AP-National

LONDON (AP) — The U.K. government says four Britons who were detained in Afghanistan on allegations that they broke the laws of the country have been released by the Taliban. The Foreign Office said in a brief statement Tuesday that it welcomed the release of the four Britons and expressed apologies on behalf of their

By ALICIA RANCILIO Associated Press It’s been nearly 30 years but Rena Sofer still remembers her line from a classic scene on ABC’s “General Hospital” in 1994 when her character jumped out of a cake to surprise her husband and his other wife. “She said, ‘Happy birthday, Mrs. Ned Ashton, from me, the other Mrs.

BEIJING (AP) — A group of U.S. senators visiting Beijing are expressing hope that they had opened the door ever so slightly to government talks with China on its role in the fentanyl crisis ravaging America. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Tuesday that Chinese President Xi Jinping had indicated he would consider Schumer’s request

By JARI TANNER Associated Press HELSINKI (AP) — Damage to an undersea gas pipeline and telecommunications cable connecting Finland and Estonia appears to have been caused by “external activity,” Finnish officials said Tuesday, adding that authorities were investigating. Finnish and Estonian gas system operators on Sunday said they noted an unusual drop in pressure in

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court has rejected an appeal from former coal company executive Don Blankenship, who argued that major news outlets defamed him by calling him a “felon.” The justices on Tuesday left in place an appellate ruling against Blankenship, the former CEO of Massey Energy. He served a year in prison on

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Lidia dissipated Wednesday after hitting land as a Category 4 hurricane near the resort of Puerta Vallarta, where one person was killed by a falling tree and two others injured The hurricane knocked over trees and blew roofs off houses with winds as high as 140 mph (220 kph) before moving

By TRÂN NGUYỄN Associated Press SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a bill that makes it easier for authorities to compel treatment for people with mental illness or addiction issues. The proposal is partly aimed at addressing the state’s growing homelessness crisis. Under current state law, local government can’t force a

NEW YORK (AP) — The hero of Chris Colfer’s next book series is no ordinary boy. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers announced Tuesday that the actor and million-selling author is working on “Roswell Johnson Saves the World.” The publisher calls it a space fantasy that “combines the heart-pounding action of ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’”

NEW YORK (AP) — Geraldine Brooks’ “Horse,” a novel about race and forgotten history, and Robert Samuels’ and Toluse Olorunnipa’s “His Name Is George Floyd: One Man’s Life and the Struggle for Racial Justice” have won awards from the Dayton Literary Peace Prize Foundation. Each year, the Dayton foundation honors a book of fiction and

By MICHAEL R. BLOOD AP Political Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — Former baseball MVP Steve Garvey is joining the race to succeed the late California Sen. Dianne Feinstein. The Republican Garvey gives his party a splash of star quality on the ballot in a heavily Democratic state where the GOP hasn’t won a U.S. Senate

By GRAHAM DUNBAR AP Sports Writer NYON, Switzerland (AP) — Russia will not be allowed to take part in qualifying for the Under-17 European Championship this month after all. European soccer governing body UEFA decided on Tuesday it could not insert Russia into its men’s and women’s youth competitions following widespread opposition from member federations.

By TOM KRISHER and MIKE HOUSEHOLDER Associated Press WAYNE, Mich. (AP) — On the picket lines at a Ford factory west of Detroit, many striking workers don’t think the electric vehicle revolution is coming for their jobs — at least not in the near future. But just in case, they’re backing United Auto Workers President

By SCOTT BAUER Associated Press MADISON, Wis. (AP) — There should be no effort to impeach a liberal Wisconsin Supreme Court justice based on what is known now, a former justice advised the Republican legislative leader who asked him to review the issue. That is what former Justice David Prosser advised Assembly Speaker Robin Vos

BERLIN (AP) — Authorities say several more people suspected of being involved in planning a far-right coup and plotting to kidnap the German health minister have been arrested in raids in a number of regions. Prosecutors have said the group intended to create “conditions similar to civil war” by using explosives to cause nationwide blackouts,

MOSCOW (AP) — A senior Russian diplomat says that Moscow will move to revoke the ratification of a global nuclear test ban to put itself on par with the United States but will only resume nuclear tests if Washington does it first. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told reporters Tuesday that Moscow will rescind the

By JACKIE VALLEY of The Christian Science Monitor WASHINGTON (AP) — Inside a high school classroom, Bryan Martinez jots down several purchases that would require a short-term savings plan: shoes, phone, headphones, clothes, and food. His medium-term financial goals take a little more thought, but he settles on a car — he doesn’t have one

By DALIA RAMIREZ of NerdWallet Living in a high-cost city can strain your finances, but three tips can help you thrive. Consider shopping at wholesale stores for groceries, even if you don’t have a car. Take advantage of discounts that cultural institutions such as museums and theaters often offer to residents through a city ID

By STEPHEN McGRATH and ANDREEA ALEXANDRU Associated press BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with his counterpart in Romania for talks on regional security and to strengthen bilateral ties against the backdrop of Russia’s invasion of his country. He described Tuesday the partnership between the two countries as key to “stability for

STOCKHOLM (AP) — Sweden’s national police chief says an escalation in gang violence this year — with almost daily shootings and bombings that have claimed dozens of lives, including teenagers and innocent bystanders — is “extremely serious.” Sweden has grappled with gang violence for years but the latest surge has been exceptional, Anders Thornberg said

By GRAHAM DUNBAR AP Sports Writer NYON, Switzerland (AP) — The trend of reaching friendly agreements to pick hosts of the Olympics or major soccer tournaments without a contested vote has continued in Europe. European soccer body UEFA made winners of all seven of its member federations who were competing to be future hosts of