January 7, 2025 2:27 pm
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The singer-songwriter and social activist best known as one-third of the folk-music group Peter, Paul and Mary, has died at age 86. Peter Yarrow died Tuesday at his home in New York. That’s according to publicist Ken Sunshine. Peter, Paul and Mary rose to overnight fame in 1962 when they blended their voices in stunning harmonies as they sang out against war and social injustice. Among their many hits were Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind,” Pete Seeger’s “If I Had a Hammer” and Yarrow’s own “Puff the Magic Dragon.” After a 1970 breakup they reunited eight years later, continuing their partnership until Mary Travers’ death in 2009. (Photo: AP)
January 7, 2025 5:05 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge in Florida has temporarily blocked the release of special counsel Jack Smith’s report on investigations into Donald Trump, who says it would be a “fake report” anyway. An appeals court is weighing a challenge to the disclosure of a much-anticipated document just days before the Republican president-elect reclaims office. Tuesday’s ruling from U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon may represent a short-lived victory for Trump. But it’s the latest instance of the Trump-appointed jurist taking action in Trump’s favor. The halt came in response to an emergency request Monday by defense lawyers to block the release of a report they said would be one-sided and prejudicial. Smith’s team is expected to respond later Tuesday.
January 7, 2025 5:05 am
McDonald’s is ending some of its diversity practices, citing a U.S. Supreme Court decision that outlawed affirmative action in college admissions. McDonald’s is the latest company to shift its tactics in the wake of the 2023 ruling and a conservative backlash against diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Walmart, John Deere, and other corporations have also rolled back their DEI initiatives. McDonald’s said Monday it will retire specific goals for achieving diversity at senior leadership levels and end a program that encourages its suppliers to develop diversity training. The company’s diversity team will be renamed the Global Inclusion Team. The Chicago burger giant says it remains committed to inclusion and believes a diverse workforce is a competitive advantage.
January 7, 2025 5:03 am
PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump says he won’t rule out the use of military force to seize control of the Panama Canal and Greenland as he declared U.S. control of both to be vital to American national security. Speaking to reporters less than two weeks before he takes office on Jan. 20 and as a delegation of aides and advisers that includes his son Donald Trump Jr. is in Greenland, Trump left open the use of the American military to secure both territories. Trump has floated having Canada join the United States. The Republican said Tuesday he would not use military force to do that, saying, he would rely on “economic force.”
January 7, 2025 5:02 am
NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump was thwarted Monday in his bid to indefinitely postpone this week’s sentencing in his hush money case while he appeals a ruling that upheld the verdict. Judge Juan M. Merchan ordered Friday’s sentencing to proceed as scheduled, rejecting arguments from Trump’s lawyers who said it should be halted while they ask a state appeals court to reverse his decision to let the conviction stand. The Republican was convicted on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.
January 7, 2025 5:00 am
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea says its latest weapons test was a new hypersonic intermediate-range missile designed to strike targets in the Pacific as leader Kim Jong Un vowed to further expand his collection of nuclear-capable weapons to counter rivals. The report Tuesday came a day after South Korea’s military detected the launch. North Korea demonstrated multiple weapons systems last year that can target its neighbors and the United States, including solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles, and there are concerns that its military capabilities could advance further through technology transfers from Russia, as the two countries align over the war in Ukraine. Kim reiterated that his nuclear push was aimed at countering threats posed by hostile forces but didn’t directly mention the U.S.
January 7, 2025 4:57 am
TOKYO (AP) — Nippon Steel Chief Executive Eiji Hashimoto says the top Japanese steelmaker is standing firm on its proposed $15 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel. He told reporters Tuesday in Tokyo there is no reason or need to give up. President Joe Biden has blocked the move. Hashimoto says it’s the best for both nations and poses no security risks. Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel have filed lawsuits challenging the decision. In blocking the transaction Friday, Biden said U.S. companies producing steel need to fight for America’s interests. Proponents of the takeover say Japan is a U.S. ally, as well as a top investor in American companies. While Biden is leaving office soon, incoming President Donald Trump also opposes the acquisition.
January 7, 2025 4:55 am
BANGKOK (AP) — President Joe Biden’s decision to reject a bid by Nippon Steel to acquire U.S. Steel isn’t the first time friction over trade and investment has irked Washington’s closest ally in Asia. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken sought to smooth ruffled feathers in a visit to Tokyo on Tuesday. But the assertion that the proposed $15 billion deal could threaten U.S. national security has stung. Many in Japan see the decision as a betrayal after decades of U.S. pressure to lift barriers to investment and trade. Japanese businesses already are bracing for tariff hikes under President-elect Donald Trump. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba was blunt in warning that spoiling the deal might hurt Japanese investment in the U.S.
January 7, 2025 3:12 am
Washington City Council held their agenda meeting and they will begin the year quite busy. Council will look to update its ordinance on fees for trash collection. The annual fee for trash collection in 2025 will be $300. A $50 late fee will be added for anyone paying after June 1. Fines and penalties will be assessed to any delinquent account beginning on November 1. Council is poised to hire two firemen and two police officers. They will also make a change in title to one of the council positions. The title of Chief Fiscal Officer will replace Councilman Ken Westcott’s title of Financial Director. According to Westcott revisions roughly 10 years ago in the class 3 city code made this alteration. Council will make that change on Thursday.
January 7, 2025 2:52 am
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A Democrat is returning to the job of speaker of the Pennsylvania House after the Republican candidate bowed out. Speaker Joanna McClinton and Republican Floor Leader Jesse Topper tied 101 to 101 on Tuesday before Topper removed himself from consideration. Democratic Rep. Matt Gergely of Allegheny County wasn’t there after suffering a medical emergency. The House has a 102-101 Democratic majority, counting Gergely. Republicans control the state Senate with a 28-22 majority, but one of those GOP seats is vacant due to a recent resignation. (Photo: AP)
