Trump grants one-month exemption for US automakers from new tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is granting a one-month exemption on his stiff new tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada for U.S. automakers. Worries persist that the newly launched trade war could crush domestic manufacturing. The announcement comes after Trump spoke with leaders of the “big 3” automakers, Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis on Wednesday. Asked if 30 days was enough for the auto sector to prepare for the new taxes, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt says Trump told them: “He told them that they should get on it, start investing, start moving, shift production here to the United States of America where they will pay no tariff.”
Divided Supreme Court rejects Trump bid to freeze nearly $2 billion in foreign aid
WASHINGTON (AP) — A sharply divided Supreme Court has rejected a Trump administration push to rebuke a federal judge who imposed a quick deadline to release billions of dollars in foreign aid. By a 5-4 vote Wednesday, the court told U.S. District Judge Amir Ali to clarify his earlier order that required the Republican administration to release nearly $2 billion in aid for work that had already been done. Justice Samuel Alito led four conservative justices in dissent, saying Ali lacks the authority to order the payments. Alito wrote that he is stunned the court is rewarding “an act of judicial hubris.”
China's premier and the American president: Two leaders, two speeches, two differing world visions
BEIJING (AP) — Two major speeches were delivered by two of the world’s most powerful leaders this week, on opposite sides of the planet. Together, the words from Chinese and U.S. leaders illustrate the very different approaches the world’s 21st-century powers are taking to achieve their national ambitions. For China, it was a call for unity to overcome obstacles through innovation and “opening up” to eventually accomplish national rejuvenation. That came from Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Beijing at the National People’s Congress. An hour later, President Donald Trump addressed both chambers of the U.S. Congress. He vowed to levy tariffs on imports and defeat inflation to “make America great again."
Trump issues 'last warning' to Hamas to release all remaining hostages held in Gaza
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has issued what he calls a “last warning” to Hamas to release all remaining hostages held in Gaza. Trump, in a statement on his Truth Social platform soon after meeting eight former hostages at the White House on Wednesday, added that he was “sending Israel everything it needs to finish the job.” The sharp language from Trump came as the White House said Wednesday that U.S. officials have engaged in “ongoing talks and discussions” with Hamas officials, stepping away from a long-held U.S. policy of not directly engaging in the militant group.
Vance promotes Trump's 'whole government' immigration crackdown during visit to US-Mexico border
EAGLE PASS, Texas (AP) — Vice President JD Vance has visited the U.S.-Mexico border to showcase how arrests for illegal crossings have fallen sharply under President Donald Trump. Vance said the improvement has occurred because Trump is demanding that all of government prioritize the immigration issue in ways former President Joe Biden never did. Vance was joined by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, for an aerial tour of the area around Eagle Pass, Texas. They also visited a Border Patrol facility and sat for a roundtable with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and national, state and local officials. Vance says Trump has demanded that the whole government “take the task of border control seriously.”
South Korean fighter jet accidentally drops bombs, reportedly injuring 7 people
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A South Korean fighter jet has accidentally dropped eight bombs on a civilian area during training, reportedly injuring seven people on the ground. The South Korean air force says the MK-82 bombs “abnormally” released by the KF-16 fighter jet fell outside a firing range on Thursday morning. The air force has apologized for causing civilian damages. It says it'll establish a committee to investigate why the accident happened. South Korean media report the bombing injured five civilians and two soldiers.
Facing Trump's threats, Columbia investigates students critical of Israel
NEW YORK (AP) — A new Columbia University disciplinary committee is investigating students who have criticized Israel. Known as the Office of Institutional Equity, the board has launched a flurry of investigations into students for sharing social media posts critical of Zionism and joining “unauthorized” campus protests. One student is under investigation for helping to write an op-ed in the student newspaper calling for divestment from Israel. The investigations come as the Trump administration threatens to pull tens of millions of dollars in federal funding from Columbia for not doing more to punish pro-Palestinian protesters. A spokesperson for Columbia said the university could not comment on pending investigations.
Things to know about avalanches, what causes them and how to stay safe
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — An avalanche has trapped three skiers under a pile of snow nearly as deep as a 10-story building in the Alaska backcountry. The heli-skiers are believed to be dead after being swept away and buried Tuesday near the skiing community of Girdwood, about 40 miles south of Anchorage. If the deaths are confirmed, it would be the deadliest U.S. avalanche since three climbers were killed in Washington’s Cascade Mountains in 2023. The National Avalanche Center says 25 to 30 people die in avalanches each winter in the country. Most deaths occur in the wilderness.
An Okinawan bone digger searches for remains from one of the fiercest battles of World War II
ITOMAN, Japan (AP) — Takamatsu Gushiken hunts caves in Okinawa's jungles for the bones of those who died in the WWII Battle of Okinawa, one of the war's bloodiest. He considers the bones silent witnesses of Okinawa’s wartime tragedy. As a volunteer cave digger, or “gamahuya” in his native Okinawan language, he has unearthed the remains of several hundred people. Excavation is not his goal. He wants the bones to be identified and returned to their families. He criticizes the government’s DNA matching efforts as “too slow, too little and too late.”
Alex Ovechkin gets 885th career goal to move nine away from tying Wayne Gretzky's NHL record
NEW YORK (AP) — Alex Ovechkin scored his 885th career goal midway through the third period of the Washington Capitals’ game against New York Rangers on Wednesday night, moving nine away from tying Wayne Gretzky’s NHL record. The Capitals’ captain scored as he knocked in a loose puck from the left side with 9:32 left in the third period to tie the score 2-2. Ovechkin now has 46 goals in 76 career games against the Rangers. Ovechkin has 32 goals in 46 games this season. He had 15 goals in his first 18 games, then missed 16 games with a fractured left fibula. He returned Dec. 28 and has scored 17 in 28 games since.
