Ingested Articles

White House issuing reports on states' infrastructure needs

The Biden White House is amplifying the push for its $2.3 trillion infrastructure package with state-by-state breakdowns that show the dire shape of roads, bridges, the power grid and housing affordability. The state summaries were obtained by The Associated Press and paint a decidedly bleak outlook for the world’s largest economy after years of repairs being deferred and delayed. Monday's reports show there are 7,300 miles of highway in Michigan alone that are in poor condition. Damaged streets in North Carolina impose an average yearly cost of $500 on motorists. Iowa has 4,571 bridges in need of repair.

Huge gatherings at India's Hindu festival as virus surges

NEW DELHI (AP) — Tens of thousands of Hindu devotees gathered by the Ganges River for special prayers Monday, many of them flouting social distancing practices as the coronavirus spreads in India with record speed. The Kumbh Mela, or pitcher…

AP PHOTOS: From Moscow to Pacific, Russia glorifies Gagarin

MOSCOW (AP) — From a giant statue towering over Moscow to a more modest monument on the Sakhalin Island in the Pacific Ocean, dozens of memorials across Russia commemorate Yuri Gagarin, the cosmonaut who became the first person in space…

Asia Today: India overtakes Brazil as 2nd-worst hit country

India reported another record daily surge in coronavirus infections to overtake Brazil as the second-worst hit country. The 168,912 cases added in the last 24 hours pushed India’s total to 13.5 million. Data compiled by Johns Hopkins University shows Brazil has 13.4 million. India also counted another 904 deaths, taking its total to 170,179, which is the fourth highest toll, behind the United States, Brazil and Mexico. India is experiencing its worst surge of the pandemic, with a seven-day rolling average of more than 130,000 cases per day. Hospitals across the country are becoming overwhelmed with patients, and experts worry the worst is yet to come.

Prince Philip vs Philip of 'The Crown': Fact and fiction

Britain's Prince Philip stood loyally behind Queen Elizabeth II, as his character does on Netflix's “The Crown.” But how closely does the TV character match the real prince, who died Friday at 99? Philip is depicted as a man of action in “The Crown,” and he served with distinction in the navy in World War II. He was also an avid yachtsman and polo player. But the show is off-base in an aspect of his connection with religion. He was enthusiastic about founding a religious institute on the grounds of Windsor Castle, not the skeptic shown in “The Crown.” Prince Philip's private funeral will be April 17. 

Soviet cosmonaut made pioneering spaceflight 60 years ago

Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space 60 years ago. Gagarin’s steely self-control was a key factor behind the success of his pioneering  108-minute spaceflight. His April 12, 1961, mission encountered glitches and emergencies, from the capsule's entry hatch failing to shut properly just before blastoff to a parachute misfire in the final moments before touchdown. The successful one-orbit flight made the 27-year-old Gagarin a national hero and cemented Soviet supremacy in space until the United States put a man on the moon more than eight years later. By then, Gagarin had died in a training jet crash. 

Mets still not capitalizing on deGrom's excellence

The new-look Mets have a familiar problem so far: Even when Jacob deGrom is on the mound, they’re surprisingly beatable. DeGrom struck out 14 on Saturday, but New York lost 3-0 to the Miami Marlins. In his other start this season, deGrom held Philadelphia scoreless for six innings, but the Mets gave up five runs in the eighth and lost 5-3. Whether it’s blamed on poor run support or shaky relief pitching, New York hasn’t taken advantage of deGrom’s brilliance the last few years. Since the start of the 2018 season, he’s just 25-20 despite posting a stellar 2.06 ERA.

Japan's champion: Matsuyama wins the Masters for his nation

Hideki Matsuyama almost turned down his first chance to play the Masters. It was a month after a devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan, disasters that killed thousands and destroyed much of the region he called home in March 2011. He decided to play a month later, only because he thought it would lift spirits. A decade later, he lifted his country again — becoming Japan’s first man to win a golf major. Matsuyama’s one-shot victory over Will Zalatoris at Augusta National made him the Masters champion, easily the biggest moment for the sport in his golf-crazed homeland.

