Search Results for: news

Pope Francis has ordered pay cuts for cardinals, priests and nuns at the Vatican in a bid to save other Holy See employees' jobs. Francis, in a letter made public by the Vatican on Wednesday, noted that the pandemic emergency “negatively impacted all sources of revenue” for the Holy See and Vatican City State. Travel bans by Italy and other pandemic restrictions severely limited access to to the Vatican Museums, a big money-make for the Holy See. Cardinals' pay will be reduced by 10%, other superiors of Vatican offices will lose 8% monthly, while priests and nuns working at the Holy See will suffer 3% cuts.  

BORDEAUX, France (AP) — It tastes like rose petals. It smells like a campfire. It glistens with a burnt-orange hue. What is it? A 5,000-euro bottle of Petrus Pomerol wine that spent a year in space. Researchers in Bordeaux are…

BERLIN (AP) — German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday dropped plans for a five-day shutdown over Easter, which had prompted confusion and criticism. She called the idea a mistake and apologized to Germans. Merkel announced the decision after a hastily…

Georgia Democrats have introduced a slate of legislation in response to the massage business shootings that killed eight people. But it’s unlikely the bills will see movement in the Republican-controlled legislature. The proposals would require a five-day waiting period for gun purchases, establish a statewide translation system for 911 calls and enhance training for law enforcement emphasizing outreach in other languages. The bills have little chance of passing this year because they’re too late for procedural deadlines with just a week left in the current legislative session. Also, any proposals that limit gun sales are likely to face staunch GOP opposition. 

After a hard-fought election, an Arab Islamist could choose Israel’s next prime minister. Tuesday’s elections have left a razor-thin margin between a right-wing coalition led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a diverse array of parties bent on ousting him. Each side needs the support of the United Arab List, also known by the Hebrew name Ra'am. The Islamist party has won just five seats in the 120-member Knesset but is not committed to either bloc. It could decide whether Netanyahu, who built his career on his hard-line approach to the Palestinians and Israel's Arab minority, keeps his job.

PARIS (AP) — France’s high-profile culture minister has been hospitalized for COVID-19, the latest senior official to become ill as the nation faces a third surge of coronavirus infections, this one propelled by a highly contagious variant first found in…

BEIJING (AP) — China took the U.S. to task Wednesday over racism, financial inequality and the federal government’s response to the coronavirus in an annual report that seeks to counter U.S. accusations of human rights abuses by China’s ruling Communist…

Tobias Harris hit a go-ahead jumper with 3:44 to play, scored another basket on the next possession and finished with 25 points and 13 rebounds to help the Philadelphia 76ers hold off the Golden State Warriors 108-98. Harris also converted a free throw on Draymond Green’s technical foul with 2:47 remaining. Ben Simmons added 22 points and eight rebounds for the Sixers, who pulled off their second consecutive road win after a 101-100 victory at New York on Sunday. Eastern Conference-leading Philadelphia improved to 31-13 with its ninth victory in 10 games.

TOKYO (AP) — Japanese automakers Toyota, Isuzu and Hino said Wednesday they are setting up a partnership in commercial vehicles to work together in electric, hydrogen, connected and autonomous driving technologies. Under the deal, Toyota Motor Corp., Japan’s top automaker,…

A massive cargo ship has turned sideways in Egypt’s Suez Canal, blocking traffic in a crucial East-West waterway for global shipping. Traffic on the narrow waterway dividing continental Africa from the Sinai Peninsula stopped Tuesday after the MV Ever Given got stuck. It wasn’t immediately clear what caused the Ever Given to turn sideways, though authorities said winds were high in the area. None of its containers had sunk and no sailors were reportedly injured in the incident. Around 10% of the world’s trade flows through the waterway. An Egyptian official warned Wednesday it could take at least two days to clear the ship.

Police and former associates of the man accused of opening fire at a Colorado supermarket describe the suspect as sometimes prone to rage or delusions. But a motive behind the shooting that killed 10 people, including a police officer, remains unknown. Authorities say Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa purchased an assault weapon less than a week before Monday's attack in Boulder. It was not immediately known where the suspect purchased the weapon. Alissa, who is from the Denver suburb of Arvada, was booked into jail on murder charges. He is due to make a first court appearance on Thursday. 

