Associated Press stories, Page 779
Russia and Ukraine exchange hundreds of prisoners of war in biggest release so far
Russia and Ukraine on Wednesday exchanged hundreds of prisoners of war in the biggest single release of captives since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. Ukrainian authorities said that 230 Ukrainian prisoners of war returned home in the first exchange in almost five months. Russia’s Defense Ministry said that 248...
Djokovic struggles with wrist injury as Australia stuns Serbia in quarterfinals of United Cup
PERTH, Australia — Novak Djokovic continued to struggle with his wrist injury as Australia stunned Serbia with a 3-0 win in the quarterfinals of the United Cup on Wednesday. Poland also qualified for the semifinals with a 3-0 victory over China, while France and Greece completed sweeps of Italy and...
The 49ers have a rare quartet of 1,000-yard players. Dolphins and Lions could do the same.
The San Francisco 49ers and their deep group of playmakers accomplished a rare feat. They soon could have company from the Miami Dolphins and Detroit Lions. Tight end George Kittle became the latest Niners player to eclipse 1,000 yards from scrimmage this season, joining Christian McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo...
Founder of retirement thoroughbred farm in Kentucky announces he’s handing over reins to successor
GEORGETOWN, Ky. — Michael Blowen’s love for horses stretched far beyond the racetrack and spurred him into starting a mid-life career as founder of a retirement farm in Kentucky, where older thoroughbreds could spend their remaining years in dignity and security — long after their earning days were over. For...
U.S. job openings fell slightly in November but remain high by historical standards
WASHINGTON — America’s employers posted 8.8 million job openings in November, down slightly from October and the fewest since March 2021. But demand for workers remains strong by historical standards despite higher interest rates. Wednesday’s report from the Labor Department showed that the number of job vacancies dipped from 8.9...
U.S. intel confident militant groups used largest Gaza hospital in campaign against Israel: AP source
WASHINGTON — The U.S. is “confident” that Palestinian militant groups used Gaza’s largest hospital to hold “at least a few” hostages seized during their bloody Oct. 7, 2023, attack and to house command infrastructure, an American intelligence assessment declassified Tuesday and shared by a U.S. official found. The assessment offers...
Investigators focus on air traffic communication after a fatal Tokyo runway crash
TOKYO — A transcript of communication between traffic control and two aircraft that collided and burst into flames at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport showed that only the larger Japan Airlines passenger flight was given permission to use the runway where a smaller coast guard plane was preparing for takeoff. An orange...
Meet the newest breed to join the American Kennel Club, a little dog with a big smile
NEW YORK — It’s small in stature, big on activity and known for a “smile,” and it’s ready to compete with 200 other dog breeds. Say hello to the Lancashire heeler, the latest breed recognized by the American Kennel Club. The organization announced Wednesday that the rare herding breed is...
Iran says at least 95 were killed in blasts at a ceremony honoring slain general
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates —Two bombs exploded and killed at least 95 people Wednesday at a commemoration for a prominent Iranian general slain by the U.S. in a 2020 drone strike, Iranian officials said, as the Middle East remains on edge over Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza. No one...
What to know about changes to this year’s FAFSA application for college students
NEW YORK — A new version of the federal student aid application known as the FAFSA is available for the 2024-2025 school year, but only on a limited basis as the U.S. Department of Education works on a redesign meant to make it easier to apply. That means the Free...
In 2024, Shapiro faces calls for billions for schools, a presidential election and wary lawmakers
HARRISBURG — In 2024, Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro could face a more complicated sophomore year in charge of Pennsylvania after his first year brought a highway collapse, a budget stalemate and friction with allies and adversaries as he navigated the battleground state’s political divides. He is under pressure to respond...
Biden will start the year at sites of national trauma to warn about dire stakes of the 2024 election
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden is starting the campaign year by evoking the Revolutionary War to mark the third anniversary of the deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and visiting the South Carolina church where a white gunman massacred Black parishioners — seeking to present in the starkest possible terms...
