North Carolina treasurer running for governor in 2024
March 25, 2023 GMTRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina State Treasurer Dale Folwell announced on Saturday he will run for governor in 2024, a bid that will likely require him besting Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson to earn the Republican nomination.
Idaho governor signs firing squad execution bill into law
March 25, 2023 GMTBOISE, Idaho (AP) — Republican Gov. Brad Little signed a bill allowing execution by firing squad, making Idaho the latest state to turn to older methods of capital punishment amid a nationwide shortage of lethal-injection drugs.
Canada pledges Great Lakes funding after Trudeau-Biden talks
March 25, 2023 GMTTRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — Canada has pledged a significant increase in spending to improve water quality in the Great Lakes following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden, whose administration also has boosted funding for the shared waters.
Push to expand voting rights in US for those held in jails
March 25, 2023 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — The voting precinct could have been any one of hundreds throughout Chicago, except that these voters in the first round of the mayoral election were all wearing the same beige smocks.
Hungary: Criticism makes it hard to cooperate with West
March 25, 2023 GMTUNITED NATIONS (AP) — The West’s steady criticism of Hungary on democratic and cultural issues makes the small European country’s right-wing government reluctant to offer support on practical matters, specifically NATO’s buildup against Russia, Hungary’s foreign minister said.
Guest lineups for the Sunday news shows
March 25, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — ABC’s “This Week” — Reps. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., and Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill.
__
NBC’s “Meet the Press” — Joe Tacopina, a lawyer for Donald Trump; Preet Bharara, a former U.S.
Greene’s DC jail visit pulls GOP closer to Jan. 6 rioters
March 25, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene swept into the District of Columbia jail to check on conditions for the Jan.
Biden’s moves on Alaska drilling, TikTok test young voters
March 25, 2023 GMTTEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Recent moves by President Joe Biden to pressure TikTok over its Chinese ownership and approve oil drilling in an untapped area of Alaska are testing the loyalty of young voters, a group that’s largely been in his corner.
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth kicks off reelection campaign
March 25, 2023 GMTNONTHABURI, Thailand (AP) — Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha on Saturday officially accepted his party’s nomination as its main candidate to keep the job in the upcoming general election, promising to build a new political climate that does away with decades of conflict.
Vice President Harris’ trip aims to deepen US ties in Africa
March 25, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris will try to deepen and reframe U.S. relationships in Africa during a weeklong trip that is the latest and highest profile outreach by the Biden administration as it moves to counter China's growing influence.
As South bans abortion, thousands turn to Illinois clinics
March 25, 2023 GMTFAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, Ill. (AP) — Dr. Colleen McNicholas is fresh off performing two abortions when a ringing phone quickly stops her.
“Oh, ugh,” she said, eyes widened, before she darted off to another room.
New Zealand tells China its concern on lethal aid to Russia
March 25, 2023 GMTBEIJING (AP) — New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta has expressed concern to China over any provision of lethal aid to support Russia in its war against Ukraine during a meeting with her Chinese counterpart.
India’s Rahul Gandhi accuses PM Modi of favoring Adani Group
March 25, 2023 GMTNEW DELHI (AP) — India’s top opposition leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said he was being targeted because he has raised serious questions about Modi's relationship with the Indian business conglomerate Adani Group.
Myanmar lawyer accused of helping army slain by guerrillas
March 25, 2023 GMTBANGKOK (AP) — A veteran corporate lawyer has been shot dead in Myanmar’s biggest city by self-proclaimed urban guerrillas, highlighting the bloody struggle between the military government and its foes in the country’s cities as well as the remote countryside.
Trump rallying supporters in Waco ahead of possible charges
March 25, 2023 GMTWACO, Texas (AP) — Staring down a possible indictment, a defiant Donald Trump is hoping to put on a show of force Saturday as he holds the first rally of his 2024 presidential campaign in a city made famous by deadly resistance against law enforcement.
Bank failures and rescue test Yellen’s decades of experience
March 25, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Working against the clock to stop a developing banking crisis, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen had until sunset on Sunday, March 12, to come up with a plan to calm the U.S.
Bolsonaro’s legal woes deepen with undeclared diamond gifts
March 25, 2023 GMTRIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Undeclared diamond jewelry brought into Brazil from Saudi Arabia has deepened the legal jeopardy of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. An investigation into two sets of jewels reportedly worth millions is only the latest scandal threatening the far-right politician.
