AP News is in the mix for ongoing crises and updates (Portland gym blast, Queens explosion, Bolsonaro sentence cut). For bio: AP News is the wire service behind the headlines.
Strong storms caused damage in Louisiana, overturning vehicles and damaging infrastructure. The storm system is moving into Georgia and Florida. Meanwhile, the Northeast begins to thaw after a prolonged cold spell, and California faces heavy snow and rain. No fatalities reported.
Jon Rahm publicly opposes the European tour's new deal requiring LIV Golf players to pay fines and participate in additional events. He refuses to accept the terms, citing concerns over player autonomy and fairness. The dispute could affect his Ryder Cup eligibility as he continues competing in LIV Golf Hong Kong.
Amid rising costs, gardeners are encouraged to repurpose household items for gardening. Tips include using household containers as seed pots, making organic fertilizers from kitchen scraps, and building affordable raised beds to start or expand gardens, especially as the growing season begins.
The ongoing conflict in Iran and the Strait of Hormuz has caused significant market volatility. Oil prices surged past $120 per barrel amid fears of prolonged disruption, while US stocks fluctuated sharply. Experts warn that escalation could lead to a major oil shock and economic stagflation.
Temperatures have reached near-record highs across the US, with many areas experiencing 90°F+ in April. The heat is lasting longer than typical for this time of year, following severe storms in the Midwest. Experts warn this pattern is linked to climate change and will likely continue into the weekend.
Temperatures across the US have reached near-record highs for April, with many areas experiencing 90-degree weather. The heat is lasting longer than typical for this time of year, driven by high-pressure systems. Experts warn this will increase health risks, especially for vulnerable populations, and will continue into the weekend.
Jessica Mann has returned to the witness stand in Manhattan, testifying for a third time that Harvey Weinstein forced himself on her in a March 2013 hotel encounter. Defense lawyers are cross-examining her about emails, a contemporaneous cellphone note and ongoing friendly messages; Weinstein has denied nonconsensual sex and remains in custody.
Overnight votes and procedural delays have continued to shape a fraught legislative calendar, with lawmakers wrestling over funding for Homeland Security, FISA surveillance extensions, and immigration enforcement. Despite bipartisan breakthroughs in some bills, the broader funding and surveillance packages face uncertain paths as chambers push to reconcile competing demands.
A small boat carrying 82 people has run aground near Hardelot after its engine failed overnight; two young women have been found dead inside the vessel and 16 people were rescued at sea. Dozens are injured, including three with severe burns; French authorities have opened an investigation while the UK-France policing deal is being rolled out.
The number of missing or dead scientists has grown to at least 12, with FBI and congressional investigations underway. Experts caution against drawing connections amid online speculation, while lawmakers and officials review potential links and motives behind the cases.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has released a report on the deaths of 31 sloths from Guyana and Peru during shipments linked to Sloth World in Orlando. The facility has renamed to Sloth World Inc. after a stop-work order and is under investigation for care and permit issues. The animals faced cold exposure and other health problems, raising concerns about oversight of tourist attractions centering on sloths.
Prices have climbed at the fastest pace in nearly three years, driven by a 21% March spike in gasoline costs amid the Iran conflict. GDP growth is steady, while consumer spending and business investment show divergent signals; the central banks face a policy dilemma as inflation pressures mount.
A 55-year-old German postal worker is back on her nine‑metre barge delivering mail and packages along Lehde’s waterways as the spring season resumes. She has been doing this for 14 years, navigating the Spreewald’s canal network and selling stamps, with letters giving way to more packages as shipments rise.
An 18-year-old has been charged in Singapore after a video showed him licking a straw from a juice vending machine and placing it back. He faces mischief and public nuisance charges; a court has granted him travel permission for a school trip, and he is due back in court later this month. The vending operator has replaced all straws and will upgrade its machines.
Three recent incidents involve a bus crash in South Sumatra, a Paris-area river plunge by a trainee driver, and a Seine incident prompting internal reviews. Authorities report fatalities in Indonesia and no serious injuries in France, with investigations underway into causes and safety measures.
A gunman wearing a gray‑white hoodie, gloves and a mask has shot two U.S. Bank employees in Berea, Kentucky. Authorities are pursuing leads, with law enforcement, the FBI and other agencies involved. Schools were briefly locked down as the investigation continues. The bank has expressed condolences and support for victims’ families.
China’s zero-tariff treatment has been extended to 20 additional African countries, bringing the scheme to 53 of Africa’s 54 nations. Eswatini remains excluded due to its diplomatic ties with Taiwan. Analysts say gains are limited, but the move signals Beijing’s openness push and aims to boost Africa‑China trade.
A vehicle packed with propane tanks and pipe bombs has destroyed the Multnomah Athletic Club in Portland after crashing into the lobby before dawn. The driver has died in the incident. Authorities say the club is closed and conducting a joint investigation with local and federal agencies; no members or staff have been injured.
Paris Saint-Germain has beaten Bayern Munich 5-4 in a high-octane Champions League semi-final first leg. Harry Kane leads a late fightback, while the tie remains open ahead of the return leg at the Allianz Arena.
The man accused of starting the Palisades fire in Los Angeles has pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors say Jonathan Rinderknecht sparked a January 2025 blaze that killed 12 and destroyed thousands of homes; a June trial date has been set after a pre-trial memo outlines the defendant’s alleged state of mind and motives.
A blast at the Carbonera Los Pinos coal mine in Sutatausa, north of Bogote1, has left miners trapped with several rescued. Officials say six have survived and were taken to hospital, while rescue teams continue operations and investigations focus on gas buildup and safety lapses.
Authorities say a 69-year-old man has been charged in two shootings at K Towne Plaza and an adjacent apartment complex in Koreatown, Carrollton, Texas. Investigators indicate the victims knew the attacker and the incident involved a business-related dispute. The suspect has been detained and is being held in Denton County Jail as of today.
The American Football Coaches Association has publicly revealed its positions on season length and postseason structure, arguing for finishing on the second Monday in January and proposing changes such as eliminating conference title games, reducing bye weeks, and preserving the Army–Navy window while allowing other games to be played on that day.
Iranian Foreign Minister has held talks in Beijing with China’s top diplomat as Beijing urges a full ceasefire and renewed diplomacy in the ongoing crisis surrounding the Strait of Hormuz and wider war dynamics. China describes the move as a critical moment for regional stability.