Month: November 2023

The Associated Press TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey is dropping its requirement that candidates for office sign an oath that includes the words “so help me God” in filing paperwork for their candidacy. NJ.com reports that the state Division of Elections is no longer requiring candidates to sign that oath, allowing them to make

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Officials say Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund have reached a preliminary agreement on releasing $700 million from a $3 billion bailout fund approved in July. The standby credit set up by the IMF is meant to save cash-strapped Pakistan from default. Pakistan’s government is hailing Wednesday’s agreement. In a statement, the

By SAMANTHA HENDRICKSON Associated Press/Report for America COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Some state parks can be fracked in Ohio, a decision made by a government commission Wednesday despite an ongoing investigation into claims of possible fraudulent support by an industry group that represents energy companies. During a raucous meeting attended by many fracking opponents, the

By JILL LAWLESS Associated Press LONDON (AP) — Britain’s Supreme Court has ruled that the government’s flagship policy to send migrants on a one-way trip to Rwanda is unlawful. The government is vowing to make some changes and press on with the controversial plan. Making the plan work has become a central pillar of Prime

By LINDSAY WHITEHURST Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Hunter Biden has asked a judge to approve subpoenas for documents from Donald Trump and former Justice Department officials related to whether political pressure wrongly influenced the criminal case against him. Defense attorneys for President Joe Biden’s son say Trump pressured the Justice Department to investigate and

By NICOLE WINFIELD Associated Press ROME (AP) — The Vatican has signed an agreement with Volkswagen to gradually replace its auto fleet with electric vehicles. The announcement Wednesday does not give any details on the value of the deal or set a timetable for completing the switch to electric vehicles. The partnership falls under the

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A prominent Iranian human rights lawyer who was detained last month for allegedly violating the country’s mandatory headscarf law has been freed on bail. Reza Khandan, the husband of Nasrin Sotoudeh, posted Wednesday on the platform X, formerly known as Twitter, a photo of his wife and said she

By FARAI MUTSAKA Associated Press HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — Zimbabwe’s opposition leader warns that the country is “heading into a dangerous direction” as his party mourned an official abducted while campaigning for upcoming elections and later found dead. Tapfumaneyi Masaya was part of a team of Citizens for Change Coalition activists campaigning Saturday in the

By JOEY CAPPELLETTI Associated Press LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The Michigan Department of Civil Rights filed a charge of discrimination against Studio 8 Hair Lab in Traverse City. The hair salon’s owner had posted on social media that anyone identifying as other than a man or a woman is not welcome at her business. The

By EMMA BURROWS Associated Press LONDON (AP) — Russia’s State Duma passed a record federal budget in its second reading which aims to increase spending by around 25% in 2024, with record amounts going on defense. Defense spending is expected to overtake social spending next year for the first time in modern Russian history at

By SAM METZ Associated Press RABAT, Morocco (AP) — A German newspaper investigation is raising questions about the future of a Moroccan mine that was meant to supply carmakers a mineral critical for electric vehicle batteries. The mining company controlled by Morocco’s royal family is denying claims that operations at the site are causing hazardous

NEW YORK (AP) — A cargo jet headed to Belgium from New York had to turn around mid-flight after a horse escaped its stall and got loose in the hold, according to air traffic control audio. The Boeing 747 operated by Air Atlanta Icelandic had just started its flight across the Atlantic Ocean on Nov.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — The U.S. Coast Guard says it is searching for a crew member that apparently fell from a cruise ship northwest of Puerto Rico. Authorities say that the unidentified 30-year-old man of Indian nationality was aboard the MSC Seascape when someone apparently saw him tumble more than 30 feet (nine

By CLAIRE SAVAGE Associated Press/Report for America CHICAGO (AP) — The father of the suspect in a deadly Fourth of July parade shooting in suburban Chicago has turned himself in to begin a 60-day jail sentence, but not before the judge reprimanded him for violating court rules. Robert Crimo Jr. entered a guilty plea to

DHAKA,Bangladesh (AP) — Electoral authorities in Bangladesh have announced that the country’s expected parliamentary elections will be held on Jan. 7. But the opposition is reiterating its vow to boycott the polls unless the government hands power to a nonpartisan caretaker administration. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has pledged free and fair elections, but the Bangladesh

By MARGERY A. BECK Associated Press OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A petition referendum effort is being launched to establish abortion rights in Nebraska, following on the heels of similar successful efforts in other reds states. Documents released by the Nebraska Secretary of State’s office Wednesday show a coalition of civil rights and advocacy groups is

By SCOTT BAUER Associated Press MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Lockdowns at two of Wisconsin’s oldest and most understaffed prisons are being eased. The effort announced Tuesday by Gov. Tony Evers comes less than a month after inmates filed a federal lawsuit alleging that current conditions at the Waupun prison amount to cruel and unusual punishment.