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Author: MAK Gojar
The ‘Today’ show hosts keep us entertained and informed every morning! Learn all about them here.The ‘Today’ show hosts keep us entertained and informed every morning! Learn all about them here. Image Credit: Getty Images/ GC Images The Today show hosts are responsible for helping us all get up a bit easier every day because they bring the energy and passion to their very early morning shifts. Find out all about who’s sitting behind the Today desk and get to know who’s faces we love seeing on the daily, below! Who Are the Current ‘Today’ Show Hosts? Savannah Guthrie, Craig…
Here’s what to expect for mortgage rates during the week of Feb. 3-9, 2025.Here’s what to expect for mortgage rates during the week of Feb. 3-9, 2025. Here’s what to expect for mortgage rates during the week of Feb. 3-9, 2025. Mortgage rates fluctuate daily, so a little volatility can always be expected. On Monday, the average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage was around 6.96%, according to Bankrate data, which is 0.15% lower than January’s peak of 7.11%. But February could see more turbulence than usual. Last month’s labor data, which will be released this Friday, and ongoing news on…
After a short reprieve earlier this month, respiratory illness levels have again moved from moderate to high in Illinois, with the flu driving much of the increase, according to the state health department. There was a “notable” increase in emergency department visits and hospital admissions for the flu during the week that ended Jan. 25, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. In Chicago, flu activity increased from high to very high during the same week, according to the Chicago Department of Public Health. Statewide, the percentage of hospital admissions due to the flu grew to 4.6% during that…
WASHINGTON — The Senate on Monday confirmed fossil fuel executive Chris Wright to serve as energy secretary, a key post to promote President Donald Trump’s efforts to achieve U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market. Wright, CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, has been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change. He says more fossil fuel production can lift people out of poverty around the globe and has promised to help Trump “unleash energy security and prosperity.” The Senate approved his nomination, 59-38. Eight Democrats — including both senators from Wright’s home state of Colorado —…
Also: Dismantling government | Crashing economy | Stifling speech | Wake up | America unsafe. Mercury News reader letters to the editor for Jan. 4, 2025. Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor. ‘Christian nationalism’ a contradiction in terms I find recent professions of Christian nationalism very troubling. Christianity and nationalism are fundamentally at odds, making “Christian nationalism” a contradiction. Christianity is a faith that calls for love, humility and care for all people, regardless of nationality. It transcends borders and emphasizes unity, compassion and justice. Nationalism, by contrast, prioritizes loyalty to…
Also: USAID pause | Musk’s team | Congressional cowardice | Trump divides. Mercury News reader letters to the editor for Jan. 4, 2025. Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor. Trump isn’t capable of calling our better angels Re: “As recovery efforts continue, military expert is baffled while Trump baselessly blames DEI” (Page A1, Jan. 31). Minutes after calling for a moment of silence after the Washington air crash tragedy, President Trump launched into a parade of grievances and invective, blaming former Presidents Obama and Biden and DEI for the crash. It…
The state insurance department would need to approve the increase. The devastation from the Palisades Fire is seen from the air as a house remains standing at bottom in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Jan. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) State Farm, the largest insurance company in California, has asked state regulators to immediately approve a steep rate hike for homeowners to prevent a “dire situation” for its customers and the broader insurance market in the wake of the disastrous Los Angeles wildfires. On Monday, the company sent a letter requesting the California Department of Insurance approve…
As Contra Costa County Fire and Martinez Refining Company investigators sift through the damage, refinery workers have returned to their posts in an attempt to prevent further incidents, following numerous health advisories from Contra Costa Health Services department in recent days. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) Smoke billows into the air from an explosion that was reported at the Martinez Refining Company in Martinez, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) About 300 workers have returned to Martinez Refining Company after a leak ignited an explosion and subsequent fire Saturday afternoon, leading to a…
The Trump administration and billionaire ally Elon Musk moved to eradicate the agency that provides crucial aid that funds education and fights starvation, epidemic and poverty overseas, sparking a showdown with congressional Democrats who blasted the effort as illegal and vowed a court fight. In one of the most dramatic efforts to push back on President Donald Trump’s bid to slash and reshape the federal government, some Democrats sought Monday to enter the headquarters of the U.S. Agency for International Development. They were blocked by officers from even broaching the lobby, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he was…
