When Rep. Kevin McCarthy emerged from a messy 15-ballot election and ascended to House speaker, he was emboldened rather than chastened by the fight, declaring that his father taught him early on in life: “It’s not how you start; it's how you finish.” But as the embattled Republican leader from California rounds the first 100 days at...
Russia’s UN Council Presidency Is Most Contentious in Memory
First the Russians gave the U.N. spotlight to the commissioner of children’s rights accused with President Vladimir Putin of war crimes for deporting Ukrainian children to Russia, sparking a walkout by the U.S. and several others. Then Russia went after the West by claiming it is violating international laws in arming Ukraine,...
With Fox News on Its Heels, Judge Delays Start of Defamation Trial Over 2020 Election Lies
Without citing a reason, the Delaware judge overseeing a voting machine company’s $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit against Fox News announced late Sunday that he was delaying the start of the trial until Tuesday. The trial, which has drawn international interest, had been scheduled to start Monday morning with jury selection...
City’s Mayor Says Trying to Control Guns Futile After Birthday Party Shooting Kills 4, Wounds 28
Alabama law enforcement officers Sunday were imploring people to come forward with information about a shooting that killed four people and injured 28 others during a teenager's birthday party. Among those killed was a high school senior who planned to play college football and was celebrating his sister's 16th birthday....
Man Shoots Black Teen Who Rang His Doorbell. ‘Stand Your Ground’ May Apply, Police Say
The investigation into the shooting by a homeowner of a Black teenager who went to the wrong house to pick up his younger brothers includes questions about whether it was racially motivated, authorities in Kansas City said. Police are quickly preparing evidence for prosecutors in Thursday's shooting, Chief Stacey Graves...
Top Kremlin Critic Convicted of Treason, Given 25 Years
A Russian court convicted a top opposition activist of treason on Monday for publicly denouncing Moscow’s war in Ukraine and sentenced him to 25 years in prison. It was the latest move in the Kremlin’s relentless crackdown on anyone who dares to criticize the invasion. Vladimir Kara-Murza, Jr., an activist and...
Why Sen. Feinstein’s Absence Is a Big Problem for Democrats
Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s monthslong absence from the Senate to recover in California from shingles has become a vexing problem for Democrats who want to confirm President Joe Biden’s nominees to the federal courts. Now there is some pressure from within her party, and her state, to resign. With frustration mounting among Democrats, Feinstein on...
New This Week: Jeremy Renner, Metallica and ‘Cocaine Bear’
Here’s a collection curated by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists of what’s arriving on TV, streaming services and music and video game platforms this week. NEW MOVIES TO STREAM — “Cocaine Bear” was technically inspired by a true story — a 1985 plane crash that scattered some $2 million worth of cocaine...
Mike Pence Wants Swift Execution of Mass Shooters to Combat Gun Violence
INDIANAPOLIS — Top Republican hopefuls for the 2024 presidential race vowed Friday at the National Rifle Association's annual convention to defend the Second Amendment at all costs, suggesting that new firearms restrictions in the wake of mass shootings around the country would only hurt law-abiding gun owners. Former Vice President...
Muslim Call to Prayer Over Loudspeakers OK’d in Minneapolis, 5 Times Each Day
Minneapolis will allow broadcasts of the Muslim call to prayer at all hours, becoming the first major U.S. city to allow the announcement or “adhan” to be heard over speakers five times a day, year-round. The Minneapolis City Council unanimously agreed Thursday to amend the city's noise ordinance, which had prevented dawn...