There aren't two bigger stars in the women's NCAA Tournament this year than Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark. It's almost as if the freshmen are playing a personal game of horse on the national stage. After one delivers a highlight-filled performance, the other delivers a top-this moment. In one of the most anticipated matchups, they’ll meet for the first time in their college careers in the Sweet 16 this weekend with Bueckers leading UConn against Clark and her Iowa teammates. ESPN analyst Rebecca Lobo says the game will be entertaining for all basketball fans and that “we need Iowa and UConn to play each other the next three years!”

Big man Drew Timme is an understated player for top-ranked Gonzaga. With teammates like Corey Kispert and Jalen Suggs, it could be easy to overlook Timme. But he has already put together a great season and two standout games in the NCAA Tournament. He scored a career-high 30 points against Oklahoma. The Bulldogs face Creighton in the Sweet 16 later this week.

A year after the NCAA Tournament was canceled, the madness returned with an opening weekend full of upsets. No. 1 seed Illinois is gone. So is second-seeded Ohio State. High seeds Texas and Virginia also are out, replaced by upstarts and mid-major noisemakers. And then there's Sister Jean, the 101-year-old nun who serves as team chaplain for Chicago Loyola. So good to have her back. AP Basketball Writer John Marshall says it was a wild opening ride to be sure and the tournament is all but guaranteed to have a few more unexpected twists and turns.

On the eve of marking 50 years of independence this month, Bangladesh has been hailed as a success story for a young nation born out of strife and turbulence. While it has struggled with famine, poverty and political violence, Bangladesh has also been celebrated for its progress in uplifting the lives of its young population. Millions have risen out of poverty, as the country has become one of Asia’s fastest growing economies thanks to sectors like its garments industry, which clothes millions around the world. But critics fear its success conceals a darker turn, including concerns over its most recent election in 2018, which was marred by violence against political opponents amid allegations of manipulation and rigged voting. 

The flash and dash of Fernando Tatis Jr. came to a sudden halt Tuesday when the star San Diego Padres shortstop slowly walked off the field after making an awkward throw in an exhibition game. The Padres said Tatis had discomfort in his non-throwing left shoulder and would be re-evaluated Wednesday. Tatis went into the hole to backhand a grounder in the third inning against Cincinnati in Peoria, Arizona. Tatis’ throwing motion seemed off, even though he got the out. The 22-year-old Tatis began to leave the diamond and was met by manager Jayce Tingler and a trainer.

Haley Jones scored 17 points and Stanford unleashed another barrage of 3-pointers as the overall No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament booked yet another trip to the Sweet 16 with a 73-62 win over No. 8 Oklahoma State. The Cardinal made 13 3-pointers after making 15 in their first-round win. All five Cardinal starters made at least one. Stanford made the Sweet 16 for the 27th time in pursuit of their first national title since 1992. Neferatali Notoa scored 14 for Oklahoma State. 

Brandon Ingram scored a season-high 36 points, Zion Williamson had 27 points and nine rebounds, and the New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 128-111. The 20-year-old Williamson became the first NBA player younger than 21 to score at least 20 points in 21 straight games. Ingram helped keep the Pelicans comfortably in front with 17 points in the third quarter. Josh Hart grabbed 15 rebounds to go with five steals. The Lakers lost their third straight while playing without injured stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Montrezl Harrell scored 18 points for Los Angeles. 

San Diego Padres star shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. exited a spring training game with left shoulder discomfort after making a backhanded play on Tuesday. Tatis fielded a grounder, made the throw to first base and then began walking off the field. He was met by manager Jayce Tingler and a trainer. After a few minutes in the dugout, Tatis headed toward the clubhouse accompanied by a trainer. The Padres said Tatis will be reevaluated on Wednesday. The superstar has been slowed this spring by flu-like symptoms. He also jarred himself with a headfirst dive into home plate during a game on March 13.