News

By EDITH M. LEDERER Associated Press UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. special envoy for Afghanistan is urging the world  to unite to prevent the collapse of the Afghan economy, to address fears that the Taliban’s Islamic state may spread to its neighbors, and to fight terrorism. Deborah Lyons warned Thursday that the Taliban have

By MICHAEL R. BLOOD AP Political Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — In two months, Larry Elder went from conservative talk radio host to leader of the Republican field in the California recall election that could remove Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom. His GOP star turn is fanning talk of his future, win or lose, in the

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. (AP) — Police say three people were arrested in East St. Louis, hours after a shooting in the southern Illinois city that wounded at least seven people. Police say it was a wild incident that included a getaway car crashing into a commuter train. The shooting occurred Thursday afternoon, across the

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — San Francisco’s trash disposal company has agreed to pay $36 million in criminal penalties for its role in a wide-ranging bribery scheme involving the city’s former public works director. Acting U.S. Attorney Stephanie M. Hinds announced Thursday that the three subsidiaries of Recology Inc. have pledged to cooperate in ongoing investigations

By JACQUES BILLEAUD Associated Press PHOENIX (AP) — An Arizona police officer was charged with aggravated assault for his actions during an encounter four years ago in which he is accused of shooting a handcuffed man in the testicles with a stun gun. Glendale Officer Matthew Schneider, who has since retired, faces three felony assault

By GERARDO CARRILLO and MARCO UGARTE Associated Press TULA, Mexico (AP) — Two days after flooding claimed at least 14 lives north of Mexico’s capital, the streets of Tula remain submerged as full reservoirs upstream continued releasing more water. Mexican authorities say heavy rains in recent days in central Mexico filled the area’s reservoirs to

By DON THOMPSON Associated Press SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California public schools and colleges would have to stock their restrooms with free menstrual products under legislation sent to Gov. Gavin Newsom. Democratic Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia’s bill that passed Thursday builds on her 2017 law requiring low-income schools in disadvantaged areas to provide students with free

By BRUCE SCHREINER Associated Press FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Republican lawmakers in Kentucky have voted in a special session to scrap a statewide mask mandate in schools. The GOP-dominated legislature passed the pandemic measure Thursday during the third day of a special session. The bill approved Thursday sets education policies in response to disruptions caused

By MICHAEL BIESECKER Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Louisiana wildlife officials say they have documented more than 100 oil-soaked birds after crude oil spilled from a refinery flooded during Hurricane Ida. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries said Thursday that a growing number of oiled birds had been observed within heavy pockets of oil

By BEN FOX Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — The Transportation Security Administration is increasing the penalty for people who violate the mandate to wear masks on planes, trains and other forms of transportation to help stop the spread of COVID-19. President Joe Biden warns that violators should “be prepared to pay.” First-time offenders would face