LAHAINA, Hawaii — An emergency official who defended a decision to not sound outdoor alert sirens on Maui as a ferocious fire raged has resigned. Maui Emergency Management Agency Administrator Herman Andaya had said this week that he had no regrets about not deploying the system because he feared it...
Hurricane Hilary Grows off Mexico, Could Reach California as Very Rare Tropical Storm
MEXICO CITY — Hurricane Hilary grew rapidly to Category 4 strength off Mexico’s Pacific coast on Friday and could reach Southern California as the first tropical storm there in 84 years, causing “significant and rare impacts” including extensive flooding. The U.S. National Hurricane Center said a tropical storm watch has...
Israel Clinches Largest-Ever Defense Deal With Germany for $3.5 Billion After Securing US Approval
JERUSALEM — Israel's Defense Ministry said Thursday it has secured its largest-ever defense deal selling a sophisticated missile defense system to Germany for $3.5 billion after the United States approved the deal. Although Israel has long had close economic and military links with western European countries, the deal with Germany...
Ex-Mayor to Plead Guilty in Federal Corruption Case Over Anaheim Baseball Stadium Sale
Santa Ana, Calif. — The former mayor of Anaheim agreed Wednesday to plead guilty to obstructing an FBI corruption investigation into the $150 million sale of Angel Stadium to the owner of the Major League Baseball team, federal prosecutors announced. Harish “Harry” Singh Sidhu acknowledged in a plea agreement that...
A Resilient Stock Market Helped Boost Gains for 401(K) Savers in The First Half of 2023
LOS ANGELES — A resilient stock market helped boost gains for savers with retirement accounts through the first half of this year. The State of 401(K) Plans The average 401(k) plan balance stood at $112,400 at the end of the second quarter, an increase of 4% from the first quarter...
Air Force Awards Start-Up $235 Million for Sleek New Plane Prototype
The U.S. Air Force will invest $235 million to help a start-up manufacturer build a jet with a blended-wing body that officials say could provide greater range and efficiency for military tankers and cargo planes and perhaps eventually be used to carry airline passengers. JetZero and the Air Force, which...
Average Mortgage Rate Climbs to Highest Level in More Than 20 Years
The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate climbed this week to its highest level in more than 20 years, pushing up borrowing costs for homebuyers already challenged by a housing market that remains competitive due to a dearth of homes for sale. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday that the average...
US Women’s National Team Coach Resigns After Early World Cup Exit
U.S. women's national team coach Vlatko Andonovski has resigned, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on Wednesday. The move comes less than two weeks after the Americans were knocked out of the Women's World Cup earlier than ever before. The person spoke to the AP on condition of...
Though Unused on Maui, Paradise Deploys Warning Sirens in Rebuilding After Devastating Fire
PARADISE, Calif. — California residents driven from their homes by one of the deadliest wildfires in recent history had one request before they would rebuild in the small mountain town of Paradise: warning sirens to bolster town emergency systems that failed some people before the fast-moving inferno that killed 85....
Biden’s Approval Rating on the Economy Stagnates Despite Slowing Inflation
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden has devoted the past several weeks to promoting the positive impacts of his policies — but his efforts have yet to meaningfully register with the public. Only 36% of U.S. adults approve of Biden’s handling of the economy, slightly lower than the 42% who approve...