Harris in Africa looks to painful past, innovative future
March 28, 2023 GMTACCRA, Ghana (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday stood before a monument commemorating Ghana's independence from colonialism and envisioned a grand future between the U.S. and Africa, propelled by innovation on the continent.
Defense chiefs fail to resolve dispute on tanks for Ukraine
January 20, 2023 GMTRAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (AP) — Defense leaders meeting at a U.S. air base in Germany on Friday failed to resolve divisions over providing advanced battle tanks to Ukraine after more than five hours of discussions about sending more military aid to the embattled country in its war with Russia.
DeSantis team welcomes contrast with Trump ‘chaos’ candidacy
March 27, 2023 GMTTALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Jim McKee is standing at the end of a line that snakes through five aisles of fiction inside the Books-A-Million store in Florida’s capital city.
He is smiling because in a matter of minutes, the book he’s holding will be signed by its author, Ron DeSantis, the Republican governor who McKee believes should be the nation’s next president.
In North Carolina, Biden to compare economic plan with GOP’s
March 28, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden will visit an expanding North Carolina semiconductor manufacturer on Tuesday as he launches an extended effort to spotlight the impact legislation passed earlier in his administration is having on the U.S.
McCarthy calls on Biden to schedule meeting on debt ceiling
March 28, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said Tuesday he's growing increasingly concerned about President Joe Biden's unwillingness to negotiate on lifting the nation's borrowing authority, saying in a letter to the president that the White House position “could prevent America from meeting its obligations and hold dire ramifications for the entire nation.”
House GOP to subpoena Blinken over Afghanistan dissent cable
March 28, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans plan to deliver a subpoena to Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday for classified cables related to the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, marking an unprecedented effort to force the release of sensitive documents to Congress.
US makes corporate transparency commitment with 20 nations
March 28, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen affirmed America’s commitment to enhancing corporate transparency along with more than 20 other countries at the Summit for Democracy on Tuesday.
US to adopt new restrictions on using commercial spyware
March 27, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. government will restrict its use of commercial spyware tools that have been used to surveil human rights activists, journalists and dissidents around the world, under an executive order issued Monday by President Joe Biden.
Georgia bill is latest GOP effort targeting prosecutors
March 28, 2023 GMTATLANTA (AP) — A new Georgia commission to discipline and remove wayward prosecutors would be the latest move nationwide to ratchet up oversight on what Republicans see as “woke prosecutors” who aren't doing enough to fight crime.
Christie: GOP needs someone who can quickly take down Trump
March 28, 2023 GMTMANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) — Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said Monday that Republicans need a candidate who can take out Donald Trump in a single, brutal swipe like the one Christie delivered to a different rival in 2016.
Twenty years on, reflection and regret on 2002 Iraq war vote
March 27, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Michigan Sen. Debbie Stabenow was sitting in Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld’s conference room at the Pentagon, listening to him make the case that Saddam Hussein was hiding weapons of mass destruction.
EU defends its Libya migrant work as UN points the finger
March 28, 2023 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union on Tuesday defended its work with migrants in Libya after U.N.-backed investigators accused the 27-nation bloc of abetting human rights abuses and other crimes in the largely lawless north African country.
Montenegro’s president: EU’s neglect gave Russia a platform
March 28, 2023 GMTPODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) — Montenegro's pro-Western president criticized the European Union for allegedly allowing Russia to spread its influence in the Western Balkans, saying Tuesday that the volatile region has become a “platform” for anti-EU policies due to the bloc’s “negligence.”
Ukrainian president extends tour of war’s front-line areas
March 28, 2023 GMTOKHTYRKA, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine’s president visited the Sumy region in northern Ukraine on Tuesday, continuing his tour over recent days of areas of the country that have felt the brunt of Russia’s full-scale invasion and as the stage increasingly looks set for a Ukrainian counteroffensive.
Muslim leader for Scotland a sign of UK political diversity
March 28, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — Humza Yousaf was confirmed as first minister of Scotland on Tuesday, becoming the first person of color to head the Scottish government, and the first Muslim national leader in any Western democracy.
Pakistan says it will skip US democracy summit amid turmoil
March 28, 2023 GMTISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan announced Tuesday it will not participate in this week's U.S.-led Summit for Democracy, a move seen in part as an effort by the impoverished Islamic nation to assuage longtime ally China, which was not invited.
