Ingested Articles

Daughter: Bystander disrupted attack on Asian American woman

The daughter of an Asian American woman attacked in New York City said Thursday that a person not seen on surveillance video helped the woman by screaming to distract her assailant while others watched and did nothing to intervene. Elizabeth Kari provided the account on a fundraising webpage she set up for her mother’s care. She said the bystander was across the street when a man accosted 65-year-old Vilma Kari, kicked her in the stomach, knocked her to ground and repeatedly stomped on her face late Monday morning near Times Square. The attack raised alarms about what appeared to be the failure of bystanders to help. 

Pelosi: Remove Rep. Gaetz from committee if claims are true

Rep. Matt Gaetz is facing accusations of a sexual relationship with an underage girl, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says if the claims are true, then the Florida Republican should at a minimum be removed from the House Judiciary Committee. Pelosi also says the House Ethics Committee should consider the allegations. Gaetz says the allegations are false. Two people familiar with the matter have told The Associated Press that Gaetz is under federal investigation over accusations he had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl and paid her to travel with him. The two people weren't authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. 

The Latest: 2 more Nationals players test positive for virus

Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo says the team has three players who have tested positive for the coronavirus and a fourth considered a “likely positive.” The Nationals’ season-opening game against the visiting New York Mets that was scheduled for Thursday night was postponed. Rizzo said it was not known when that game will be made up, other than that it would not be played Friday. He did not identify any of the players involved. Rizzo announced an initial positive test Wednesday, saying it resulted from testing done Monday while the Nationals were still in Florida.

After hack, officials draw attention to supply chain threats

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. government is working to draw attention to supply chain vulnerabilities, an issue that received particular attention late last year after suspected Russian hackers gained access to federal agencies and private corporations by sneaking malicious code…

Biden's 'Jobs Cabinet' to sell infrastructure as GOP resists

President Joe Biden is setting about convincing America it needs his $2.3 trillion infrastructure plan. He's deputizing a five-member “jobs Cabinet” to help in the effort. And he says the public likes the road, water and other improvements the plan promises. But the enormity of his task is clear — Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell is vowing to oppose him “every step of the way.”  McConnell, who objects to the plan's tax increases, says he personally likes Biden. But the president is unlikely to get cooperation from the GOP, which believes that low tax rates enable the country to compete in a global economy.

Players hear 'a lot of talk' from Emmert about Title IX, NIL

Three men's college basketball players say they heard “a lot of talk” from NCAA President Mark Emmert during a video call to discuss their concerns. The players want the NCAA to enforce Title IX gender equity rules. They also want a waiver to let college athletes start earning money from their name, image and likeness.. Iowa’s Jordan Bohannon, Rutgers’ Geo Baker and Michigan’s Isaiah Livers spoke with Emmert. The National College Players Association used a social media campaign to protest rules barring NIL rights. It also put a spotlight on differences between the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments.

Tara VanDerveer, Dawn Staley prepare for Final Four rematch

Dawn Staley remembers talking to her Olympic coach Tara VanDerveer before she took the job at Temple two decades ago. The longtime Stanford coach actually suggested that Staley not become the head coach at the Philadelphia school because she was still playing in the WNBA and wouldn't have the time to do both well. Twenty-one years later Staley admits she still has a bit of a chip on her shoulder about that conversation and has used it as motivation both at Temple and now South Carolina.

EXPLAINER: How Floyd's 'spark of life' played out at trial

Prosecutors trying a former Minneapolis police officer in George Floyd’s death put Floyd’s girlfriend on the witness stand in an effort to humanize him for the jury. But the testimony of Courteney Ross also gave the defense an opportunity to delve into Floyd’s addiction. Prosecutors are using a legal doctrine called “spark of life” to call Ross, as well as Floyd’s brother, to the witness stand. The doctrine is controversial among defense attorneys and could complicate the trial. Legal experts say it allows prosecutors to tug at jurors' emotions, but also allows the defense to highlight Floyd's illegal drug use.

