

(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is allowing the Texas law that bans most abortions to remain in place, but has agreed to hear arguments in the case in early November. The justices said Friday they will decide whether the federal government has the right to sue over the law. Answering that question will help determine whether the law should be blocked while legal challenges continue.

Deal seems near on $2T Biden package, though deadline slips
A deal within reach, President Joe Biden and Congress’ top Democrats have edged close to sealing their giant domestic legislation.


US intel warns China could dominate advanced technologies
U.S. officials have issued new warnings about China’s ambitions in artificial intelligence and a range of advanced technologies that could eventually give Beijing a decisive military edge and possible control over the health care of Americans.


Trump attacks Meghan McCain and her family
Former President Trump attacked Meghan McCain and her family in a statement Friday, mocking her for saying she left ABC’s “The View” due to a toxic work environment and going after her father,…


White House officials clarify multiple Biden comments made during live town hall
The White House clarified a number of statements President Biden made during a live town hall Thursday night, walking back his vow to call in the National Guard to aid the congested supply chain and his suggestion that the United States would defend Taiwan from a potential attack from China.

Justice Department to expand redlining investigation efforts
The Justice Department has announced a cross-government effort to investigate and prosecute redlining, the practice of banks discriminating against racial minorities or certain neighborhoods.


Lev Parnas, ex-Giuliani associate, convicted of violating campaign finance laws
Prosecutors had accused Parnas and an associate, Andrey Kukushkin, of illegally funneling foreign cash into the 2018 midterm elections.


‘You’re a joke’: Greene clashes with Cheney, Raskin on House floor
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), tangled with two members of the Jan. 6 committee on the House floor Thursday, getting into an impromptu shouting match over Black Lives Matter and a wild conspi…


What's in, and what's out, as Democrats reshape Biden bill
WASHINGTON (AP) — After months of talks, Democrats are edging closer to an agreement on what programs and policies to include in President Joe Biden's massive plan to expand health and safety net programs and combat global warming.

Poll: More than two-thirds of Republicans say climate change is 'not an emergency'
More than two-thirds of Republicans continue to insist that climate change is “not an emergency,” according to a new Yahoo News/YouGov poll.
Sotomayor would have immediately blocked Texas abortion law
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear arguments about whether it should block Texas's new law that prohibits abortions in the state after a fetal heartbeat is detected. But if it were up to Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the court would already have scrapped the law.

Biden says he's open to altering filibuster on voting rights
President Joe Biden said Thursday he would be open to altering the filibuster to pass voting rights legislation, but said attempting to do so now would hamper his ability to pass his economic agenda.


Biden pulls back curtain on spending negotiations with Democrats
President Joe Biden has pulled back the curtain on domestic agenda negotiations in s push to get Democrats to a deal.

Analysis: Biden returns to retail politics to rescue his biggest deal yet
Joe Biden, showing candor and good humor, on Thursday reminded America why it picked him as President in a dark hour of crisis. But, at a CNN town hall in Baltimore, he also showed his tendency to send his own White House into emergency damage control as he flipped set-in-stone policy off the...


Judge to hear Trump’s case against Jan. 6 committee in November
A federal judge will hear former President Trump’s case against the House Jan. 6 Committee’s request for extensive records from his administration in a hearing next month.U.S. District …

Trump's executive privilege claim in Capitol riot case gets Nov. 4 hearing
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A U.S. judge will consider on Nov. 4 former President Donald Trump's claim of executive privilege in response to a document request from a congressional panel investigating the Jan. 6 attack at the U.S. Capitol. Trump on Monday sued the Jan. 6 Select Committee, alleging...

Wisconsin audit finds elections are 'safe and secure'
A highly anticipated nonpartisan audit of the 2020 presidential election in Wisconsin did not identify any widespread fraud in the battleground state, which a key Republican legislative leader says shows that the state's elections are “safe and secure.”


White House signals Biden, congressional Democrats closer to spending bill deal
The meeting with Pelosi and Schumer comes as Democrats move closer to finalizing a social safety net spending package.


