U.S. women confident despite slow soccer World Cup start

AUCKLAND, New Zealand — U.S. goals — and wins — have been few and far between this World Cup, but American confidence isn’t lacking. Despite three lackluster group matches that saw the reigning champions squeak through to knockout play, key players insist they’re not shaken by “noise” from the “outside,” المزيد

Aztec dancers accuse U.S. agency of confiscating their traditional feathers

A group of Indigenous Aztec dancers has filed a claim against a U.S. federal agency for confiscating hundreds of traditional Indigenous feathers as the group was crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents seized more than 1,500 feathers typically worn during performances and for cultural and religious المزيد

What a U.S. credit downgrade means for taxpayers and consumers

The U.S. had its credit rating downgraded by ratings agency Fitch on Tuesday. What does that mean for the average taxpayer and consumer? In the immediate term, not much will change for them, economists say. “For most consumers, it’s a nonevent,” said Gus Faucher, senior vice president and chief economist المزيد

U.S. Capitol Police searching Senate office buildings after unconfirmed report of active shooter

WASHINGTON — U.S. Capitol Police have locked down and evacuated the Russell Senate Office Building after receiving reports of a possible active shooter, two law enforcement officials told NBC News.  The reports have not yet been substantiated and Capitol Police officers are still searching the area. U.S. Capitol Police tweeted المزيد

White House blames GOP after Fitch downgrades U.S. credit rating

WASHINGTON — The White House and Biden campaign are pointing fingers at the GOP over Tuesday’s Fitch credit downgrade, the first time in over a decade that the U.S. has faced a downgrade. Fitch Ratings Agency downgraded the U.S. debt rating from AAA to AA+ after a congressional standoff earlier this المزيد

Some U.S. government agencies are testing out AI to help fulfill public records requests

A few federal agencies have started to use sophisticated artificial intelligence tools to help deal with immense caseloads of Freedom of Information Act requests, but some transparency advocates warn that the government needs additional safeguards before more widely deploying the technology. At least three agencies — the State Department, the المزيد

U.S. sees ‘narrow opportunity’ to reverse coup in Niger as ousted president meets Chad’s leader

NIAMEY, Niger — The United States still sees a “narrow” window of opportunity to reverse a military takeover in Niger, a senior U.S. official said on Monday, as Chad’s leader met with the country’s ousted president in a bid to resolve the crisis. Niger’s democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, who المزيد

First U.S. nuclear reactor built from scratch in decades enters commercial operation in Georgia

ATLANTA — A new reactor at a nuclear power plant in Georgia has entered commercial operation, becoming the first new American reactor built from scratch in decades. Georgia Power Co. announced Monday that Unit 3 at Plant Vogtle, southeast of Augusta, has completed testing and is now sending power to the المزيد

Niger attempted coup marked by ‘confusion’ and ‘fluidity:’ U.S. official

A State Department official said Saturday that the attempted military coup in Niger has been marked by “confusion, shifting alliances and fluidity,” and that uncertainty is one reason the U.S. government has not declared it a coup.  Nigerien soldiers said Wednesday they had overthrown the country’s democratically elected leader, Mohamed Bazoum, with troops المزيد