In latest blow to Tesla, regulators recall nearly all Cybertrucks
US regulators are recalling nearly all Cybertrucks, the eighth recall of the Tesla vehicles since deliveries to customers began just over a year ago. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s recall, which covers more than 46,000 Cybertrucks, warned Thursday that an exterior panel that runs along the left and right sight of the windshield can detach while driving, creating a dangerous road hazard for other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash. The stainless steel strip is bound to the truck’s assembly with a structural adhesive. The remedy uses an adhesive that’s not been found to be vulnerable to “environmental embrittlement,” the NHTSA said, and includes additional reinforcements.
Southwest flight almost takes off from taxiway — rather than runway — at Florida airport
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Officials say a Southwest Airlines flight almost took off from a taxiway — rather than a runway — at a central Florida airport on Thursday before an air traffic controller stopped the plane. The airline says no injuries were reported, and passengers departing Orlando International Airport were accommodated on another aircraft heading to their destination of Albany, New York. Officials say Southwest Flight 3278 had been cleared for takeoff and initiated a takeoff roll on a taxiway after the crew mistook the surface for the nearby runway. But air traffic controllers canceled the clearance before the plane could take off.
Hawaii's Kilauea volcano puts on dazzling show with lava fountains hundreds of feet high
HONOLULU (AP) — The most recent eruption episode of Hawaii’s most active volcano has ended after sending fountains of lava hundreds of feet into the sky. The U.S. Geological Survey says lava fountain heights reached 700 feet during the Thursday episode. The molten rock was contained within the park and didn't threaten residential areas. The volcano began its current eruption Dec. 23. The eruption has stopped and resumed more than a dozen times since. The shortest episode lasted 13 hours. The longest lasted eight days. Each time, the volcano has sent lava shooting high into the sky from caldera vents, creating a dramatic sight for park visitors.
Swarms of midges are bugging a Tuscan beach town, which wants an emergency declared to help
ROME (AP) — Residents of the Tuscan beach enclave of Orbetello are seeking a state of emergency declaration to help combat an invasion of midges that are keeping people indoors and threatening businesses catering to tourists. Millions of the tiny bugs are swarming around Orbetello. The speck of land juts out into the Orbetello lagoon. The natural reserve is off Tuscany’s coast between the Tyrrhenian Sea and Monte Argentario. Fishermen say the swarms began about three weeks ago and blame a 2024 mass die-off of jeuvenile fish, known as fry, that are the main predators of midge larvae. Similar invasions have occurred in the past, and fishermen say the die-offs are the result of overall oxygen depletion in the lagoon ecosystem.
New York's top court blocks NYC from letting noncitizens vote
NEW YORK (AP) — New York state’s top court has put an end to New York City’s effort to empower noncitizens to vote in municipal elections. The high court said in a 6-1 ruling Thursday that the New York state constitution restricts voting to citizens. New York City never actually implemented its 2022 law. Supporters estimated it would have applied to about 800,000 noncitizens with legal permanent U.S. residency or authorization to work in the nation. The measure would have let them cast a ballot for mayor, city council and other local offices, but not for federal or state officials. State Republican officials quickly sued over the law, and state courts at every level rejected it.
Delta plane that flipped over in Toronto last month showed high rate of descent, initial report says
TORONTO (AP) — A preliminary report into why a Delta Air Lines jet burst into flames and flipped upside down as it tried to land in Toronto has been released. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada's report issued on Thursday said the aircraft’s alert system indicated a high rate of descent less than three seconds before touchdown. The agency is continuing to investigate the Feb. 17 crash-landing in which 21 people were hospitalized. All 76 passengers and four crew members survived when the Delta Air plane arriving from Minneapolis burst into flames after flipping over and skidding on the tarmac. The TSB of Canada report says that when the plane’s ground proximity warning system sounded 2.6 seconds before touchdown, the airspeed was 136 knots, or approximately 250 kilometers per hour.
US government cannot deport Georgetown scholar until court rules, judge orders
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — A federal judge has ordered immigration officials not to deport a Georgetown University scholar that the government detained until the court has had a chance to rule. The judge issued the order Thursday. Badar Khan Suri is a postdoctoral scholar and citizen of India. A legal filing by Suri’s lawyer says he was arrested Monday night outside of his Virginia home by masked officers who identified themselves as Department of Homeland Security agents. A government website says he was later taken to a detention facility in Louisiana. His lawyers are seeking his immediate release and to halt deportation proceedings through their habeas motion filed Tuesday against the Trump administration.
NBA's Celtics to be sold for record $6.1 billion to group led by private equity mogul Bill Chisholm
BOSTON (AP) — Private equity mogul William Chisholm has agreed to buy the Boston Celtics in a deal that values the NBA’s reigning champions and most-decorated franchise at a minimum of $6.1 billion. It's the largest price ever for American professional sports team. If the deal is approved by the NBA’s board of governors this summer, the sale would top the $6.05 billion paid for the NFL’s Washington Commanders in 2023. Chisholm is a Massachusetts native and graduate of Dartmouth College who is the managing partner of California-based Symphony Technology Group.
Venus passes between the Earth and sun this weekend -- but don't try to look for it
NEW YORK (AP) — Venus will pass between the Earth and sun during what’s called an inferior conjunction. But don’t plan on seeing the linkup. The sight is extremely difficult to spot without special equipment and a trained eye. A conjunction happens when two celestial bodies appear close together in the sky. It could be two planets, or a planet and the sun. The moment of inferior conjunction happens around 9 p.m. EDT Saturday. Those looking for signs of the transition can look to the stars before and after to watch Venus move from the evening to morning sky.
Amtrak CEO abruptly resigns from the nation's passenger railroad
NEW YORK (AP) — Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner abruptly resigned from his top post at the U.S. passenger railroad this week. Wednesday’s announcement signaled that the leadership change came down to Amtrak maintaining support from U.S. President Donald Trump. Gardner said he was stepping down “to ensure that Amtrak continues to enjoy the full faith and confidence of this administration.” A successor for Gardner was not immediately named. Gardner’s departure arrives just weeks after billionaire Elon Musk floated the idea of privatizing Amtrak, as well as the U.S. Postal Service, at a Morgan Stanley tech conference earlier this month.
