Associated Press stories, Page 2529
Trump jokes to Putin: ‘Don’t meddle in the election’
OSAKA, Japan — With a smirk and a finger point, President Donald Trump dryly told Russia’s Vladimir Putin “Don’t meddle in the election” in their first meeting since the special counsel concluded that Moscow extensively interfered with the 2016 campaign. The tone of the president’s comment did little to silence...
New Whitney Houston song released
NEW YORK — You can dance to a new-ish Whitney Houston song this weekend. Houston originally released a cover of Steve Winwood’s “Higher Love” as a Japan-only bonus track on her 1990 album “I’m Your Baby Tonight,” but the song has been given an upbeat, dance remix by Norwegian DJ-producer...
Lego strikes deal to buy Legoland, Madame Tussauds
COPENHAGEN, Denmark — The owners of toy maker Lego are teaming up with a group of investors to buy Merlin Entertainment, a British company that operates theme parks like Legoland and the Madame Tussauds wax museums. Kirkbi Invest said Friday it is joining forces with private equity firm Blackstone and...
R. Kelly’s lawyers ask judge to dismiss sex abuse lawsuit
R. Kelly’s lawyers want a Chicago judge to toss a 2019 lawsuit alleging the singer sexually abused a minor a little over 20 years ago. The Chicago Sun-Times reports their motion to dismiss was filed Wednesday in Cook County Circuit Court. The lawsuit says the abuse occurred in 1998. Kelly’s...
Seoul: U.S. ready for talks with N.Korea on denuclearization
SEOUL — The U.S. special envoy for North Korea reaffirmed Friday that Washington is ready to hold talks with the North, South Korea’s government said, as North Korea escalates its calls for the United States to make new proposals to resolve the impasse in their nuclear diplomacy. Stephen Biegun’s reported...
All-green woodland gardens can provide serenity
All-green gardens are becoming popular again as the centerpieces of monochromatic landscaping. The designs are appealing and restive, driven as they are by massed ferns, moss, leaves, bark, berries, rock and foliage combinations. They serve some practical purposes, too. “Cool, mossy and damp, small space woodland gardens bring a welcome...
Changes to lobster fishery to help whales might arrive 2021
FREEPORT, Maine — Changes to the Maine lobster fishery designed to help a critically endangered species of whale might arrive in 2021 after a lengthy rulemaking process. A team assembled by the federal government has called for the removal of half the vertical trap lines from the Gulf of Maine...
Elba says race talk around Bond casting disappointing
LONDON — Even though Idris Elba isn’t trying to become the next James Bond, he’s disheartened that some people don’t think he should be considered for the spy role because he’s black. The British actor says in the August issue of Vanity Fair that it’s frustrating that there are people...
Witness says ‘snitching’ talk preceded Nipsey Hussle killing
LOS ANGELES — Court transcripts unsealed Thursday show that Nipsey Hussle and the man charged with killing him talked about “snitching” shortly before the rapper was shot, a conversation prosecutors said was the motive for the shooting. In the grand jury transcripts, which provide the first glimpse of prosecutors’ case...
‘One Day At a Time’ rescued from cancellation by Pop TV
LOS ANGELES — There are more days ahead for “One Day at a Time.” The CBS Corp.-owned cable channel Pop TV says Thursday it’s greenlighted a new season of the reboot canceled by Netflix. In a statement, Pop TV President Brad Schwartz called the series both “culturally significant” and funny....
Steph Curry makes faithful moves through production company
LOS ANGELES— Stephen Curry may be a sharpshooting three-time NBA champion, but he is quickly building a career away from the court to inspire the masses through his burgeoning production company. The Golden State Warriors superstar is strategically producing content that focuses on sports, family and faith through Unanimous Media,...
Fans elect historically young NL lineup for All-Star Game
NEW YORK — Cody Bellinger and Christian Yelich were elected starters for one of the youngest All-Star Game lineups ever, leading the millennial-heavy National League for this year’s Midsummer Classic in Cleveland. MLB revealed the results from fan balloting for its All-Star starters Thursday. The All-Star Game is July 9....