Coin firm pays it forward after Georgia man paid in pennies

A global company has stepped in to solve quite a “coinundrum” for a Georgia man. Andreas Flaten says his former employer dumped at least 90,000 pennies on his driveway last month as a form of final payment for his work at an auto shop. When Bellevue, Washington-based Coinstar heard the story, the company decided a change was in order. They picked up Flaten’s coins on Thursday and rounded up the amount to give him a $1,000 check. They also made donations to two animal shelters on Flaten's behalf. 

Cabrera homers off Bieber in snow, Tigers beat Indians 3-2

Miguel Cabrera homered through the snow in his first at-bat of the season, then added a sparkling play at first base to lift the Detroit Tigers to a 3-2 victory over the Cleveland Indians. Matthew Boyd beat reigning Cy Young Award winner Shane Bieber, and the Tigers welcomed their fans back to Comerica Park with a victory. The temperature at game time was 32 degrees, and the snow was starting to pick up a bit when Cabrera connected for his 488th career homer. Bieber struck out 12 in six innings for Cleveland.

Colombia midfielder Viafara gets 11 years on US drug charge

U.S. prosecutors say a former midfielder for Colombia’s national soccer team has been sentenced in a Texas courtroom to more than 11 years in prison for drug trafficking. Jhon Viafara was sentenced during a hearing in federal court in Sherman, Texas, on Wednesday. The 42-year-old Viafara, a native of Robles, Colombia, pleaded guilty in November to conspiracy to import 5 kilograms or more of cocaine into the United States. He had been extradited to the U.S. in January 2020. Viafara played for 10 clubs during his career, including Premier League sides Portsmouth and Southampton. 

Fake German heiress taken into US custody, faces deportation

U.S. immigration authorities say they have detained the so-called fake German heiress Anna Sorokin as she awaits deportation. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirmed Thursday that Sorokin has been in custody since March 25. The con artist remained in New Jersey’s Bergen County Jail days after she was scheduled to be returned to her native Germany. The delay could mean the one-time darling of the Big Apple social scene is challenging her deportation. Sorokin was released from prison in February after serving more than three years behind bars for defrauding New York banks and hotels. Her attorney declined to comment. 

Russian FM says relations with West have 'hit the bottom'

MOSCOW (AP) — Russia's top diplomat said Thursday that the country's relations with the United States and its allies have “hit the bottom” and no date has been set for sending the Russian ambassador back to Washington. Russia recalled its…

Groups rush to get Florida farmworkers vaccinated

Farmworker advocates are racing against time to get vaccinations for migrant workers newly eligible for the jab as Florida lowers its age limits, so  they can be inoculated before they travel north to harvest crops in other regions. Officials in South Florida are telling advocates not to worry about state residency requirements for the vaccine and to focus on outreach to get farmworkers ready for the shot. Farmworkers were denied priority access in Florida, unlike other states. Advocates are asking the state and counties to quickly mobilize to areas such as Homestead, south of Miami, and Immokalee, east of Naples.

EXPLAINER: Witnesses relive trauma, guilt over Floyd's death

The first days of testimony at the trial of a former Minneapolis police officer charged in George Floyd’s death have been dominated by the witnesses to his arrest and countless videos that forced them to relive the trauma of it all over again. Several witnesses broke down and sobbed during their testimony. Attorneys on both sides at the trial of former Officer Derek Chauvin face a delicate balance in questioning witnesses who have experienced such pain while trying to advance their cases. Prosecutors pause frequently when witnesses are overcome, inviting them to take as much time as they need. Chauvin’s attorney has often skipped cross-examining witnesses, including a 9-year-old girl.

