Ingested Articles

EU sets out virus pass plan to allow free travel by summer

The European Union’s executive body has proposed the introduction of coronavirus passes to let its 450 million residents travel freely across the 27-nation bloc by the summer. The plan, which will be discussed next week during a summit of EU leaders, foresees the creation of vaccine certificates aimed at facilitating travel from one member state to the other. The topic has been discussed for weeks and proved to be a divisive topic. The travel industry and southern European countries dependent on tourism like Greece and Spain have been pushing for the quick introduction of the measure, which could help avoid quarantines and testing requirements.

Collaboration with police divides social workers across US

As high-profile police brutality cases have shaken the nation over this past year, many social workers remain divided over one important question: What should their relationship with law enforcement look like? Increased collaboration with police has support among the National Association of Social Workers and other social workers who say their work could reduce racism in policing and improve the relationship between law enforcement and communities of color. But many social workers across the county disagree, saying more cooperation between social work and police risks further harming communities of color and ignoring the systemic racism that exists within the field itself.

German economist panel cuts 2021 growth outlook to 3.1%

BERLIN (AP) — The German economy — Europe's biggest — will grow by 3.1% this year, the government’s panel of independent economic advisers forecast on Wednesday, cutting its previous prediction somewhat. The panel's new outlook compared with a forecast of…

Pope says he symbolically kneels in plea for Myanmar peace

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis on Wednesday appealed for bloodshed to end and dialogue to prevail in Myanmar, saying he symbolically kneels in that country's streets, where protests against the military takeover were continuing and the death toll has…

US sanctions 24 China and Hong Kong officials ahead of talks

The U.S. has sanctioned an additional 24 Chinese and Hong Kong officials over Beijing’s ongoing crackdown on political freedoms in the semi-autonomous city, just ahead of the Biden administration’s first face-to-face talks with China. The sanctions follow planned changes to Hong Kong’s electoral law that will give a pro-Beijing committee power to appoint more of Hong Kong’s lawmakers, effectively shutting opposition figures out of the process. On Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and national security adviser Jake Sullivan are scheduled to meet Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and the foreign affairs chief of the Chinese Communist Party in Alaska. China has rejected criticism of its policies toward Hong Kong, accusing foreign governments of interfering.

Biden to mark St. Patrick's Day, praise Good Friday accord

President Joe Biden is marking St. Patrick’s Day as he meets virtually with Ireland's prime minister and recommits U.S. support for the Good Friday Agreement. That agreement was signed in 1998 and helped end sectarian violence that had raged for decades over the issue of Northern Ireland unifying with Ireland or remaining part of the United Kingdom. The agreement has come under increasing stress following the U.K.'s exit from the European Union. Biden is expected to attend Mass near his Delaware home Wednesday before returning to the White House to partake in St. Patrick’s Day celebrations toned down because of the coronavirus pandemic.

France’s Sarkozy faces new trial over 2012 campaign finance

French former President Nicolas Sarkozy is going on trial again. Two weeks after being found guilty of corruption in a separate case, Sarkozy faces new allegations related to the illegal financing of his 2012 presidential campaign. That campaign was unsuccessful and he lost to Socialist Francois Holland. The trial scheduled to start Wednesday is likely to be quickly suspended and postponed to a later date as as one of the defense lawyers has been hospitalized with COVID-19. The 66-year-old Sarkozy was president from 2007 to 2012. He faces allegations his failed 2012 campaign spent almost twice the maximum amount allowed by law.

Multilingual team helps Berlin immigrants fight coronavirus

Three times a week, Aliye Tuerkyilmaz hits the markets and busy shopping streets of Neukoelln, the German capital’s crowded immigrant neighborhood that’s studded with minarets, kebab stores and hookah lounges. The 48-year-old Turkish immigrant hands out flyers informing about the coronavirus pandemic and tries to connect with other immigrants in one of the four languages she speaks. Tuerkyilmaz belongs to an multilingual team, a group of five street workers trying to explain the dangers of COVID-19 to those who are often not reached through other efforts by the authorities. The team was created in September in coordination with district officials to counter the infection numbers in Neukoelln which have been among the highest in the city throughout the pandemic.

Team NZ beats Luna Rossa 7-3 to retain the America's Cup

Team New Zealand has retained the America’s Cup by beating Italian challenger Luna Rossa 7-3 in the 36th match for sailing’s oldest trophy. The defender came into the sixth day of racing Wednesday at match point with a 6-3 lead in the best-of-13 race series. Team New Zealand won the 10th race by 46 seconds in a shifty north-easterly breeze to complete a defense of the famous Auld Mug.

Court says Japan's ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional

A Japanese court has ruled the government’s ban on same-sex marriages is unconstitutional, recognizing the rights of same-sex couples for the first time in the only Group of Seven country that doesn’t acknowledge their legal partnership. Even though the court dismissed the plaintiffs’ demand for government compensation, the precedent is a major victory for same-sex people and could affect similar lawsuits pending around the country. The Sapporo court said sexuality, like race and gender, is not a matter of individual preference, and the legal benefits of marriage should be equal. The ruling doesn't immediately change Japanese government policy. But a plaintiff in the case said she hoped it was a first step for change.

