3 Samoan weightlifters to miss Olympics over virus concerns
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The Samoan government says three home-based members of the Samoa Olympic weightlifting team will not be allowed to compete in Tokyo due to COVID-19 concerns in Japan.
Judge favors activists who want more Minneapolis officers
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A judge on Thursday ruled in favor of a eight Minneapolis activists who sued the city council and mayor over funding the police force.
Alaska governor vetoes amount of this year’s oil check
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Gov. Mike Dunleavy said Thursday he has vetoed from a state spending package this year's dividend check for residents, calling the amount “a joke."
Federal executions halted; Garland orders protocols reviewed
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department is halting federal executions after a historic use of capital punishment by the Trump administration, which carried out 13 executions in six months.
Tennessee suspends shelter license following staffer arrest
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee officials on Thursday suspended the license of a Chattanooga shelter for immigrant children after one of the employees was arrested following abuse allegations.
Newspaper asks judge for access to Arizona audit records
PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona's largest newspaper is asking a judge to order the state Senate and Cyber Ninjas, a cybersecurity firm hired to conduct Senate Republicans' review of the 2020 election, to turn over public records.
Voting rights ruling increases pressure on Democrats to act
WASHINGTON (AP) — Congressional Democrats are facing renewed pressure to pass legislation that would protect voting rights after a Supreme Court ruling Thursday made it harder to challenge Republican efforts to limit ballot access in many states.
France: West will stop Syria aid if no delivery cross-border
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — France warned Russia on Thursday that if humanitarian aid deliveries are allowed only across conflict lines within Syria -- and not from neighboring countries -- Western nations which provide almost all the money will stop the
As troops leave, US to keep airstrike option in Afghanistan
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military will remain involved in the Afghanistan war into September, keeping the option of launching airstrikes against the Taliban to defend Afghan forces, U.S. officials said Thursday, even as the final combat troops prepar...
Court: Toppled rig’s owners can’t sue Coast Guard contractor
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The owner of Gulf of Mexico oil wells broken in 2004 cannot demand damages from a federal contractor who says his equipment has captured enough oil to fill scores of tank trucks, a federal appeals court