GOP lawmaker calls for Meghan, Harry to lose royal titles over paid leave push
A GOP congressman is blasting Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex’s advocacy for paid family leave, suggesting she and Prince Harry should be stripped of their royal titles for her “interfere…

Cheney's Consultants Are Given an Ultimatum: Drop Her, or Be Dropped
WASHINGTON — A prominent Washington lobbyist close to Rep. Kevin McCarthy, the House minority leader, is warning Republican political consultants that they must choose between working for Rep. Liz Cheney or McCarthy, an ultimatum that marks the full rupture between the two House Republicans...

Pelosi: Democrats within striking distance of deal
Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Friday that Democrats are within striking distance of winning a long-sought agreement on President Biden’s sweeping domestic agenda.Returning to the Capit…


In Montana, a knock-down redistricting fight over a single line
For the first time in 30 years, Montana voters will send two members to the House after explosive population growth in the state’s western half.But the fact that the five members of the state’s bip…


Truth Social could provide Trump with infusion of cash -- but critics are concerned about its content
Donald Trump's new social media app, Truth Social, could provide him with an infusion of cash -- but critics warn it could further the spread of misinformation.

Loudoun email reveals superintendent notified school board on day of alleged sexual assault
The superintendent for Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) sent an email alerting the school board of an alleged assault on the same day as the one that has captured national headlines.

Biden says U.S. has "commitment" to defend Taiwan if China attacks
The White House quickly walked back his remark, but amid questions over Washington's long-held policy of "strategic ambiguity," China warns the U.S. not to send "wrong signals."


Kamala Harris engages with heckler during New York speech
Vice President Harris was interrupted by a heckler while giving a speech on the bipartisan infrastructure deal and the Biden administration’s Build Back Better agenda in New Yo…


'We're getting all kinds of threats': Judge says defiant US Capitol rioters are fueling threats from Trump supporters | CNN Politics
A federal judge said Friday that defiant US Capitol rioters, who are still defending their role in the January 6 insurrection, are fueling threats against judges from people who falsely believe the 2020 election was stolen from former President Donald Trump.


Patience with Biden wearing thin among Black leaders
Black voters and activists are increasingly frustrated with Democrats and the Biden administration in the wake of the party’s latest failure to advance voting rights legislation.In his first …


Prosecutor disputes reports that train passengers recorded rape without calling cops
The narrative that passengers on a SEPTA train in suburban Philadelphia watched a man rape a woman and filmed it instead of calling the police is false, the prosecutor handling the case has said.

Men Are Caregivers, Too, in Biden's Plan
Pete Buttigieg faced criticism from certain conservatives for taking paternity leave with his newborn twins. But his decision to do so showed something distinct about U.S. family policy: It may be flimsy compared with that of many other nations, but it has tended to recognize caregiving as...

Attorney Tana Lin is now the first Asian American U.S. judge in Washington state
On Thursday, the U.S. Senate confirmed the civil rights attorney as a federal judge in Seattle, making her the first Asian American federal judge in Washinton state.


Colin Powell memorial service set for Nov. 5
Powell died Monday of complications from Covid-19.


Young Thug sues company over allegedly stolen bag with $100,000 worth of jewelry and 200 unreleased songs
Rapper Young Thug said an apartment concierge let an unknown person take his Louis Vuitton bag holding about 200 unreleased songs and more than $100,000 worth of jewelry and cash.


Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins dies after prop gun fired by Alec Baldwin fires live round
A crew member on the set of the Alec Baldwin-backed film "Rust" was killed Thursday after a prop gun with blanks misfired. Another crew member was injured.

Letters suggest Capitol Police haven’t met lawmakers’ calls for transparency
The U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) has not followed through on efforts to improve transparency since Congress urged the department to do so in the days before January 6, according to letters from the U…


House investigators target the money trail behind January 6 rally | CNN Politics
The House select committee is setting its sights on the financing behind events and people associated with January 6, CNN has learned, including money that funded pro-Trump "Stop the Steal" rallies that preceded the attack on the Capitol that day, in an effort to determine whether any election...

Walmart, Walgreens U.S. stores roll out Moderna, J&J COVID-19 booster shots
Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc and Walmart Inc said on Friday their U.S. pharmacies started administering COVID-19 booster shots from Moderna Inc and Johnson & Johnson, in addition to previously authorized Pfizer-BioNTech booster.


