AP National News

By JAMEY KEATEN Associated Press GENEVA (AP) — Experts working under the U.N.’s top human rights body say Venezuela’s judicial system has played a “significant role” in the state’s repression in the country that has involving widespread allegations of rights violations. One defendant cited in a new report released Thursday cited use of a tactic

By KATHERINE ROTH Associated Press Gas-powered home lawn-care machines for mowing, trimming and blowing have generally been accompanied by deafening roars and fumes. There’s now a lower-decibel lawn-care revolution going on. Quieter, zero- to low-emissions electric lawn-care tools now have better batteries that last longer. The changes so far seem more popular among homeowners than

By MIKE CORDER Associated Press AMSTERDAM (AP) — A drawing newly attributed to Vincent van Gogh that has never been displayed publicly before is going on show at the Amsterdam museum that bears the Dutch master’s name. The “new” Van Gogh is titled “Study for ‘Worn Out’” and dates back to November 1882. It is

NEW YORK (AP) — Police say a diner at a high-end Manhattan restaurant was shot in the leg during a stickup in the eatery’s outdoor seating area. Police say the 28-year-old victim and his date were at Philippe on East 60th Street at 10 p.m. Wednesday. They say a pair of armed robbers approached the

By ADAM BEAM Associated Press SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The recall that once threated California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s political future has instead given it new life. Voters delivered Newsom a rare midterm vote of confidence that could fuel an ambitious legislative agenda in 2022. State Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks is eying a bill to require vaccine

By MATT O’BRIEN AP Technology Writer A poll shows that most Americans don’t believe their personal information is secure online and they aren’t satisfied with the federal government’s efforts to protect their digital privacy. The poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and MeriTalk shows that about half of Americans believe that

By ALANNA DURKIN RICHER Associated Press A member of the far-right Oath Keepers militia group that stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 pleaded guilty Wednesday and will cooperate with investigators against his fellow extremists. It’s another win for the Justice Department in its major conspiracy case stemming from the attack. Jason Dolan is the

By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP Economics Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits moved up last week to 332,000 from a pandemic low, a sign that worsening COVID-19 infections may have slightly increased layoffs. Applications for jobless aid rose from 312,000 the week before, the Labor Department said Thursday. Jobless claims, which

By RAF CASERT Associated Press BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union says it will fund its new health preparedness and rapid response agency to the tune of 30 billion euros over the next six years. It’s even higher if individual efforts from the member nations and private sector are taken into account. The EU was

By SARAH EL DEEB Associated Press BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon’s state-run National News agency says the lead judge investigating Lebanon’s massive port explosion last year has issued an arrest warrant for a former government minister who failed to show up for questioning. Youssef Fenianos, the former public works minister, is one of a number of

LONDON (AP) — British retailer Marks & Spencer is to close 11 of its stores in France, mainly in Paris, as a result of fresh and chilled food supply issues related to Britain’s departure from the European Union. The group blamed Brexit disruption to exports to Europe for its decision to shut all franchised shops

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Officials say more than 20 cats were killed when a fire broke out at an Orlando animal shelter. Orange County Fire Rescue found flames “through the roof” when they arrived at the center shortly after 10:21 p.m. Wednesday. Steve Bardy, who runs the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando, called the fire

BERLIN (AP) — Scientists say the Southern Hemisphere ozone hole is larger than usual and already surpasses the size of Antarctica. The European Union’s Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service said Thursday that the ozone hole has grown considerably in the past week following an average start. Atmospheric ozone absorbs ultraviolet light coming from the sun. Its

By FARAI MUTSAKA Associated Press HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — Zimbabwe has told all government employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19 or they will not be allowed to come to work. It wasn’t made clear what would happen to those who refused to be vaccinated. State-owned newspaper The Herald reported that the government would adopt a

By HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH Associated Press Authorities say a Missouri police officer who graduated from the police academy in July has died after being shot by a wanted man who opened fire on officers and was also killed. The Independence Police Department announced late Wednesday that 22-year-old Officer Blaize Madrid-Evans died following the Wednesday morning shooting.

By JERRY HARMER Associated Press BANGKOK (AP) — Taxi fleets in Thailand are giving new meaning to the term “rooftop garden,” as they utilize the roofs of cabs idled by the coronavirus crisis to serve as small vegetable plots. Workers from two taxi cooperatives assembled the miniature gardens this week using black plastic garbage bags

CAIRO (AP) — A global human rights group has accused Egypt’s main domestic security agency of harassing and intimidating rights advocates and activists to silence them. The report was the latest rebuke to Egypt’s government, which faces increasing pressure from the U.S. to improve its human rights record. Amnesty International said in the report released

By VESELIN TOSHKOV Associated Press SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — Bulgarian President Rumen Radev has reappointed a retired general as interim prime minister to lead a new caretaker government until the next early election is held in November. The Balkan country is the European Union’s poorest member. It is gearing up for its third parliamentary election

By ARNO PEDRAM Associated Press PARIS (AP) — The city of Paris is unveiling a monumental artwork built around an actual monument: the Arc de Triomphe completely wrapped in silver and blue fabric. The installation by late artist couple Christo and Jeanne-Claude, who conceived of the project in 1961, will open Saturday. Visits will take

LONDON (AP) — Irish airline Ryanair is planning to create 5,000 jobs over the next five years as part of its recovery from the shock of the coronavirus pandemic. The additional pilots, cabin crew and engineers will mean that the company will have more than recouped the 3,000 jobs it got rid of at the