AP National News

Associated Press LONDON (AP) — Maggie Smith, the masterful, scene-stealing actor who won an Oscar for the 1969 film “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” and gained new fans in the 21st century as the dowager Countess of Grantham in “ Downton Abbey” and Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter films, died Friday. She

AP Economics Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation measure on Friday provided the latest sign that price pressures are easing, a trend that is expected to fuel further Fed interest rate cuts this year and next. Prices rose just 0.1% from July to August, the Commerce Department said, down from the previous

AP Fashion Writer PARIS (AP) — Loewe’s latest collection dazzled at Paris Fashion Week Friday, presenting an explosion of flowers and form that showcased designer onathan Anderson’s innovative spirit. A striking white gown adorned with vibrant floral prints captured the collection’s dynamic essence, while whimsical designs like a surreal giant hoop skirt added an eccentric

Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — Every September, a crush of events unfold on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, the annual high-level meetings of world leaders in New York. Nonprofits, advocates and fundraisers descend on midtown Manhattan to mingle and lobby the world leaders, billionaires and companies who are also in town.

MIAMI (AP) — Hurricane Isaac and Tropical Storm Joyce are both far from land but getting stronger in the Atlantic Ocean. The National Hurricane Center says there are no coastal watches or warnings for either storm Friday. But swells from Isaac could contribute to life-threatening surf and rip current conditions by the weekend in the

Associated Press FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Massive Hurricane Helene crashed into Florida’s sparsely populated Big Bend region, bringing storm surge and high winds across the state’s Gulf Coast communities before ripping into southern Georgia. The storm remained at hurricane strength as it crossed into southern Georgia, before weakening into a tropical storm as it

NEW YORK (AP) — Prince Harry’s latest philanthropic move will gather world business leaders and philanthropists to work towards fostering prosperity in Southern African communities. With a specific focus on young people and the issues impacting their growth and development, the organization Harry co-founded in 2006 called Sentebale will bring together leaders from Google and other organizations

Associated Press LONDON (AP) — It’s been a year since a sycamore tree that stood high and proud near the Roman landmark of Hadrian’s Wall in the north of England was inexplicably chopped down, triggering a wave of shock and disbelief across the U.K., even among those who had never seen it up close. Known

Associated Press BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán says his country always has and always will defend itself against foreign attacks in response to controversial statements by one of his closest aides suggesting Hungary wouldn’t have fought against a Russian invasion as Ukraine has done. Speaking to state radio on Friday, Orbán

AP Economics Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — A Federal Reserve official says he supports reducing the central bank’s key interest rate somewhat from its current level. But Tom Barkin, the president of the Federal Reserve’s Richmond branch, says he isn’t yet ready for the Fed to fully take its foot off the economy’s brakes. In an

Associated Press TOKYO (AP) — The person chosen to lead Japan’s governing party, and become prime minister next week, is a veteran politician with deep policy experience, a taste for curry and anime — and big challenges ahead of him as he tries to unite a fractious party and hold off an opposition eager to

Associated Press DOUGLAS, Ariz. (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris walked a scrubby stretch along the U.S.-Mexico border on Friday and called for further tightening of asylum restrictions as she sought to project a tougher stance on illegal migration and address one of her biggest vulnerabilities in the November election. Harris’ push to further restrict

Associated Press PADANG, Indonesia (AP) — Officials say a landslide struck an unauthorized gold mining operation on Indonesia’s Sumatra island, killing at least 15 people. Dozens others were reported missing. Villagers were digging Thursday for grains of gold in the remote Solok district of West Sumatra province when mud plunged down the surrounding hills and

Associated Press BRUSSELS (AP) — On a brutal day for the frail and aging Pope Francis, the king of Belgium, its prime minister and the rector of the Catholic university that invited him here all ripped into the institution he heads for a spectrum of sins: for covering up cases of clergy sex abuse and

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greek authorities say one person has died and 15 others were rescued after their dinghy overturned in rough weather off the eastern island of Kos, while dozens of other migrants were rescued in another incident in southern Greece. The coast guard said Friday the dinghy had been carrying 16 people when