Health

WHO chief asks countries to push Washington to reconsider its withdrawal

Feb. 03, 2025

GENEVA (AP) — The World Health Organization chief asked global leaders to lean on Washington to reverse President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the U.N. health agency, insisting in a closed-door meeting with diplomats last week that the U.S. will miss out on critical information about global disease outbreaks. But countries also pressed WHO at a key budget meeting last Wednesday about how it might cope with the exit of its biggest donor, according to internal meeting materials obtained by The Associated Press. A German envoy, Bjorn Kummel, warned: “The roof is on fire, and we need to stop the fire as soon as possible.” For 2024-2025, the U.S. is WHO’s biggest donor by far, putting in an estimated $988 million, roughly 14% of WHO’s $6.9 billion budget.

Business

Democratic senators say they have 'grave concerns' over RFK Jr.'s potential financial conflicts

Feb. 03, 2025

Two Democratic senators on the committee that will get to decide whether to advance Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination say his recent financial disclosure filing gave them “grave concern” about whether he should become the next health and human services secretary. In a letter to Kennedy dated Sunday, Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said his recently amended ethics disclosure form only raised additional questions about the scope of his potential financial conflicts of interest. “What is clear is that your involvement and financial interests in vaccine litigation are broad and extensive. It seems possible that many different types of vaccine-related decisions and communications—which you would be empowered to make and influence as Secretary—could result in significant financial compensation for your family,” wrote Warren and Wyden, who are on the Finance Committee.

Entertainment

What to stream: Amy Schumer expecting, Kevin Costner celebrates a park and Pharrell is made of Lego

Feb. 03, 2025

Amy Schumer leading the R-rated comedy “Kinda Pregnant” and “Yellowstone” star Kevin Costner narrating a docuseries about Yosemite National Park are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you. Also among the streaming offerings worth your time as selected by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists: The estate of saxophonist John Coltrane offers an anniversary edition of his album “A Love Supreme,” Pharrell Williams’ life story is told using Lego pieces in the unconventional documentary “Piece by Piece” and Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh star in the romantic drama “We Live In Time,”

Business

The globetrotting communities embracing Black joy through international travel

Feb. 03, 2025

Patricka Hogue’s friends were already calling her “the nomad.” While she had visited dozens of countries (at the latest count, at least 60), by 2012 she yearned for a community of Black fellow travelers she could share her traveling experiences with. That was when she stumbled upon the Nomadness Travel Tribe, a Facebook group, now with 37,000 members.

Business

Why more retirement-age Americans keep working

Feb. 03, 2025

When it came time for Diane Wetherington to consider retirement, reality quickly set in. The 72-year-old debated devoting her time to crafting and doting over her grandkids and even gave full-time retirement a try. But she soon realized her Social Security checks, which were smaller than her peers’ due to time she spent out of the workforce while raising children, wouldn’t be enough to cover travel or rising insurance costs on top of basic needs. Now, the Central Florida resident works part time as a remote contracting agent in local government. While she sometimes has to miss out on plans with fully retired friends, she said, continuing to work has kept her budget sound and her mind active.

Business

Global markets brace for chaos ahead of Trump's tariffs on Canada and China

Feb. 03, 2025

President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs announced over the weekend — as well as the promise of more punishing measures leveled against some of Washington’s closest trading partners— have alarmed allies and spooked markets about what some fear may spiral into a global trade war. While most world leaders have been circumspect about the levies against Canada, Mexico and China, economists say consumers around the world will face spiraling prices as the supply chains that move goods among countries become more exposed to political risk and therefore costlier. Chrystia Freeland, a contender to be Canada’s prime minister, said Monday on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” that Trump’ actions were a “colossal act of self-harm,” because the measures would also hurt American exporters trying to sell goods to Canada.

Business

Perplexity AI bids on TikTok, CEO says it's a win-win for Trump

Feb. 03, 2025

EXCLUSIVE: The CEO of AI startup Perplexity, Aravind Srinivas, confirmed his company’s bid for TikTok U.S. and said the deal checks all the boxes for investors and President Donald Trump, including an ownership stake for the U.S. "We’re not trying to be disruptive to the existing shareholders, but we're also trying to get what President Trump wants, which is about American control and also the government getting equity in the new entity. I think that we are offering both of that," Srinivas told FOX Business in his first on-the-record comments since news of the deal leaked last month.

Business

Markets fall following tariff turbulence

Feb. 03, 2025

Stocks fell Monday in turbulent trading linked to President Donald Trump's tariff announcements. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.3%, while the broader S&P 500 declined 0.8%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 lost 1.2%. The Cboe Volatility Index, known as Wall Street’s “fear” gauge, which anticipates major market swings, spiked above 18 — approaching highs seen over the last two years.

International News

There are bodies in the streets in the DRC as rebel group's sweep reignites decades old conflict

Feb. 02, 2025

A deadly insurgency is sweeping the Democratic Republic of Congo, a country three times the size of Texas that is estimated to hold trillions of dollars’ worth of minerals essential to smartphones, computers and electric vehicle batteries. The rebel group M23 is vying to expand its control by pushing south from Goma in the most dramatic escalation in the decades-old conflict for 13 years. The United Nations has warned that the conflict is at risk of spiraling into a war in a region that’s no stranger to bitter fighting.

Sports

PGA star Jason Day wears sweats at Pebble Beach, sparking social media stir, John Fetterman comparisons

Feb. 02, 2025

It's no secret that Jason Day has pushed the boundaries lately with his on-course attire, but many fans think he crossed the line on Sunday. Day teed off for the final round at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am, and his outfit – a full gray sweatsuit – drew a ton of reaction.