Alec Baldwin 'heartbroken' over fatal film set shooting
Director of photography Halyna Hutchins was killed by a prop gun fired by the actor in New Mexico.
www.bbc.com

White House report on climate, migration opens door to refugee status for 'environmental defenders’
A new White House report on the alleged links between climate change and migration opened the door to potentially giving refugee status to those who are classed as "climate activists" or "environmental defenders."

Kanter denounces China's human rights record again amid backlash
Boston Celtics center Enes Kanter posted a new video on Friday denouncing China's human rights record regarding Uyghur people and other Muslim minorities.


Outrage grows after conservative host’s remarks on reporter’s Asian features
"When I look back, what’s most shocking to me is the casualness of the racism, this kind of unbridled hatred and the mockery," KPIX-TV reporter Betty Yu said.


Restaurateurs want outdoor dining extension as patrons still fear indoors
Appetites for indoor dining wane amid Delta variant, while outdoor seating becomes less palatable as temps drop.


Free community college expected to be cut from spending bill
President Joe Biden's long-sought goal of free community college appears to be a victim of cost-cutting in his social spending plan, dealing a major blow to his vision for a historic expansion of educational opportunity to all Americans.


DOJ plans for Secret Service testimony about Pence at first scheduled Capitol riot trial | CNN Politics
The Justice Department plans to call a US Secret Service official to testify at the first scheduled trial against a US Capitol riot defendant this fall, according to a new court filing.


Democrats press Biden admin to lift embassy ban on discussing gay marriage
State Department policy advises U.S. diplomats against taking a position, for or against, on same-sex marriage abroad, according to testimony from top officials.


Daines demands answers on Afghan parolee accused of Montana rape, calls DHS statement 'deeply insufficient'
FIRST ON FOX: Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., on Friday wrote to the Biden administration calling for answers on the resettlement of an Afghan national who was resettled in Montana and has since been charged with rape -- with Daines criticizing the initial response by the Department of Homeland...

White House, Dems hurriedly reworking $2 trillion Biden plan
WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House and Democrats are hurriedly reworking key aspects of President Joe Biden’s $2 trillion domestic policy plan, trimming the social services and climate change programs and rethinking new taxes on corporations and the wealthy to pay for a scaled-back package.


Fact-checking Biden's CNN town hall in Baltimore | CNN Politics
President Joe Biden participated Thursday in a CNN town hall in Baltimore, taking questions from anchor Anderson Cooper and local residents about his legislative agenda and a variety of other topics.


More disease, more suicide: Study shows human cost of climate change
A new study showed how increasing temperatures likely mean more disease and more suicide among humans.
GOP Rep. Booted Off Jan. 6 Panel Is Running a Shadow Probe
Tom Williams/CQ-Roll CallRep. Jim Banks (R-IN) was one of the two Republicans that Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) booted from the Jan. 6 Committee in July, but Donald Trump’s staunch ally appears to be using his brief association with the panel to run a shadow investigation of his own.According to...

Ex-ESPN reporter Williams signs with conservative news site
Former ESPN reporter Allison Williams has signed with a conservative outlet after she left ESPN due to the sports network’s coronavirus vaccine mandate.The Daily Wire hired Williams to l…


Viral video, opinions challenge Georgia jury selection for Arbery case
A Georgia court struggled this week to seat jurors in the trial of three white men accused of murdering Black jogger Ahmaud Arbery, underscoring the challenge of finding people who have not formed firm opinions based on a viral video of the shooting.


Two major pieces of President Joe Biden's climate plan could get cut from the Build Back Better plan
As Democrats pare down the president's $3.5 trillion spending plan, two items important to his climate goals could be off the table.


UNC-Chapel Hill presenter goes viral for discussing 'right-hand privilege'
A photo showing an activist giving a presentation regarding “right-handed privilege” at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has gone viral on social media.

Explainer: All U.S. adults qualify for COVID-19 boosters; which is best?
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday expanded availability of COVID-19 booster shots to all American adults, hoping to preserve vaccine protection against the fast-spreading Delta variant.