DEA overseas review barely mentions corruption scandals
March 25, 2023 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — After nearly two years and at least $1.4 million spent, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration on Friday released an external review of its overseas operations that barely mentions recent corruption scandals and offers recommendations that critics dismissed as overly vague.
Parade disinvites Hawaii lawmaker after pride flag comments
March 25, 2023 GMTHONOLULU (AP) — The chair of a parade honoring a Native Hawaiian leader and prince said Friday a state lawmaker won’t be allowed to participate in the event after he questioned a middle school principal’s display of a pride flag supporting LGBTQ+ people.
Judge slams lawyers for slowing jailed 1/6 defendant’s case
March 25, 2023 GMTA federal judge in Washington is threatening to report two attorneys for possible disciplinary action for delaying the trial of a man waiting in jail on charges that he assaulted police officers during the Capitol riot.
Indigenous artists help skateboarding earn stamp of approval
March 25, 2023 GMTPHOENIX (AP) — Years ago, skateboarding was branded as a hobby for rebels or stoners in city streets, schoolyards and back alleys. Those days are long gone.
Skateboarding, which has Native Hawaiian roots connected to surfing, no longer is on the fringes.
US, Canada end loophole that let asylum-seekers cross border
March 25, 2023 GMTST. JOHNSBURY, Vermont (AP) — U.S. President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday announced a plan to close a loophole to an immigration agreement that has allowed thousands of asylum-seeking immigrants to move between the two countries along a back road linking New York state to the Canadian province of Quebec.
Drag community shows up to protest Nebraska drag show bill
March 25, 2023 GMTLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A bill that would criminalize exposing anyone 18 or younger to a drag show in Nebraska was the last one to get a public hearing in this year's legislative session late Friday.
Biden, Trudeau say ‘inseparable’ nations won’t fail Ukraine
March 25, 2023 GMTOTTAWA, ONTARIO (AP) — President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday celebrated the close, “inseparable” U.S.-Canada relationship and vowed that the two nations remain committed to defending Ukraine as it tries to repel a Russian invasion that has no end in sight.
California eases water restrictions, but drought isn’t over
March 24, 2023 GMTDUNNIGAN, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom ended some of the state's water restrictions on Friday because a winter of relentless rain and snow has replenished the state's reservoirs and eased fears of a shortage after three years of severe drought.
A look at the US military mission in Syria and its dangers
March 24, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — When an Iranian drone struck a U.S. base in northeastern Syria, killing a contractor and wounding several U.S.
Biden: US will ‘forcefully’ protect personnel in Syria
March 24, 2023 GMTOTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — President Joe Biden said Friday that the U.S. would respond “forcefully” to protect its personnel after U.S. forces retaliated with airstrikes on sites in Syria used by groups affiliated with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard following a suspected Iranian-linked attack Thursday that killed a U.S.
Death row minister sues Oklahoma Corrections agency for $10M
March 24, 2023 GMTOKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A death row minister who was inside the execution chamber during Oklahoma's last lethal injection sued the Department of Corrections for $10 million on Friday, alleging the agency and its spokesman defamed him in a statement to the media.
Student group sues after Texas university cancels drag show
March 24, 2023 GMTA student group at a university in the Texas Panhandle said in a federal lawsuit filed Friday that the school's president violated their constitutional right to free speech when he canceled their planned drag show.
Connecticut hopes to move up its presidential primary date
March 24, 2023 GMTHARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Both Democrats and Republicans in Connecticut are backing a proposal to move up the date of Connecticut's presidential primary in hopes of giving the small state a bigger say in choosing presidential candidates.
Massachusetts House speaker rejects audit of Legislature
March 24, 2023 GMTBOSTON (AP) — Democratic House Speaker Ronald Mariano said Friday that the House won’t meet with state Auditor Diana DiZoglio about an audit DiZoglio has launched into the Legislature.
Florida Legislature moving quickly on DeSantis priorities
March 24, 2023 GMTTALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — From expanding gun rights to going after “woke” investors, the Florida Legislature is quickly moving on a list of bills that will give Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis conservative-pleasing policy successes as he prepares to launch a presidential campaign.
Trump rally falls during anniversary of Waco’s dark past
March 24, 2023 GMTAUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Former President Donald Trump picking Waco, Texas, for the first rally of his 2024 campaign Saturday will put him in the middle of a big Republican state that has reliably delivered him big crowds.
