Month: March 2023

By ELENA BECATOROS Associated Press DNIPRO, Ukraine (AP) — The head of the U.N.’s atomic energy watchdog is warning of the danger of a catastrophic accident at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant because of increased fighting in the area. Rafael Mariano Grossi made the comment after returning from a visit to the plant, which is

By JOHN RABY Associated Press CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia will no longer allow children and young teens to marry. Republican Gov. Jim Justice signed a compromise bill on Wednesday that bans marriage for those age 15 or younger. Minors age 16 and 17 can still marry, but will now need parental consent. They

By ADAM BEAM Associated Press SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — When North Carolina in 2016 banned transgender people from using the bathroom of their gender identity in public buildings, California retaliated by banning state-funded travel to that state and any other state with laws it deemed discriminatory against LGBTQ people. Seven years later, after a surge

SKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen is urging rival political parties in North Macedonia to end a dispute over a proposed amendment to the constitution. His comment Wednesday cames as European Union leaders continue to encourage the small Balkan country to clear hurdles toward membership in the bloc. North Macedonia

By ASHRAF KHALIL Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans are accusing Washington, D.C. officials of losing control of the capital city, warning that they intend robust oversight over district affairs. The chairman of the House Oversight Committee, Kentucky Republican James Comer, says a “hands off our city” position won’t fly. During a four-hour hearing

By AAMER MADHANI Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Wednesday offered an optimistic outlook on the health of democracy worldwide, declaring that leaders are “turning the tide” in stemming a yearslong backslide of democratic institutions. Opening his second democracy summit, Biden looked to spotlight hopeful advancements over the past year despite Russia’s

By STEFANIE DAZIO Associated Press LOS ANGELES (AP) — Prosecutors charged seven California Highway Patrol officers and a nurse with involuntary manslaughter on Wednesday in connection with the 2020 death of a man who screamed “I can’t breathe” while multiple officers restrained him as they tried to take a blood sample. Los Angeles County District

By PAUL WISEMAN AP Economics Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican lawmakers accused top bank regulators of dawdling as Silicon Valley Bank hurtled toward the second-largest bank failure in U.S. history and questioned whether tougher regulations would have made a difference. Regulators closed the bank March 10, shaking the U.S. financial system and triggering fears of

EAST PALESTINE, Ohio (AP) — Norfolk Southern has agreed to exclusively use Ohio-based businesses to clean up the site of a fiery train derailment last month in a small town near the Pennsylvania state line. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost made the announcement Wednesday. Yost said he thought the railroad should hire statewide businesses to

By MICHAEL CANTU Edmunds Extra-small luxury SUVs are a great way to cruise around in luxury without paying an excessive amount. As an example, check out the Mercedes-Benz GLB. It has been one of Edmunds’ top performers in its class since it was introduced in 2020. The BMW X1 has been redesigned with new styling,

By MICHAEL PHILLIS and MARY CLARE JALONICK Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress on Wednesday approved a resolution to overturn the Biden administration’s protections for thousands of small streams, wetlands and other waterways. The Senate voted 53 to 43 to approve the Republican-led effort. President Joe Biden has promised to veto the measure. The Congressional

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — An academic building at Michigan State University where a gunman fatally shot two students and wounded five others in February will not hold classes or events through next fall. Michigan State says Wednesday on its website that Berkey Hall on the school’s East Lansing campus will remain closed for the