By MATTHEW PERRONE AP Health Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — When you buy eyedrops at a U.S. store, you might assume you’re getting a product made in a clean, well-maintained factory that’s passed muster with health regulators. But repeated recalls involving over-the-counter drops are drawing new attention to just how little U.S. officials know about the
Continue ReadingBy KARIN LAUB Associated Press RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — A wartime opinion poll among Palestinians shows a rise in support for Hamas, even in the devastated Gaza Strip. The survey published Wednesday also reflected an overwhelming rejection of Western-backed President Mahmoud Abbas, with nearly 90% saying he must resign. The findings by a Palestinian
Continue ReadingNEW YORK (AP) — Hundreds of employees at independent bookstores, from Chapter One in Victoria, Minnesota, to The Cloak & Dagger in Princeton, New Jersey, will be receiving $500 holiday bonuses from author James Patterson. One of the world’s most popular and prolific writers, Patterson has given millions of dollars to booksellers, librarians and teachers.
Continue ReadingBy DEEPA BHARATH and AUDREY McAVOY Associated Press MAUNA KEA, Hawaii (AP) — Shane Palacat-Nelsen’s voice drops to a reverent tone as he tells the story of the snow goddess Poliahu who Native Hawaiians believe inhabits the summit of Mauna Kea, the highest point in Hawaii. The tale speaks of a chief who yearned to
Continue ReadingBy Carma Hassan, Asher Moskowitz and Holly Yan, CNN (CNN) — Two people have been arrested and charged after seven Virginia elementary students ate gummy bears from a plastic baggie that later tested positive for the potentially deadly synthetic opioid fentanyl, the Amherst County Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday. At first, it seemed the students were
Continue ReadingBANGKOK (AP) — Thai police have seized what is being called a record haul of methamphetamine tablets in the western province of Kanchanaburi, close to the Myanmar border. Officers found an estimated 50 million tablets hidden in sacks in a six-wheeler truck they stopped at a checkpoint on Tuesday. The occupants of the truck –
Continue ReadingBy CHINEDU ASADU Associated Press ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Authorities in Nigeria say at least four soldiers were killed while two South Koreans were abducted during an attack by gunmen in Nigeria’s oil-rich Rivers state. An army spokesman says the gunmen ambushed a convoy escorting the Koreans on a work trip along a major road.
Continue ReadingANKARA, Turkey (AP) — The head of the Turkish Football Federation says domestic soccer league matches will resume on Dec. 19. The games had been suspended after a referee was attacked by the president of a top-flight club on Monday. Mehmet Buyukeksi has also told reporters that the federation’s disciplinary board is set to announce
Continue ReadingBy CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP Economics Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — Will the Federal Reserve cut its key interest rate sometime next year — and, if so, by how much? Wall Street investors have been obsessed with such questions since a top Fed official hinted last month that rate cuts were at least possible as early as
Continue ReadingISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan’s top court on Wednesday allowed military courts to resume the trials of more than 100 supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan on charges of attacking military installations during violent demonstrations that broke out following Khan’s arrest in May. The latest order by the Supreme Court came less than two months
Continue ReadingBy GEIR MOULSON Associated Press BERLIN (AP) — Germany’s governing coalition has reached a deal to resolve a budget crisis triggered by a court ruling last month. It agreed Wednesday to cut some subsidies and spending but stressed that Berlin will stick to plans to step up support for Ukraine. Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s three-party coalition
Continue ReadingBy JUSTIN SPIKE Associated Press BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — A cost-of-living crisis in Hungary is on display at the country’s popular Christmas markets. Some locals fear the $23 sausage hot dogs and $18 stuffed cabbage are pricing them out of the festivities in a country where the median net wage is below $900 per month.
Continue ReadingBy JAMES ROBSON AP Soccer Writer MANCHESTER, England (AP) — The attack on a top Turkish referee this week has been described as an example of the “cancer” that threatens to kill soccer. Halil Umut Meler was hospitalized after being attacked by MKE Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca at the end of a match. He was
Continue ReadingBy TAYLOR GETLER of NerdWallet Planning a wedding and buying a home are two of the most expensive milestones of adult life, and couples with both of these goals may wonder how they’ll pay for it all. After all, new mortgages cost more now than ever, and wedding catering alone can easily cost five figures.
Continue ReadingBy SEAN MURPHY Associated Press OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma City voters have approved a 1% sales tax for six years to help fund a new downtown arena for the NBA’s Thunder that is estimated to cost a minimum of $900 million. As a result of Tuesday’s “yes” vote by 71% of voters, the Thunder
Continue ReadingBy Sana Noor Haq and Rosa Rahimi, CNN (CNN) — Salwa Tibi recalls how she covered several miles on foot in southern Gaza, in a desperate search for blankets and sheets that might help keep her four children and other young relatives warm at night. The aid worker, 53, told CNN she and her husband
Continue ReadingBy Alexandra Banner, CNN (CNN) — AI language tools like ChatGPT can be eerily convincing, but don’t be fooled by their authoritative tones. Chatbots are known to confidently make stuff up, or “hallucinate” — chosen as Dictionary.com’s word of the year. Here’s what else you need to know to Get Up to Speed and On with
Continue ReadingBy TOM KRISHER AP Auto Writer DETROIT (AP) — Tesla is recalling nearly all vehicles sold in the U.S., more than 2 million, to update software and fix a defective system that’s supposed to ensure drivers are paying attention when using Autopilot. Documents posted Wednesday by U.S. safety regulators say the update will increase warnings
Continue ReadingBy MIKE CORDER Associated Press THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Far-right lawmaker Geert Wilders says he wants to be prime minister for “all Netherlanders,” and has pledged that he will ensure his policies adhere to the country’s constitution. Wilders’ Party for Freedom swept to a shock victory in last month’s Dutch general election. Wilders’ comments
Continue ReadingBy MAE ANDERSON AP Business Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Regulations are a double-edged sword. They’re created to improve business dealings, discourage unfair or illegal business activity, and protect workers. But, for small business owners, they often mean more red tape, higher costs and possible penalties for failing to comply. Heading into 2024, there are
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