AP Business Writers NEW YORK (AP) — Walmart’s sweeping rollback of its diversity policies is the strongest indication yet of a profound shift taking hold at U.S. companies that are re-evaluating the legal and political risks associated with bold programs to bolster historically underrepresented groups. The changes announced by the world’s biggest retailer on Monday
Continue ReadingAssociated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — In a Monday evening announcement, President-elect Donald Trump railed against Mexico and Canada, accusing them of allowing thousands of people to enter the U.S. Hitting a familiar theme from the campaign trail and his first term in office, Trump portrayed the country’s borders as insecure and immigrants as contributing to
Continue ReadingAssociated Press BEIRUT (AP) — In 2006, after a bruising monthlong war between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group, the United Nations Security Council unanimously voted for a resolution to end the conflict and pave the way for lasting security along the border. But while relative calm stood for nearly two decades, Resolution 1701’s terms
Continue ReadingAssociated Press A ceasefire deal that went into effect on Wednesday could end more than a year of cross-border fighting between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group, raising hopes and renewing difficult questions in a region gripped by conflict. The U.S.- and France-brokered deal, approved by Israel late Tuesday, calls for an initial two-month halt
Continue ReadingAssociated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — A former FBI informant who is charged with fabricating a multimillion-dollar bribery scheme involving President Joe Biden’s family has been indicted in a new case on federal tax charges. The tax indictment against Alexander Smirnov was unsealed this week in California federal court, months after his arrest on charges that
Continue ReadingAssociated Press LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A Kentucky police officer shot during 2020 protests over Breonna Taylor’s death is suing his department for discrimination. Louisville Officer Robinson Desroches says in a lawsuit filed Monday that his superiors discriminated against him for expressing his opinion about Taylor’s shooting. He says Black officers “who discuss race or
Continue ReadingAP Sports Writer LAS VEGAS (AP) — A team that previously boycotted at least one match against the San Jose State women’s volleyball program will again be faced with the decision whether to play the school, this time in the Mountain West Conference semifinals with a shot at the NCAA Tournament on the line. Five
Continue ReadingAP Entertainment Writer For the second straight day, Drake has taken legal action against Universal Music Group, this time in Texas, over Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us.” It follows a similar filing in New York on Monday, in which Drake alleges UMG falsely pumped up the popularity of “Not Like Us” on Spotify
Continue ReadingAP Sports Writer CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) — Clemson athletic director Graham Neff told athletic backers the school will add 150 scholarships in two years and fully participate in NCAA revenue sharing under the House settlement. Neff wrote to supporters to outline the school’s plans that he said would position Clemson to continue its athletic success.
Continue ReadingAssociated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — One year after the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol attack, Attorney General Merrick Garland said the Justice Department was committed to holding accountable all perpetrators “at any level” for “the assault on our democracy.” That bold declaration won’t apply to at least one person: Donald Trump. Special counsel Jack Smith’s
Continue ReadingAP Health Writer The detection of bird flu virus this week in a batch of unpasteurized milk sold in California underscores what health experts say are the known and potential risks of the products. Raw Farm LLC of Fresno, California, recalled one lot of raw milk products sold in California stores. No illnesses have been
Continue ReadingAssociated Press BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — The son of one of Mali’s top politicians says the country’s ruling junta has arrested his father for criticizing the military rulers of neighboring Burkina Faso. Issa Kaou N’Djim, was previously a supporter of Mali’s current military leader Col. Assimi Goita before distancing himself from the junta. His son
Continue ReadingAP White House Correspondent WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday reached a required agreement with President Joe Biden’s White House to allow his transition staff to coordinate with the existing federal workforce before taking office on Jan. 20. The congressionally mandated agreement allows transition aides to work with federal agencies and access non-public
Continue ReadingAP Economics Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — With inflation still elevated, Federal Reserve officials expressed caution at their last meeting about cutting interest rates too quickly, adding to uncertainty about their next moves. Even if inflation continued declining to the Fed’s 2% target, officials said, “it would likely be appropriate to move gradually” in lowering rates,
Continue ReadingAssociated Press SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil’s former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro was fully aware of and actively participated in a coup plot to remain in office after his defeat in the 2022 election, according to a Federal Police report unsealed Tuesday. Federal Police last Thursday formally accused Bolsonaro and 36 other people of attempting
Continue ReadingSAN JOSE, Costa Rica (AP) — Rescuers found one survivor after a small plane crashed into a Costa Rican mountainside. The local Red Cross said Tuesday that a 31-year-old woman was the sole survivor of Monday’s crash southeast of Costa Rica’s capital. The Central American country’s civil aviation authorities said that the Cessna 206 Stationair
Continue ReadingAssociated Press/Report for America ATLANTA (AP) — Deliberations are underway in Atlanta after a year of testimony in the gang and racketeering trial that originally included the rapper Young Thug. Jurors are considering whether to convict Shannon Stillwell and Deamonte Kendrick, who raps as Yak Gotti, on gang, murder, drug and gun charges. The original
Continue ReadingAssociated Press BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A senior official in President Joe Biden’s administration who oversaw its contentious efforts to address climate change by curbing drilling and mining on federal lands has been named the next president of a prominent environmental group. The Wilderness Society announced Tuesday that U.S. Bureau of Land Management Director Tracy
Continue ReadingAssociated Press NEW YORK (AP) — Spotify Wrapped is back. Spotify users can now view their recap of users’ listening habits and year in audio, including their top artists, songs, genres, albums and podcasts. Starting Dec. 4, Spotify will prompt users to view their interactive data roundup on their smartphone or desktop app, or Spotify’s
Continue ReadingAP National Political Writer NEW YORK (AP) — The leaders of Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign say they simply didn’t have enough time to execute a winning strategy against Donald Trump. Speaking on a “Pod Save America” podcast that aired on Tuesday, they pointed to “ferocious” political headwinds that were ultimately too much to overcome in
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