AP National News

By RAF CASERT Associated Press BRUSSELS (AP) — A ruling by the European Union’s top court has boosted the rights of same-sex parents and their children in the 27-nation bloc. The European Court of Justice said a child with two mothers certified in one EU nation must also be recognized by the other EU members

By JOHN ANTCZAK and JANIE HAR Associated Press LOS ANGELES (AP) — Rain is drenching Southern California as a blustery storm charged down the state, triggering river rescue efforts and raising the threat of mudslides in areas scarred by wildfires. Los Angeles firefighters say three vehicles were swept down the Los Angeles River early Tuesday

By LUIS ANDRES HENAO, KWASI GYAMFI ASIEDU and DAVID CRARY Associated Press When Americans are asked by pollsters about their religious identity, the fastest-growing major group consists of those who don’t affiliate with any organized religion. Some are atheist, some agnostic, and many describe themselves as spiritual but not religious. According to one new survey

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Treasury Department will release $8.7 billion to help increase lending to small and minority-owned businesses and to people living in poorer communities with limited access to banking. The funds from the Emergency Capital Investment Program will go to 186 community-based financial institutions. Vice President Kamala Harris and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen

MASON, Ohio (AP) — One of the Ohio cities that voted recently to criminalize abortion within its limits has reversed its decision. The city of Mason’s council repealed its ordinance in a 6-1 vote Monday. The decision came after two council members who supported the ban were expelled by voters in November and after over

By SETH BORENSTEIN AP Science Writer The Arctic continues to deteriorate as global warming increases. A new federal Arctic report card Tuesday highlights all sorts of problems for the world’s northern region. They now include expansion of beavers which are creating dams that worsen permafrost thaw. Greenland’s summit station this summer got its first ever

By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP Economics Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — Under Chair Jerome Powell, the Federal Reserve is poised this week to execute a sharp turn toward tighter interest-rate policies with inflation accelerating and unemployment falling faster than expected. The Fed will likely announce that it will reduce its monthly bond purchases at twice the rate

SKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — Authorities in North Macedonia have detailed 28 mostly Cuban migrants found crammed into a van driven by a suspected member of a migrant smuggling gang. The incident announced Tuesday was the second time in three days that a group of Cubans was intercepted being driven through North Macedonia. In both

By ANDREW SELSKY Associated Press McMINNVILLE, Ore. (AP) — Thousands of towns across the United States that were wracked by the opioid crisis are on the precipice of receiving billions of dollars in the second-biggest legal settlement in U.S. history. The $26 billion from three drug distributors and a pharmaceutical manufacturer would address damage wrought

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Ukraine’s defense minister says that the former Soviet republic has “no plans to attack anyone,” and its gathering of troops is purely defensive amid speculations of a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine as soon as next month. In recent weeks, there has been a massive Russian troop buildup near Ukraine’s border

The Associated Press Stocks are opening lower again on Wall Street Tuesday as traders took in the latest sign that inflation is still running high. The S&P 500 index gave up 0.5% in the early going. Technology companies had some of the biggest losses, which helped pull the Nasdaq down 0.8%. The Dow Jones Industrial

By JILL LAWLESS Associated Press LONDON (AP) — British lawmakers are to vote on whether to approve new restrictions to curb the spread of the omicron variant. The House of Commons is voting on measures ordering masks to be worn indoors in England and requiring proof of vaccination or a negative test to enter nightclubs

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. (AP) — While many companies are offering bonuses or higher pay as a way to lure and keep workers, a central Florida business is offering a drawing for two brand new and mortgage-free houses. Mechanical One President and CEO Jason James says he’s planning to hold the drawing next December. The company

By HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH Associated Press MISSION, Kan. (AP) — The death toll from COVID-19 is approaching 800,000 in the U.S., bringing an end to an especially difficult year for the many families who lost loved ones during the pandemic. Carolyn Burnett is bracing for her first Christmas without her son Chris, a beloved Kansas high

By GLENN GAMBOA AP Business Writer The Giving Pledge announced Tuesday that 14 more billionaires, including the CEOs of DoorDash and Pinterest, had promised in 2021 to donate more than half their fortunes, bringing the total to 231 philanthropists from 28 countries. Founded in 2010 by Bill Gates, Melinda French Gates and Warren Buffett, the

By MARTIN CRUTSINGER AP Economics Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — Prices at the wholesale level surged by a record 9.6% in November from a year earlier, an indication of ongoing inflation pressures The Labor Department said that its producer price index, which measures inflation before it reaches consumer, rose 0.8% in November compared to October, the

By FRANK JORDANS Associated Press BERLIN (AP) — Members of a new expert panel advising the German government on the coronavirus pandemic are holding their first meeting. The meeting Tuesday comes amid signs that government restrictions imposed in recent weeks are beginning to slow infection rates. Germany’s disease control agency reported 30,823 newly confirmed cases

By JAKE COYLE AP Film Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Martin Scorsese’s alma mater, New York University, is establishing a film institute in his name after a gift from George Lucas and Mellody Hobson. The formation of the Martin Scorsese Institute of Global Cinematic Arts was to be announced Tuesday by NYU’s Tish School of

By BARBARA ORTUTAY AP Business Writer Many couples who don’t have children expect that they’ll more or less share household duties equally should they have kids one day. But a new poll from the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy and The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds that 35% of

By JULIE WATSON Associated Press SAN DIEGO (AP) — A sailor accused of setting the fire that destroyed a U.S. warship last year faces his second day in court in a hearing to determine if he’ll go to trial. Ryan Mays will be back in a military on courtroom Tuesday after Navy prosecutors accused him