Month: October 2023

By SARAH SCHLICHTER of NerdWallet October is the ASPCA’s Adopt a Shelter Dog Month. If you’re thinking about adding a rescue dog to your family, you may want to consider buying pet insurance coverage to help keep your furry new friend healthy. Pet insurance isn’t right for everyone. For example, it can be pricey if

RAHIM FAIEZ ISLAMABAD (AP) — The United Nations’ World Food Program is appealing for $19 million to provide emergency assistance to tens of thousands of people affected by a series of devastating earthquakes and aftershocks that has rocked western Afghanistan. Ana Maria Salhuana, deputy country director of the World Food Program in Afghanistan, said it

MOSCOW (AP) — The lower house of Russia’s parliament has approved a bill revoking the ratification of a global nuclear test ban treaty, a move Moscow described as putting it on par with the United States. The State Duma lawmakers voted unanimously to revoke the ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty on Wednesday.

By SARAH RANKIN Associated Press RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Former Virginia House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn has decided against a bid for governor in 2025 and will instead run next year to represent the competitive northern Virginia congressional seat being vacated by a fellow Democratic lawmaker. Filler-Corn spoke with The Associated Press about her decision Tuesday

LONDON (AP) — Elon Musk’s social media platform X has begun charging a $1 fee to new users in the Philippines and New Zealand. It’s a test designed to cut down on the spam and fake accounts flourishing on the platform formerly known as Twitter. The company said late Tuesday that it’s started trying out

By KANIS LEUNG Associated Press HONG KONG (AP) — A Hong Kong man who was shot by police during pro-democracy protests in 2019 has been sentenced to 47 months in prison on charges of rioting, assaulting a police officer and perverting the course of justice. Tsang Chi-kin was the first known victim of police gunfire

By SAMY MAGDY and JOSEPH KRAUSS Associated Press CAIRO (AP) — Within hours after a blast was said to have killed hundreds at a Gaza hospital, protesters hurled stones at Palestinian security forces in the occupied West Bank and at riot police in neighboring Jordan. They were venting fury at their own leaders for failing

By JEFF AMY DALTON, Ga. A South Korean company has begun production at a huge solar panel factory in Georgia. The move by the company Qcells comes even as industry leaders say surging Asian imports could dampen efforts to make more solar components in the U.S. The company owned by South Korea’s Hanwha group says

By RODNEY MUHUMUZA Associated Press KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — A tourist from Britain, another from South Africa and their local guide have been killed in an attack on a tourist vehicle near a Ugandan national park, according to wildlife authorities. Unknown assailants set the victims’ vehicle ablaze Tuesday along a road by Queen Elizabeth National

By ELAINE KURTENBACH AP Business Writer BANGKOK (AP) — Markets fell in Europe and Asia after China reported Wednesday that its economy grew at a 4.9% annual pace in July-September, down from 6.3% in the previous quarter. Oil prices jumped more than $1. Germany’s DAX was unchanged at 15,253.87 while the CAC 40 in Paris

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — The leaders of Russia and China have met in Beijing and called for close foreign policy coordination. It comes as concerns grow about possible conflicts with the West over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine and Beijing’s rising threats against Taiwan. At their Wednesday morning meeting, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin discussed trade

By NINIEK KARMINI Associated Press JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia’s ruling party has named the top security minister as the running mate to the party’s presidential candidate in next year’s election. Muhammad Mahfud will run alongside Ganjar Pranowo, former Central Java governor, for the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle. Wednesday’s announcement sets up a potential

BEIJING (AP) — Beijing has vigorously protested the U.S. Commerce Department’s latest update of export controls to prevent exports to China of advanced computer chips and the equipment to make them. China’s Commerce Ministry said the controls were “improper,” urging that Washington end them as soon as possible. The remarks were in response to questions

BERLIN (AP) — Police in Germany say a Berlin synagogue has been attacked with Molotov cocktails. It comes as antisemitic incidents in the German capital have been rising following the violent escalation in the Middle East. The Kahal Adass Jisroel community said its synagogue in the city’s Mitte neighborhood was attacked early Wednesday with two

By NAJIB JOBAIN, SAMYA KULLAB, RAVI NESSMAN and MATTHEW LEE Associated Press KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Doctors in Gaza City faced with dwindling medical supplies performed surgery on hospital floors, often without anesthesia, in a desperate bid to save badly wounded victims of a massive blast that killed hundreds of Palestinians sheltering in

LONDON (AP) — Inflation in the U.K. held steady at 6.7% in September as easing food and drink price rises were offset by higher fuel costs for motorists. The flat reading reported by the Office for National Statistics was unexpected. Most economists had predicted another fall. It means that the U.K.’s inflation rate remains more

VIENNA (AP) — Former Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz is set to go on trial on a charge of having allegedly made false statements to a parliamentary inquiry into alleged corruption in his first government. The charges center on his testimony to the inquiry that focused on the coalition made up of his conservative People’s Party