House votes to hold Trump ally Steve Bannon in contempt
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House has voted to hold Steve Bannon, a longtime ally and aide to former President Donald Trump, in contempt of Congress for defying a subpoena from the committee investigating the violent Jan.


Hollywood stunned, saddened by Alec Baldwin prop gun movie shooting
Some directors are now questioning whether on-set gunfire is even necessary in the wake of Halyna Hutchins' death while filming "Rust."


Democrats brush off risks of paring down spending package
Democrats are brushing off the political risks of slashing their sweeping social spending measure, arguing voters will reward them for getting something done and not punish them because the legisla…


Blanding makes her voice heard in Virginia governor's race
GLENNS, Va. (AP) — The second and final debate in Virginia's closely watched governor's race had been underway for about 10 minutes when a woman started shouting from the audience. “I worked very hard to be on the ballot.


READ: Supreme Court's order on Texas abortion law and Sotomayor dissent | CNN Politics
The Supreme Court allowed a Texas law that bars most abortions after six weeks to remain in place for now.


Why Virginia is a team effort for Democrats and one-man mission for Republicans
While Democrat Terry McAuliffe is welcoming his party's biggest stars, Republican Glenn Youngkin is keeping his at arms' length.


Delta 'Plus' Covid variant may be more transmissible
It may be more contagious than Delta, but there is no evidence yet that it causes worse illness, experts say.
www.bbc.com

Minneapolis push to dismantle police is 'crash test dummy' for far-left activists: Omar challenger
Cicely Davis, a Republican running against Ilhan Omar, said that if a ballot measure passes to dismantle the Minneapolis Police Department, activists will push the agenda to other cities.

Blank slate to best hope: Can Youngkin rescue the Va. GOP?
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — When Glenn Youngkin threw his hat and his cash into the Republican nominating contest for Virginia governor this year, he was a rich former private equity executive with no experience as a candidate, and few insider connections or public political views.


Biden says he was wrong to suggest those who defy subpoenas from January 6 committee should be prosecuted | CNN Politics
President Joe Biden admitted on Thursday that he was wrong to make a statement last week that those defying subpoenas from the House committee investigation the January 6 attack on the US Capitol should be prosecuted.


What to know about 'Striketober': Workers seize new power as pandemic wanes
"Workers have reached a tipping point," one union representative said.

Pentagon watchdog finds NSA properly sidelined GOP operative hired as top lawyer
The Department of Defense Office of Inspector General (OIG) found that the National Security Agency (NSA) properly sidelined a GOP operative that was hired as the agency’s top lawyer amid an i…


Harris to travel to Paris next month and meet with Macron | CNN Politics
Vice President Kamala Harris will travel to Paris and meet with French President Emmanuel Macron next month, the White House announced on Friday.

Who are the 9 House Republicans who voted to hold Steve Bannon in contempt?
Of the nine GOP House members who voted to hold former Donald Trump adviser Steve Bannon in contempt, seven previously voted to impeach Trump.
www.usatoday.com

Gavin Newsom reflects on the recall, discusses upcoming challenges
First Read is your briefing from "Meet the Press" and the NBC Political Unit on the day's most important political stories and why they matter.


McAuliffe's backslapping political brand put to test in 2021
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (AP) — Terry McAuliffe is a blur of handshakes, hugs, backslaps and smiles as he glides through the friendly crowd at Gethsemane Baptist Church seeking help from above. For the former Virginia governor running again for his old job, it's not necessarily God's grace he's after...


US counterintelligence officials warn of threats from China, Russia to emerging technology
The National Counterintelligence and Security Center on Friday said it is prioritizing industry outreach efforts in U.S. technology sectors where the stakes are “potentially greatest” for U.S. economic and national security, warning of “nation-state threats” posed by China and Russia.

U.S. targets graft in Venezuela’s flagship food box program
Federal prosecutors unveiled criminal charges against an alleged corruption ring to profit from lucrative contracts to import food and medicine to Venezuela.


Watchdog finds flaws in FAA oversight of American Airlines
DALLAS (AP) — A government watchdog said Friday that federal safety regulators routinely fail to ensure that American Airlines gets to the cause of maintenance shortcomings when they are discovered.


