AP Nation & World - The Sumter Item

U.S.-China competition to field military drone swarms could fuel global arms race

As their rivalry intensifies, U.S. and Chinese military planners are gearing up for a new kind of warfare in which squadrons of air and sea drones equipped with artificial intelligence work together … more

By FRANK BAJAK
AP Technology Writer | 4/15/24 06:00 AM

Israel says Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles, 99% of which were intercepted

JERUSALEM (AP) — Booms and air raid sirens sounded across Israel early Sunday after Iran launched hundreds of drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles in an unprecedented revenge mission … more

4/14/24 08:52 PM

News organizations urge Biden and Trump to commit to presidential debates during the 2024 campaign

NEW YORK (AP) — Twelve news organizations on Sunday urged presumptive presidential nominees Joe Biden and Donald Trump to agree to debates, saying they were a "rich tradition" that have been … more

4/14/24 08:44 PM

Israel is quiet on next steps against Iran — and on which partners helped shoot down missiles

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israeli leaders on Sunday credited an international military coalition with helping thwart a direct Iranian attack involving hundreds of drones and missiles, calling the … more

4/14/24 08:42 PM

Just-introduced annuals and perennials add something new to the garden

It's a special kind of joy that only a gardener could understand. I always get an extra spring in my step when nurseries begin stocking the year's new plant introductions. 2024 brings new annuals and perennials that will make any plant lover … more

By JESSICA DAMIANO
Associated Press | 4/13/24 06:00 AM

Internet providers must now be more transparent about fees, pricing, FCC says

NEW YORK - Much like nutritional labels on food products, "broadband labels" for internet packages will soon tell you just what is going into the pricing of your service, thanks to new rules adopted by the Federal Communications Commission this … more

By CORA LEWIS
Associated Press | 4/13/24 06:00 AM

Homebuyers' quandary: to wait or not to wait for lower mortgage rates

LOS ANGELES - Shop for a home now or hold out for the possibility of lower mortgage rates? That question is confronting many home shoppers this spring homebuying season. Lower rates give home shoppers more financial breathing room, so holding out … more

By ALEX VEIGA
AP Business Writer | 4/13/24 06:00 AM

Why is the EPA regulating PFAS and what are these 'forever chemicals' that could be a health hazard?

On Wednesday, the Environmental Protection Agency finalized limits on certain common types of PFAS chemicals in drinking water. It is the first time a nationwide limit on so-called forever chemicals has been imposed on water providers. EPA … more

By MICHAEL PHILLIS
Associated Press | 4/13/24 06:00 AM

How immigrants in U.S. have helped boost job growth, stave off recession

MIAMI - Having fled economic and political chaos in Venezuela, Luisana Silva now loads carpets for a South Carolina rug company. She earns enough to pay rent, buy groceries, gas up her car - and send money home to her parents. Reaching the United … more

By PAUL WISEMAN, GISELA SALOMON and CHRISTOPHER RUGABER
Associated Press | 4/13/24 06:00 AM

No link between Ozempic, Wegovy and suicide, EU drug regulators say

Drug regulators in Europe have found no evidence that popular diabetes and weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy are linked to a higher risk of suicidal thoughts or actions. The European … more

By JONEL ALECCIA
AP Health Writer | 4/13/24 06:00 AM

U.S. intelligence finding shows China surging equipment sales to Russia to help war effort in Ukraine

WASHINGTON (AP) — China has surged sales to Russia of machine tools, microelectronics and other technology that Moscow in turn is using to produce missiles, tanks, aircraft and other weaponry … more

4/12/24 05:27 PM

U.S. airlines ask the Biden administration not to approve additional flights between the U.S. and China

WASHINGTON (AP) — Large U.S. airlines and some of their unions are asking the Biden administration to stop approving any more flights between the United States and China because of what they … more

4/12/24 04:44 PM

A near-total ban on abortion has supercharged the political dynamics of Arizona, a key swing state

PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona was already expected to be one of the most closely contested states in November's U.S. presidential election. But a ruling this week instituting a near-total abortion ban … more

4/12/24 01:31 PM

Democratic donors paid more than $1M for Biden's legal bills for special counsel probe

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic donors covered more than $1 million in legal fees racked up by attorneys representing President Joe Biden in a yearlong special counsel probe into his handling of … more

4/12/24 01:29 PM

House passes reauthorization of key U.S. surveillance program after days of upheaval over changes

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House passed a bill Friday to reauthorize and provide sweeping reforms of a key U.S. government surveillance tool without including broad restrictions on how the FBI uses … more

4/12/24 01:27 PM

U.S. measles cases are up in 2024. What's driving the increase?

Measles outbreaks in the U.S. and abroad are raising health experts' concern about the preventable, once-common childhood virus. One of the world's most contagious diseases, measles can lead to … more

By DEVI SHASTRI and MIKE STOBBE
Associated Press | 4/11/24 03:56 PM

Muslim leaders are 'out of words' as they tire of the White House outreach on the war in Gaza

WASHINGTON (AP) — Osama Siblani was sipping his morning coffee at the office when his phone buzzed with a message from one of President Joe Biden's advisers. As publisher of the Arab American … more

4/11/24 03:45 PM

Instagram begins blurring nudity in messages to protect teens and fight sexual extortion

LONDON (AP) — Instagram says it's deploying new tools to protect young people and combat sexual extortion, including a feature that will automatically blur nudity in direct messages. The social … more

4/11/24 02:09 PM

The Biden administration will require thousands more gun dealers to run background checks on buyers

WASHINGTON (AP) — Thousands more firearms dealers across the United States will have to run background checks on buyers when selling at gun shows or other places outside brick-and-mortar … more

4/11/24 09:31 AM

Severe weather takes aim at parts of the Ohio Valley after battering the South

ATLANTA (AP) — Powerful storms rumbled over parts of the U.S. Southeast early Thursday, prompting a few tornado warnings, causing flash flooding, and delaying the start of one of the world's … more

4/11/24 09:27 AM

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