AP-National

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Three activists of Viasna, the main human rights group in harshly repressive Belarus, have been arrested and charged with participating in an extremist organization. That’s according to state television on Thursday. The arrests were the latest in a long campaign by authorities to stifle opposition and independent media in the country,

By SCOTT McFETRIDGE Associated Press Powerball will match a record for lottery drawings Saturday night with a stretch of more than three months without a jackpot winner. It’s that string of futility that has enabled Powerball’s top prize to reach $1.23 billion, the 8th largest in U.S. lottery history. And it’s a sign that the

By AAMER MADHANI and ZEKE MILLER Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden issued a stark warning to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday that future U.S. support for Israel’s Gaza war depends on the swift implementation of new steps to protect civilians and aid workers. Biden and Netanyahu ‘s roughly 30-minute call

By JILL COLVIN Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — Former President Donald Trump offered a tough message to Israel over its war against Hamas on Thursday, urging the country to: “Get it over with.” In an interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt, Trump said that Israel is “absolutely losing the PR war” and called

By FABIANO MAISONNAVE Associated Press BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) — A study conducted in Brazil found that Yanomami people examined from nine villages have been contaminated with high levels of mercury. About 300 people of varying ages had hair samples taken and were evaluated by a team of doctors, psychologists, nurses and neurologists. The Yanomami territory,

BY WAYNE PARRY Associated Press BRICK, N.J. (AP) — Pretty soon it will be beach season again at the Jersey Shore. If last year was any indication, it’ll be time to pack the voodoo dolls, whoopie cushions, zip ties and denture powder. Those were just a few of the bizarre items picked up off the

NEW YORK (AP) — About 2 million Black & Decker-branded clothing steamers are now under recall after consumers reported dozens of burn injuries that resulted from hot water spewing out of the devices. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Empower Brands is significantly expanding a previously announced recall of Black & Decker Model HGS011

By LEA SKENE Associated Press BALTIMORE (AP) — Engineers working to clear the wreckage of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore say they expect to be able to restore navigation in and out of the port by the end of this month. The bridge collapsed on March 26 after being struck by a

By STEPHANIE NANO Associated Press Clouds may spoil the view for many eclipse watchers. Clouds are forecast for much of the eclipse route through the U.S. with some possible patches of clear skies. The best bet for seeing the eclipse is still northern New England through to Canada. Texas is likely to have the heaviest

By LESLIE AMBRIZ and SIAN WATSON Associated Press BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) — Oscar-nominated actor Dev Patel is making his feature directorial and screenwriting debut with the action thriller, “Monkey Man.” The film was inspired by the Hindu deity Hanuman and centers on a character named Kid who makes a living working in an underground

By JUAN A. LOZANO Associated Press HOUSTON (AP) — A former Houston police officer has been indicted again on murder charges for his role in a 2019 deadly drug raid. The raid led to the death of a couple and revealed systemic corruption problems within the narcotics unit. Gerald Goines’ reindictment by a Houston grand

By ED WHITE Associated Press DETROIT (AP) — A dog missing in California since the summer turned up more than 2,000 miles away in suburban Detroit. Police in Harper Woods responded to a call about a stray dog last week, picked up the terrier mix and contacted an animal welfare group. The Grosse Pointe Animal

By GARY GERARD HAMILTON Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — Giancarlo Esposito has been known to steal scenes and help create memorable TV moments mainly as a supporting actor. But the five-time Emmy nominee — four for supporting actor and one for guest actor — is now starring in “Parish,” AMC’s new crime drama. This

By TRAVIS LOLLER Associated Press NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The final four of 11 anti-abortion activists charged with blocking access to a Tennessee clinic in 2021 have been convicted of violating the federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Nashville says a federal judge found Eva Edl, Eva Zastrow,

By REBECCA SANTANA Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — A judge has ruled that migrant children in makeshift camps along the U.S.-Mexico border waiting to be processed by Border Patrol are in the agency’s custody. That means the federal government must quickly place them in safe facilities. The makeshift camps have become a flashpoint of controversy.

By KIM CHANDLER Associated Press MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Legislation that would authorize a lottery and other types of gambling in Alabama is headed to a conference committee. Lawmakers are trying to bridge divisions over sports betting and the number of potential casino sites. The Alabama House of Representatives voted Thursday to reject Senate changes

NAPLES, Fla. (AP) — NASA says it’s investigating whether an object that crashed into the roof of a home in southwest Florida last month came from the international space station. Workers for the space agency picked up the object from the homeowner in Naples, Florida, last week and took it to the Kennedy Space Center,

By ALEX VEIGA AP Business Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate rose modestly this week, holding below 7% as it has for much of this year. The average rate on a 30-year mortgage rose to 6.82% from 6.79% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. A year ago, the

By DOUG FEINBERG AP Basketball Writer CLEVELAND (AP) — Caitlin Clark is capping her illustrious college career with another record-breaking season and another set of prestigious awards. The star guard from Iowa was honored Thursday as The Associated Press Player of the Year in women’s basketball for the second consecutive year. Clark received 34 votes

By COLLEEN BARRY Associated Press MILAN (AP) — Day-trippers to Venice who fail to pay 5 euros ($5.43) to enter the lagoon city’s historic center during a time-limited pilot program launching later this month will face steep fines. Officials said Thursday they will run from 50 euros to 300 euros _ some $55 to $325.