The governor has named a state of emergency for Baker, Deschutes and Umatilla counties because the rain is far below normal. The drought began in late spring and has not eased, with forecasts showing even less rain for the summer. Officials warn that the lack of water will hurt farmers, ranche
The Bahamas will hold a surprise vote on May 12, a full five months ahead of schedule. Prime Minister Philip Davis made the call after scrapping a sales tax on basic foods to ease the country’s sky-high living costs. The move follows a trend seen in other nations where governments slash taxes on ess
A man who could barely see the world around him died alone in New York after being dropped at a coffee shop by border agents. His death was later ruled a homicide, but the federal agency in charge strongly disagreed. They claimed their officers had done their best, offering him a ride and leaving hi
Taxes shape how much people keep from each paycheck, but those amounts vary wildly depending on where they live. A fresh look at state tax burdens shows Hawaii tops the list, where residents give up 13. 3 percent of their income to state and local taxes—more than double what Alaskans pay. The breakd
The debate over funding for border security has left Congress at a standstill. Senate Republicans are pushing a plan to keep the Department of Homeland Security running, but Democrats have held back on negotiations for weeks. One senator from Kansas, who works on budget and tax issues, says the dela
In the mid‑1800s, Amsterdam’s Binnengasthuis hospital was a place where people could seek help or, sometimes, face their final days. Researchers looked closely at patient records from 1856 to 1896 to understand who was admitted and how many survived. The study found that death rates were not as h
China has taken a major step against an international money‑laundering ring that operated out of Cambodia. The chief, Li Xiong, a Chinese national who once led Huione Group, was seized in Phnom Penh and sent back to China. Authorities say he helped hide illegal profits and ran casinos, among other s
Luigi Mangione, 27, is slated to appear in federal court on Wednesday. He wants to push back a trial that could send him to prison for life after he shot UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan on December 4, 2023. The judge has set the date for jury selection to start on September 8 and op
Pakistan and Afghanistan have begun a fresh round of negotiations in China, aiming to stop the worst fighting between the two Muslim countries since 2021. Beijing has stepped in as mediator, hoping to reach a deal that would reduce the heavy casualties on both sides, especially those suffered in Afg
People are losing their ability to afford medicine, insurance and even food. A recent study shows that almost 80 % of those with marketplace plans now pay higher premiums or deductibles. Because of the loss of tax credits, many families are forced to pick between paying for health care and cov
