The CIA believes COVID most likely originated from a lab but has low confidence in its own finding
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The CIA now believes the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic most likely originated from a laboratory. That's according to an assessment released Saturday that points the finger at China even while acknowledging the spy agency has "low confidence" in its own conclusion. The finding isn't the result of any new intelligence, and the report was completed at the behest of the Biden administration and former CIA Director William Burns. It was declassified and released Saturday on the orders of President Donald Trump's pick to lead the agency, John Ratcliffe, who was sworn in Thursday as director.
China tells Rubio to behave himself in veiled warning
BEIJING (AP) -- China's veteran foreign minister has issued a veiled warning to America's new secretary of state: Behave yourself. Foreign Minister Wang Yi conveyed the message in a phone call Friday, their first conversation since Marco Rubio's confirmation as secretary of state. Wang used a phrase typical of a Chinese teacher or boss warning a student or employee to behave and be responsible for their actions. The phrase seemed aimed at Rubio's vocal criticism of China and its human rights record when he was a U.S. senator, which prompted the Chinese government to put sanctions on him twice in 2020.
Paul McCartney says he fears AI will rip off artists
LONDON (AP) -- Paul McCartney has urged the British government not to make a change to copyright laws that he says could let artificial intelligence companies rip off artists. The government is consulting on whether to let tech firms use copyrighted material to help train artificial intelligence models unless creators opt out. McCartney told the BBC that would make it harder for artists to retain control of their work and undermine Britain's creative industries. "You get young guys, girls, coming up, and they write a beautiful song, and they don't own it, and they don't have anything to do with it. And anyone who wants can just rip it off," he said in an interview extract released Saturday.
Kia recalls more than 80,000 U.S. autos due to improper air bag deployment and improper wiring
NEW YORK (AP) -- Kia is recalling more than 80,000 vehicles due to floor wiring beneath the front passenger seat that can become damaged and prevent airbags and seat belts from deploying properly. Damaged wiring can also cause an unintended side curtain air bag deployment. The recall covers 80,255 2023-2025 Niro EV, Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and Hybrid vehicles. To remedy the situation, dealers will inspect, replace and reroute the floor wiring assembly, as necessary, for free. In addition, dealers will install wiring covers. Owners will be notified by letters mailed in March.
The British Museum says it is partly closed after a fired employee shut down IT systems
LONDON (AP) -- The British Museum is partially closed to the public after an employee who had been fired broke in and shut down computer systems. The museum is Britain's most popular tourist attraction, with almost 6 million visitors a year. The museum says it closed its temporary exhibitions and part of its permanent collection after a sacked contractor "trespassed into the museum and shut down several of our systems." London's Metropolitan Police force said Saturday that a man in his 50s had been arrested Thursday on suspicion of burglary and criminal damage. He has been released on bail while inquiries continue.
Man says he was behind some of the viral googly eyes on public art in Oregon
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- A man in the central Oregon city of Bend says he was responsible for some of the googly eyes placed on sculptures there. The googly eyes sparked a viral sensation covered widely by news outlets last month. City officials at the time said eight sculptures total were affected. Bend resident Jeff Keith says he placed them on two sculptures. As the founder of a nonprofit that works to combat human trafficking, Keith said pranks help him cope with his emotionally heavy work. The googly eyes delighted many residents. But the city said the adhesive can damage the art, and it spent $1,500 to remove them.
A private US spacecraft headed to the moon captures a glorious view of Earth
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) -- A private U.S. spacecraft has captured stunning images of Earth one week into its flight. Still circling Earth, Firefly Aerospace's lunar lander fired its thrusters Thursday to put it on a path to reach the moon in over a month. Dubbed Blue Ghost, the spacecraft beamed back photos and video of the Blue Marble, our planet. The Texas company released the images Friday. Blue Ghost carries experiments for NASA, part of the space agency's effort to return astronauts to the moon this decade. It's one of two lunar landers launched from Florida last week.
Indonesia showcases returned artifacts it had sought for decades from the Netherlands
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) -- Centuries-old stone Buddha statues and precious jewelries repatriated by the Dutch government to its former colony are on display at Indonesia's National Museum, providing a glimpse into the country's rich heritage that the government had struggled to retrieve. The collection is part of more than 800 artifacts that were returned under an agreement signed in 2022 between Indonesia and the Netherlands. The objects are not just those looted in conflict, but also seized by scientists and missionaries or smuggled by mercenaries during the four centuries of colonial rule. However, Marc Gerritsen, the Dutch ambassador to Indonesia, said the repatriation would only focus on cultural objects that are requested, rather than emptying out European museums.
Victor Wembanyama reflects on San Antonio's 2-game stay in Paris: 'This week was amazing'
PARIS (AP) -- The final tally for Victor Wembanyama's trip in Paris: two games, 50 points, 23 rebounds, eight assists, six blocks, two courts dedicated, one trip to the Eiffel Tower, a Fashion Week appearance, a Champions League match attended and about a million high-fives. And one win. It wasn't the two he wanted from this homecoming. But there were a slew of other moments to make this trip back to Paris worth remembering. The San Antonio star called his trip home to France "amazing."
Calvin Jones, a star Nebraska RB who won a Super Bowl with Green Bay, dies at 54
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) -- Calvin Jones, who rushed for more than 3,000 yards in three seasons at Nebraska and was with the Green Bay Packers when they won the Super Bowl after the 1996 season, has died. He was 54. Police said Jones' body was found in the basement of a house in north Omaha on Wednesday night. Police have not confirmed a cause of death pending an autopsy. A friend of Jones, Jo Dusatko, told the Omaha World-Herald that carbon monoxide poisoning was suspected. She said the furnace in the home was not working and that Jones was using a generator in the basement.