Cooper vetoes bill eliminating pistol purchase permit system
March 24, 2023 GMTRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed Republican gun legislation Friday that would no longer require sheriff approval before someone can purchase a handgun, initiating his first showdown of the session with an increased — and nearly veto-proof — GOP majority.
India expels Rahul Gandhi, Modi critic, from Parliament
March 24, 2023 GMTNEW DELHI (AP) — India's top opposition leader and fierce critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was expelled from Parliament Friday, a day after a court convicted him of defamation and sentenced him to two years in prison for mocking the surname Modi in an election speech.
Big Indiana voucher expansion faces Republican questions
March 24, 2023 GMTINDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A major expansion proposed for Indiana’s private school voucher program could become a hurdle as the Republican-dominated Legislature works on a new state budget.
Nevada ex-lawmaker gets probation in campaign funds case
March 24, 2023 GMTLAS VEGAS (AP) — A Democratic former state lawmaker in Nevada has been sentenced to three years of probation for misusing campaign funds and lying about his residency when he ran for office in 2018 and 2020.
UN head says survival depends on how people manage water
March 24, 2023 GMTUnited Nations (AP) — Humanity’s survival depends on how people manage water, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Friday at the end of a three-day conference on global water resources during which developing nations made urgent calls for help with cleaner drinking water and better sanitation.
Tribe urges Army to speed up return of child’s 1879 remains
March 24, 2023 GMTFederal authorities expect to return a 13-year-old boy's remains to his Native American tribe in South Dakota this fall, they said Friday. The statement comes days after the tribe urged for a faster return of the child who died at a federal boarding school for Indigenous children in 1879.
Disabled Wisconsin voters say absentee law not followed
March 24, 2023 GMTMADISON, Wis. (AP) — Disabled voters say local election leaders across Wisconsin are not following federal law during early voting in the high-stakes race for state Supreme Court, incorrectly telling them they can't have another person return their absentee ballot for them.
Kentucky governor vetoes sweeping GOP transgender measure
March 24, 2023 GMTFRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky's Democratic governor issued an election-year veto Friday of a sweeping Republican bill aimed at regulating the lives of transgender youths that includes banning access to gender-affirming health care and restricting the bathrooms they can use.
Georgia Senate budget targets public media, cyber center
March 24, 2023 GMTATLANA (AP) — Beyond cutting overall university and college spending, a Georgia Senate budget proposal also targets Georgia Public Broadcasting and the Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center in Augusta.
Amid massive demonstrations, Macron delays Charles’ visit
March 24, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — Ongoing unrest across France and calls for a new round of demonstrations against President Emmanuel Macron's pension plan persuaded officials to postpone a planned state visit next week by Britain's King Charles III.
Macron’s office: Algeria envoy returning to Paris, spat ends
March 24, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — Algeria’s ambassador to France, recalled home in February, will be returning to his post in the coming days, President Emmanuel Macron’s office said Friday in a sign that the latest diplomatic spat between the two countries has been resolved.
Trump lawyer in court after being forced before grand jury
March 24, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — A lawyer for Donald Trump was back in court Friday after being ordered to answer questions before a grand jury investigating the possible mishandling of classified documents at the former president's Florida estate.
Louisiana lawmaker rejoins Democratic Party ahead of session
March 24, 2023 GMTBATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana state Rep. Mandie Landry rejoined the Louisiana Democratic Party Friday, after registering as a political independent last year to protest decisions made by the party’s leadership.
A sex trafficking case, a plea deal and a mother’s pain
March 24, 2023 GMTSAN ANTONIO (AP) — Irma Reyes changed clothes in the back seat of the pickup: skirt, tights, turtleneck, leather jacket. All black. She brushed her hair and pulled on heels as her husband drove their Chevy through predawn darkness toward a courthouse hundreds of miles from home.
King Charles’ state visit deflated as France leg canceled
March 24, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — King Charles III’s international debut was deflated Friday when his trip to France was postponed indefinitely because of protests that threatened to mar events at high profile venues such as the Arc de Triomphe and the Palace of Versailles.
France bans TikTok, Twitter from government staff phones
March 24, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — France announced Friday it is banning the “recreational” use of TikTok, Twitter, Instagram and other apps on government employees' phones because of concern about insufficient data security measures.
