Mississippi tornadoes kill 23, injure dozens overnight
March 25, 2023 GMTROLLING FORK, Miss. (AP) — Powerful tornadoes tore through parts of the Deep South on Friday night, killing at least 23 people in Mississippi, obliterating dozens of buildings and leaving an especially devastating mark on a rural town whose mayor declared, “My city is gone.”
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.
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.
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.
Officials: 2 dead, 5 missing in chocolate factory explosion
March 25, 2023 GMTWEST READING, Pa. (AP) — An explosion at a chocolate factory in Pennsylvania on Friday killed two people and left five people missing, authorities said. One person was pulled from the rubble overnight.
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.
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.
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.
Book thief in plot that duped famous authors avoids prison
March 24, 2023 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — It was the stuff of novels: For years, a con artist plagued the publishing industry, impersonating editors and agents to pull off hundreds of literary heists.
Principal resigns after complaints on ‘David’ statue nudity
March 24, 2023 GMTTALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A Florida charter school principal has been forced to resign after a parent complained sixth graders were exposed to pornography during a lesson on Renaissance art that included Michelangelo’s “David” sculpture.
March Madness: Sweet 16 underway from NYC to Las Vegas
March 25, 2023 GMTMarch Madness has reached Sweet 16 weekend. Two No. 1 seeds, Kansas and Purdue, are already gone along with millions of busted brackets and a host of bluebloods including Kentucky, Duke, Indiana and UCLA.
March Madness: Sweet 16 arrives with a twist: 2 sites, not 4
March 25, 2023 GMTMarch Madness has reached the Sweet 16! There is a twist this year for the women's tournament: The NCAA picked two regional sites instead of four, with Greenville, South Carolina, and Seattle each hosting eight teams.
Intel co-founder, philanthropist Gordon Moore dies at 94
March 25, 2023 GMTSAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Gordon Moore, the Intel Corp. co-founder who set the breakneck pace of progress in the digital age with a simple 1965 prediction of how quickly engineers would boost the capacity of computer chips, has died.
Pope expands sex abuse law, reaffirms adults can be victims
March 25, 2023 GMTVATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis on Saturday updated a 2019 church law aimed at holding senior churchmen accountable for covering up sexual abuse cases, expanding it to cover lay Catholic leaders and reaffirming that vulnerable adults and not just children can be victims of abuse when they are unable to freely consent.
Miami beats No. 1 seed Houston; all four top NCAA seeds out
March 25, 2023 GMTKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Knocking No. 1 seed Houston out of the NCAA Tournament made Jim Larrañaga feel like dancing.
Much to his players' delight, the 73-year-old Miami coach busted moves straight out of the disco era in the locker room Friday night to celebrate an 89-75 Sweet 16 victory that left the tournament without a No.
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.
Spiking violence strains sectarian ties in Iraqi province
March 25, 2023 GMTMUQDADIYAH, Iraq (AP) — Hussein Maytham and his family were driving past the palm tree grove near their home after a quiet evening shopping for toys for his younger cousins when their car hit a bomb planted on the moon-lit road.
Berlin vote could turbocharge German capital’s climate plans
March 25, 2023 GMTBERLIN (AP) — Voters in Berlin go to the polls this weekend to decide on a proposal that would force the city government to drastically ramp up the German capital’s climate goals.
Sunday's referendum, which has attracted considerable financial support from U.S.-based philanthropists, calls for Berlin to become climate neutral by 2030, meaning that within less than eight years the city would not be allowed to contribute further to global warming.
‘What can we do?’: Millions in African countries need power
March 25, 2023 GMTJOHANNESBURG (AP) — From Zimbabwe, where many must work at night because it's the only time there is power, to Nigeria where collapses of the grid are frequent, the reliable supply of electricity remains elusive across Africa.
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.
Crazy Eight: No top seeds among last 8 in March Madness
March 25, 2023 GMTLAS VEGAS (AP) — March has gone from madness to unprecedented.
With Miami's win over Houston and San Diego State's takedown of Alabama on Friday night, the men's NCAA Tournament will not have a No.
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.
Texas police: Migrants found ‘suffocating’ in train; 2 dead
March 25, 2023 GMTUVALDE, Texas (AP) — Two migrants were found dead and at least 10 were hospitalized Friday after police in South Texas received a call that they were “suffocating” in a freight train traveling near the U.S.-Mexico border.
Los Angeles schools, union leaders reach deal after strike
March 25, 2023 GMTLOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Unified School District and union leaders said Friday they reached a deal on pay raises for bus drivers, custodians and other support staff after a three-day strike that shut down the nation's second-largest school system.
Darcelle, world’s oldest working drag queen, dies at 92
March 25, 2023 GMTPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Walter Cole, better known as the iconic drag queen who performed for decades as Darcelle XV and a fearless advocate for Portland's LGBTQ+ community, has died of natural causes in Portland, Oregon.
