Associated Press stories, Page 130
Russia blasts Kyiv with another missile and drone barrage, killing at least 2
KYIV, Ukraine — Russia pounded Ukraine’s capital with another major missile and drone attack overnight into Thursday, killing at least two people and causing fires across Kyiv a day after the heaviest drone attack so far in the more than three-year war, Ukrainian officials said. In another tense and sleepless...
Most U.S. adults say child care costs are a ‘major problem,’ a new poll finds
Americans overwhelmingly view the cost of child care as a significant issue, and most support initiatives to offer free or low-cost day care and to require employers to provide paid family leave for parents of babies, according to a new poll. But they’re divided over how to solve the problem...
Texas officials are trying to figure out who’s really missing from the floods
This week in Texas, estimates put the number of people still missing from the Hill Country floods at more than 170, a daunting figure atop at least 120 deaths confirmed by authorities. But that missing person tally might not be as precise as it seems. Confusion and uncertainty can take...
Snap, crackle, sale: Nutella maker Ferrero plans to buy WK Kellogg for $3 billion
Italian confectioner Ferrero, known for brands such as Nutella and Kinder, is buying the century-old U.S. cereal company WK Kellogg in an effort to expand its North American sales. The Ferrero Group said Thursday it will pay $23 for each Kellogg share, or approximately $3.1 billion. The transaction includes WK...
Rubio says U.S. and Russia have exchanged new ideas for Ukraine peace talks
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday that the U.S. and Russia have exchanged new ideas for Ukraine peace talks after he met with his Russian counterpart in Malaysia Thursday. “I think it’s a new and a different approach,” Rubio told reporters after talks with...
31 construction workers reach safety after partial collapse of L.A. industrial tunnel
LOS ANGELES — All 31 construction workers who were far inside a huge industrial tunnel in Los Angeles made it to safety after a portion of it collapsed Wednesday evening, an outcome officials called a blessing after they initially feared much worse. The cave-in apparently happened between the tunnel boring...
Flash flooding that killed 3 leaves New Mexico village heartbroken, anxious as cleanup beginsVideo
RUIDOSO, N.M. — Broken tree limbs, twisted metal, crumpled cars and muddy debris remained Wednesday as crews worked to clear roads and culverts in the wake of a flash flood that descended upon the New Mexico mountain community of Ruidoso, killing three people and damaging dozens of homes. An intense...
John Calipari heads into his second season at Arkansas trying to balance old and new
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — John Calipari admits he is still navigating the “new” college basketball, a world in which the 66-year-old’s traditional recruiting style is no longer the norm. But Calipari made it work last season, his first with the Razorbacks, and proved naysayers wrong. But the Arkansas basketball coach isn’t...
What Trump’s big tax law could mean for the youngest Americans
WASHINGTON — The impact of the massive spending bill President Donald Trump signed into law on Independence Day is expected to filter down to infants and toddlers — a segment of the population that’s particularly vulnerable to cuts to the federal social safety net. Many middle-class and wealthy families will...
Zach McKinstry picked as AL All-Star sub as Tigers tie Dodgers for most picks for Midsummer Classic
The Detroit Tigers have the best record in the majors. Now they are tied for having the most All-Stars, too. Zach McKinstry was picked Wednesday to replace Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña, who has been dealing with a rib injury. The infielder-outfielder will join Detroit second baseman Gleyber Torres and outfielders...
‘Superman’ brings a message of hope to a cynical worldVideo
LOS ANGELES — Superman might do more than just save Metropolis — filmmaker James Gunn hopes the beloved superhero will bring hope to a cynical world. “Everybody’s gotten so cynical and ironic,” said Gunn. “Everybody’s ironic about everything all the time. And he (Superman) is a good-natured guy who wants...
Former West Virginia officers sentenced to decades in prison for their role in deadly inmate assault
CHARLESTON — Two former West Virginia correctional officers were sentenced to decades in prison on Wednesday for their roles in an assault that resulted in the death of an inmate. Mark Holdren, 41, was sentenced to 20 years in prison and Johnathan Walters, 33, was sentenced to 21 years in...
