National News - The Morning Sun

FILE - U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Texas, introduces state Sen. Royce West at a rally where West announced his bid to run for the U.S. Senate, in Dallas, Monday, July 22, 2019. Johnson, a nurse from Texas who helped bring hundreds of millions of federal dollars to the Dallas area as the region's most powerful Democrat, died Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023. She was 88. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, File)

Influential former Texas US Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson dies at 89

Trailblazing former U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson has died at 89. The nurse from Texas helped bring hundreds of millions of federal dollars to the Dallas area as the region's most powerful … more

1/4/24

FILE - Gonzaga guard Jalen Suggs (1) celebrates making the game-winning basket against UCLA during overtime in a men's Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game, Saturday, April 3, 2021, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Gonzaga won 93-90. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)

The AP Top 25 remains a college basketball mainstay after 75 years of evolution

The AP Top 25 men's college basketball poll has been a mainstay for 75 years, but much like the game itself, it has evolved with the times. What was once a top 20, and contracted to a top 10, reached … more

By DAVE SKRETTA | 1/4/24

A sale pending sign is displayed in front of a home in Sudbury, Mass., on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. On Thursday, Freddie Mac reports on this week's average U.S. mortgage rates. (AP Photo/Peter Morgan)

Average long-term mortgage rates edge higher, snapping 9-week slide

The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate edged higher this week, ending a nine-week slide that gave prospective homebuyers some breathing room after home loan borrowing soared to the highest level in … more

By ALEX VEIGA | 1/4/24

A Newark Police vehicle is parked outside the Masjid-Muhammad-Newark Mosque in Newark, N.J. on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. A imam was shot and critically wounded early Wednesday morning outside the mosque as officers worked to identify and arrest the shooter. The victim was taken to nearby University Hospital and is in critical condition, authorities said. (WABC via AP)

New Jersey police seek killer of a Muslim leader outside Newark mosque

Police in New Jersey are hunting for the killer of a Muslim leader who was shot outside his mosque. They're offering a cash reward and reiterating they don't think bias played a role in the violence. … more

By MIKE CATALINI | 1/4/24

Funeral workers down a coffin into a grave during a funeral ceremony of Sviatoslav Romanchuk, Ukrainian serviceman, at the cemetery in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. Romanchuk joined territorial defence since the beginning of or Russian invasion and was killed on Dec. 28, 2023 in Lyman direction, Donetsk region. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

Russia and Ukraine exchange long-range attacks as their front-line forces remain bogged down

Russia’s Defense Ministry says air defenses shot down 10 Ukrainian air-launched missiles over the Moscow-annexed Crimean Peninsula. The report Thursday comes as both sides in the war continue … more

By The Associated Press | 1/4/24

Burnt Japan Airlines plane is seen at Haneda airport on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024, in Tokyo, Japan. A transcript of communication between traffic control and two aircraft that collided and burst into flames at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport showed that only the larger Japan Airlines passenger flight was given permission to use the runway where a coast guard plane was preparing for takeoff. (Kyodo News via AP)

The key question about fiery crash at Tokyo airport: Did one or both planes have OK to use runway?

Passengers on Japan Airlines Flight 516 were buckled up as their pilot made a final approach to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport. About two minutes later, the Airbus A350 was on the ground but engulfed in an … more

By MARI YAMAGUCHI | 1/4/24

FILE - A man crosses himself while bathing in the water during a traditional Epiphany celebration as the temperature dropped to about -24 degrees (-11,2 degrees Fahrenheit) near the Achairsky monastery outside Siberian city of Omsk, Russia, Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021. Water that is blessed by a cleric on Epiphany is considered holy and pure until next year's celebration, and is believed to have special powers of protection and healing. The Russian Orthodox Church follows the old Julian calendar.. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Sofiychuk, File)

What is the Epiphany? Why is it also called Three Kings Day? And when do Christians celebrate it?

Christians around the world will mark Epiphany on Jan. 6 with a series of celebrations. Catholics and some Western Christian churches know the feast day as Three Kings Day. The Orthodox know it as … more

Associated Press | 1/4/24

A hiring sign is displayed at a restaurant in Glenview, Ill., Tuesday, Dec.12, 2023. On Thursday, the Labor Department reports on the number of people who applied for unemployment benefits last week. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

US applications for unemployment benefits fall again as job market continues to show strength

The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell last week as the labor market continues to show resilience despite elevated interest rates. Jobless claims fell to 202,000 for the week … more

By MATT OTT | 1/4/24

This photo provided by Scholastic Inc. shows the cover of “When We Flew Away: A Novel of Anne Frank Before the Diary,” written by best-selling author Alice Hoffman. (Scholastic Inc. via AP)

Alice Hoffman's novel about Anne Frank will be published in September

With the cooperation of the Anne Frank House, a novel based on Frank’s life immediately before she began keeping a diary will be released in September by the children’s publisher Scholastic. … more

By HILLEL ITALIE | 1/4/24

FILE - Serbian Army soldiers perform during a military parade at the military airport Batajnica, near Belgrade, Serbia, on Oct. 19, 2019. Serbia looks set to reintroduce the obligatory military service for its young citizens, the army command said Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024 in a move that comes amid rising tensions in the Balkans. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic, File)

Serbia's army proposes bringing back the draft as tensions continue to rise in the Balkans

Serbia's military wants to reintroduce obligatory military service as tensions continue to rise in the Balkans. The army command said in a statement Thursday that the proposal for compulsory service … more

By DUSAN STOJANOVIC | 1/4/24

In this image from video provided by the Clark County District Court, a defendant identified by court officials and records as Deobra Redden is seen launching over the desk of Judge Mary Kay Holthus during his sentencing in a felony battery case on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024 in Las Vegas. Authorities say the judge suffered minor injuries while a courtroom marshal suffered a bleeding gash on his forehead and a dislocated shoulder. (Clark County District Court via AP)