Greek police arrest 2 suspected of planning terror attacks
March 28, 2023 GMTATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greek police said Tuesday they have arrested two people who had been allegedly planning terrorist attacks in the country, including at least one against a Jewish target, aimed at causing mass casualties.
Bill nears passage to ban outside election cash in Georgia
March 28, 2023 GMTATLANTA (AP) — Georgia's DeKalb County could keep its $2 million in private grant money to help run elections, under a bill nearing final passage. But the next Georgia local government official who accepts an outside election grant might end up a convicted felon.
Israel tensions ease as Netanyahu pauses judicial overhaul
March 28, 2023 GMTTEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel’s rival political factions agreed to begin negotiations Tuesday after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paused a controversial judicial overhaul plan that had triggered unprecedented street protests and a spiraling domestic crisis.
Liberal outraises conservative in Wisconsin court race
March 28, 2023 GMTMADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Democratic-funded candidate in Wisconsin's pivotal state Supreme Court contest has raised more than five times as much money as her Republican-backed opponent ahead of the April 4 election.
Suu Kyi’s party ordered dissolved in military-ruled Myanmar
March 28, 2023 GMTBANGKOK (AP) — The political party led by Myanmar's ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi was ordered dissolved by the military-appointed election commission on Tuesday because it failed to register for a planned general election, state television MRTV reported.
Wisconsin lawmakers approve settlement with factory farm
March 28, 2023 GMTMADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Legislature's finance committee approved a $215,000 deal Tuesday between the state Justice Department and a factory farm to settle pollution allegations.
IAEA head: Deal to protect Ukrainian nuclear plant ‘close’
March 28, 2023 GMTDNIPRO, Ukraine (AP) — A deal to protect Europe's largest nuclear power plant from a catastrophic accident due to fighting in Ukraine could be “close,” the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency said Tuesday, but warned that intensified combat in the area has increased risks to the facility.
German FM declares home heating a national security issue
March 28, 2023 GMTBERLIN (AP) — The energy source that Germans use to heat their homes should be considered a national security issue, Germany’s foreign minister said Tuesday, pushing back against government officials who are wary of making a swift shift away from fossil fuels.
Amnesty: West’s ‘double standards’ fuel Mideast repression
March 28, 2023 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — A leading international rights group on Tuesday decried what it said were double standards by Western countries that have rallied behind a “robust response” to Russia's invasion of Ukraine but remain “lukewarm" on issues of human rights violations in the Middle East.
EU deal to move migrant children from Greece officially ends
March 28, 2023 GMTATHENS, Greece (AP) — A voluntary scheme by European Union member states to accept unaccompanied migrant children from Greece officially ended Tuesday, raising concern over delays still facing the bloc in hammering out a comprehensive new migration agreement.
US, UK sanction 6 Syria-linked amphetamine traffickers
March 28, 2023 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — The U.S. and U.K. on Tuesday slapped sanctions on four Syrians and two Lebanese involved in manufacturing and trafficking the amphetamine drug Captagon, the two governments said. The six include cousins of Syrian President Bashar Assad and notorious Lebanese drug lynchpins.
French court refuses to extradite Italian former militants
March 28, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — France’s highest court ruled Tuesday against extraditing 10 former far-left militants who were convicted of attacks in Italy carried out in the 1970s and 1980s.
The two women and eight men fled Italy after their convictions and before they could be sent to prison.
MI5 hikes Northern Ireland terror threat level to ‘severe’
March 28, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — The U.K.’s MI5 intelligence service on Tuesday raised the terrorism threat level in Northern Ireland’ to “severe” amid an increase in activity by dissident Irish republican militants.
UN says Afghan girls’ education activist arrested in Kabul
March 28, 2023 GMTISLAMABAD (AP) — An Afghan rights activist who has campaigned for girls' education has been arrested in Kabul, the United Nations said on Tuesday.
The U.N. mission in Afghanistan said Matiullah Wesa, founder and president of Pen Path — a local nongovernmental group that travels across Afghanistan with a mobile school and library — was arrested in the Afghan capital on Monday.
Why does Russia want tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus?
March 28, 2023 GMTRussian President Vladimir Putin's announcement that he intends to deploy tactical nuclear weapons on the territory of Belarus appears to be another attempt to raise the stakes in the conflict in Ukraine.
