Texas wildfire prompts evacuations as Arkansas and Florida also battle blazes

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Wildfires fueled by dry conditions and gusting winds are burning in a few states in the South. The fires forced evacuations in Texas and prompted Florida officials to close part of a major highway with spring break in high gear. A wildfire in a national forest near Houston prompted the evacuation of about 900 homes and closed schools Thursday. The National Weather Service issued elevated fire warnings around the nation’s fourth-largest city. In the Florida Keys, a large brush fire that began Tuesday caused authorities to close one of the two roads leading in and out of the island chain. Fires are also burning in Arkansas

In latest blow to Tesla, regulators recall nearly all Cybertrucks

(AP) –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.

US home sales rose in February as mortgage rates eased and more homes put up for sale

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes rose in February as easing mortgage rates and more properties on the market encouraged home shoppers. Existing home sales rose 4.2% last month from January to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.26 million units, the National Association of Realtors said Thursday. Sales fell 1.2% compared with February last year. The latest home sales topped the 3.92 million pace economists were expecting, according to FactSet. Home prices increased on an annual basis for the 20th consecutive month. The national median sales price rose 3.8% in February from a year earlier to $398,400.

Taliban frees an American man who was abducted while traveling in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Marco Rubio is praising Qatar for helping the U.S. secure the release of an American held by the Taliban for more than two years. Rubio said Thursday George Glezmann will be reunited with his wife. The airline mechanic from Atlanta is the third American detainee to be released by the Taliban since January. Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry confirms the release on “humanitarian grounds.” Glezmann is being accompanied back to the U.S. by Adam Boehler, who’s been handling hostage issues for President Donald Trump’s administration. Glezmann was abducted while traveling through Afghanistan as a tourist. Glezmann was seized by the Taliban’s intelligence services in December 2022 and was designated by the U.S. government as wrongfully detained.