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BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A mom accused of killing her two youngest children and a romantic rival described some people as possessed or “zombies,” four of whom were later killed or shot at, the woman’s former friend told jurors. Melanie Gibb testified Thursday in the Idaho trial of Lori Vallow Daybell, telling jurors that the

By DARLENE SUPERVILLE, COLLEEN LONG and JILL LAWLESS Associated Press KNOCK, Ireland (AP) — President Joe Biden was moved to tears on Friday during a stop at a Catholic shrine when he discovered that a chaplain working there had performed last rites on his late son Beau Biden. “It was incredible to see him,” Biden

MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Putin on Friday signed a bill allowing authorities to issue electronic notices to draftees and reservists amid the fighting in Ukraine, sparking fears of a new wave of mobilization. Russia’s military service rules previously required the in-person delivery of notices to conscripts and reservists who are called up for duty.

By ELAINE GANLEY and ANGELA CHARLTON Associated Press PARIS (AP) — France’s Constitutional Council on Friday approved an unpopular plan to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64 in a victory for President Emmanuel Macron after months of mass protests that have damaged his leadership. The decision dismayed or enraged critics of the pension

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Authorities say Memphis basketball recruit Mikey Williams has been arrested in San Diego County in relation to a March shooting. The 18-year-old is a top recruit in the 2023 class. San Diego County Sheriff’s Lt. Gavin Lanning says Williams was arrested Thursday on multiple counts of assault with a firearm and

By JESSE BEDAYN and COLLEEN SLEVIN Associated Press/Report for America DENVER (AP) — Democratic Colorado Gov. Jared Polis on Friday signed a set of health care bills enshrining access to abortion and gender-affirming procedures and medications, as the Democrat-led state tries to make itself a safe haven for its neighbors, whose Republican leaders are restricting

By JEFFREY COLLINS Associated Press COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The 12 U.S. soldiers died in a pine forest in South Carolina in 1780, their bodies hastily buried beneath a thin layer of soil as their comrades fled from the British who appeared ready to put a quick and brutal end to the American Experiment. But

By JAMEY KEATEN Associated Press GENEVA (AP) — Switzerland says it will spend about $2 billion to help Ukraine with humanitarian and development assistance over the next six years, ponying up financial aid for Ukraine as Western critics press Bern to do more to help it defend itself against Russian invaders and squeeze Russian interests.

By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP Economics Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans cut their spending at retail stores and restaurants in March for the second straight month, a sign consumers are becoming more cautious after a burst of spending in January. Retail sales dropped 1% in March from February, a sharper decline than the 0.2% fall in