Gwyneth Paltrow insists Utah ski collision wasn’t her fault
March 25, 2023 GMTPARK CITY, Utah (AP) — Gwyneth Paltrow insisted Friday on the witness stand that a 2016 ski collision at an upscale Utah ski resort wasn’t her fault, claiming it began when the man suing her ran into her from behind.
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.
Rwanda frees Paul Rusesabagina of ‘Hotel Rwanda’ fame
March 25, 2023 GMTKIGALI, Rwanda (AP) — Rwanda's government has commuted the 25-year sentence of Paul Rusesabagina, who inspired the film “Hotel Rwanda” for saving hundreds of countrymen from genocide but was convicted of terrorism offenses years later in a widely criticized trial.
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.
Why murder defendant was free before killings in Washington
March 24, 2023 GMTSEATTLE (AP) — Kirkland Warren was out on bail pending a long-delayed murder trial in Arkansas. But when he was arrested in southwestern Washington state early this month on charges that he assaulted his ex-girlfriend and fired a gunshot into her apartment, he quickly posted bond and was released again.
Former ‘Family Feud’ contestant charged in wife’s slaying
March 24, 2023 GMTQUINCY, Ill. (AP) — A former contestant on the long-running television game show “Family Feud” has been charged with first-degree murder and home invasion in the slaying of his estranged wife in western Illinois.
What to stream this weekend: ‘Night Agent,’ Lana Del Rey
March 24, 2023 GMTFrom Lana Del Rey's latest album to the new spy thriller series “The Night Agent,” here's a collection curated by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists of what’s arriving on TV, streaming services and music and video game platforms this week.
4 ex-cops charged in Tyre Nichols’ death barred from police
March 24, 2023 GMTNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Four of five former Memphis police officers charged in the killing of Tyre Nichols, a Black man who was handcuffed, brutally beaten and ignored by first responders for crucial minutes despite being barely conscious, can no longer work as law enforcement in Tennessee.
Wall Street ends higher, marking 2nd winning week in a row
March 24, 2023 GMTA late-afternoon turnaround on Wall Street left stocks higher Friday as the market shook off a weak start amid worries about banks on both sides of the Atlantic.
The S&P 500 rose 0.6% after slipping for most of the morning.
Russians, American delayed in space to return in September
March 24, 2023 GMTMOSCOW (AP) — Two cosmonauts and an astronaut who were supposed to leave the International Space Station this month will be brought back to Earth in late September, doubling their time aboard the orbiting laboratory to more than a year, Russia's space agency announced Friday.
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.
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.
Unwelcome spotlight falls on NHL team Pride night events
March 24, 2023 GMTPride nights, held annually for several years by National Hockey League teams to show support for the LGBTQ+ community, are in the spotlight following several high-profile incidents this season.
A handful of players have objected to participating in pregame warmups that included Pride-themed jerseys, most recently Florida's Eric and Marc Staal on Thursday night.
Deutsche Bank shares drop amid global jitters over banks
March 24, 2023 GMTFRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Shares in Deutsche Bank fell sharply Friday, dragging down other major European banks and leading German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to express confidence in the country’s largest lender after fears about the global financial system sent fresh shudders through the market.
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.
Debt, expenses stress lower income households: AP-NORC poll
March 24, 2023 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Personal finances are a major source of stress for about half of the lower income households in the U.S., a new poll shows, illustrating the toll of high inflation and economic uncertainty on those who can least afford it.
Brazil’s Bolsonaro turns in undeclared jewels to authorities
March 24, 2023 GMTBRASILIA, Brazil (AP) — A representative of Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro on Friday handed a set of diamond jewelry he received during his presidency over to a state bank, as ordered by a government watchdog amid an investigation into the gifts.
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.
Ukraine using Soviet-era choppers to pummel Russia from afar
March 24, 2023 GMTDONETSK REGION, Ukraine (AP) — Skimming the treetops, three Soviet-era attack helicopters bank and swoop down on a field after an early-morning mission to the front lines in the fight against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Why executions by firing squad may be coming back in the US
March 24, 2023 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — The image of gunmen in a row firing in unison at a condemned prisoner may conjure up a bygone, less enlightened era.
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.
WEB-2248
March 24, 2023 GMTPride nights, held annually for several years by National Hockey League teams to show support for the LGBTQ community, are in the spotlight following several high-profile incidents this season.
Classic cocktails, with variations, for summer entertaining
March 24, 2023 GMTThe arrival of spring means summer entertaining season isn’t far behind, which is an excellent excuse for a home bartending refresher. Because like changing a tire and ironing a shirt, crafting a cocktail is one of those skills adults should have at least a passing familiarity with.
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.
Feet for a king: Westminster Abbey to offer barefoot tours
March 24, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — People who visit London's Westminster Abbey after the coronation of King Charles III will be allowed to stand on the exact spot where he was crowned, but they will need to make sure they don't have holes in their socks for the shoeless tour, designed to protect the abbey's medieval mosaic floor.
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.
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.
Scandal-plagued China soccer hit by new corruption probes
March 24, 2023 GMTBEIJING (AP) — China’s scandal-plagued football association has been rocked by new corruption probes into its chiefs of discipline and competition.