Russia puts ex-Putin speechwriter on wanted list
March 24, 2023 GMTMOSCOW (AP) — Police in Russia placed a former speechwriter for President Vladimir Putin on a wanted list for criminal suspects, the latest step in a sweeping crackdown on dissent.
NY’s power to regulate religious schools trimmed by judge
March 24, 2023 GMTALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Parents cannot be required to pull their children from private schools in New York that fail to meet state-designated standards, a judge decided, striking down a key provision of rules recently passed to strengthen oversight of such schools, including those specializing in religious education.
Bill lowering child care rules passes Kansas Senate
March 24, 2023 GMTTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Child care regulations would be lowered in Kansas under a bill that has won Senate approval and created a debate over how best to address a shortage of day care spots without compromising safety.
House GOP passes parents’ rights bill in clash over schools
March 24, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans on Friday narrowly passed legislation that would fulfill a campaign promise to give parents a role in what's taught in public schools. It has little chance in the Democrat-run Senate and critics said it would propel a far-right movement that has led to book bans, restrictions aimed at transgender students and raucous school board meetings across the country.
North Carolina unemployment rate falls to 3.6% in February
March 24, 2023 GMTRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina's unemployment rate declined to 3.6% in February, the state Commerce Department announced on Friday, marking its lowest level since last June.
US sanctions Belarus’ election officials, president’s plane
March 24, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. imposed sanctions Friday on seven Belarusian elections officials, two state-owned automotive manufacturers and President Alexander Lukashenko's aircraft.
Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus since 1994, intensified his repression after a wave of protests in 2020 following a presidential election that the West and Belarus’ opposition denounced as a sham.
UN decries torture, killing of Ukrainian and Russian POWs
March 24, 2023 GMTKYIV, Ukraine (AP) — U.N. human rights monitors have documented dozens of summary killings of Ukrainian and Russian prisoners of war, as well as other possible war crimes such as the use of torture, human shields and other abuses against POWs since Russia invaded its neighbor, according to a report released Friday.
Italy partisans criticize Meloni over Nazi massacre comment
March 24, 2023 GMTROME (AP) — Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni marked the anniversary Friday of one of the worst World War II-era massacres in German-occupied Italy, but the main association of partisans who fought to free Italy from fascism quickly criticized her comments.
Poland honors citizens who helped Jews during Holocaust
March 24, 2023 GMTWARSAW, Poland (AP) — Polish President Andrzej Duda took part in nationwide observances Friday to honor Poles who risked — and often lost — their lives trying to save Jews from the Holocaust during the Nazi German occupation of Poland.
Russian strikes in Ukraine kill 10 civilians, wound 20 more
March 24, 2023 GMTKYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Long-range Russian bombardment killed at least 10 civilians and wounded 20 others in several parts of Ukraine on Friday, officials in Kyiv said, as a Kremlin official boasted that its forces were prepared to repel an expected Ukrainian counteroffensive this spring.
Pakistani court grants protection to Imran Khan from arrest
March 24, 2023 GMTISLAMABAD (AP) — A Pakistani court on Friday shielded from arrest former Prime Minister Imran Khan until at least next week, amid a roiling political crisis that has pitted the celebrity politician against the current government and spilled over into street protests.
EU leaders play down bank risks as economy weakens
March 24, 2023 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — European Union leaders Friday played down the risk of a banking crisis developing from recent global financial turbulence and hitting the economy even harder than the energy crunch tied to Russia’s war in Ukraine.
AP PHOTOS: New dangers as violence surges at French protests
March 24, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — Armed with Molotov cocktails or paving stones, black-clad radicals are increasingly invading large, peaceful protest marches against pension reforms in France, attacking police in spiraling violence.
Evers’ budget for state building projects rejected, for now
March 24, 2023 GMTMADISON, Wis. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Tony Evers' $3.8 billion proposed spending on state building projects got the thumbs down from Republicans as expected on Thursday, sending the final decision on funding to the GOP-controlled Legislature's budget committee.
Serbian right-wing opposition protests West’s Kosovo plan
March 24, 2023 GMTBELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Supporters of Serbian right-wing opposition parties on Friday demanded that populist President Aleksandar Vucic and his government resign over a Western-backed plan for normalizing relations with neighboring Kosovo.
Court blocks COVID-19 vaccine mandate for US gov’t workers
March 24, 2023 GMTNEW ORLEANS (AP) — President Joe Biden’s order that federal employees get vaccinated against COVID-19 has been blocked by a federal appeals court.
