officials signaled that they expect to make three quarter-point cuts to their benchmark rate next year. The Fed’s message Wednesday strongly suggested that it is finished with rate hikes — after...
Costa Blasts Republican Decision to Start Impeachment Inquiry Into President Biden
WASHINGTON — The House on Wednesday authorized the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden, with every Republican rallying behind the politically charged process despite lingering concerns among some in the party that the investigation has yet to produce evidence of misconduct by the president. The 221-212 party-line vote put the entire House Republican conference...
Andre Braugher, Emmy-Winning Actor Who Starred in ‘Homicide’ and ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine,’ Dies at 61
LOS ANGELES — Andre Braugher, the Emmy-winning actor who would master gritty drama for seven seasons on "Homicide: Life on The Street” and modern comedy for eight on “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” died Monday at 61. Braugher died after a brief illness, his publicist Jennifer Allen told The Associated Press. No further details...
Hunter Biden Defies a GOP Congressional Subpoena. ‘He Just Got into More Trouble,’ Rep. Comer Says
WASHINGTON — Hunter Biden on Wednesday defied a congressional subpoena to appear privately for a deposition before Republican investigators who have been digging into his business dealings. He insisted he would only testify in public. The Democratic president’s son slammed the GOP-issued subpoena for the closed-door testimony, arguing that information from those interviews can...
Geminids Meteor Shower Peaks This Week Under Dark Skies
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — The year’s best meteor shower, the Geminids, peaks this week. Skygazers may see as many as one or even two a minute streaking across dark skies. The meteors will reach their frenzy Thursday. But Wednesday night should provide a cosmic spectacle as well. The moon is...
Stock Market Today: Wall Street Drifts Near Its Record Ahead of the Fed’s Announcement on Rates
NEW YORK — Wall Street is drifting near its all-time high Wednesday, ahead of an afternoon announcement from the Federal Reserve that could show whether all the optimism is warranted. The S&P 500 was 0.2% higher in morning trading and is 3% below its record set early last year. The...
The White House Is Hosting Nearly 100 US Lawmakers to Brainstorm Gun Violence Prevention Strategies
WASHINGTON — The White House is hosting nearly 100 lawmakers from around the country on Wednesday to work on how their states can try to reduce gun violence. The gun violence prevention office, the first of its kind, was launched this year by President Joe Biden. It has formulated a set...
House Set for Key Vote on Biden Impeachment Inquiry as Republicans Unite Behind Investigation
WASHINGTON — The House is pushing toward a vote Wednesday to formally authorize the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden as Republicans rally behind the charged process despite lingering concerns among some in the party that the investigation has yet to produce evidence of misconduct by the president. The vote comes as House...
Amid Outcry Over Gaza Tactics, Videos of Soldiers Acting Maliciously Create New Headache for Israel
JERUSALEM — Israeli soldiers rummaging through private homes in Gaza. Forces destroying plastic figurines in a toy store, or trying to burn food and water supplies in the back of an abandoned truck. Troops with their arms slung around each other, chanting racist slogans as they dance in a circle....
Tesla Recalls Nearly All Vehicles Sold in US to Fix System That Monitors Drivers Using Autopilot
DETROIT — Tesla is recalling nearly all of the vehicles it sold in the U.S., more than 2 million across its model lineup, to fix a defective system that’s supposed to ensure drivers are paying attention when they use Autopilot. Documents posted Wednesday by U.S. safety regulators say the company...