August 4, 2023 4:11 pm
NEW YORK (AP) — Actor Mark Margolis, who played murderous former drug kingpin Hector Salamanca in “Breaking Bad” “Better Call Saul,” has died at 83. The actor died at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City following a short illness. Margolis was nominated for an Emmy in 2012 for “Breaking Bad,” as Hector, the elderly don of his drug clan. Much of his character’s backstory later played out on “Better Call Saul,” the prequel in which he guest-starred from 2016 to 2022. Margolis also was known for many film roles, particularly in the films of Darren Aronofsky: “Noah,” “Black Swan,” “The Wrestler” and “Pi.” His breakout movie role was Alberto “The Shadow” in “Scarface.” (Photo: AP)
August 4, 2023 9:48 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. employers added 187,000 jobs last month, fewer than expected, as the higher interest rates continued to weigh on the economy. But the unemployment rate dipped to 3.5% in a sign that the job market remains resilient. Hiring was up from 185,000 in June, a figure that the Labor Department revised down from an originally reported 209,000. Economists had expected to see 200,000 new jobs in July.
August 4, 2023 9:45 am
MANCHESTER, Conn. (AP) — A cyberattack has affected computers at hospitals in multiple states, forcing some emergency rooms to close and ambulances to be diverted. The attack is disrupting facilities operated by Prospect Medical Holdings, which is based in California and has hospitals and clinics there and in Texas, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Pennsylvania. In Connecticut, the emergency departments at Manchester and Rockville General hospital were closed and their patients diverted for much of Thursday. Many primary care services remained closed Friday, including elective surgeries, outpatient appointments and blood drives. Officials said they’re still trying to determine the extent of the problem.
August 4, 2023 5:15 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — An appeals court is allowing a rule restricting asylum at the southern border to temporarily stay in place in a major win for the Biden administration. The court decided Thursday to grant the administration’s request to keep its policy in place while a longer legal battle plays out over the rule’s legality. The new rule makes it extremely difficult to be granted asylum unless a migrant first seeks protection in a country they’re traveling through or applies online. It was put in place back in May when the U.S. ended a different policy linked to the pandemic that also limited asylum. Rights groups sued over the new rule, saying it endangered migrants.
August 4, 2023 5:11 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — It was a routine part of a federal court hearing: The defendant was told not to discuss the case with any witnesses without lawyers present. But there’s nothing routine about this case. The defendant is Donald Trump, accused of orchestrating a conspiracy to overturn the results of the 2020 election. The potential witness pool is vast and includes members of the former president’s inner circle deeply involved in his reelection campaign, including some currently on his payroll. His lies about the election — which form the basis of the charges — are repeated in nearly every speech he gives.
August 4, 2023 5:09 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans are releasing new information about the business dealings of President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden. Republicans on Thursday released the transcript of an interview with Devon Archer, who was Hunter Biden’s business partner. The Republicans released the transcript as they focused their attention on Biden’s family rather than Donald Trump’s appearance in court Thursday on federal charges. Archer testified about how Joe Biden’s youngest son used his relationship with his father, who was then vice president, to gin up business. But pressed repeatedly by Democrats, Archer offered no tangible evidence that Joe Biden’s role in his son’s work was more than saying hello during daily calls.
August 3, 2023 4:18 pm
DETROIT (AP) — Hyundai and Kia are telling the owners of nearly 92,000 vehicles in the U.S. to park them outside because an electronic controller in an oil pump can overheat and cause fires. The Korean automakers are recalling the vehicles and also are telling owners to park them away from structures until repairs are made. The recalls cover certain 2023 and 2024 Hyundai Palisades, as well some 2023 Tucson, Sonata, Elantra and Kona vehicles. Affected Kias include the 2023 Soul and Sportage as well as some 2023 and 2024 Seltos vehicles. Dealers will inspect and replace the oil pump controller if necessary. Hyundai owners will be notified by letter on Sept. 25. Kia will notify owners starting Sept. 28.
August 3, 2023 5:13 am
SAN DIEGO (AP) — U.S. officials say two Navy sailors have been arrested on charges related to national security and ties to China. Federal officials said at a news conference Thursday that 22-year-old sailor Jinchao Wei was arrested on a charge related to espionage involving conspiracy to send national defense information to Chinese officials. The indictment says Wei made contact with a Chinese government intelligence officer in February 2022 and provided photographs and videos of US Navy ships. A second Navy service member, Wenheng Zhao, was charged in federal court in Los Angeles with collecting bribes in exchange for giving sensitive U.S. military photos and videos to a Chinese intelligence officer. Both sailors pleaded not guilty.
August 3, 2023 5:07 am
WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump has pleaded not guilty to trying to overturn the results of his 2020 election loss, answering for the first time to federal charges that accuse him of orchestrating a brazen and ultimately failed attempt to block the peaceful transfer of presidential power. Trump appeared before a magistrate judge in Washington’s federal courthouse two days after being indicted on four felony counts by Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith. The charges accuse him of trying to subvert the will of voters and undo his election loss in the days before Jan. 6, 2021, when supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol in a violent and bloody clash with law enforcement.
August 3, 2023 5:06 am
SAN DIEGO (AP) — U.S. officials say two Navy sailors have been arrested on charges related to national security and ties to China. Federal officials said at a news conference Thursday that 22-year-old sailor Jinchao Wei was arrested on a charge related to espionage involving conspiracy to send national defense information to Chinese officials. The indictment says Wei made contact with a Chinese government intelligence officer in February 2022 and provided photographs and videos of the ship he served on. The Justice Department separately announced charges against a second Navy service member, accusing Wenheng Zhao of collecting bribes in exchange for giving sensitive U.S. military photos and videos to a Chinese intelligence officer.
