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Fencing goes up around the main Kennedy Center building after Trump-aligned board votes to close it
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Fencing has gone up around the main Kennedy Center building, a day after the Trump-aligned board voted to close most of the performing arts center for repairs. That vote came after a federal judge blocked the institution from returning President Donald Trump’s name to the building. The Republican had said in a social media post that the closure was needed for safety repairs. But he said the repairs, which Congress has allocated $257 million to cover, would only happen if the board was permitted to move forward with plans to add his name to the building.
Driver arrested in a bus collision that happened before a deadly news helicopter crash in LA
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- A motorist was arrested on murder charges after authorities say she slammed her SUV into a city bus in Los Angeles, killing at least two people and injuring six others in a prelude to a second deadly tragedy: the fiery crash of a TV news helicopter used by NBC and Telemundo that was covering the collision. Police say 36-year-old Bailee Lynn Rios was arrested Monday night and is being held at a Los Angeles jail with bail set at $4 million. Information on a lawyer who could speak on her behalf wasn’t immediately available. NBC4 Los Angeles identified the two on the helicopter as reporter Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw.
House holds billionaire Leon Black in contempt of Congress over Epstein investigation
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The House has approved a resolution holding billionaire Leon Black in contempt of Congress after he defied the Oversight Committee’s subpoenas in its investigation into disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. The swift action, without a formal roll call vote, refers the matter to the Justice Department to decide whether to seek criminal prosecution. The Oversight Committee had subpoenaed Black with a request to appear and to turn over any potential nondisclosure agreements involving the investigation into Epstein. Black’s lawyers have denounced the Oversight Committee’s pursuit of the former head of a private equity firm as an abuse of congressional power.
Building collapse in Gaza kills at least 21 people, and other Mideast developments
A building housing displaced Palestinian families has collapsed in Gaza City and killed at least 21 people including 11 children. The structure was heavily damaged during the Israel-Hamas war and there had been warnings about its safety. People remained missing or trapped under the rubble following the collapse Wednesday. Saudi Arabia said that its air defenses intercepted a drone headed toward Mecca late Tuesday. The Houthis have denied targeting Mecca. But the allegation drew widespread condemnation. Officials say Saudi Arabia is reaching out to allies for military help against the Houthis.
Saudis seek allies’ help as missile defenses run low in fight with Houthis, officials say
CAIRO (AP) -- Saudi Arabia is running low on missile interceptors and has turned to regional and Western allies for assistance as its standoff with Houthi rebels in Yemen drags on. That’s according to two regional officials who on Wednesday said the Saudis have asked France, Britain, Pakistan and Egypt to deploy air-defense support to the region to help defend against missiles and drones fired by Iranian-backed groups. Separately, Saudi Arabia and other Muslim nations are condemning an attempted drone attack on Mecca, Islam’s holiest city. The Houthis deny targeting Mecca.
NASA spacecraft discovers a huge new crater on the moon
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) -- Scientists have discovered a crater on the moon that’s bigger than the Roman Colosseum, the result of a powerful impact two years ago. Researchers reported Wednesday that it’s the solar system’s biggest known impact crater carved out in recent times. They say such a large-scale event is estimated to occur only once every 132 years, making this a treasure trove of information as NASA prepares to build a base for astronauts on the moon. NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter spotted the crater after it was formed by a comet or asteroid fragment.