AP National News

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP) — El Salvador President Nayib Bukele has proclaimed himself in favor of mining gold in the Central America country and called his nation’s 7-year-old ban on metals mining “absurd.” It immediately puts in jeopardy the historic prohibition. He wrote on the social platform X Wednesday that the unmined gold would

Associated Press SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — The U.S. territory of Puerto Rico has yet to produce a certified vote tally for a single district almost a month after holding general elections. Then on Wednesday, a judge issued a ruling that sparked an outcry and threatened to further delay the certification process as the

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Officials say a police car drove into the rear of a limousine transporting New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Finance Minister Nicola Willis and no one was hurt. The crash happened Wednesday on the main road toward the airport in Wellington, New Zealand’s capital, where the parliament is located.

Associated Press PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona’s top prosecutor says executions will resume in the state following a two-year pause. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said Wednesday she will soon seek an execution warrant for Aaron Brian Gunches. Gunches is on death row after being convicted of killing his girlfriend’s ex-husband. Mayes said in a statement

AP Economics Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — The American economy expanded at a healthy 2.8% annual pace from July through September on strong consumer spending and a surge in exports, the government said Wednesday, leaving unchanged its initial estimate of third-quarter growth. The Commerce Department reported that growth in U.S. gross domestic product — the economy’s

NEW YORK (AP) — They’re up, up and — almost — away. The massive helium balloons that will float through New York City for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade took shape on Wednesday, when they were filled with helium ahead of the big event. “You see these giant balloons come to life and they’re really,

BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) — A self-described white supremacist charged with killing a man in a tent in southwestern Montana has pleaded not guilty. Daren Christopher Abbey entered his plea Tuesday and says the victim — Dustin Kjersem — tried to kill him. Investigators say there are inconsistencies in Abbey’s story. Kjersem was killed on Oct.

Associated Press MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The Australian Senate was debating a ban on children younger than 16 years old from social media Thursday after the House of Representatives overwhelmingly supported the age restriction. The bill that would make platforms including TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X and Instagram liable for fines of up to 50

Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — Sean “Diddy” Combs was denied bail on Wednesday as he awaits a May sex trafficking trial by a judge who cited evidence showing him to be a “serious risk” of witness tampering and proof he has tried to hide prohibited communications with third parties while incarcerated. U.S. District Judge

AP Political Writer SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — An Illinois appellate court has ruled that a former deputy sheriff charged with murder in the shooting death of Sonya Massey should be released from jail pending trial. The 4th District Appellate Court issued a unanimous opinion Wednesday declaring that a circuit court’s ruling to deny Sean Grayson

AP Political Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — Democrat Derek Tran has defeated two-term Republican U.S. Rep. Michelle Steel in a Southern California House district that was specifically drawn to give Asian Americans a stronger voice on Capitol Hill. In a concession statement, Steel says: “Like all journeys, this one is ending for a new one

Associated Press ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Jurors in New Mexico have awarded a man more than $412 million in a medical malpractice case that involved a men’s health clinic that operates in several states. The man’s attorneys are celebrating Monday’s verdict, saying they are hopeful it will prevent other men from falling victim to a

Associated Press DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Republican Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks is headed back to Congress after winning her reelection bid. The win will help Republicans pad a thin majority in the U.S. House and keeps the party in control of all four of Iowa’s congressional seats. Miller-Meeks defeated Democrat Christina Bohannan in a rematch

Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be secretary of the Navy, John Phelan, has not served in the military or had a civilian leadership role in the service. While officials and defense experts say the Navy is in sore need of a disruptor, they caution that Phelan’s lack of experience could

Associated Press COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — A judge has upheld a Missouri law requiring voters to show photo identification to cast a regular ballot. Cole County Circuit Court Judge Jon Beetem found the law constitutional Tuesday. Voting rights advocates had sued to overturn the law. They say getting the records needed to obtain proper photo

PIEDMONT, Calif. (AP) — Three people were killed and one seriously injured when a Tesla Cybertruck crashed and caught fire in Northern California. Piedmont Police Chief Jeremy Bowers says speed was likely a factor in the single-vehicle collision early Wednesday. The chief says authorities would continue to investigate the circumstances of the tragedy. The Cybertruck

Associated Press TORONTO (AP) — A government official says Canada is already examining possible retaliatory tariffs on certain items from the United States should President-elect Donald Trump follow through on his threat to impose sweeping tariffs on Canadian products. Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on products from Canada and Mexico if the countries don’t