Greek prime minister calls general election for May 21
March 28, 2023 GMTATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece’s center-right prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, called a May 21 general election Tuesday as his party’s long-standing lead in opinion polls has declined in the aftermath of the country’s worst train disaster.
China ambassador arrives in North Korea in sign of reopening
March 28, 2023 GMTBEIJING (AP) — China said Tuesday its new ambassador to North Korea has taken up his post, in a sign the North is reopening amid reports it has been suffering heavily from the COVID-19 pandemic and food shortages.
Russia says it test-fired anti-ship missiles in Sea of Japan
March 28, 2023 GMTMOSCOW (AP) — Moscow test-fired anti-ship missiles in the Sea of Japan, Russia’s Defense Ministry said Tuesday, with two boats launching a simulated missile attack on a mock enemy warship about 100 kilometers (60 miles) away.
Lawmakers vote on Paris Olympic law with surveillance fears
March 28, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — A proposed French law for the 2024 Paris Olympics that critics contend will open the door for privacy-busting video surveillance technology in France and elsewhere in Europe faces an important hurdle on Tuesday with lawmakers set to vote on it.
Kim wants N. Korea to make more nuclear material for bombs
March 28, 2023 GMTSEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has called for his nuclear scientists to increase production of weapons-grade material to make bombs to put on his increasing range of weapons.
Australian soldier charged over Afghan killing freed on bail
March 28, 2023 GMTSYDNEY (AP) — A former elite soldier charged with murder for allegedly killing an unarmed man in Afghanistan was released on bail Tuesday by a magistrate who concluded he would face danger from Muslim extremists in prison.
Netanyahu delays judicial overhaul after mass protests
March 28, 2023 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — Bending to a wave of mass protests, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delayed his contentious judicial overhaul plan Monday and said he wanted "to avoid civil war” by making time to seek a compromise with political opponents.
Idaho Senate passes ban on gender-affirming care for minors
March 28, 2023 GMTBOISE, Idaho (AP) — The Idaho Senate on Monday voted 22-12 to pass a bill criminalizing gender-affirming healthcare for minors, one month after the state House passed similar legislation.
Georgia lawmakers: Localities must apply homeless camp bans
March 28, 2023 GMTATLANTA (AP) — Georgia lawmakers are telling cities and counties that they must enforce existing bans on public camping or sleeping by homeless people while saying local governments and hospitals can't dump homeless people in other counties without permission.
Butler pledges to lead Maryland State Police into “new era”
March 28, 2023 GMTANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Acting Maryland State Police Superintendent Roland Butler told lawmakers Monday he is committed to moving the agency “into a new era,” as some senators have questioned whether someone who has spent nearly three decades in the department is the right choice to lead reforms in an agency under a federal discrimination probe.
Voter abstention rises in Cuban National Assembly election
March 28, 2023 GMTHAVANA (AP) — Cuba's government reported Monday that abstention in National Assembly elections was 24.1%, a figure some analysts said reflects discontent with the island's economic crisis as well as a rise in apathy.
Fleming stars as `Nixon in China’ arrives at Paris Opera
March 27, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — After spending decades portraying generals' wives, a countess and a courtesan, Renée Fleming walked gingerly onto the stage of the Bastille Opera in a blond wig, red coat and black gloves to depict Pat Nixon, former first lady of the United States.
In Trump probe, key witness returns, no indictment vote yet
March 27, 2023 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — A pivotal figure in the hush money payment investigation of Donald Trump returned on Monday to the building where a grand jury has been meeting for months, a repeat appearance suggesting his testimony could be key as prosecutors push toward potential criminal charges.
NJ takes over Paterson police after crisis worker’s shooting
March 27, 2023 GMTNew Jersey's attorney general said Monday that his office has taken control of the police department in the state's third-largest city, Paterson, less than a month after officers there fatally shot a well-known crisis intervention worker during a tense standoff.
Kansas high court signals continued abortion rights support
March 27, 2023 GMTTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas’ highest court signaled Monday that it still considers access to abortion a “fundamental” right under the state constitution, as an attorney for the state argued that a decisive statewide vote last year affirming abortion rights “doesn't matter."
North Dakota to exempt military pay from income taxes
March 27, 2023 GMTBISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Republican Gov. Doug Burgum signed a bill Monday that exempts military pay from state income taxes for active duty, National Guard and Reserve members.
Under this bill, North Dakota service members’ income taxes are estimated to drop by $4 million between 2023 and 2025, the governor's office said.