Maine lawmakers moving forward with two-part state budget
March 24, 2023 GMTAUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Majority Democrats in the Maine Legislature are pushing through a “baseline budget” to ensure government operations continue in the new fiscal year while leaving the door open to discussions on new spending initiatives in a supplemental budget to be addressed later.
Philippines confronts Chinese diplomats over sea disputes
March 24, 2023 GMTMANILA, Philippines (AP) — Filipino diplomats confronted Chinese officials in closed-door talks Friday with a slew of protests over China’s aggressive behavior in the South China Sea, including targeting a Philippine coast guard ship with a military-grade laser, but no resolution was reached on the issues, an official said.
China threatens consequences over US warship’s actions
March 24, 2023 GMTBANGKOK (AP) — China threatened “serious consequences” Friday after the United States Navy sailed a destroyer around the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea for the second day in a row, in a move Beijing claimed was a violation of its sovereignty and security.
Ignoring experts, China’s sudden zero-COVID exit cost lives
March 24, 2023 GMTBEIJING (AP) — When China suddenly scrapped onerous zero-COVID measures in December, the country wasn’t ready for a massive onslaught of cases. Hospitals turned away ambulances, crematoriums burned bodies around the clock, and relatives hauled dead loved ones to warehouses for lack of storage space.
Saudi Arabia, Syria may restore ties as Mideast reshuffles
March 24, 2023 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Saudi Arabia is in talks with Syria to reopen its embassy in the war-torn nation for the first time in a decade, state television in the kingdom reported late Thursday, the latest diplomatic reshuffling in the region.
North Korea claims ‘radioactive tsunami’ weapon test at sea
March 24, 2023 GMTSEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea claimed Friday to have tested a nuclear-capable underwater drone designed to generate a gigantic “radioactive tsunami” that would destroy naval strike groups and ports.
Informant didn’t spy on Proud Boys defense, prosecutors say
March 24, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — As revelations that a defense witness was also an FBI informant roil the already contentious Capitol riot trial of members of the far-right Proud Boys group, prosecutors said Thursday that the informant was never told to gather information about the defendants or their lawyers.
New Mexico OKs its 1st wildlife bridges to limit collisions
March 24, 2023 GMTSANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico will build its first wildlife highway overpasses for free-roaming cougars, black bears, bighorn sheep and other creatures large and small and will also set aside $100 million for conservation projects, under two bills signed Thursday by Gov.
Senate Ethics admonishes Graham for campaign solicitations
March 24, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate Ethics Committee is admonishing South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham for soliciting campaign contributions inside a federal building after a Nov. 2022 Fox News interview in which he asked viewers to donate to a GOP candidate.
Artwork that secretly honored Hong Kong dissidents removed
March 24, 2023 GMTHONG KONG (AP) — A Hong Kong department store took down a digital artwork that contained hidden references to jailed dissidents, in an incident the artist says is evidence of erosion of free speech in the semi-autonomous Chinese city.
House China panel turns focus to plight of Uyghurs
March 24, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Two women who experienced life in Chinese “reeducation” camps for Uyghurs told lawmakers Thursday of lives under imprisonment and surveillance, rape and torture as a special House committee focused on countering China shined a light on human rights abuses in the country.
Violent French pension protests erupt as 1M demonstrate
March 24, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — More than 1 million people demonstrated across France on Thursday against unpopular pension reforms, and violence erupted in some places as unions called for new nationwide strikes and protests next week, coinciding with King Charles III's planned visit to France.
Netanyahu vows to unite Israel but opponents dismiss pledge
March 24, 2023 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday vowed to “mend the rift” in a nation deeply divided over his proposed overhaul of the country’s judiciary. But he offered no details on how he intends to do so and gave no indication that he would slow down the plan.
New Mexico tribe keeps title to portion of national preserve
March 24, 2023 GMTALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A Native American tribe has been granted title to a portion of a national preserve in northern New Mexico following a yearslong court battle against the federal government, a ruling that could provide hope to other tribes seeking to regain rights to their traditional homelands.
Lawsuit: Officials ‘mocked’ Nevada prison-firefighter burns
March 24, 2023 GMTCARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — A group of prison firefighters said their feet burned and their socks melded to their feet during a gruesome fire clean-up assignment that left several unable to walk, stand or shower without assistance for days, according to a new lawsuit.