Nevada judge attacked by defendant during sentencing in Vegas courtroom scene captured on video

A Nevada judge was attacked in court by a defendant who vaulted the bench and sparked a bloody brawl with court officials and attorneys as he was about to sentenced to prison in a felony battery … more

By KEN RITTER and RIO YAMAT | 1/3/24

A passer-by walks through a gate to the Harvard University campus, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, in Cambridge, Mass. Harvard University President Claudine Gay resigned Tuesday amid plagiarism accusations and criticism over testimony at a congressional hearing where she was unable to say unequivocally that calls on campus for the genocide of Jews would violate the school's conduct policy. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Harvard seeks to move past firestorm brought on by school President Claudine Gay's resignation

Harvard University is trying to move past the firestorm brought on by the plagiarism allegations, congressional testimony and resignation of Claudine Gay, the school’s first Black president. The … more

By STEVE LeBLANC | 1/3/24

FILE - Migrants wait to be processed by the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol after they crossed the Rio Grande and entered the U.S. from Mexico, Oct. 19, 2023, in Eagle Pass, Texas. The Justice Department on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, sued Texas over a new law that would allow police to arrest migrants who enter the U.S. illegally, taking Republican Gov. Greg Abbott to court again over his escalating response to border crossers arriving from Mexico. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

Justice Department sues Texas over law that would let police arrest migrants who enter US illegally

The Justice Department is suing Texas over a new law that would allow police in the state to arrest migrants who enter the U.S. illegally. The lawsuit filed Wednesday accuses Texas of violating the … more

By PAUL J. WEBER and ACACIA CORONADO | 1/3/24

Kierre Williams, right, sits with his attorneys in court Wednesday morning, Jan. 3, 2024, in Blair, Neb. Williams is charged with fatally stabbing a small-town priest during a Dec. 10, 2023, break in at the home where the priest lived next to his church in Fort Calhoun, Neb. (AP Photo/Josh Funk)

Nebraska judge allows murder case to proceed against suspect in killing of small-town priest

A Nebraska judge has agreed that the fact that the suspect was found lying on top of a badly wounded priest covered in blood stains last month inside the home where the priest lived next door to his … more

By JOSH FUNK | 1/3/24

A Japan Airlines plane is on fire on the runway of Haneda airport on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024 in Tokyo, Japan. The passenger plane collided with a Japanese coast guard aircraft and burst into flames on the runway of Tokyo’s Haneda Airport on Tuesday, officials said. (Kyodo News via AP)

A jet's carbon-composite fiber fuselage burned on a Tokyo runway. Is the material safe?

The runway fire in Tokyo is providing a key test of the safety of carbon-composite material on planes. Composite materials reinforced with carbon fibers make planes lighter, which helps them save … more

By DAVID KOENIG | 1/3/24

Loved ones and community members gathered for a vigil for Wadee Alfayoumi, an Illinois boy killed in an alleged hate crime last year. Joseph Czuba is facing hate crime and murder charges. The vigil was held at the courthouse where Czuba was appearing Wednesday. (Jan. 3) (AP Video: Melissa Winder)

Vigil held to honor slain Muslim boy as accused attacker appears in court in Illinois

An Illinois landlord charged with murder, attempted murder and a hate crime in an October attack on a Palestinian American mother and her young son has appeared for a pretrial hearing. The court … more

By CLAIRE SAVAGE | 1/3/24

A group of volunteer divers from Sunshine State Sonar said they believe they found the remains of Sandra Lemire on Saturday, Dec 30, 2023, while diving in a small retention pond near Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., apparently solving a 12-year-old mystery about what happened to her. ( Sunshine State Sonar via AP)

12 years after she vanished, divers believe they have found body of woman in submerged vehicle

The body of a woman who went missing 12 years ago appears to have been found last week in a minivan submerged in a central Florida retention pond near Walt Disney World. The family of Sandra Lemire … more

1/3/24

FILE - Jeffrey Epstein appears in court, July 30, 2008, in West Palm Beach, Fla. On Monday, Dec. 18, 2023, a federal judge ordered the public disclosure of the identities of more than 150 people mentioned in a mountain of court documents related to the late-financier, saying that most of the names were already public and that many had not objected to the release. (Uma Sanghvi/The Palm Beach Post via AP, File)

Court records related to Jeffrey Epstein are set to be released, but they aren't a client list

Social media has been rife in recent weeks with posts speculating that a judge is about to release a list of clients or co-conspirators of Jeffrey Epstein, the jet-setting financier who killed … more

By DAVID B. CARUSO | 1/3/24

People stay next to destroyed cars after an explosion in Kerman, Iran, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. Iran says bomb blasts at an event honoring a prominent Iranian general slain in a U.S. airstrike in 2020 have killed at least 103 people and wounded 188 others. (Tasnim News Agency via AP)

What’s known, and what remains unclear, about the deadly explosions in Iran

Here’s what’s known — and what remains unclear — about Wednesday’s deadly explosions in Iran. more

By The Associated Press | 1/3/24

The hall of historic Waiola Church in Lahaina and nearby Lahaina Hongwanji Mission are engulfed in flames on Aug. 8, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Matthew Thayer/The Maui News via AP)

New PGA Tour season starts with renewed emphasis on charity with Lahaina in mind

The PGA Tour season starts at Kapalua and there's a different feeling this year. Collin Morikawa, Tony Finau and Xander Schauffele are among several players contributing to relief efforts toward the … more

By DOUG FERGUSON | 1/3/24