What the Fed rate cut will mean for your finances
NEW YORK (AP) — The Federal Reserve has cut its benchmark interest rate for the first time in nine months. Since the last cut, progress on inflation has slowed while the labor market has cooled and Wall Street has rallied. That means Americans are dealing with both high prices and a challenging job market. The federal funds rate, set by the Federal Reserve, is the rate at which banks borrow and lend to one another. The rates that consumers pay to borrow money aren’t directly linked to this rate. But shifts in Fed policy affect what people pay for credit cards, auto loans, mortgages, and other financial products.
In Britain, Trump basks in a display of regal splendor with King Charles III at Windsor Castle
WINDSOR, England (AP) — President Donald Trump is relishing a day filled with British royal pageantry with King Charles III. Wednesday's start to his two-day state visit included military honor guards, carriage rides and a state dinner. Trump also paid tribute at Queen Elizabeth II's tomb. The visit began with Prince William and Kate welcoming Trump and the first lady at Windsor Castle. The day featured a grand procession, a tour of historical artifacts and a military parade. The visit is designed to strengthen ties amid Trump's “America First” policies. On Thursday, Trump will meet with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to discuss important issues.
Israeli troops press forward into Gaza City as more Palestinians flee and death toll passes 65,000
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli troops and tanks are pushing deeper into Gaza City as more people flee the devastated area. Strikes cut off phone and internet services on Wednesday, making it harder for Palestinians to summon ambulances during the military’s new offensive. Meanwhile, the Palestinian death toll in the Israel-Hamas war surpassed 65,000. The Israeli military said air force and artillery units had struck the city more than 150 times in the last few days, ahead of ground troops moving in. The offensive began Monday and aims to take full control of the city.
Suspect in Charlie Kirk killing feared being shot by police before surrendering, sheriff says
OREM, Utah (AP) — A Utah sheriff says the 22-year-old man charged with killing with Charlie Kirk was afraid of being shot by police and agreed to surrender as long as it was done peacefully. Washington County Sheriff Nate Brooksby says Robinson appeared quiet and somber when he turned himself in with his parents last Thursday. He surrendered a little over a day after Kirk was shot and killed at Utah Valley University. Robinson is now charged with murder. He faced his first hearing in the case Tuesday where prosecutors said they’ll seek the death penalty. The Associated Press left a message seeking comment from Robinson’s public defender.
Fired CDC chief Susan Monarez warns senators that RFK Jr. is endangering public health
WASHINGTON (AP) — Fired Centers for Disease Control and Prevention chief Susan Monarez is warning senators America’s public health system is headed to a “dangerous place” under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his anti-vaccine advisers. Monarez and ex-CDC official Debra Houry describe exchanges in which Kennedy or political advisers rebuffed data supporting vaccine safety and efficacy. Monarez told the Senate health committee Wednesday deadly diseases including polio are poised to make a comeback in the U.S. Monarez says Kennedy demanded she "preapprove" recommendations from a CDC panel or face termination. The panel is expected to vote on new vaccine guidelines this week in Atlanta. Kennedy denies Monarez’s accusations he ordered “rubber-stamped” vaccine recommendations.
ABC suspends Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show indefinitely over his remarks about Charlie Kirk’s death
NEW YORK (AP) — ABC has suspended Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show indefinitely following comments he made about Charlie Kirk’s killing. The network’s decision came Nexstar announced its ABC affiliates would preempt “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” indefinitely over his comments. A spokesperson for Kimmel did not immediately return a call for comment. Kimmel, like CBS late-night host Stephen Colbert, has consistently been critical of President Donald Trump and many of his policies on his ABC show. CBS said this past summer that it was canceling Colbert’s show at the end of this season for financial reasons, although some critics have wondered if his stance on Trump played a role.
German suspect in Madeleine McCann disappearance is released after serving time in unrelated case
SEHNDE, Germany (AP) — A German man who is under investigation in the disappearance of British toddler Madeleine McCann 18 years ago was released from prison Wednesday after serving his sentence in an unrelated case, police said. The man, who has been identified by media as Christian Brückner, had been serving a seven-year sentence that stemmed from his 2019 conviction for the rape of a 72-year-old American woman in Portugal. He left the prison at Sehnde, near Hannover in northern Germany, on Wednesday morning.
Republican Brad Raffensperger to run for Georgia governor after defying Trump over 2020 election
ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger says he’s running for governor in 2026. The Republican made the announcement Wednesday. He famously rejected Donald Trump’s request to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia, a state he lost to Democrat Joe Biden. Raffensperger is likely to aim his appeal at Republicans who have at times been lukewarm on Trump. Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and Attorney General Chris Carr are already seeking the GOP nomination. Raffensperger won reelection in 2022 despite Trump’s opposition. Although he starts later than other major candidates, voters already know who Raffensperger is. Plus the engineering entrepreneur can self-finance his campaign.
Jerry quits Ben & Jerry's, saying its independence on social issues has been stifled
Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Jerry Greenfield is leaving the ice cream brand after 47 years. He says the freedom the company used to have to speak up on social issues has been stifled. Co-founder Ben Cohen posted Greenfield's letter on social media platform X on Greenfield’s behalf. Greenfield said that he felt the independence the brand had to speak on social issues and events was lost to Unilever. A spokesperson for The Magnum Ice Cream Company says it will be forever grateful to Greenfield for his contributions to Ben & Jerry’s, but it is not aligned with his viewpoint.
With the Sundance Film Festival and filmmaker labs, Robert Redford brought change to cinema
Robert Redford, who died Tuesday at 89, transformed the film industry with the Sundance Institute and Film Festival. Frustrated with Hollywood's mainstream, he created a platform for independent filmmakers. Over four decades, Sundance has launched careers of directors like Quentin Tarantino and Ava DuVernay. The festival gained prominence in 1989 with Steven Soderbergh’s “sex, lies and videotape.” Sundance's labs have also been crucial in developing new talent. The festival, currently in Park City, Utah, will move to Boulder, Colorado, in 2027. Redford's legacy continues to inspire filmmakers worldwide.
