Newswatch

Think twice before bailing out of the stock market, financial advisers say

NEW YORK (AP) — The huge swings rocking Wall Street and the global economy may feel far from normal. But, for investing at least, drops of this size have happened often throughout history. Stomaching them is the price investors have had to pay in order to get the bigger returns that stocks can offer over other investments in the long term. Here’s a glimpse at what’s been behind the market’s wild moves and what experts are advising investors young and old to consider.

US has twice as many measles cases so far this year than in all of 2024

The U.S. now has more than doubled the total number of measles cases in 2024. Texas, New Mexico, Ohio, Kansas and Oklahoma all have active measles outbreaks. Two unvaccinated people have died from measles-related causes. Measles is caused by a highly contagious virus that’s airborne and spreads easily when an infected person breathes, sneezes or coughs. It is preventable through vaccines, and has been considered eliminated from the U.S. since 2000. Measles cases also have been reported in Alaska, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont and Washington.

South and Midwest hit by potentially catastrophic rains and floods while reeling from tornadoes

HOPKINSVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Parts of the Midwest and South are facing the possibility torrential rains and life-threatening flash floods. The fresh storms on Friday come as many communities are still reeling from severe tornadoes that destroyed whole neighborhoods and killed at least seven people. Kentucky’s governor said floodwaters swept away and killed a boy Friday in his state. Forecasters warned of catastrophic weather on the way, with satellite imagery showing thunderstorms lining up like freight trains. Those who died in the initial wave of storms on Wednesday and early Thursday were in Tennessee, Indiana and Missouri. Forecasters say it was the opening act for days of wild weather that could bring flash floods across the nation’s midsection.

Israeli strikes kill at least 17 in Gaza as ground troops enter Palestinian territory’s north

DEIR AL BALAH, Gaza (AP) — Israeli strikes have killed more than a dozen people in the Gaza Strip as Israel sends more ground troops into the Palestinian territory to ramp up its offensive against Hamas. Staff at the hospital in Khan Younis said at least 17 people were killed when an airstrike hit a three-story building early Friday. Some of the victims were from the same family. People were still searching through the rubble looking for survivors hours later. The attack follows days of Israeli strikes that have killed at least 100 people. Israel has intensified its operations in a bid to pressure Hamas to release its hostages. Israel said Friday it had begun a ground activity in northern Gaza to expand its security zone.

Officials say a Russian strike in central Ukraine kills 14 people, including six children

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian officials say that a Russian missile strike Friday on the central city of Kryvyi Rih has killed at least 14 people, including six children, and injured more than 50. The head of Dnipropetrovsk region, Serhii Lysak, has described the Russian ballistic attack as an “assault against civilians.” The strike comes as U.S. and European officials press Russia to accept a ceasefire in the conflict. U.K. and French foreign ministers are accusing Russian President Vladimir Putin of dragging his feet in ceasefire talks to halt Russia’s all-out invasion of Ukraine.

Four space tourists return to Earth after a private flight over the poles

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Four space tourists are back on Earth after orbiting over the north and south poles. Their SpaceX capsule splashed down in the Pacific off the Southern California coast on Friday. Bitcoin investor Chun Wang bought the 3 1/2-day flight for an undisclosed price. He invited along a Norwegian filmmaker, a German robotics researcher and an Australian polar guide. The four rocketed into a polar orbit earlier this week from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Their capsule was outfitted with a domed window that provided stunning 360-degree views of the poles.

Duke freshman star Cooper Flagg named the AP men’s college basketball player of the year

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Duke star Cooper Flagg is The Associated Press men’s college basketball national player of the year. Flagg is just the fourth freshman to win the award. He joins Duke’s Zion Williamson, Kentucky’s Anthony Davis and Texas star Kevin Durant. He is also the eighth Duke player to win the award, the most of any school. Flagg received 41 of 61 votes from AP Top 25 poll voters to beat Auburn’s Johni Broome. They were the only two players to receive votes. Both have their teams in the Final Four this weekend.