The sports ministry on Friday said Wang Xiaoping, director the CFA's Disciplinary Committee, and Huang Song, were both “suspected of serious violations” of law and discipline — the government's usual bywords for graft.
Corruption, deep disparity mark Iraq’s oil legacy post-2003
March 24, 2023 GMTNAHRAN OMAR, Iraq (AP) — The oil is pumped 24 hours a day several meters from Raghed Jasim’s home in Iraq’s crude-rich southern heartland. Gas flares from the field light the night sky bright orange, spewing acrid smoke; when the wind picks up, the 40-year old’s clothes are coated black.
Utah social media law means kids need approval from parents
March 24, 2023 GMTSALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Children and teens in Utah would lose access to social media apps such as TikTok if they don’t have parental consent and face other restrictions under a first-in-the-nation law designed to shield young people from the addictive platforms.
Nowell has record 19 assists as Kansas State reaches Elite 8
March 24, 2023 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Markquis Nowell broke the NCAA Tournament record for assists in a game with 19, his last two on spectacular passes in the final minute of overtime, and Kansas State beat Michigan State 98-93 on Thursday night in a Sweet 16 thriller at Madison Square Garden.
Asian shares fall on banking turmoil, recession worries
March 24, 2023 GMTBANGKOK (AP) — Shares fell Friday in Asia as worries over turmoil in the banking sector and recession risks overshadowed gains on Wall Street.
Benchmarks declined in most major markets, while U.S.
Nowell breaks NCAA assist record, KSU beats MSU 98-93 in OT
March 24, 2023 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Markquis Nowell walked the ball up the floor with the score tied in the final minute of overtime and exchanged animated hand signals with his coach, Jerome Tang.
Review: John Wick gets even more stylish in fourth episode
March 24, 2023 GMTA trip to Paris should be on everyone’s bucket list, even John Wick. The Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre — what better way to refresh your soul, even as you kick everyone else’s bucket?
NHL team won’t wear Pride jerseys, citing new Russian law
March 24, 2023 GMTA National Hockey League team with a Russian player has decided against wearing special warmup jerseys to commemorate Pride night, citing an anti-gay Kremlin law that could imperil Russian athletes when they return home.
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.
Gwyneth Paltrow’s lawyer asks about missing GoPro video
March 24, 2023 GMTPARK CITY, Utah (AP) — Gwyneth Paltrow's attorneys asked the daughter of a man suing the actor-turned-lifestyle influencer over a 2016 ski collision about missing GoPro camera footage that they called “the most important piece of evidence" at trial Thursday.
After Denver school shooting, an outcry erupts over security
March 24, 2023 GMTDENVER (AP) — Outraged Denver students and parents demanded better school security and pushed for tighter firearm controls Thursday, a day after a 17-year-old student shot and wounded two administrators at a city high school beset with violence.
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.
Los Angeles school strike ends, but no deal announced
March 24, 2023 GMTLOS ANGELES (AP) — A three-day strike by workers in the Los Angeles Unified School District ended Thursday, but it wasn't immediately clear if any progress was made in negotiations for higher pay for teachers’ aides, bus drivers, custodians and other support staff in the nation's second-largest school system.
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.
A look at the uranium-based ammo the UK will send to Ukraine
March 24, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Russia threatened to escalate attacks in Ukraine after the British government announced it would provide to Ukraine a type of munition that Moscow falsely claims has nuclear components.
Authorities: Suspect fatally shot during rescue of migrants
March 24, 2023 GMTHOUSTON (AP) — A hostage rescue that left a suspect fatally shot Thursday in Houston began days ago when three migrants were kidnapped from a vehicle in a neighboring county, according to a prosecutor.
Nebraska trans health bill advances, despite filibuster vow
March 24, 2023 GMTLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Legislature voted Thursday to advance a contentious bill that would ban gender-affirming care for minors, despite threats from some lawmakers that they would filibuster the rest of the session.
TikTok CEO grilled by skeptical lawmakers on safety, content
March 23, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — A nearly six-hour grilling of TikTok’s CEO by lawmakers brought the platform’s 150 million U.S. users no closer to an answer as to whether the app will be wiped from their devices.
Ford says EV unit losing billions, should be seen as startup
March 23, 2023 GMTDETROIT (AP) — Ford Motor Co.'s electric vehicle business has lost $3 billion before taxes during the past two years and will lose a similar amount this year as the company invests heavily in the new technology.
Trump arrested? Putin jailed? Fake AI images spread online
March 23, 2023 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Former President Donald Trump getting gang-tackled by riot-gear-clad New York City police officers. Russian President Vladimir Putin in prison grays behind the bars of a dimly lit concrete cell.
Asteroid that could wipe out a city is near, but don’t fear
March 23, 2023 GMTCAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — An asteroid big enough to wipe out a city will zip harmlessly between Earth and the moon's orbit this weekend, missing both celestial bodies.
Saturday’s close encounter will offer astronomers the chance to study a space rock from just over 100,000 miles (168,000 kilometers) away.