Muslims navigate restrictions in the second pandemic Ramadan

Muslims are navigating coronavirus regulations for their second Ramadan in the shadow of the pandemic. This year, Ramadan comes as much of the world _ including many Muslim majority countries _ have been hit by an intense new coronavirus wave. Islam's holiest month is a time of fasting, charity and worship, but also for group prayers and gatherings of family and friends for festive communal meals at the end of the daily fast. Some countries are imposing restrictions on Ramadan rituals. But as the faithful try to capture as much of the Ramadan spirit as they can, concern is high that the month could stoke a further surge. 

Dubai parts with curtain covers for restaurants in Ramadan

Dubai is parting this Ramadan with a longstanding requirement that restaurants must be covered by curtains during sunlight hours. The announcement by the city-state's Economic Development Department Sunday represents yet-another change in this autocratically ruled Muslim nation. The new rules also don’t require restaurants to obtain special permits to serve food during sunlight hours. It's the latest of Dubai's changes aimed at boosting tourism as Ramadan will be marked during its crucial winter months. In 2016, Dubai loosened rules prohibiting daytime alcohol sales. 

Prime minister leads celebrations of Matsuyama's Masters win

From Japan’s prime minister on down the country celebrated golfer Hideki Matsuyama’s victory in the Masters. He is the first Japanese player to win at Augusta National and wear the famous green jacket. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga says: “It was really wonderful. As the coronavirus drags on, his achievement moved our hearts and gave us courage.” Japan is struggling to pull off the postponed Tokyo Olympics in just over three months with coronavirus cases on the rise again in Tokyo and Osaka. The Olympics open on July 23.

Asian shares decline on vaccine, virus worries

BANGKOK (AP) — Asian shares were lower on Monday, as investors grew wary over the recent surge in coronavirus cases in many places while vaccination efforts are making scant headway. Shares fell in Tokyo, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Sydney. The…

CEOs gather to speak out against voting law changes

A number of top executives and corporate leaders gathered online this weekend to discuss what to do in response to changes to some state voting laws, according to multiple news reports. The Washington Post reported that more than 100 leaders, including executives from major airlines, retailers and manufacturers — plus at least one NFL owner — talked about potential ways to show they opposed the legislation, which has already been signed into law in Georgia and is being considered elsewhere. While many companies feel a responsibility to speak out, The Wall Street Journal reported that some remain reticent about getting involved in the politically charged issue.

Rahm closes with a 66, ends memorable Masters week

Jon Rahm had a great week before even getting to the Masters. His stay at Augusta National wasn’t bad, either. Rahm shot a 6-under 66 in the final round of the Masters on Sunday, getting him to 6 under for the week and in a fifth-place tie — four shots behind winner Hideki Matsuyama. Rahm shot even-par rounds of 72 on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The 66 on Sunday gave him 15 consecutive rounds of par or better at Augusta National, one shy of matching the record in that category held by Tiger Woods.

Column: A reluctant star heads home with the green jacket

Hideki Matsuyama values his privacy, but his win at the Masters means his cover is blown. Japan's first major champion _ on the men's side _ might not have been the most popular golfer back home heading into the weekend. Few people even knew he'd married until Matsuyama and wife Mei welcomed a daughter three years ago. “No one really asked,” he said at the time. But slipping a green jacket over his shoulders will change that. “I can't imagine what it's going to be like,” Matsuyama said. 

Truex outlasts teammate Hamlin to win again at Martinsville

Martin Truex Jr. won a stirring, laps-long duel for the lead with teammate Denny Hamlin in the delayed NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway on Sunday night. Truex, who nudged Hamlin repeatedly in the turns and tried to get to his inside on the straightaways without success, finally made the pass with 15 laps to go, ducking underneath Hamlin coming out of the second turn. He sailed off to victory without another challenge as Hamlin and Chase Elliott battled the rest of the way for second. Truex won for the third time in the last four races on the 0.526-mile oval, and became the first repeat winner this season.  Elliott held off Hamlin for second.