Indiana bill banning gender-affirming care sent to governor
March 27, 2023 GMTINDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana House Republicans on Monday approved a bill that would ban all gender-affirming care for minors in the state, sending the measure to Indiana's Republican governor amid a wave of anti-LGBTQ legislation across the U.S.
N. Carolina governor signs Medicaid expansion bill into law
March 27, 2023 GMTRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper on Monday signed a Medicaid expansion law that was a decade in the making and gives the Democrat a legacy-setting victory, although one significant hurdle remains before coverage can be implemented, thanks to a Republican-backed provision.
US Supreme Court won’t review GOP’s Kansas congressional map
March 27, 2023 GMTTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The U.S. Supreme Court won't review a congressional redistricting law enacted by the Republican-controlled Kansas Legislature that some voters and Democrats saw as political gerrymandering.
Panel exploring changes to state seal ready to resume work
March 27, 2023 GMTBOSTON (AP) — The stalled effort to come up with alternatives to the Massachusetts state motto and seal, condemned as racist by many for its depiction of the state's Indigenous peoples, is regaining momentum.
Biden’s moves on Alaska drilling, TikTok test young voters
March 27, 2023 GMTTEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Recent moves by President Joe Biden to pressure TikTok over its Chinese ownership and approve oil drilling in an untapped area of Alaska are testing the loyalty of young voters, a group that’s largely been in his corner.
UN Security Council won’t probe Nord Stream blasts
March 27, 2023 GMTUNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. Security Council on Monday declined a Russian request to investigate the blasts on the pipelines that move natural gas from Russia to Europe under the Baltic Sea.
DeSantis signs bill expanding school voucher program
March 27, 2023 GMTTALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed legislation to allow all K-12 students in the state to get taxpayer-funded vouchers for private schools, continuing a focus on education as he prepares to launch an expected Republican presidential campaign.
Supreme Court skeptical of man who offered adult adoptions
March 27, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court seemed inclined Monday to rule against a man convicted of violating immigration law for offering adult adoptions he falsely claimed would lead to citizenship.
South Dakota gov’s veto of cryptocurrency regulations upheld
March 27, 2023 GMTSouth Dakota's House failed Monday to override Gov. Kristi Noem's recent veto of a bill that would have created government regulations for the use of cryptocurrency in the state.
The bill had passed smoothly throughout the legislature, and Noem's veto of last week was upheld on a 37-30 vote.
Zelenskyy, atomic agency chief discuss nuclear plant fears
March 27, 2023 GMTZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine (AP) — The U.N.'s atomic energy chief warned during a meeting Monday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that the perilous situation at Europe’s largest nuclear plant “isn’t getting any better” as relentless fighting in the area keeps the facility at risk of a disaster.
Key takeaways from AP’s report on China’s influence in Utah
March 27, 2023 GMTSALT LAKE CITY (AP) — China's global influence campaign has been surprisingly robust and successful in Utah, an investigation by The Associated Press has found.
Hungarian parliament approves Finland’s bid to join NATO
March 27, 2023 GMTBUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungary’s parliament on Monday approved Finland’s bid to join NATO, putting an end to months of delays and bringing the Nordic country one step closer to becoming a full member of the Western military alliance.
Harris pledges aid to Ghana amid security, economic concerns
March 27, 2023 GMTACCRA, Ghana (AP) — With fears of terrorism and Russian mercenaries rippling through West Africa, Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday opened her weeklong trip to the continent by vowing support for Ghana, a democratic pillar in the region that’s being squeezed by an economic crisis and security concerns.
Foes of Kentucky transgender bill push back with radio ads
March 27, 2023 GMTFRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — A well-known Kentucky Republican on Monday blasted the GOP's push for transgender legislation, calling it “a bad look for the party of Abraham Lincoln” in a radio ad coming days before lawmakers could vote to override the Democratic governor's veto of the bill.
Amid strained US ties, China finds unlikely friend in Utah
March 27, 2023 GMTSALT LAKE CITY (AP) — China’s global campaign to win friends and influence policy has blossomed in a surprising place: Utah, a deeply religious and conservative state with few obvious ties to the world’s most powerful communist country.
Idaho bill to provide free period products in schools fails
March 27, 2023 GMTBOISE, Idaho (AP) — A bill that would have provided free menstrual products in girls bathrooms in Idaho public schools failed in the state House, with at least one Republican lawmaker calling the proposal “very liberal.”
