WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve raised its key interest rate Wednesday for the 11th time in 17 months, a streak of hikes that are intended to curb inflation but that also carry the risk of going too far and triggering a recession. The move lifted the Fed’s benchmark short-term rate...
Hunter Biden Plea Deal on Tax Charges Falls Through After Judge Expresses Concern About Agreement
WILMINGTON, Del. — President Joe Biden’s son Hunter's plea deal on two tax charges fell apart on Wednesday after the federal judge hearing his case expressed concern over a related agreement on a more serious gun possession charge. The outcome leaves open, at least temporarily, the yearslong investigation into Hunter Biden’s...
South Florida Waters Hit Hot Tub Level and May Have Set World Record for Warmest Seawater
The water temperature around the tip of Florida has hit triple digits — hot tub levels — two days in a row. Meteorologists say it could be the hottest seawater ever measured, although some questions about the reading remain. Scientists are already seeing devastating effects from prolonged hot water surrounding...
Auto-Loan Rejections Are Up as Fed Keeps Raising Interest Rates
NEW YORK — The Federal Reserve’s expected move Wednesday to raise interest rates for the 11th time could once again send ripple effects across the economy. Mortgage rates, which have surged since the Fed began lifting rates in March 2022, could rise further. So could rates on credit cards and...
Mega Millions Jackpot Rises to $910 Million After No One Wins Top Prize
The Mega Millions jackpot climbed to an estimated $910 million after Tuesday night’s drawing produced no big winners, extending a stretch of bad luck dating back to April. The numbers drawn were: 3, 5, 6, 44, 61 and the yellow ball 25 The absence of a winner for the estimated...
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy Floats an Impeachment Inquiry Into President Joe Biden
WASHINGTON — House Speaker Kevin McCarthy says Republican lawmakers may consider an impeachment inquiry of President Joe Biden over unproven claims of financial misconduct, responding to enormous GOP pressure to demonstrate support for Donald Trump ahead of the 2024 presidential election. In remarks Tuesday at the Capitol, McCarthy said the questions House...
US Faces Much Tougher Opponent in Second Women’s World Cup Match
AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Now that the United States women have won equal pay with their male counterparts, there's no need for their supporters to again chant for fairness when the Americans play the Netherlands on Thursday in their rematch of the 2019 Women's World Cup final. The Americans defeated the...
Biden Administration Sues Texas Governor Over Rio Grande Barrier Meant to Stop Migrants
AUSTIN, Texas — The Justice Department on Monday sued Texas Gov. Greg Abbott over a newly installed floating barrier on the Rio Grande that is the Republican's latest aggressive tactic to try to stop migrants from crossing into the U.S. from Mexico. The lawsuit asks a federal judge in Austin to...
Israeli Military Kills 3 Palestinian Gunmen in Volatile West Bank
NABLUS, West Bank — The Israeli military said it shot and killed three Palestinian gunmen in the northern occupied West Bank on Tuesday, the latest bloodshed in one of the most violent stretches of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in years. Israeli security forces said they opened fire at Palestinian militants who...
A Russian Fighter Jet Fired Flares at a US Drone Over Syria and Damaged It, the US Military Says
WASHINGTON — A Russian fighter jet flew within a few meters of a U.S. drone over Syria and fired flares at it, striking the American aircraft and damaging it, the U.S. military said Tuesday, the latest in a string of aggressive intercepts by Russia in the region. A senior Air...