The Associated Press

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The Bank of England has kept its main interest rate unchanged at a 16-year high of 5.25% even though inflation continues to drop from multi-decade peaks. Thursday’s decision was widely anticipated in financial markets and comes a day after the U.S. Federal Reserve also left its key interest rate unchanged. Unlike the Fed, the Bank of England gave few indications that it was getting ready to cut borrowing costs.

The winning numbers for a nearly $1 billion Mega Millions lottery prize will be drawn Friday night, offering sudden riches for any lucky player who matches them and almost certain disappoint for everyone else. Since three months have passed without a winner, the Mega Millions jackpot has grown to an estimated $977 million. That large prize reflects the incredibly long odds of winning the jackpot, as the longer the stretch without a winner, the more the prize grows. The jackpot ranks as the 10th largest in U.S. lottery history — about half the size of a record $2.04 billion Powerball prize won in November 2022.

History buffs may know the remote island of St. Helena as the site of Napoleon Bonaparte’s exile, but the British overseas territory has another claim to fame: a 192-year-old tortoise named Jonathan.

Four years ago this month, the coronavirus pandemic that was sweeping the world descended on the U.S. The third week of March was the week that changed America, AP journalist Ted Anthony wrote. Read more from his story, originally published in March 2020.

The owner of an alligator recently seized by conservation officers in New York is fighting for its return, saying the reptile he named Albert and has shared a home with for more than three decades is a gentle giant that’s no danger to anyone. https://bit.ly/3IJRtNB

The Associated Press sat down for an interview with IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel, who will soon mark one-year leading the agency. We talked about what taxpayers think of the Direct File pilot program that lets people file their taxes for free directly with the IRS, the agency's plans to pursue high-wealth tax dodgers with new initiatives in the coming months, and his advice to procrastinators who haven't filed yet. Watch the interview here: https://lnkd.in/e9WHd5gu

Last night AP counted the vote and called the races in the Arizona, Illinois, Kansas and Ohio presidential primaries for both parties. Scroll through to view the results. To find out more about AP Elections and how we can help your business visit https://buff.ly/3IJBz5R. #elections #USElections #APElections

The Biden administration announced new automobile emissions standards Wednesday that officials called the most ambitious plan ever to cut planet-warming emissions from passenger vehicles. The new rules relax initial tailpipe limits proposed last year but eventually get close to the same strict standards set out by the Environmental Protection Agency. The rules come as sales of electric vehicles, which are needed to meet the standards, have begun to slow. The auto industry cited lower sales growth in objecting to the EPA’s preferred standards unveiled last April as part of its ambitious plan to cut planet-warming emissions from passenger vehicles. The EPA said that under its final rule, the industry could meet the limits if 56% of new vehicle sales are electric by 2032, along with at least 13% plug-in hybrids or other partially electric cars, as well as more efficient gasoline-powered cars that get more miles to the gallon.

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar announced Wednesday he is quitting immediately as head of the center-right Fine Gael party, part of Ireland’s coalition government, and will be replaced as prime minister, or taoiseach, after a party leadership contest.