Finland’s NATO membership: What’s next?
March 27, 2023 GMTHELSINKI (AP) — Finland has moved one step closer to joining NATO after Hungary ratified the Nordic country’s bid on Monday. A similar decision is expected in the coming weeks from Turkey, the only alliance member that hasn’t approved Finland’s membership.
Binance and founder Changpeng Zhao sued by CFTC
March 27, 2023 GMTBinance and its founder Changpeng Zhao are being sued by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission for numerous alleged violations of the Commodity Exchange Act and CFTC regulations.
Binance’s former chief compliance officer, Samuel Lim, was also charged with aiding and abetting Binance’s violations.
Rebels kill at least 17 people in troubled eastern Congo
March 27, 2023 GMTKINSHASA, Congo (AP) — At least 17 people were killed by rebels in eastern Congo, local authorities said on Monday.
The people were abducted while driving on a road and then killed by the CODECO militia group in Djugu territory in Ituri province over the weekend, Col.
Remains ID’d of U.S. airman shot down in Germany during WWII
March 27, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The remains of a U.S. airman whose plane was shot down over Germany during World War II have been accounted for, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced Monday.
Scotland to get 1st Muslim leader as SNP elects Humza Yousaf
March 27, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — Scotland’s governing party elected Humza Yousaf as its new leader on Monday, making him the first person of color and the first Muslim to lead the country of 5.5 million people.
Georgia judge orders prosecutors to reply to Trump challenge
March 27, 2023 GMTATLANTA (AP) — A Georgia judge on Monday ordered the Fulton County district attorney’s office to respond to a motion by former President Donald Trump to throw out a report by a special grand jury that investigated attempts to interfere in the state’s 2020 presidential election.
UN-backed probe cites crimes against humanity in Libya
March 27, 2023 GMTGENEVA (AP) — U.N.-backed human rights experts said Monday there is evidence that crimes against humanity have been committed against Libyans and migrants in chaos-stricken Libya, including women being forced into sexual slavery.
EU Council chief vows support, ammunition for Ukraine
March 27, 2023 GMTBUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — European Council President Charles Michel on Monday pledged to continue supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression “for as long as necessary,” adding that EU leaders will “massively ramp up” ammunition production to send to the war-torn country.
Poland, EU seek to boost munitions production
March 27, 2023 GMTWARSAW, Poland (AP) —
Officials from Poland and the European Union on Monday discussed artillery munitions manufacturing as part of a new, 2 billion euro ($2.2 billion) program to supply Ukraine in its war against invading Russian forces and to replenish Europe’s dwindling stocks.
Supreme Court rejects case of Oklahoma teen killed by police
March 27, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court won't hear a civil rights case brought by the parents of a teenager who was naked and unarmed when he was fatally shot by an Oklahoma police officer in 2019.
India expels Rahul Gandhi, Modi critic, from Parliament
March 27, 2023 GMTNEW DELHI (AP) — India's top opposition leader and fierce critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was expelled from Parliament Friday, a day after a court convicted him of defamation and sentenced him to two years in prison for mocking the surname Modi in an election speech.
Sheriff: Man who fled traffic stop shoots officer in Florida
March 27, 2023 GMTJACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — A man who sped away from a traffic stop in Florida last week shot and critically wounded a sheriff's officer before killing himself following a standoff at his home, officials said.
Supreme Court to hear lawsuit involving disability activist
March 27, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court will decide whether a disabled activist can file disability rights lawsuits against hotels she doesn't intend to visit.
The high court said Monday it would decide a case involving Deborah Laufer.
Taiwan’s former leader Ma begins China visit
March 27, 2023 GMTTAOYUAN, Taiwan (AP) — Former Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou departed for a tour of China on Monday, in what he called an attempt to reduce tensions a day after Taiwan lost one of its few remaining diplomatic partners to China.
UK pushes on with asylum law despite rights group opposition
March 27, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — The British government pushed its contentious migration bill forward in Parliament on Monday, despite a call from Europe’s top human rights organization for lawmakers to block the legislation.
Wind industry predicts bounceback and rapid growth in 2023
March 27, 2023 GMTThe wind power industry on Monday projected growth to rapidly accelerate this year, with incentives and policy changes in key nations helping to overcome factors that led to a slowdown in 2022.