Trump administration resumes sending some weapons to Ukraine after Pentagon pause
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has resumed sending some weapons to Ukraine, a week after the Pentagon had directed that some deliveries be paused, U.S. officials said Wednesday. The weapons heading into Ukraine include 155 mm munitions and precision-guided rockets known as GMLRS, two officials told The Associated Press on...
Report: NFL players union appealing ruling in collusion caseVideo
The NFL Players Association is appealing an arbitrator’s ruling regarding collusion by owners over quarterback salaries, according to multiple reports Wednesday. The appeal was filed Tuesday and the union has been having ongoing discussions with its executive council about the matter, AP reported. There’s no timeline for a decision that’ll...
Reports: Chet Holmgren, Thunder agree on 5-year contract extensionVideo
Chet Holmgren agreed on a five-year contract extension worth nearly $240 million to remain with the NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder, according to multiple reports Wednesday. ESPN, which first reported the deal, citing agent Bill Duffy, said it could eventually be worth $250 million because of various contract escalators. It...
Iga Swiatek’s first Wimbledon semifinal comes against Belinda Bencic. Djokovic to face SinnerVideo
LONDON — Iga Swiatek reached the Wimbledon semifinals for the first time with a 6-2, 7-5 victory over 19th-seeded Liudmila Samsonova that went from a stroll to a bit of a struggle in the late stages Wednesday. “Even though I’m in the middle of the tournament, I already got goosebumps...
Reports: 3-time MVP Nikola Jokic will delay signing extension with NuggetsVideo
DENVER — Three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic has decided to delay a contract extension with the Denver Nuggets this summer, according to multiple reports Tuesday night. It doesn’t affect Jokic’s status in Denver in the short term: He has at least two years remaining on his deal — $55.2 million...
NBA hires James Jones as executive vice president and head of basketball operationsVideo
NEW YORK — James Jones is joining the NBA front office as executive vice president and head of basketball operations, replacing Joe Dumars in that role. Jones spent 14 years as a player in the NBA, winning two championships with the Miami Heat and another with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He...
MLB plans to use robot umpire challenge system in All-Star Game next weekVideo
NEW YORK — Major League Baseball plans to use its robot umpire technology for ball-strike challenges in Tuesday’s All-Star Game at Atlanta, another step toward possible regular-season use next season. MLB said Wednesday it intends to make the All-Star announcement Thursday. Teams won 52.2% of their ball/strike challenges during the...
Colorado coach Deion Sanders declines to address health issues at Big 12 media days
FRISCO, Texas — Deion Sanders declined to address his health at Big 12 football media days Wednesday, which came during his extended absence from Colorado. “I’m not here to talk about my health,” said Sanders, who is going into his third season as the Buffaloes coach. “I’m here to talk...
Investors snap up U.S. homes as traditional buyers struggle to afford one
LOS ANGELES — Real estate investors are snapping up a bigger share of U.S. homes on the market as rising prices and stubbornly high borrowing costs freeze out many other would-be homebuyers. Nearly 27% of all homes sold in the first three months of the year were bought by investors,...
13-year-old suspected of setting off fireworks that sparked Southern California wildfire
LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. — A 13-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of setting off fireworks that sparked a wildfire this week in coastal Southern California, forcing the evacuations of about a hundred canyon homes, authorities said. Crews with air support protected residences from the Rancho Fire as flames raced through...
Trump tariffs goods from Brazil at 50%, citing ‘witch hunt’ trial against Bolsonaro
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump singled out Brazil for import taxes of 50% on Wednesday for its treatment of its former president, Jair Bolsonaro, showing that personal grudges rather than simple economics are a driving force in the U.S. leader’s use of tariffs. Trump avoided his standard form letter with...
A surprise IRS move on political endorsements leaves faith leaders and legal experts divided
WASHINGTON — A surprise move by the IRS that would allow pastors to back political candidates from the pulpit without losing their organization’s tax-exempt status is drawing praise from conservatives and even some progressive religious groups but concern from other leaders of faith, along with tax and legal experts. A...
Supreme Court keeps hold on Florida immigration law aimed at people in the U.S. illegally
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to allow Florida to enforce an immigration law making it a crime for people who are living in the U.S. illegally to enter the state. The high court’s action will keep the law on hold while a legal challenge continues. The court...
