Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey stepping down as CEO
Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey will step down as CEO of the social media platform, the company announced.
Merriam-Webster chooses vaccine as the 2021 word of the year
With an expanded definition to reflect the times, Merriam-Webster has declared an omnipresent truth as its 2021 word of the year: vaccine.
Egypt unveils renovated 'Avenue of the Sphinxes' in Luxor
LUXOR, Egypt (AP) — Egyptian authorities were unveiling Thursday a renovated ancient promenade in the city of Luxor dating back 3,000 years, the latest government project undertaken to highlight the country’s archaeological treasures. Egypt has struggled to revive its tourism…
EXPLAINER: What is this new COVID variant in South Africa?
LONDON (AP) — WHAT IS THIS NEW COVID-19 VARIANT? South African scientists identified a new version of the coronavirus this week that they say is behind a recent spike in COVID-19 infections in Gauteng, the country’s most populous province. It's…
Some states dropping 'dehumanizing' terms for immigrants
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Luz Rivas remembers seeing the word on her mother’s residency card as a child: “alien.” In the stark terms of the government, it signaled her mother was not yet a citizen of the U.S. But to…
COVID variant spreads to more countries as world on alert
LONDON (AP) — The new potentially more contagious omicron variant of the coronavirus popped up in more European countries on Saturday, just days after being identified in South Africa, leaving governments around the world scrambling to stop the spread. The…
High inflation? Low polling? White House blames the pandemic
WASHINGTON (AP) — Inflation is soaring, businesses are struggling to hire and President Joe Biden’s poll numbers have been in free fall. The White House sees a common culprit for it all: COVID-19. Biden’s team views the pandemic as the root cause of both the…
Donations pour in for Missouri man freed after 43 years
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — More than $1.4 million had been raised as of Saturday for a man who spent 43 years behind bars before a judge overturned his conviction in a triple killing. The Midwest Innocence Project set up the GoFundMe…
Georgia outlines plans to improve slow pace of rental help
ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia officials struggling to distribute federal funds to prevent evictions have outlined plans to increase the speed at which they get the money to landlords and renters. The improvement plans were submitted last week to the U.S.…
Oregon-born gray wolf dies after 'epic' California trek
An Oregon-born gray wolf that thrilled biologists as it journeyed far south into California was found dead after apparently being struck by a vehicle.
All 3 defendants found guilty of murdering Ahmaud Arbery
All three men charged in the death of Ahmaud Arbery were convicted of murder Wednesday.
US jobless claims hit 52-year low after seasonal adjustments
The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits plummeted last week to the lowest level in more than half a century.
Jury awards millions in damages for Unite the Right violence
In a mixed verdict, a jury awarded more than $25 million in damages Tuesday against white nationalist leaders and organizations for violence that erupted during the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville.
Kevin Spacey ordered to pay $31M for 'House of Cards' losses
Kevin Spacey and his production companies must pay the studio behind “House of Cards” more than $30 million because of losses brought on by his firing for sexual misconduct.
Feds seek to protect map turtles in 4 Gulf states, Georgia
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Monday that it is proposing threatened status for the Pearl River map turtle, seeking to grant added federal protections to an at-risk species found only in Louisiana and Mississippi.
US to release 50 million barrels of oil to ease energy costs
President Joe Biden on Tuesday ordered 50 million barrels of oil released from the nation's strategic reserve to help bring down energy costs, in coordination with other major energy consuming nations, including China, India and the United Kingdom.
6 children hurt in parade crash in critical condition
At least six children injured when an SUV plowed through a Christmas parade in suburban Milwaukee are listed in critical condition. At least five people were killed and more than 40 hurt in the tragedy Sunday.
October existing home sales hit fastest pace since January
Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes ticked higher in October, marking their strongest pace since January even as competition for relatively few properties on the market pushed prices higher.
How COVID shots for kids help prevent dangerous new variants
Estimates show that for this November through March 12, 2022, vaccinating 5- to 11-year-olds would avert about 430,000 COVID cases in the overall U.S. population if no new variant arose.
Official: More than 90% of fed workers got shots by deadline
More than 90% of federal workers received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by Monday's deadline set by President Joe Biden.
Target to keep stores closed on Thanksgiving for good
Target will no longer open its stores on Thanksgiving Day, making permanent a shift to the unofficial start of the holiday season that was suspended during the pandemic.
New hurdle for COVID-19 home testing -- the holiday season
WASHINGTON (AP) — Millions more home tests for COVID-19 are hitting store shelves, but will there be enough for Americans hoping to screen themselves before holiday gatherings? Gone are last year's long lines to get tested, thanks to nearly a…
As tourism brightens, Times Square hopes to regain luster
NEW YORK (AP) — David Cohen has been yearning for a return to the days when business boomed at his family's souvenir shop in Times Square. While tourists have begun returning, foot traffic into Grand Slam souvenirs is still not…
Rittenhouse verdict puts Biden in difficult political spot
WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — A difficult political atmosphere for President Joe Biden may have become even more treacherous with the acquittal of Kyle Rittenhouse. Biden was already facing sliding poll numbers with an electorate worn down by the coronavirus pandemic…
