5.2 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Southern California

April 14, 2025 5:13 pm

SAN DIEGO (AP) — A 5.2-magnitude earthquake shook Southern California, swaying lights and rattling cups off shelves. But officials reported no injuries or major damage. Monday morning’s earthquake was centered in San Diego County near the mountain town of Julian, which is known for its apple pie shops. And it was felt as far north as Los Angeles County, about 120 miles away. Schoolchildren were escorted outside of buildings as a precaution when the ground started moving. Some San Diego County residents who subscribe to the early warning system called ShakeAlert were notified a second or two before it was felt Monday. Others got the notification after the rocking stopped.

China’s Exports Jump 12.4% In March

April 14, 2025 4:57 am

BANGKOK (AP) — China has reported its exports jumped 12.4% in March from a year earlier in a last minute flurry of activity as companies rushed to beat President Donald Trump’s hefty increases in U.S. tariffs. Imports to the world’s No. 2 economy fell 4.3% in March from a year earlier. Exports in January-March rose 5.8% and imports sank 7%. In March, exports to the United States rose 4.5%. A customs administration spokesperson said China faces a complex and severe external situation, but “the sky would not fall.” He pointed to China’s diversified export markets and huge domestic potential. Exports to the U.S. and Europe have slowed, but those to Southeast Asia, India and Africa jumped.

Trump; CBS Should ‘Pay A Big Price’ For Going After Him

April 14, 2025 4:55 am

President Donald Trump has attacked CBS News and “60 Minutes.” He is clearly angered by reports that the longtime newsmagazine did on the Ukraine war and the president’s desire to take control of Greenland. “60 Minutes,” even though it is being sued by Trump and investigated by the Federal Communications Commission, has aired several tough reports on the new administration since it has taken office. But Trump said on his Truth Social platform that Sunday’s broadcast “tops them all.” He said CBS should face “maximum fines and punishment” for reports that he deems derogatory and defamatory. There was no immediate comment from CBS News.

Sightseeing Chopper Company Ceasing Operations

April 14, 2025 4:53 am

NEW YORK (AP) — The Federal Aviation Administration says the helicopter tour company whose sightseeing chopper crashed in New York, killing six people, is shutting down operations immediately. The FAA said Sunday that it would launch an immediate review of New York Helicopter Tours’ operating license and safety record. The move came hours after New York Sen. Chuck Schumer called on federal authorities to revoke the company’s operating permits. Its sightseeing helicopter broke apart in midair and plunged into the Hudson River Thursday, killing a family of five visiting from Spain and the pilot, a Navy SEAL veteran. Inquiries to New York Helicopter Tours were not returned.

School Shooting Planned For Columbine Anniversary

April 14, 2025 4:45 am

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — A Pennsylvania man is in jail after authorities accused him of planning a mass school shooting to coincide with the anniversary of the Columbine High School massacre. Police allege in a criminal complaint that 20-year-old Braeden Phillips had planned to commit a mass shooting at State College High School in Central Pennsylvania on April 21. It would have been one day after the 26th anniversary of the deadly Columbine High School shooting. Phillips has been charged with conspiracy to commit murder and unlawful possession of a firearm. He was being held without bond at the Centre County Correctional Facility. Court records did not list an attorney who could speak on his behalf.

Police Investigating Arson At PA Governor’s Residence

April 13, 2025 12:22 pm

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Police evacuated Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family from the governor’s official residence after someone set fire to the building. That is according to authorities. The fire broke out overnight Saturday, on the first night of the Jewish holiday of Passover, which Shapiro and his family had celebrated at the residence. State Police said in a statement Sunday that the investigation was ongoing. Shapiro says he and his family woke up at about 2 a.m. to bangs on the door from police after the fire broke out. Firefighters extinguished the fire and no one was reported injured. Police say the fire caused a “significant amount of damage” and are investigating.

US Won’t Say If It’s Facilitating Return Of Deported Man

April 13, 2025 7:00 am

The Trump administration has confirmed to a federal judge that a Maryland man who was mistakenly deported last month remained confined in a notorious prison in El Salvador. But the government’s filing on Saturday ignored the judge’s demands that the administration detail to the court what steps it was taking to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia to the United States and said he is under the authority of the El Salvador government. The filing comes one day after a U.S. government attorney struggled in a hearing to provide U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis with any information about Abrego Garcia’s whereabouts.

Russia And Ukraine Accuse Each Other

April 13, 2025 6:55 am

Russia and Ukraine’s top diplomats have used a high-level conference in Turkey to once again trade accusations of violating a tentative U.S.-brokered deal to pause strikes on energy infrastructure. The two foreign ministers spoke at separate events at the annual Antalya Diplomacy Forum on Saturday, a day after U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss peace prospects. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov insisted Moscow has stuck to the terms of a limited 30-day ceasefire. His Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha says Russia has launched daily attacks at Ukraine since agreeing to the pause.

Chinese Businesses Ponder Future

April 13, 2025 6:52 am

The 145% tariff from the U.S. and the retaliatory 125% tariff from China are putting businesses doing trade between the U.S. and China on edge. They’re fretting not only about their next orders but also the viability of their business if there’s no relief soon. Experts are worried the decades-long trade ties that have underpinned the bilateral relationship between the world’s two largest economies might be unraveling. The high-stakes tariff war has come more than 20 years after China joined the World Trade Organization and began to see its economy soar on luring foreign investments and exporting to U.S. and other Western markets.

Convalescing Pope Francis Opens Holy Week

April 13, 2025 6:49 am

VATICAN CITY (AP) — A convalescing Pope Francis greeted the crowd in St. Peter’s Square on Palm Sunday, wishing more than 20,000 faithful a “Good Palm Sunday, a good Holy Week,” in a reassuring sign of his recovery after a life-threatening battle with double pneumonia. Many in the crowd reached out to touch Francis’ hand or garments as he was brought in a wheelchair down a ramp to the main altar, where he issued his brief greeting into a microphone. Francis was not wearing nasal tubes for supplemental oxygen, as he had during a similar appearance last Sunday. On his way back to St. Peter’s Basilica from where he had emerged, Francis stopped to bless a rosary, and offered candy to a boy who greeted him.