AP-Newswatch

FBI says driver in New Orleans rampage acted alone, was ‘100%’ inspired by Islamic State group

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The FBI now says that the pickup truck driver responsible for a deadly rampage in New Orleans acted alone. Officials said Wednesday that they were seeking additional potential suspects in an attack being investigated as an act of terrorism. But Christopher Raia, deputy assistant director of the FBI’s counterterrorism division, said Thursday that the evidence now shows that Shamsud-Din Jabbar was solely responsible for the attack and professed allegiance to the Islamic State. The FBI also revealed that Jabbar posted five videos on his Facebook account in the hours before the attack in which he proclaimed his support for the militant group and previewed the violence that he would soon unleash in the city’s famed French Quarter district.

The Latest: The FBI now says the New Orleans truck attacker acted alone in an ‘act of terrorism’

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The FBI now says the New Orleans truck attack acted alone when he drove a pickup truck into a crowd of New Year’s revelers, killing 14 people. The driver had posted videos on social media hours before the early Wednesday carnage saying he was inspired by the Islamic State group and expressing a desire to kill, President Joe Biden said. The FBI has identified the driver as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar, a U.S. Army veteran. Officials have not yet released the names of the people killed in the attack, but their families and friends have started sharing their stories. About 30 people were injured.

Man shot himself in head before Cybertruck exploded outside Trump’s Las Vegas hotel, officials say

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Authorities say the highly decorated soldier inside the Tesla Cybertruck that burst into flames outside President-elect Donald Trump’s Las Vegas hotel shot himself in the head before the explosion and likely planned to cause more damage but the explosive was rudimentary and the steel-sided vehicle absorbed much of the force. McMahill said a handgun was found at his feet. The man believed to be Matthew Livelsberger was an active-duty U.S. Army soldier and member of its elite Green Berets. He has served in the Army since 2006, rising through the ranks, and was on approved leave when he died, the Pentagon said.

Israeli airstrike hits a Gaza humanitarian zone as Netanyahu OKs a delegation to talks in Qatar

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 26 people across Gaza as they struck Hamas security officers and an Israeli-declared humanitarian zone. Thursday’s early morning strike in the seaside humanitarian zone known as Muwasi occurred as hundreds of thousands of displaced people are huddling there in damp winter weather. While the daily bombardment continued, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said he had authorized a delegation from the Mossad intelligence agency, the Shin Bet internal security agency and the military to continue negotiations in Qatar toward a ceasefire deal. Israeli media said the delegation would depart Friday.

5 things we know and still don’t know about COVID, 5 years after it appeared

Five years after the virus that causes COVID emerged in China it still holds some mysteries. The disease has killed an estimated 20 million people globally, according to the World Health Organization, and thousands are still dying every year. But scientists still aren’t clear where it came from, and they are still trying to understand what causes long-term symptoms called long COVID. And while vaccines have helped dramatically reduce severe disease and death from COVID, the virus mutates so quickly researchers have struggled to find a vaccine that stops the spread.

Why Mike Johnson’s bid to remain House speaker could be a struggle despite Trump’s support

WASHINGTON (AP) — Mike Johnson is fighting for his political life, again. The Louisiana Republican’s hold on the House speaker’s gavel and his position as second in line to the presidency will be tested Friday when a new Congress convenes. The challenge for Johnson is that he will need almost every Republican vote to win the speakership again. Johnson has one big thing in his favor. President-elect Donald Trump has endorsed him. But Johnson’s handling of major funding fights has turned at least a few allies into detractors. It remains to be seen whether he can win the speaker’s gavel on first ballot.

‘Dinosaur highway’ tracks dating back 166 million years are discovered in England

LONDON (AP) — Researchers in England have unearthed nearly 200 dinosaur tracks that date back 166 million years. The discovery, announced Thursday by the universities of Oxford and Birmingham, were made last summer when a worker digging up clay in a quarry in Oxfordshire noticed unusual bumps. That finding led to a week-long excavation in June which unearthed five extensive trackways that formed part of a “dinosaur highway.” Four sets of tracks were made by herbivores called sauropods, that were most likely Cetiosaurus, which measure up to 60 feet (18 meters) long. One track was made by the ferocious Megalosaurus, a carnivore with a distinctive triple-claw print.

Impeached South Korean president issues defiant message as he faces possible detention

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has sent a message to conservative supporters rallying outside his Seoul residence, vowing to “fight to the end” against “anti-state forces.” His legal team warned on Thursday that police officers attempting to detain him could face arrest by his presidential security service or even civilians. Yoon’s statement came as the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials prepares to execute a detainment warrant against him that was issued by a Seoul court. The warrant was issued after Yoon evaded multiple requests to appear for questioning and blocked searches of his office, hindering an investigation into whether his short-lived power grab on Dec. 3 amounted to rebellion.

Meet the Danish-Swedish farmdog, the newest breed in the American Kennel Club’s lineup

NEW YORK (AP) — Say hello to the latest dog in the American Kennel Club’s lineup of recognized breeds. The Danish-Swedish farmdog joined the pack Thursday. The designation makes the breed eligible to compete for many best in show trophies. It’s also likely to bring more widespread interest in the small, sprightly dogs, and that possibility both gladdens and concerns their biggest fans. Carey Segebart is one of the people who worked to get Danish-Swedish farmdogs recognized by the AKC. She says it’s exciting, but farmdog folks don’t want the breed’s popularity grow too quickly.

Superdome re-opens from lockdown for the Sugar Bowl CFP quarterfinal between Georgia and Notre Dame

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Flags are at half-staff outside the Superdome and at nearby state buildings as fans arrive a day later than scheduled for a College Football Playoff quarterfinal game between Notre Dame and Georgia at the Sugar Bowl. The game was delayed by an attack in the nearby French Quarter that killed 14 and injured dozens more. Numerous security officers around the stadium were handling dogs trained to sniff for explosive devices. While many traveling fans extended their stay to attend the game, the postponement meant many would not be able to attend. Numerous tickets listed for resale online were priced at $30 or less.