AP National News

BERLIN (AP) — Germany has announced new restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of the new omicron variant of COVID-19. The new rules, which go into effect on Dec. 28, fall short of a full lockdown but include contact restrictions for vaccinated people. Chancellor Olaf Scholz said at a press conference Tuesday evening that “we

PARIS (AP) — Facing a jump in COVID-19 hospitalizations, France’s government is trying to push through a law requiring vaccination to enter any restaurant and many other public places. Officials are also warning of tougher measures if the current surge of infections doesn’t recede. The government dropped efforts to require a health pass for all

DENVER (AP) — An online petition has gathered millions of signatures calling for leniency for a 26-year-old truck driver who was sentenced to 110 years in prison for causing a crash that killed four people in Colorado. More than 4.5 million people have signed the change.org petition urging Gov. Jared Polis to grant clemency or

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Newly unsealed court documents show the former top executive for the contractor hired to build two South Carolina nuclear reactors that were never finished won’t face criminal charges. The Post and Courier reports former Westinghouse CEO Danny Roderick is now a government witness for a federal investigation into the failed multibillion

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Grassy yards would be banned at all new housing and commercial developments in the Las Vegas metro area as officials try to expand water use limitations and the region prepares for a hotter and drier future. The Southern Nevada Water Authority passed resolutions on Monday to prohibit the yards and the

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — State and local agencies are investigating after residents flooded local police stations with calls about a loud “boom” that rattled central Illinois communities. The Illinois Emergency Management Agency is working with its state and local partners to investigate. Rebecca Clark with the agency says she heard a “loud boom” from her

By SAMY MAGDY Associated Press CAIRO (AP) — The U.N. human rights office has called for an independent investigation into allegations of sexual violence, including rape and gang rape, during anti-coup protests in Sudan earlier this week. A spokeswoman for the office in Geneva says they received “disturbing” reports alleging that 13 women and girls

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Intel has told workers that unvaccinated people who don’t get an exemption for religious or medical reasons will be on unpaid leave beginning in April. The California-based semiconductor company told employees last month they had a Jan. 4 deadline to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or seek an exemption, citing a government

By JOSEPH WILSON and ARITZ PARRA Associated Press BARCELONA, Spain (AP) —  Despite vaccination rates that make other governments envious, Spain and Portugal are facing the hard truth that these winter holidays won’t be a time of unrestrained joy. The reason is the new omicron variant that has been running rampant across Europe. Portugal on

By MATTHEW BROWN Associated Press BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — U.S. officials have approved two solar projects in California and are opening public lands in other Western states to potential solar development. The moves are part of the Biden administration’s effort to counter climate change by shifting from fossil fuels. The company proposing the projects east

By LUJAIN JO Associated Press BEIRUT (AP) — The U.N. chief has warned the continued paralysis of Lebanon’s government may dampen international support for this small Mideast country going through a “very dramatic” crisis. Antonio Guterres’ remarks on Tuesday came at the end of his three-day visit to Lebanon during which he repeatedly urged the

By BEN FOX Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency says dozens of agents will wear body cameras for the first time as part of six-month pilot project. ICE officials say members of SWAT-like teams who work for a component of ICE known as Homeland Security Investigations will use body

By DYLAN LOVAN Associated Press LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A Kentucky task force on search warrants established in the wake of the fatal Breonna Taylor police shooting has completed its work. The task force set up by state Attorney General Daniel Cameron is recommending additional training for officers, an electronic database and tracking zip codes

FULSHEAR, Texas (AP) — Officials say a small plane has crashed near Houston, killing at least one person. The Federal Aviation Administration says the single-engine Cessna 208 had taken off on Tuesday from Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston when it crashed around 9:40 a.m. about 50 miles to the southwest near Fulshear, Texas. Both the

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has tested positive for COVID-19, along with his wife and teenage son. The governor’s office announced Tuesday that Walz and his family tested positive on Monday after his son experienced mild symptoms over the weekend. The governor and first lady Gwen Walz remain asymptomatic. All three have been

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A former Virginia Commonwealth University student has pleaded guilty to hazing and serving alcohol to a minor shortly before the 19-year-old fraternity pledge died from alcohol poisoning. The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that 23-year-old Andrew White of Dulles pleaded guilty to the misdemeanors Tuesday. He is one of 11 former Delta Chi

LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Portugal is reimposing coronavirus restrictions because of fears over the threat from the omicron variant. The move comes despite the country having one of the highest COVID-19 vaccination rates in the world. The country’s prime minister announced Tuesday that working from home will be mandatory and discotheques and bars will be

By MICHELLE L. PRICE Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said he’s committed to keeping the city open as it grapples with yet another spike in coronavirus cases. The Democratic mayor said Tuesday that New York can’t see schools and businesses closed again like the city did in

VIENNA (AP) — The World Health Organization’s top official in Europe urged governments to prepare for a “significant surge” in coronavirus cases across the continent with the rise of the omicron variant.  WHO Europe regional director Dr. Hans Kluge told reporters in Vienna that “we can see another storm coming.” Omicron has been detected in

By MATTHEW BROWN Associated Press BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — U.S. officials are opening public lands in three western states to potential solar energy development as part of the Biden administration’s effort to counter climate change by shifting from fossil fuels. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management on Tuesday published a call to nominate land for