US lawmakers ask Rubio for answers on Chinese fighters in Ukraine

By Michael Martina WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. lawmakers have asked the State Department to brief them about Russia’s use of Chinese fighters in its war in Ukraine, saying in a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio on
U.S. economy shrinks 0.3% in Q1 as Trump trade war disrupts business

The U.S. economy shrank 0.3% from January through March, first drop in three years. It was slowed by a surge in imports as companies in the United States tried to bring in foreign goods before President Donald
US tells World Court that Israel is not required to work with UN Palestinian refugee agency

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The United States told the International Court of Justice Wednesday that Israel must provide aid to Gaza, but the country does not have to work with the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees.
The Latest: Trump offers automakers tariff relief after worries they could hurt US factories

President Donald Trump has signed executive orders to relax some of his 25% tariffs on automobiles and auto parts, a significant reversal as the import taxes threatened to hurt domestic manufacturers. Automakers and independent analyses have indicated
US pending home sales post biggest gain in more than a year

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Contracts to buy U.S. previously owned homes surged by the most in more than a year in March, boosted by a decline in mortgage rates. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) said on Wednesday its
Nick Reed’s Must Read Headlines – 04.30.25

Storm Damage: Update from City Utilities at 4:30 AM – approximately 28,100 customers remain without electric service. (outage map update 04/30/25 – 6:45 AM) The National Weather Service in Springfield says that a brief, weak EF-0
Kamala Harris plans a speech sharply criticizing Donald Trump’s policies

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Former Vice President Kamala Harris plans to use a high-profile speech Wednesday to sharply criticize President Donald Trump amid speculation about whether she will mount another presidential campaign or opt to run for
Supreme Court hears arguments over publicly funded Catholic charter school in Oklahoma

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is hearing arguments Wednesday over what would be the nation’s first publicly funded religious charter school, in Oklahoma. The justices are taking up appeals filed by the St. Isidore of Seville
US House Republicans to drop $20 vehicle registration fee, boost proposed EV fee to $250

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. House Republicans will drop a proposed $20 federal annual registration fee on all vehicles starting in 2031 to fund road repairs and will now propose a new $250 annual fee on electric cars
Despite a slew of broken car mirrors, Massachusetts residents take woodpecker invasion in stride

ROCKPORT, Mass. (AP) — Rockport residents have a history of fighting off invaders, but not this time. During the War of 1812, townsfolk in the tiny fishing village hurled rocks at British soldiers using their stockings as