West Virginia governor says he would welcome three Maryland counties with 'open arms' after GOP legislators ask to join his state | CNN Politics
West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice said Friday that he would welcome three western Maryland counties whose Republican legislators have asked to join the state.


Fox News launching its own mobile-friendly weather service
NEW YORK (AP) — Fox News Media is getting into another rough-and-tumble world — the weather. The company is launching Fox Weather, a free streaming service and app that it expects will be used most frequently by customers on their mobile devices.


Poll: Majority of voters view Jan. 6 probe through political lens
A majority of voters say they think the investigation of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot is aimed more at scoring political points than offering an independent inquiry into the attack, a new Hill-HarrisX p…


Group clings to faith as US works on Haiti kidnapping case
A U.S. religious organization whose 17 members were kidnapped in Haiti is asking supporters to pray and share stories with the victims’ families of how their faith helped them through difficult times as efforts to recover them entered a sixth day

Big tech data centers spark worry over scarce Western water
THE DALLES, Ore. (AP) — Conflicts over water are as old as history itself, but the massive Google data centers on the edge of this Oregon town on the Columbia River represent an emerging 21st century concern.


Biden predicts victory in battle over spending megabill as Senate moves toward finish line
"I do think I'll get a deal," Biden says at a CNN town hall in Baltimore as the Democrats' self-imposed Friday deadline looms.


In memoir, Katie Couric writes of feeling betrayed by Lauer
NEW YORK (AP) — On a summer day in the Hamptons last year, Katie Couric and her husband, John Molner, went out for a walk and saw a familiar white jeep drive by with Matt Lauer at the wheel. No waves, no hellos.


Warrant: Baldwin didn't know weapon contained live round
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — An assistant director unwittingly handed Alec Baldwin a loaded weapon and told him it was safe to use in the moments before the actor fatally shot a cinematographer, court records released Friday show.


Marine vet foils Arizona robbery by grabbing suspect's gun
YUMA, Ariz. (AP) — A U.S. Marine Corps veteran who disarmed a teenage robbery suspect in an Arizona gas station by grabbing his gun says he was “doing what needed to be done." James Kilcer said he was talking to the clerk on Wednesday when the gun-pointing suspect entered the store with two...


Lyft says more than 4,000 sexual assaults occurred on its trips from 2017 to 2019
More than 1,800 people were sexually assaulted during Lyft rides in 2019, about a 65 percent increase from 2017, the company says in a new report.


Supreme Court to take up Texas abortion law but declines to block it
The Supreme Court will take up the Texas abortion law and could definitively resolve the fate of its six-week ban and unprecedented enforcement mechanism.

Biden pushes private talks into the open as the White House keeps its foot on the gas | CNN Politics
For weeks White House officials have deliberately avoided delving into the details of President Joe Biden’s private negotiations over the scope and scale of his mult-trillion dollar domestic agenda.


EXPLAINER: Guns on movie sets: How does that work?
Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins died Thursday after Alec Baldwin fired a loaded weapon that was handed to him by an assistant director who mistakenly believed it was safe to use on the New Mexico set of “Rust.” Director Joel Souza was also hit and injured but has since been released from the...


USPS worker admits to stealing parcels containing drugs
BOSTON (AP) — A postal worker who tracked, stole and opened mail that he suspected contained drugs and then kept any narcotics that he found pleaded guilty Friday. Shawn Herron, 44, of Whitman, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute and theft of mail by a...


Senate Republicans to soon find out if they've landed a top 2022 recruit
New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, who national Republicans have been trying to recruit to run for the Senate in the key battleground state, says he'll soon have a 2022 decsion

Neera Tanden named White House staff secretary | CNN Politics
Neera Tanden was named White House staff secretary on a morning staff call on Friday, a person familiar with the matter and a senior White House official said, after her nomination to be President Joe Biden’s budget chief was pulled earlier this year when key senators balked at some of her past...


Lorli von Trapp Campbell, of ‘The Sound of Music’ family, dies at 90
Eleonore “Lorli” von Trapp Campbell was the second daughter of Georg and Maria von Trapp and a younger stepsibling to the older von Trapp children who went on to be depicted in stage and film.