By ROD McGUIRK Associated Press CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Australian journalist Cheng Lei says she spent more than three years in detention in China for breaking an embargo with a television broadcast. Cheng‘s first television interview since she was freed was broadcast in Australia on Tuesday, almost a week after she returned to her mother

By KELVIN CHAN AP Business Writer LONDON (AP) — Chinese automakers are winning over drivers as they make major inroads into Europe’s electric vehicle market. They’re challenging long-established homegrown brands in an industry that’s key to Europe’s green energy transition. The competitive threat has spurred the European Union to launch an investigation into Beijing’s support

By DANIEL POLITI Associated Press BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Economy Minister Sergio Massa and former Security Minister Patricia Bullrich adapted shrewdly over their combined seven decades in Argentine politics. But experience may not be an asset in the 2023 election. Javier Milei is a mop-topped freshman lawmaker who leads most polls. He has pointed

By EDITH M. LEDERER Associated Press UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. Security Council has scheduled a vote Wednesday on a resolution that initially condemned “the heinous terrorist attacks by Hamas” on Israel as well as all violence against civilians. It also called for “humanitarian pauses” to deliver desperately needed aid to millions in Gaza.

By FRANCES D’EMILIO Associated Press ROME (AP) — When Giorgia Meloni took office a year ago as the first far-right premier in Italy’s post-war history, many in Europe worried about the prospect of the country’s democratic backsliding and resistance to European Union rules. The European Commission president issued a decidedly undiplomatic warning that Europe had

By SOPHIE AUSTIN Associated Press/Report for America SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom often touts California’s leadership on the national stage. Some speculate he may decide to run for national office one day. Newsom has said he has no desire to run for president. But his decisions on whether to sign or veto

By MARY CLARE JALONICK Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate is moving quickly to confirm Jacob Lew as ambassador to Israel, holding a hearing on his nomination. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Wednesday comes as President Joe Biden heads to the region to reinforce U.S. support for Israel and try to ease

By LINLEY SANDERS and REBECCA SANTANA Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — At a time when Americans are deeply divided along party lines, a new poll shows considerable agreement on at least one issue: The United States’ two-decade-long war in Afghanistan was not worth fighting. The poll from the Pearson Institute for the Study and Resolution

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — The chief suspect in Natalee Holloway’s 2005 disappearance is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday. He is expected to plead guilty to trying to extort money from her mother and provide new information about what happened to the missing teen. Joran van der Sloot, 36, charged with extortion and wire fraud,

By LISA MASCARO, FARNOUSH AMIRI and STEPHEN GROVES Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Having lost the first vote to become House speaker, Rep. Jim Jordan will try a decisive second ballot. Wednesday’s House vote will test whether the hard-edged ally of Donald Trump can win over the holdouts or if his bid for the gavel

By SIMINA MISTREANU Associated Press BEIJING (AP) — Chinese President Xi Jinping is promising greater access to China’s market for international firms and new financing exceeding $100 billion for other developing economies. He made the remarks at a forum on his signature Belt and Road infrastructure policy Wednesday. The initiative has built power plants, roads,

By AAMER MADHANI, COLLEEN LONG and CHRIS MEGERIAN Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden will touch down in Israel on Wednesday for a diplomatic scramble to prevent the war with Hamas from spiraling into an even larger conflict, a challenge that became more difficult as outrage swept through the Middle East over an

By COLLEEN SLEVIN Associated Press GOLDEN, Colo. (AP) — Three teenagers charged with murder in the death of a 20-year Colorado driver who was struck by a rock that investigators say was thrown through her windshield are set to appear in court to determine if their case should go to trial. The teens were arrested

NEW YORK (AP) — A new report says that crash and fatality rates among drivers under 21 have fallen dramatically in the U.S. during the past 20 years but young drivers are still the riskiest group behind the wheel. Using data from 2002-2021, a non-profit group of state highway safety offices says that fatal crashes

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Fiji’s prime minister says his government is “more comfortable dealing with traditional friends” such as Australia as China pursues closer security ties in the Asia-Pacific region. Sitiveni Rabuka and Australia’s Anthony Albanese met on Wednesday during the Fijian leader’s first state visit to Australia since he returned to power last year.

