Associated Press stories, Page 610
Mourners can now speak to an AI version of the dead. Will it help with grief?
BERLIN — When Michael Bommer found out that he was terminally ill with colon cancer, he spent a lot of time with his wife, Anett, talking about what would happen after his death. She told him one of the things she’d miss most is being able to ask him questions...
Tips for a tidy native-plant garden
For decades, native plants were relegated to the “weed” section of many American gardeners’ minds. Most nurseries didn’t stock them. But that’s slowly changing. Native plants provide food and shelter for bees, butterflies, birds and other beneficial critters. They effortlessly grow healthier and stronger than exotic species, seldom need fertilizers...
Prosecutors spend first day of testimony in Hunter Biden’s gun trial detailing his drug problems
WILMINGTON, Del. — Federal prosecutors on Tuesday painted President Joe Biden’s son Hunter as deceptive and driven by addiction, a man whose dark habits ensnared loved ones and who knew what he was doing when he lied on a federal form to purchase a gun in 2018. Jurors also got...
Volcano erupts on a central Philippine island, sending hundreds into evacuation centers
MANILA, Philippines — A volcano belched a plume of ash and steam into the night sky in the central Philippines in a powerful explosion that sent more than 700 people fleeing to evacuation camps. The explosion of Mount Kanlaon Monday night on Negros Island triggered sirens across Canlaon, a city...
After guilty verdict, Trump will appear on the ballot in the last presidential primaries of 2024
NEW YORK — Donald Trump’s name will appear on the ballot Tuesday for the first time since his historic conviction on felony crimes as a handful of states hold the last Republican presidential primary contests of 2024. The former president will be on the ballot in Republican contests in Montana,...
Modi claims victory for his alliance in India’s general election
NEW DELHI — Prime Minister Narendra Modi says India will will see a “new chapter of big decisions” in his third term in office. After claiming victory for his coalition alliance despite a lacklustre performance from his own party, Modi told a crowd at party headquarters he would not shirk...
Israeli strikes kill 11 overnight in Gaza, including a family of 3 at a refugee camp
Palestinian health officials in the Gaza Strip said Israeli strikes killed at least 11 people overnight into Tuesday, including a family of three in the built-up Bureij refugee camp and eight police officers. In the occupied West Bank, the Israeli military said it killed two Palestinian militants who were attempting...
Celtics have followed ‘craziness’ of Joe Mazzulla’s coaching style straight to the NBA FinalsVideo
BOSTON — When Celtics guard Derrick White stood in the corner behind the 3-point line late in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals as teammate Jaylen Brown drove into the lane, drew defenders and flipped a pass toward him, White felt prepared for the moment. That’s because Celtics coach...
Seize the Grey draws inside post for the Belmont. Derby runner-up Sierra Leone is favoredVideo
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Preakness winner Seize the Grey drew post position No. 1 on Monday, and Kentucky Derby champion Mystik Dan will start in post No. 3 for the Belmont Stakes on Saturday at Saratoga Race Course. Kenny McPeek-trained Mystik Dan, who finished second in the Preakness, is the...
Sen. Menendez of New Jersey to seek independent reelection bid amid federal corruption trial
TRENTON, N.J. — U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat who is on trial on federal bribery charges in New York, has filed to run as an independent candidate for reelection. Menendez, 70, had said this year that he would not seek the Democratic nomination to pursue a fourth...
Penn State found ‘friction’ between coach James Franklin and team doctor, but could not determine violationVideo
An internal review by Penn State in 2019 found evidence of “friction” between football coach James Franklin and a now-former team doctor, but it could not determine whether Franklin violated NCAA bylaws or Big Ten standards by interfering with medical decisions. The 15-page document from Penn State’s office of ethics...
Budget season arrives in Pennsylvania Capitol as lawmakers prepare for debate over massive surplus
HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania lawmakers return to session Monday to begin a four-week countdown to the start of the state’s next fiscal year, with Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro and Republican lawmakers offering competing visions for how to use a massive surplus. Shapiro has floated an admittedly “ambitious” $48.3 billion budget plan...
Police detain pro-Palestinian demonstrators inside San Francisco building housing Israeli Consulate
SAN FRANCISCO — Police on Monday detained pro-Palestinian demonstrators who occupied the lobby of a San Francisco building that houses the Israeli Consulate. It was not immediately clear how many people were detained but an Associated Press journalist saw police zip-tie the hands of at least a dozen people. Officers...