Many Maká traditions have slowly faded. Yet a few elders among these Paraguayan Indigenous people recall how their songs imitated birds. “Men used to say that, as they sang, they travelled to Iguazu Falls or to the mountains,” said Gustavo Torres, a Maká teacher based near Paraguay’s capital, Asunción. “Their songs imitated nature.” Next to him smiled Elodia Servín, who only speaks the Maká language but had Torres help as a translator. Her skin is covered in wrinkles and she has forgotten her age, but a memory sticks: A long time ago, when she was healthy and strong, she loved…
Ecuador’s conservative president said Monday that he is raising tariffs on Mexican imports in a move that echoes the trade barriers that U.S. President Donald Trump announced — but then paused — against Mexico. Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa said Monday that the 27% tariff to be applied on Mexican goods was aimed at boosting local manufacturers. But the conservative leader may also be seeking favor with Washington, where the Trump administration said Saturday it would impose its own 25% tariffs on Mexico. Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced Monday that the tariffs would be halted for now to give…
As Canadians absorb U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war and his threats to make Canada the 51st state, one thing has become abundantly clear: One of the world’s most durable and amicable alliances — born of geography, heritage and centuries of common interests — is broken. Canadians are feeling an undeniable sense of betrayal after Trump declared a trade war against America’s northern neighbor and longtime ally. Trump keeps threatening Canada’s sovereignty and and vowing to put sweeping 25% tariffs on Canadian products, though Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday afternoon the tariffs will be postponed by at least…
President Donald Trump’s administration is ending protections that shielded roughly 350,000 Venezuelans from deportation, leaving them with two months before they lose their right to work in the U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s order affects 348,202 Venezuelans living in the U.S. with Temporary Protected Status slated to expire in April. That’s about half of the approximately 600,000 who have the protection. The remaining protections are set to expire at the end of September. The termination notice will be published Wednesday and go into effect 60 days later. It’s among the latest Trump administration actions targeting the immigration system, as…
The Trump administration is opening new investigations into allegations of antisemitism at five U.S. universities including Columbia and the University of California, Berkeley, the Education Department announced Monday. It’s part of President Donald Trump’s promise to take a tougher stance against campus antisemitism and deal out harsher penalties than former President Joe Biden’s administration, which settled a flurry of cases with universities in its final weeks. The new investigations were opened the same day the Justice Department announced a new task force to root out antisemitism on college campuses. In an order signed last week, Trump called for aggressive action…
California’s Democratic-dominated Assembly endorsed up to $50 million in funding Monday to defend the state’s progressive policies against challenges by the Trump administration. The legislation sets aside $25 million for the state Department of Justice to fight legal battles against the federal government, and another $25 million for legal groups to defend immigrants facing possible deportation. The proposals won approval on party-line votes after Assembly Democrats delayed an expected vote last week. They now head to Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom’ s desk. “We do not trust President Donald Trump,” Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas said before the votes, describing Trump’s administration…
After three years spent trying to deter Russia from destroying Ukraine, European Union leaders grappled on Monday with how to respond to a major ally who appears determined to start a trade war or even seize part of their territory. It would “be a cruel paradox if, during the time of this direct Russian threat and Chinese expansion,” the EU and the United States might end up in a “conflict among allies,” said Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, whose country currently holds the EU’s rotating presidency. Since taking office last month, U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose tariffs…
Video from within a New Mexico courtroom shows the moment a man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend was attacked mid-hearing on Jan. 31. Two men face charges in the incident.
Even as crews continued to comb the Potomac River for victims’ remains, the Army Corp of Engineers began recovering the wreckage of the midair crash.
Even as crews continued to comb the Potomac River for victims’ remains, the Army Corp of Engineers began recovering the wreckage of the midair crash.