Search for missing Utah student turns up ‘person of interest’Video
SALT LAKE CITY — A man whose home was searched as police investigate the disappearance of a Utah college student was named a “person of interest” in the case Thursday, and police were trying to find a mattress that had been inside his home. The announcement was made shortly after...
France expected to turn heat up on United State in Women’s World Cup
PARIS — The United States has its ranking and its trophies, and that’s all the motivation France needs. The Americans face the French on Friday at the Women’s World Cup, a match that’s been described as a final in the quarterfinals. It really has it all: The defending champions against...
Big Apple battle in NBA free agency
NEW YORK — It’s been seven years since the Nets crossed over the Hudson River and took up residence in the Knicks’ city. A real rivalry might finally arrive Sunday. Rarely relevant at the same time on the basketball court, the Knicks and Nets are front and center in the...
Corey Perry, Joe Pavelski among veteran NHL free agents to watch
The goodbye came quickly if respectfully for Anaheim Ducks veteran Corey Perry. After a knee injury limited the 34-year-old forward to 31 games, general manager Bob Murray last week bought out the final two years of Perry’s contract and sent the franchise cornerstone unexpectedly into free agency. “This is one...
England breezes past Norway, into Women’s World Cup semifinals
LE HAVRE, France — Lucy Bronze helped set up the first two goals before completing England’s 3-0 victory over Norway with a powerful shot Thursday, sending the team into its second straight Women’s World Cup semifinal. After finishing third at the last tournament four years ago, England will face either...
American Athletic commissioner says no chance of UConn staying as football member
STORRS, Conn. — American Athletic Conference commissioner Mike Aresco said Thursday there is no chance the conference will keep Connecticut as a football-only member. UConn this week agreed to rejoin the Big East for basketball and most other sports. The Big East does not compete in football. UConn athletic director...
Pirates club 5 homers, rout Astros againVideo
HOUSTON — Rap music spilled out of the doors of the Pittsburgh Pirates clubhouse, and muffled but joyful chants could be heard above the tunes. The Pirates took a minute to celebrate Thursday after a second straight rout handed the Houston Astros their first home series loss of the season....
Cat found after nearly 3 years; Kansas owner ‘in shock’
GARDNER, Kan. — A cat named Meow has been reunited with her suburban Kansas City owners after she went missing nearly three years ago. The Kansas City Star reports that Meow escaped after Taylor Jezik moved to a new apartment complex in Gardner, Kansas. Jezik searched for Meow in her...
Migrant: Young family ignored advice against border swim
MATAMOROS, Mexico — The young family from El Salvador appeared in this border city over the weekend with panic on their faces. They went to the downtown bridge that leads to Brownsville, Texas, where Xiomara Mejia, a migrant from Honduras, explained that the newcomers would not be able to add...
Remains identified of Nebraska twins killed at Pearl Harbor
LINCOLN, Neb. — Authorities say the remains of twin brothers killed in the Pearl Harbor attack have been identified and will be returned to Nebraska. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency said Thursday in a news release that the remains of Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class Leo Blitz and Fireman 1st Class...
Bills’ Shaq Lawson to pay for 11-year-old shooting victim’s funeral
ANDERSON, S.C. — Buffalo Bills defensive end Shaq Lawson says he will pay for the funeral of an 11-year-old South Carolina girl who died after someone fired more than 35 shots at her home. News outlets report a family member announced Lawson’s contribution Wednesday evening at a vigil for Ja’Naiya...
What to watch on debate night: Biden, Bernie and other stars
WASHINGTON — Same stage. Same rules. But the Democrats’ second back-to back debate is fueled by star power. Debate night No. 2 marks the first time top-tier presidential candidates will confront one another in person over who is best fit to lead the Democratic effort to oust President Donald Trump...
Friends: Trump accuser told us of attack in the ’90s
NEW YORK — Two women have confirmed that the writer E. Jean Carroll told them in the 1990s that she’d been sexually assaulted by Donald Trump in the dressing room of a New York City department store. The women, both journalists who were friends with Carroll, spoke publicly for the...
