News

By SCOTT SONNER Associated Press RENO, Nev. (AP) — A new pledge to match half the contributions for a $1 million expansion at a wildlife rescue center at Lake Tahoe is a welcome relief for staff and volunteers who’ve been on an emotional rollercoaster since a bear cub burned in a summer wildfire escaped. The

By NOHA ELHENNAWY Associated Press CAIRO (AP) — The U.N. mission in Libya has condemned an attack by armed men on an appeals court as it was set to re-examine an earlier decision that disqualified the son of the country’s late dictator, Moammar Gadhafi from running for president. The mission warned on Friday that such

By OLEG CETINIC and THOMAS ADAMSON Associated Press CALAIS, France (AP) — French fishing crews have briefly blocked French ports, ferry traffic across the English Channel and the freight entrance to the Eurotunnel to disrupt the flow of goods to the U.K., in a protest over post-Brexit fishing licenses. It’s the latest tension point between

The Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are opening sharply lower on Wall Street Friday after South Africa found a fast-spreading coronavirus variant and the European Union proposed suspending air travel from southern Africa. The S&P 500 is down 1.4% in early trading, heading for its worst fall since late September and solidly lower

by KELVIN CHAN AP Business Writer Climate activists have blockaded Amazon warehouses in three European countries. It’s part of a global effort to pressure the ecommerce giant on one of its busiest days of the year to improve working conditions and end business practices that hurt the environment. Members of Extinction Rebellion targeted 15 Amazon

By VANESSA GERA Associated Press WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Poland isn’t planning any new lockdowns or other restrictions despite skyrocketing COVID-19 infections and deaths. Poland’s medical professionals are criticizing perceived government inaction that bucks a European trend to put limits on the unvaccinated. On Friday, the country recorded slightly over 420 COVID-19 related deaths, a

By CARA ANNA Associated Press NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — A state-affiliated broadcaster has purported to show Ethiopia’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning prime minister on the battlefront of the country’s yearlong war against Tigray forces. His appearance on Friday comes four days after he announced he would direct the army from there. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, in

By FRANK JORDANS Associated Press BERLIN (AP) — Germany’s government has refused to back calls for a swift and sharp lockdown to curb the country’s worsening coronavirus situation, which has seen daily confirmed cases hit a new peak. Health Minister Jens Spahn said contacts between people need to be sharply reduced, warning Friday that “the

By KRISTIN M. HALL AP Entertainment Writer NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Country star Miranda Lambert readily admits that she doesn’t really like Christmas music at all. The only thing that would get her in the spirit to do a holiday record was singing with her two best gal pals from the Pistol Annies, Ashley Monroe

By MATTHEW PERRONE AP Health Writer U.S. health officials say Merck’s experimental COVID-19 pill is effective but they raised questions about its safety during pregnancy. The Food and Drug Administration posted its review Friday ahead of a public meeting next week where outside experts will debate the drug’s benefits and risks. If FDA authorizes the