AP PHOTOS: Turkish riders recall skills of Seljuks and Huns

ERZURUM, Turkey (AP) — Riders in eastern Turkey play cirit, an equestrian sport that dates back to the martial horsemen who spearheaded the historical conquests of central Asia’s Turkic tribes. A recent match on a snow-covered field in Erzurum saw…

White supremacist propaganda surged in 2020, report says

A new report from the Anti-Defamation League says white supremacist propaganda surged across the U.S. in 2020. The anti-hate organization provided the report Wednesday to The Associated Press. It says there were 5,125 cases of racist, anti-Semitic and other hateful messages spread through physical flyers, stickers, banners and posters. The group says that last year marked the highest level of white supremacist propaganda seen in at least a decade. A former far-right extremist who founded a deradicalization group says white supremacist and extremist recruiters see crises like the coronavirus pandemic, national reckoning over racism and heated election as opportunities.

CBS, Turner partnership on NCAA Tournament has huge benefits

There aren’t many chances to say a sports rights deal works out for networks, the organization and fans. But the CBS/Turner partnership in airing the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament certainly does. This is the 10th year that CBS and Turner have teamed up for March Madness. While the deal provides the NCAA with its largest source of revenue, it has also turned a profit for both networks, as well as benefiting fans because all of the games are available nationally.

LeBron James becomes partner in group that owns Red Sox

LeBron James has become a partner in Fenway Sports Group. That makes the Lakers star a part-owner of the Boston Red Sox. The Boston Globe first reported the deal. Fenway Sports Group is the parent company of the Red Sox as well as the Liverpool Football Club of the English Premier League and the Roush Fenway Racing NASCAR team. James has had a relationship with FSG since 2011, when he signed a marketing deal in exchange for an ownership stake in Liverpool.

Pick Six: Backcourt stars have chance to shine in NCAAs

The NCAA Tournament always seems to put a premium on guard play, and that may be even more important during this most bizarre of tournaments. So here’s a look at other backcourt wizards looking to make their mark on March, highlighted by UConn star James Bouknight and Iowa floor leader Jordan Bohannon.

We're back! NCAA bids mean a bit more to 4 teams after '20

Winthrop coach Pat Kelsey understands his Eagles made the NCAA Tournament the hard way. The team was among a dozen schools who'd punched tickets to the 2020 NCAAs before COVID-19 ended the event last March. The Eagles are back this year, along with Gonzaga, Liberty and Utah State. The Zags are the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament and there was little chance they'd be absent this season. Not so for the rest who as part of mid-major conferences must rely on winning their league tournament or hoping to impress NCAA selectors. 

Lindor, Mets talk about new deal; Rosario struggles in CF

Just over two weeks before opening day, Francisco Lindor and the New York Mets have begun talking about keeping him in town beyond this year. The newly acquired All-Star shortstop said Tuesday that he's started negotiations with the team for a long-term contract. Lindor reiterated that he won't negotiate during the season. He's eligible for free agency after the season. The Mets obtained Lindor from Cleveland in January.  One of the players Cleveland got for Lindor, shortstop Amed Rosario, had a rough day in his debut at a new spot. Playing center field for the first time, Rosario made three errors against the Angels.

Top US officials weigh North Korea options in talks in Seoul

After Tokyo, President Joe Biden’s top diplomat and defense chief are traveling to South Korea after North Korea made sure it had their attention by warning the United States to refrain from causing trouble amid deadlocked nuclear negotiations. How to get North Korea to return to talks will be a major focus when Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin meet South Korean officials. It has been more than two years since nuclear talks stalled, and some experts say the United States and its allies should settle for a deal that would freeze North Korea’s nuclear program in return for relaxing sanctions _ and possibly leave Pyongyang’s already manufactured nuclear weapons in place. 

Trump assures supporters that COVID-19 vaccination is safe

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Donald Trump again urged people to be vaccinated against the novel coronavirus, saying he would recommend vaccination to “a lot of people that don't want to get it, and a lot of those people voted…

Australia gives COVID-19 shots to virus-hit Papua New Guinea

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Australia will send COVID-19 vaccines from its own supply to its near-neighbor Papua New Guinea and will ask AstraZeneca to send more to try to contain a concerning wave of infections, Australia’s prime minister said Wednesday.…

AP source: Washington signing QB Fitzpatrick, CB Jackson

A person with direct knowledge of the move tells The Associated Press that Washington has agreed to sign veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and cornerback William Jackson. The contracts cannot become official until the new league year starts Wednesday. The 38-year-old Fitzpatrick gives Washington more experience at football's most important position after it released Alex Smith. The team now has Fitzpatrick, journeyman-turned-playoff standout Taylor Heinicke and Kyle Allen under contract at quarterback. Washington also has the 19th pick in the draft and could use one of its first few selections on a QB of the future. Fitzpatrick would be in the mix for the present on what's expected to be a one-year deal.

Biden: Cuomo should resign if investigation confirms claims

President Joe Biden says New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo should resign if the state attorney general’s investigation confirms the sexual harassment allegations against him. Biden made the remarks in an interview with ABC News that is scheduled to air Wednesday morning. When asked by anchor George Stephanopoulos if the investigation confirms the claims of the women, should Cuomo resign, Biden said “yes,” adding, “I think he’d probably end up being prosecuted, too.” Cuomo is facing allegations that he sexually harassed or behaved inappropriately toward multiple women, including several former staffers. He has denied touching any women inappropriately.

Bulgaria, US seize millions of counterfeit dollars, euros

SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — Police seized high-quality forged banknotes produced at a printing office at a university in Bulgaria's capital, authorities said Tuesday. In a joint operation with the U.S. Secret Service, Bulgarian police detained two people and seized a…