Louisiana lawmakers approve surgical castration option for those guilty of sex crimes against kids
BATON ROUGE, La. — A person found guilty of a sex crime against a child in Louisiana could soon be ordered to undergo surgical castration, in addition to prison time. Louisiana lawmakers gave final approval to a bill Monday that would allow judges the option to sentence someone to surgical...
‘SNL’ lampooned men in artistic swimming. Bill May could be the sport’s first male OlympianVideo
NEW YORK — Bill May chuckles at the mere mention of the words “Saturday Night Live,” knowing that the conversation is about to turn to the TV show’s 1984 skit starring Martin Short as one of two brothers attempting to make it to the Olympics in what then was called...
Larry Allen, a Hall of Fame offensive lineman for the Dallas Cowboys, dies suddenly at 52Video
DALLAS — Larry Allen, one of the most dominant offensive linemen in the NFL during a 12-year career spent mostly with the Dallas Cowboys, has died. He was 52. Allen died suddenly on Sunday while on vacation with his family in Mexico, the Cowboys said. A six-time All-Pro who was...
Fauci testifies publicly before House panel on covid origins, controversies
WASHINGTON — Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top U.S. infectious disease expert until leaving the government in 2022, faced heated questioning Monday from Republican lawmakers about the origins of the covid-19 pandemic. A Republican-led subcommittee has spent over a year probing the nation’s response to the pandemic and whether U.S.-funded research...
Idris Elba helps uncover the WWII soldiers of color who never got their dueVideo
NEW YORK — One of Idris Elba’s grandfathers fought in World War II, but he doesn’t know what he endured. No pictures or stories survive. “That part of my family’s history has been erased somewhat,” says Elba. That helped fuel the actor’s push to narrate and executive produce the four-part...
Proposed Gaza cease-fire puts Netanyahu at a crossroads that could shape his legacy
TEL AVIV, Israel — The cease-fire proposal announced by President Joe Biden has placed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a crossroads, with either path likely to shape the legacy of Israel’s longest-serving and deeply divisive leader. The proposal offers the possibility of ending Israel’s war against Hamas, returning scores of...
Biden prepares executive order that would shut down asylum after 2,500 migrants arrive a day
WASHINGTON — The White House is telling lawmakers that President Joe Biden is preparing to sign off on an executive order that would shut down asylum requests to the U.S.-Mexico border once the number of daily encounters hits 2,500 between ports of entry, with the border reopening once that number...
Nick Saban, Urban Meyer, Aaron Donald and Manti Te’o debut on College Football Hall of Fame ballot
Nick Saban and Urban Meyer are up for election to the College Football Hall of Fame for the first time. The ballot for the Hall of Fame class to be announced in January was released by the National Football Foundation on Monday. It includes 77 players and nine coaches from...
Sandy Hook families ask bankruptcy judge to liquidate Alex Jones’ media company
Relatives of victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting are asking a bankruptcy judge to liquidate conspiracy theorist Alex Jones’ media company, including Infowars, instead of allowing him to reorganize his business as they seek to collect on $1.5 billion in lawsuit verdicts against him. Lawyers for the families...
Vikings reach agreement with Justin Jefferson on 4-year extension to give him NFL’s richest non-QB contract
MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Vikings and wide receiver Justin Jefferson agreed Monday to a four-year extension, the richest contract in NFL history for a non-quarterback. Jefferson will get $110 million guaranteed in the deal that’s worth as much as $140 million, with more than $88 million due at signing. “We...
West Virginia tops Grand Canyon to win Tucson Regional, earn 1st trip to super regional
TUCSON, Ariz. — Logan Suave had three hits and drove in three runs, West Virginia scored multiple runs in four of the first five innings and the Mountaineers dispatched Grand Canyon, 10-6, on Sunday night, winning the Tucson Regional and earning the school’s first berth to a super regional. Reed...
The matchup is set: Panthers, Oilers will meet in the Stanley Cup Final
SUNRISE, Fla. — Matthew Tkachuk is about to renew some acquaintances. Connor McDavid is going back to where his NHL career started. The Stanley Cup Final matchup is set: The Florida Panthers, back in the title round for the second consecutive year and seeking their first championship, will take on...