By CLAIRE SAVAGE, MELISSA PEREZ WINDER and SOPHIA TAREEN Associated Press BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. (AP) — A 6-year-old Palestinian-American boy who authorities allege was stabbed 26 times by his landlord in response to escalating right-wing rhetoric in the Israel-Hamas war is being remembered as kind. Multiple authorities are investigating the attack that has become a symbol

By ZEN SOO Associated Press HONG KONG (AP) — China’s economy slowed in the third quarter, amid muted global demand, deflationary pressures and an ailing property sector. According to official data, the world’s second-largest economy grew 4.9% year-over-year in the July-September quarter, beating the 4.5% forecast by analysts but slowing from the 6.3% growth in

By MARK STEVENSON Associated Press MEXICO CITY (AP) — A well-known leader of a civilian “self-defense” group has been shot to death in southern Mexico. Bruno Plácido rose to prominence in the violence-plagued state of Guerrero in 2013 when he organized a rag-tag army of farmers to capture suspected gang members. His group held about

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — A Malaysian government investigation has concluded the landslide that killed 31 people at an unlicensed campground last year was caused by persistent heavy rainfall, not human activity. Ninety-two people were sleeping at a campsite on an organic farm when soil and debris crashed down from a road above and covered

WASHINGTON (AP) — A massive blast Tuesday rocked a Gaza City hospital that was packed with wounded and displaced Palestinians amid an Israeli offensive on Gaza. The Hamas-run Health Ministry says at least 500 people are dead. Hamas is blaming an Israeli airstrike, while Israel says a rocket misfire by Palestinian militants is to blame.

By REGINA GARCIA CANO Associated Press CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela’s government and a faction of the opposition have formally settled on working together to reach a series of basic conditions for the next presidential election. The conditions are spelled out in one of two partial deals signed Tuesday in Barbados by representatives of President

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A former nurse convicted of sexually abusing women in custody at an Oregon prison has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison. Tony Klein’s sentence handed down Tuesday also includes five years of supervised release after prison, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office — District of Oregon.

By HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH and JOHN HANNA Associated Press TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas child welfare officials say they investigated the family of a 5-year-old Kansas girl five times during the 13 months before she was raped and killed. But in a report released Tuesday, the Department for Children and Families said that it could not

By MICHAEL GOLDBERG Associated Press/Report for America JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A federal judge turned to Ted Henifin after infrastructure breakdowns in Mississippi’s capital city caused residents to go days and weeks without safe water last year. In an interview with The Associated Press earlier this month, he offered an insider’s look at efforts to

By TERRY TANG Associated Press Curtis Chin has been championing other Asian Americans for over 30 years. He co-founded the Asian American Writers’ Workshop. He’s produced documentaries, including one on the racially motivated killing of Vincent Chin in 1983. Now it’s his turn in the spotlight. Curtis Chin has a new memoir, “Everything I Learned,

By JUAN A. LOZANO Associated Press HOUSTON (AP) — Family members of a murdered 16-year-old girl tried to attack her ex-boyfriend in court after he pleaded guilty to the killing. Frank DeLeon pleaded guilty in Houston on Tuesday in exchange for a 45-year prison sentence. He shot Diamond Alvarez last year nearly two dozen times

By GARY GERARD HAMILTON Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — Jada Pinkett Smith is feeling free these days. She’s no longer hiding that she has been separated from megastar husband Will Smith for seven years. She tells the AP that “it’s a weight off my shoulders.” In her new memoir, “Worthy,” she chronicles childhood lessons

By SONIA PÉREZ D. Associated Press GUATEMALA CITY (AP) — The sudden resignation of a Guatemalan cabinet minister appears to signal a division within the administration of President of Alejandro Giammattei over how to remove the protest roadblocks that have stretched into their third week. Interior Minister Napoleón Barrientos, a retired brigadier general, resigned late

By JESSE BEDAYN and MATTHEW BROWN Associated Press DENVER (AP) — The remains of at least 189 decaying bodies were found and removed from a Colorado funeral home, up from about 115 reported when the bodies were discovered two weeks ago, officials said Tuesday. The remains were found by authorities responding to a report of

By TARA COPP and LOLITA C. BALDOR Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Within hours of the horrific attack by Hamas, the U.S. began moving warships and aircraft to the region to be ready to provide Israel with whatever it needed to respond. On Tuesday, more ships and forces were heading toward Israel, and other troops

By TARA COPP Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon has released footage of some of the more than 180 intercepts of U.S. warplanes by Chinese aircraft that have occurred in the last two years — more than the total amount over the previous decade and part of a trend U.S. military officials called concerning.

By DOUG FEINBERG AP Basketball Writer Defending champion LSU is ranked No. 1 in the women’s preseason AP Top 25 college basketball poll for the first time in school history. LSU, which won its first NCAA title last April behind star player Angel Reese and Co., received 35 first-place votes from a 36-member national media

PHOENIX (AP) — A federal appeals court has tossed out a lawsuit brought by former Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake that challenged the use of electronic voting machines. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals made the ruling Monday. Lake and failed Arizona Secretary of State candidate Mark Finchem, both Republicans, filed a lawsuit in

By HARM VENHUIZEN Associated Press/Report for America MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A federal jury has convicted two senior employees at a Wisconsin corn plant of falsifying records and obstructing an investigation into a fatal corn dust explosion in 2017. The vice president of operations and a former food safety superintendent at Didion Milling falsified documents