World/National Archives - Page 24 of 71

It’s the final holiday stretch at the Biden White House. The theme is ‘A Season of Peace and Light’

WASHINGTON (AP) — It’s the final holiday stretch at the White House for President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, and the theme is “A Season of Peace and Light.” The first lady is set to unveil the decorations and deliver a holiday message at the White House on Monday. More than 300 volunteers spent the past week decorating the executive mansion and its 83 Christmas trees with nearly 10,000 feet of ribbon, more than 28,000 ornaments, over 2,200 paper doves and some 165,000 lights.… Continue Reading

Biden pardons his son Hunter despite previous pledges not to

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has pardoned his son, Hunter, sparing the younger Biden a possible prison sentence for federal felony gun and tax convictions and reversing his past promises not to use the extraordinary powers of the presidency for the benefit of his family members. The Democratic president had previously said he would not pardon his son or commute his sentence after his convictions in the two cases in Delaware and California. The move comes weeks before Hunter Biden was set to receive his punishment after his trial conviction in the gun case and guilty plea on tax charges, and less than two months before President-elect Donald Trump is set to return to the White House.… Continue Reading

Trump taps Kash Patel for FBI director, an ally who would aid in his effort to upend law enforcement

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump says he will nominate Kash Patel to serve as FBI director, turning to a fierce ally to upend America’s premier law enforcement agency and rid the government of perceived “conspirators.” Trump made the announcement on Truth Social on Saturday night. It’s the latest bombshell Trump has thrown at the Washington establishment and a test for how far Senate Republicans will go in confirming his nominees. The selection is in keeping with Trump’s view that the government’s law enforcement and intelligence agencies require a radical transformation and his desire for retribution against supposed adversaries.… Continue Reading

Trump threatens 100% tariff on the BRIC bloc of nations if they act to undermine US dollar

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump is threatening 100% tariffs against a bloc of nine nations if they act to undermine the U.S. dollar. His threat was directed at countries in the so-called BRIC alliance, which consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates.. Trump says he wants a commitment from the bloc that it will not create a new currency or otherwise try to undermine the U.S. dollar.… Continue Reading

Stock market today: Stocks gain as Wall Street closes out strong November

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are rising as Wall Street puts the finishing touches on one of its best months of the year. The S&P rose 0.7% while the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 306 points, or 0.7%. The Nasdaq added 0.8%. Friday is an abbreviated trading day — stock markets close at 1 p.m. ET and the bond market closes an hour later. Investors are waiting to see how willing shoppers are to spend on gifts for the holidays. Black Friday unofficially kicks off the holiday shopping season, although retailers have been offering early deals for weeks. Macy’s rose 1.9% and Best Buy gained 2.8%.… Continue Reading

Notre Dame primps for its grand post-blaze return. But why does the cathedral look unfinished?

PARIS (AP) — The bells of Notre Dame are chiming again, but scaffolding that still clings to the cathedral is puzzling some Parisians and raising questions about whether the monument’s grand post-blaze reopening is more symbolic than substantive. President Emmanuel Macron is inspecting the rebuilding work on Friday. He’ll see that Notre Dame looks bright inside but still has construction work outside. The cathedral will welcome the faithful back on Dec. 8, for the first time since its 2019 fire. But scaffolding at the base of its newly restored spire is expected to remain into 2025 and, in other parts, for another three years.… Continue Reading

Democratic lawmakers from Connecticut report Thanksgiving bomb threats against their homes

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — At least five Democratic members of Congress from Connecticut have been targeted by bomb threats on their homes. Reps. Jim Himes, Joe Courtney, John Larson and Jahana Hayes all reported that they received the threats Thursday. No evidence of a bomb was found by police on their properties. This comes a day after a number of President-elect Donald Trump ’s most prominent Cabinet picks and appointees were targeted by bomb threats and “swatting attacks.” The FBI is investigating.… Continue Reading

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade: Big balloons, wet weather and 21 protesters arrested

NEW YORK (AP) — The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade marched, soared and roared into its second century as a holiday fixture despite a drenching rain and a brief disruption from pro-Palestinian demonstrators.… Continue Reading

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade kicks off a century after its first trip through Manhattan

NEW YORK (AP) — A century after the first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the annual holiday tradition kicks off Thursday in New York City with new Spider-Man and Minnie Mouse balloons, zoo and pasta-themed floats, performances from Jennifer Hudson and Idina Menzel, and more. This year’s parade features 17 giant, helium-filled character balloons, 22 floats, 15 novelty and heritage inflatables, 11 marching bands, 700 clowns, 10 performance groups, award-winning singers and actors, and the WNBA champion New York Liberty. The parade begins at 8:30 a.m. on Manhattan’s Upper West Side and ends 2.5 miles away around noon at Macy’s Herald Square flagship store on 34th Street, which serves as a stage and backdrop for performances.… Continue Reading

Stock market today: Losses for Big Tech pull US indexes lower

Losses for big technology stocks pulled major indexes lower on Wall Street. The S&P 500 fell 0.4% Wednesday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.3% from its record high a day earlier, and the Nasdaq composite lost 0.6%. Losses for Nvidia, Microsoft and Broadcom were the biggest weights on the market. Dell sank 12.2% after reporting revenue that fell shy of forecasts, and HP dropped 11.4% after giving a weaker-than-expected outlook. Treasury yields fell in the bond market. U.S. financial markets will be closed Thursday for Thanksgiving, and will reopen for a half day on Friday.… Continue Reading