The Latest: Matsuyama hopes to be pioneer for Japanese golf

Hideki Matsuyama hopes to be a pioneer for Japanese golf. He made history at Augusta National by becoming the first man from Japan to win one of golf's major championships. Matsuyama is pulling for others from his country to follow his lead at the Masters. He held on to win by a single stroke after knocking one in the water at the 15th. He finished with a 1-over 73 and held off Masters rookie Will Zalatoris. A decade ago, Matsuyama made a sterling debut as the best amateur at Augusta National. Now he's claimed the ultimate prize. A green jacket. 

Zalatoris' Masters debut ends with him a shot back

Maybe the first hint that Will Zalatoris had what it took came when he was 6, and Ken Venturi went over to him on a driving range to show him a grip that he hasn’t changed since. Or maybe it was at 11, when a pro named David Price said he could be great if he put in the work. Or maybe it was Sunday, when the 24-year-old finished second at the Masters. Either way, the secret is out now. He finished alone in second, only one shot behind Hideki Matsuyama, his final round of 2-under 70 getting him to 9 under for the week and into the spotlight for as long as he wants.

X-Man's Agony: Another close call in major for Schauffele

Xander Schauffele stepped up to the 16th tee with all the momentum at the Masters. He had just ripped off four straight birdies. He had closed the gap on Hideki Matsuyama to a mere two strokes. Schauffele decided to hit one right at the flag. Instead, he added another close call to a career that is becoming “a big ball of scar tissue.” Schauffele's tee shot at the 16th went in the water, and so went his chances of claiming his first major championship. Schauffele took an ugly triple-bogey at the 16th and finished in a tie for third. 

Fed's Powell sees US boom ahead, with COVID still a risk

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. economy is poised for an extended period of strong growth and hiring, the chair of the Federal Reserve said in an interview broadcast Sunday, though the coronavirus still poses some risk. Chair Jerome Powell, speaking…

Bayern, Liverpool needing comebacks to reach CL semifinals

Real Madrid is in its best form of the season but it has injury problems entering the second leg against Liverpool in the quarterfinals of the Champions League. It is unlikely defenders Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane will play at Anfield with Madrid having a 3-1 lead to protect. Paris Saint-Germain is set to be without its best defender Marquinhos and is waiting to see if key midfielder Marco Verratti has recovered in time from coronavirus as it hosts Bayern Munich with a 3-2 lead. Chelsea leads Porto 2-0. Manchester City has a 2-1 edge as it travels to Borussia Dortmund.

LEADING OFF: Hinch back in Houston, Mets in weather mess

First-year Tigers manager A.J. Hinch returns to Houston for the first time since being suspended by Major League Baseball for his role in the sign-stealing scandal that rocked the sport. With Hinch as their manager, the Astros were found to have used cameras and banged on trash cans to get an unfair advantage en route to winning the World Series in 2017. Also, the Mets’ meteorological abilities will again be a focus a day after an embarrassing snafu Sunday that drew criticism from New York right-hander Marcus Stroman.

Dbacks' Weaver loses no-hit bid in 7th on broken-bat single

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Luke Weaver had his no-hit bid end with one out in the seventh inning when Cincinnati’s Eugenio Suárez had a broken-bat single up the middle. Weaever retired Nick Castellanos to start the seventh on a flyball and then walked Joey Votto on four pitches. Suarez followed with the groundball single, which was perfectly placed between Arizona’s shortstop and second baseman. The 27-year-old Weaver had a perfect game through 5 2/3 innings Sunday but hit Alex Blandino with a pitch with two outs in the sixth. The Diamondbacks lead 7-0 in the seventh.