Ivory poaching is changing the evolution of elephants, study finds
Researchers in Mozambique found a dramatic shift within 15 years, illustrating how human activity can accelerate genetic changes in other species.


Robert Durst charged with 1982 murder of wife Kathie Durst
NEW YORK (AP) — Millionaire real estate scion Robert Durst has been charged with murder in the death of his first wife, Kathie Durst, nearly four decades after she disappeared and just days after he was sentenced to life in prison in California for killing a confidante who helped him cover up...


Israel outlaws Palestinian rights groups, alleging terrorism
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel on Friday effectively outlawed six prominent Palestinian human rights groups by declaring them terrorist organizations, a major escalation of its decades-long crackdown on political activism in the occupied territories.


Students march into Congo parliament in strike row
Students march into parliament in the Democratic Republic of Congo demanding better pay for teachers.
www.bbc.com

Day care owner gets 6 years for hiding 26 kids in basement
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — A Colorado day care owner convicted of keeping 26 children hidden in the basement of her business two years ago has been sentenced to six years in prison after parents said some of the children suffered trauma including sleeping problems and anxiety.


Stocks end mixed on Wall Street, still notch weekly gains
Wall Street capped a choppy day of trading Friday with an uneven finish for the major stock indexes, as losses for several large technology companies weighed on the market. The S&P 500 was little changed a day after it set an all-time high, but the 0.1% slip ended its seven-day winning streak.


Major Pelosi donors sitting on SF park board in her district set to receive $200 million from taxpayers
A national park in House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's San Francisco district that is set to receive $200 million from taxpayers includes several Pelosi donors on its trust board.

Halyna Hutchins: Beloved cinematographer dies at 42
Hutchins, 42, was the director of photography for Alec Baldwin's latest film, "Rust," where she was killed on set after the actor discharged a prop firearm.


California hiring slows in September; jobless rate at 7.5%
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — In California, new coronavirus cases are at their lowest point since the start of the pandemic, schools have fully reopened and the more generous unemployment benefits from the federal government have expired — all signs pointing to what should have been a robust...


Where are the workers? Cutoff of jobless aid spurs no influx
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Earlier this year, an insistent cry arose from business leaders and Republican governors : Cut off a $300-a-week federal supplement for unemployed Americans.


Study says tech firms underreport their carbon footprint
BERLIN (AP) — Large technology companies such as SAP, IBM and Google are underreporting their greenhouse gas emissions at a time of heightened scrutiny over the role of corporations in driving climate change, a study released Friday claimed.


Liberal backlash against Sinema grows on Capitol Hill as potential Arizona challenger emerges | CNN Politics
Sen. Kyrsten Sinema is at the zenith of her influence in Washington, with the ability to dramatically reshape – or derail – President Joe Biden’s domestic agenda simply by threatening to point her thumb down.


Halyna Hutchins: Film world mourns 'incredible artist' and seeks answers
Halyna Hutchins, who has died on a film set, had been named an American Cinematographer rising star.
www.bbc.com

GOP congressman ends floor speech with 'Let's go, Brandon'
Rep. Bill Posey, R-Fla., took to the House floor on Thursday where he blasted President Biden’s Build Back Better economic agenda as being unable to “pass a straight-face test.”

Japan OKs plan to push clean energy, nuclear to cut carbon
TOKYO (AP) — Japan adopted a new energy policy on Friday that promotes nuclear and renewables as sources of clean energy to achieve the country’s pledge of reaching carbon neutrality in 2050. The new basic energy plan, adopted by the Cabinet just in time for the climate summit in early November...


Fired grain elevator worker shot 3 people, killing 2, Nebraska officials say
An employee retrieved a gun from an office and fatally shot the fired worker at the Agrex Elevator in Superior, a town in southeast Nebraska near the Kansas border, authorities said.


From exile, female former Afghan leader keeps fighting
NEW YORK (AP) — Two months after the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan, one of the country’s once-prominent female leaders — a former parliament member, candidate for president and a nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize — is visiting the United Nations, not as a representative of her government...