Rescuers race against time in search for survivors in Japan after powerful quakes leave 65 dead
SUZU, Japan — Japanese rescue workers and canine units searched urgently through rubble Wednesday ahead of predicted bitter cold and heavy rain in what the prime minister called a race against time after powerful earthquakes killed at least 65 people in western Japan. Ishikawa prefecture and nearby areas were shaken...
Israel on alert for possible Hezbollah response after senior Hamas leader is killed in Beirut strike
BEIRUT — Israel was on high alert for an escalation with Hezbollah on Wednesday after one of the top leaders of the Palestinian Hamas was killed in a strike in Beirut that was widely blamed on Israel and heightened the risk of a broader Middle East conflict. The killing of...
In Texas case, federal appeals panel says emergency care abortions not required by 1986 law
NEW ORLEANS — The Biden administration cannot use a 1986 emergency care law to require hospitals in Texas hospitals to provide abortions for women whose lives are at risk due to pregnancy, a federal appeals court ruled Tuesday. It’s one of numerous cases involving abortion restrictions that have played out...
Souvenir sellers have flooded the Brooklyn Bridge. Now the city is banning them
NEW YORK — Visitors to New York City hoping to take home a souvenir from the Brooklyn Bridge will now have to settle for a photograph, as vendors are about to be banned from the iconic span. The new rule, which goes into effect Wednesday, aims to ease overcrowding on...
U.S. national debt hits record $34 trillion as Congress gears up for funding fight
WASHINGTON — The federal government’s gross national debt has surpassed $34 trillion, a record high that foreshadows the coming political and economic challenges to improve America’s balance sheet in the coming years. The U.S. Treasury Department issued a report Tuesday logging U.S. finances, which have become a source of tension...
Dolphins to host Bills with a chance to win AFC East, start playoffs at homeVideo
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Miami Dolphins will be in the playoffs no matter what, but there’s plenty at stake in their showdown with AFC East rival Buffalo on Sunday night. The Dolphins’ chances at earning the AFC’s top seed ended when they were blown out at Baltimore last weekend....
Analysis: Surprising Colts control playoff destiny entering showdown with Texans
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts weren’t supposed to be here, playing a prime-time game in Week 18 with a chance to make the playoffs. Not with a rookie quarterback who then suffered a season-ending injury that forced Indy (9-7) to rely on a veteran backup for its final 12 games....
Analysis: Bills overcome deficiencies, missteps to set up showdown at Miami for AFC East title
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Don’t count the Buffalo Bills out of — or into — the playoffs just yet. This has, after all, been a team that’s not made much appear easy this season. It’s remarkable that the Bills (10-6) have made made it this far. They’ve won four straight...
NFL fines Panthers owner David Tepper $300,000 for tossing drink at Jaguars fansVideo
The NFL has fined Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper $300,000 for tossing a drink at fans in Jacksonville toward the end of a game on Sunday. The league called Tepper’s conduct “unacceptable” in a statement released Tuesday. “All NFL personnel are expected to conduct themselves at all times in ways...
Luke Littler, 16, reaches final of world darts championship in one of the sport’s most unlikely storiesVideo
Luke Littler reached the final of the world darts championship at the age of 16 on Tuesday, extending one of the most unlikely stories in the history of the sport. Littler, an unseeded player from Runcorn in northwest England who started throwing darts as a toddler, beat 2018 champion Rob...
John Harbaugh has reason to dance after another dominant performance by the RavensVideo
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The more grueling the task, the better the Baltimore Ravens have looked this season, so it was only fair that coach John Harbaugh decided to let loose with a little dancing in the locker room. “I thought I was smooth, rolling. Then, my daughter showed me...
Prosecutors accuse Sen. Bob Menendez of introducing Qatari royal family member to aid N.J. businessman
NEW YORK — U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez used his international clout to help a friend get a multimillion-dollar deal with a Qatari investment fund, partly by taking actions favorable to Qatar’s government, federal prosecutors said Tuesday in a revised indictment. The new allegations deepen the legal challenges for Menendez, a...
Trump appeals Maine ruling barring him from ballot under the Constitution’s insurrection clause
Former President Donald Trump on Tuesday appealed a ruling by Maine’s Democratic secretary of state barring him from the ballot over his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. He was expected to also ask the U.S. Supreme Court to rule on his eligibility to return...