Belgium police clash with partiers amid virus restrictions

BRUSSELS (AP) — Clashes between Belgian police and a large crowd of people Thursday in one of Brussels’ biggest parks left dozens injured after revellers gathered for an unauthorized event despite coronavirus restrictions. Brussels police spokeswoman Ilse Van de keere…

Justice Department working with tribes on missing persons

The Justice Department has finalized its first plan to help address the problem of missing and murdered Native people on one of the largest reservations in Montana. It's aimed at mobilizing local and federal resources and expanding the investigative capabilities of tribal law enforcement agencies. But advocates say the effort has a big hole because it doesn’t apply if someone goes missing off the reservation. The Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribes are the first in the nation to complete a community response plan. President Donald Trump initiated a federal task force to look into the issue and his attorney general committed to hiring 11 coordinators at U.S. attorneys offices across the country.

Judge tosses some claims in old Georgia election lawsuit

A wide-ranging lawsuit filed two years ago to challenge the way Georgia’s elections are run has been pared down by a federal judge. The lawsuit was filed in November 2018 by Fair Fight Action. The group was founded by Democrat Stacey Abrams, who narrowly lost the governor's race that month. A judge on Wednesday allowed some of the suit's provisions to move forward, including claims against the state’s “exact match” voter registration requirement. The judge's order does not address sweeping new voting legislation Georgia Republicans passed last week amid intense criticism. Abrams ran against then-Secretary of State Brian Kemp, who has denied any wrongdoing. Kemp immediately signed last week's bill. 

High court: Charlottesville can remove Confederate statues

Virginia’s highest court has ruled that the city of Charlottesville can take down two statues of Confederate generals, including one of Robert E. Lee that became the focus of a violent white nationalist rally in 2017. The state Supreme Court on Thursday overturned a Circuit Court decision in favor of a group of residents who sued to block the city from taking down the Lee statue and a nearby monument to fellow Gen. Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson. Charlottesville’s city council had voted to remove both. The city said Thursday it will move forward with redesigning the parks 

US draws close to 100M vaccinations as baseball resumes

The U.S. is moving closer toward vaccinating 100 million Americans against COVID-19 in a race against an uptick in cases that health officials fear could lead to another surge of infections. Over 99 million people have received at least one dose of the vaccine. More than 56 million people, or 17% of the U.S. population, have been fully vaccinated. That's according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But cases are inching up, and officials warn they could ban fans from ballparks as major league baseball season gets underway. 

Amid glow open day, cloud looms over MLB All-Star Game

Amid the glow of baseball’s opening day, there's a cloud looming over the All-Star Game still more than three months away. Georgia’s new voting law has prompted calls from as high as the White House to consider moving the midsummer classic out of Atlanta. The game is set for July 13 at Truist Park. One of baseball’s biggest stars, Braves first baseman and reigning MVP Freddie Freeman, weighed in on the divisive issue. He suggested the game remain in Atlanta but be used as a platform for voting rights. Others, including President Biden, have suggested that it be moved. 

New breed 'Law & Order' brings back NYPD detective Stabler

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The latest member of the “Law & Order” franchise has a familiar face playing a familiar character, but producer Dick Wolf says he’s switching up the storytelling. NBC’s “Law & Order: Organized Crime” stars Christopher Meloni…

Oklahoma St star freshman Cade Cunningham to enter NBA draft

Cade Cunningham has announced he will enter the NBA draft after a dynamic freshman season that saw him named a first-team AP All-American. The 6-foot-8 point guard is expected to be a high pick — possibly No. 1 overall. His decision was no surprise -- he participated in Senior Night activities before the Cowboys faced Oklahoma in Stillwater. Cunningham won the Wayman Tisdale Award as the top freshman in college basketball. He led the Big 12 in scoring with 20.2 points per game. 

Michigan's Juwan Howard named AP college coach of the year

Michigan’s Juwan Howard is The Associated Press men’s college basketball coach of the year. Howard received 35 of 63 votes from a national media panel. Gonzaga’s Mark Few was second with 16 votes. Baylor’s Scott Drew and Alabama’s Nate Oats tied at five each. Howard has put a quick imprint on his alma mater, continuing the winning tradition John Beilein started. He has also made big inroads in recruiting. Michigan reached No. 2 in The Associated Press poll and finished the regular season No. 4. The Wolverines lost to UCLA in the NCAA regional finals earlier this week.