Regional airline SkyWest cancels hundreds of flights
Regional airline SkyWest has canceled hundreds of flights over the last two days because of what it calls an internal technical issue

66 million-year-old triceratops skeleton, world’s biggest, goes for $7.7M
The skeleton, known as "Big John," was found in South Dakota in 2014.


Rod Stewart's plea deal on battery charge falls through
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — A plea deal between British rock icon Rod Stewart and Florida prosecutors fell through Friday, meaning he and his adult son are again scheduled to stand trial on charges they battered a security guard during a New Year's Eve bash nearly two years ago.


Peter Scolari of 'Newhart,' 'Bosom Buddies,' dies at 66
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Peter Scolari, a versatile character actor whose television roles included a yuppie producer on “Newhart” and a closeted dad on “Girls” and who was on Broadway with longtime friend Tom Hanks in “Lucky Guy," has died.



FDA says Pfizer COVID vaccine looks effective for young kids
Federal health regulators said late Friday that kid-size doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine appear highly effective at preventing symptomatic infections in elementary school children and caused no unexpected safety issues, as the U.S.


COVID-19 updates: Pfizer vaccine highly effective in children 5-11
The United States has been facing a COVID-19 surge as the more contagious delta variant continues to spread.

AP FACT CHECK: Biden overstates his record on COVID vaccine
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden botched the numbers behind the COVID-19 vaccine rollout Thursday as he stretched to take all the credit for the surge of shots once he was in office. A look at his remarks during a CNN town hall event:


What is the 'delta plus' variant of the coronavirus?
What is the “delta plus” variant? It’s a relative of the delta variant, identified by British scientists last month. Because it isn't a variant of interest or concern, it has not yet been officially named after a letter of the Greek alphabet, like the other worrisome variants.


As virus cases rise, so do pleas for Russians to get vaccine
NIZHNY NOVGOROD, Russia (AP) — As she stood in the courtyard of the morgue holding the body of her grandmother who died of COVID-19, Ramilya Shigalturina had a message for anyone still resisting vaccinations.


EXPLAINER: Is it time to get a COVID-19 booster? Which one?
Millions more Americans just became eligible for COVID-19 boosters, but figuring out who's eligible and when can be confusing. And adding to the challenge is that this time around, people can choose a different brand of vaccine for that extra dose.


Northern states see uptick in COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations as weather gets colder
With people heading indoors, some colder states are beginning to see a rise in cases.

Billionaire Paul Tudor Jones tests positive for Covid after attending celebrity charity event
The dinner featured musical performances by Bruce Springsteen, Alicia Keys and the Jonas Brothers. Sir Paul McCartney also attended.


New Hampshire mayoral candidate dies from COVID
BERLIN, N.H. (AP) — A mayoral candidate in the city of Berlin, New Hampshire, who was a pastor and community leader has died of a COVID-19-related illness. Robert Haynes, 54, died on Wednesday at Concord Hospital, the Bryant Funeral Homes in Berlin said.


U.S. administers nearly 412 mln doses of COVID-19 vaccines - CDC
The United States has administered 411,963,025 doses of COVID-19 vaccines in the country as of Friday morning and distributed 501,613,665 doses, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.


International community 'complicit' in gain-of-function research: book
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) came under fire this week after it admitted to funding gain-of-function research on the coronavirus in China's Wuhan Institute of Virology, but the U.S. is not the only country that was "complicit" in supporting the controversial research, according to...

Ukraine sees new record high in virus deaths, infections
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine's coronavirus infections and deaths reached all-time highs for a second straight day Friday, in a growing challenge for the country with one of Europe's lowest shares of vaccinated people.


Romania revives restrictions as hospitals struggle, jabs lag
BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Doctor Petruta Filip is working 100-hour weeks at a Bucharest hospital which, like hospitals throughout Romania, is struggling under an onslaught of COVID-19 patients in a country with worryingly low vaccination rates.


Arizona reports 3,074 additional COVID cases, 51 more deaths
PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona on Friday reported over 3,000 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases, one of the highest number of infections reported on a single day his month, as the rate of additional deaths increased slightly.
