EU extends Belarus, Lukashenko sanctions for a year
BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union on Thursday prolonged sanctions targeting dozens of Belarus officials, including President Alexander Lukashenko, for a year over allegations of fraud in the country's presidential election last summer and the crackdown on peaceful protesters that followed.
GOP rallies solidly against Democrats' virus relief package
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans are closing ranks against Democrats’ proposed $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill, even as the White House seemed to rule out a procedural Senate power play to protect one provision most treasured by progressives: a minimum wage hike.
House poised to vote on legal safeguards for LGBTQ people
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Democratic-led House is poised to pass a bill that would enshrine LGBTQ protections in the nation's labor and civil rights laws, a top priority of President Joe Biden, though the legislation faces an uphill battle in the Senate.
EU leaders seek to inject energy into slow vaccine rollout
BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union leaders sought to inject new energy and a fresh sense of unity into the bloc’s lagging coronavirus vaccination efforts Thursday as concern mounts that new variants might spread faster than authorities can adapt.
Armenian PM slams 'coup attempt' as political tensions rise
YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) — Armenia's prime minister accused top military officers on Thursday of attempting a coup after they demanded he step down, adding fuel to months of protests calling for his resignation following the country's defeat in a conflict with Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
The Latest: Lawmaker says Capitol police didn't grasp threat
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on congressional testimony about the Capitol insurrection (all times local):
Gov. Evers signs bill to modernize Wisconsin's decades-old unemployment system
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers is signing a bill to modernize the state's antiquated unemployment system.
Southern exposure: Cold wreaks havoc on aging waterworks
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — The sunshine is back and the ice has melted. But more than a week after a deep freeze across the South, many communities are still grappling with getting clean water to their residents.
Anticipating 2021 boom, Q4 GDP revised up slightly to 4.1%
WASHINGTON (AP) — The economy grew at a 4.1% pace in the final three months of 2020, slightly faster than first estimated, ending a year in which the overall economy, ravaged by a global pandemic, shrank more than in any year in the past seven decades.
Biden's trade pick vows to work more closely with allies
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden’s pick to be the top U.S. trade envoy promised to work with America’s allies to combat China’s aggressive trade policies, indicating a break from the Trump administration’s go-it-alone approach.
Medical oxygen scarce in Africa, Latin America amid virus
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — A crisis over the supply of medical oxygen for coronavirus patients has struck nations in Africa and Latin America, where warnings went unheeded at the start of the pandemic and doctors say the shortage has led to unnecessary deaths.
Proposal to stop electing superintendent returns in SC
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Some lawmakers want to give South Carolina voters another chance to decide if they elect the education superintendent less than three years after they rejected the idea.
Manhattan prosecutor gets Trump tax records after long fight
NEW YORK (AP) — A New York prosecutor has obtained copies of Donald Trump’s tax records after the Supreme Court this week rejected the former president’s last-ditch effort to prevent them from being handed over.
Watchdog reviews complaint about FBI surveillance warrant
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department's internal watchdog is reviewing a former Boeing engineer's allegations that he was unfairly investigated by the FBI on suspicion that he was spying for China, according to correspondence and court filings reviewed by The Associated Press. It's the latest challenge related to secretive surveillance powers used in some terrorism and espionage cases.
Mississippi House kills proposal for gas tax election
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — The Mississippi House is backing away from a proposal for a statewide election on increasing gasoline and diesel fuel taxes to pay for improvements to state highways and local roads.
Manhattan prosecutor gets Trump tax records after long fight
A N.Y. prosecutor has obtained copies of Donald Trump's tax records after the Supreme Court rejected the former president's last-ditch effort to prevent them from being handed over.
