Contrary to politicians' claims, offshore wind farms don't kill whales. Here's what to know. (apnews.com)
Unfounded claims about offshore wind threatening whales have surfaced as a flashpoint in the fight over the future of renewable energy....
Federal judge blocks California law that would have banned carrying firearms in most public places (apnews.com)
A federal judge on Wednesday temporarily blocked a California law that would have banned carrying firearms in most public places, ruling that it violates the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and deprives people of their ability to defend themselves and their loved ones....
The right to protest is under threat in Britain, undermining a pillar of democracy (apnews.com)
Teen girls are being victimized by deepfake nudes. One family is pushing for more protections (apnews.com)
A mother and her 14-year-old daughter are advocating for better protections for victims after AI-generated nude images of the teen and other female classmates were circulated at a high school in New Jersey....
Americans ramped up spending during the holidays despite some financial anxiety and higher costs (apnews.com)
Holiday sales rose this year and spending remained resilient during the shopping season even with Americans wrestling with higher prices in some areas and other financial worries, according to the latest measure....
Ukraine says it shot down Russian fighter jets and drones as the country officially marks Christmas (apnews.com)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday hailed the shooting down of two Russian fighter jets on Christmas Eve and said “this Christmas sets the right mood for the entire year ahead.”...
On Christmas Eve, Bethlehem resembles a ghost town. Celebrations are halted due to Israel-Hamas war (apnews.com)
The normally bustling biblical birthplace of Jesus resembled a ghost town on Sunday, as Christmas Eve celebrations in Bethlehem were called off due to the Israel-Hamas war....
Some Catholic bishops reject Pope's stance on blessings for same-sex couples. Others are confused (apnews.com)
In an extraordinary pushback against Pope Francis, some Catholic bishops in Africa, Poland and elsewhere say they will not implement the new Vatican policy allowing blessings for same-sex couples....
New York governor vetoes bill that would ban noncompete agreements (apnews.com)
New York’s governor vetoed a bill days before Christmas that would have banned noncompete agreements, which restrict workers’ ability to leave their job for a role with a rival business....
Mexico's president is willing to help with border migrant surge but wants US to open talks with Cuba (apnews.com)
Biden orders strike on Iranian-aligned group after 3 US troops injured in drone attack in Iraq (apnews.com)
President Joe Biden ordered the U.S. military to carry out retaliatory strikes against Iranian-backed militia groups after three U.S. servicemembers were injured in a drone attack in northern Iraq....
Gaza war's staggering toll reaches a grim milestone: 20,000 dead (apnews.com)
As conflicts rage abroad, a fractured Congress tries to rally support for historic global challenges (apnews.com)
Gunman opens fire in a Prague university, killing 14 people in Czech Republic's worst mass shooting (apnews.com)
A student opened fire Thursday at a university in Prague, killing at least 14 people, officials said, and injuring more than 20 in the Czech Republic’s worst mass shooting....
Judge suggests change to nitrogen execution to let inmate pray and say final words without gas mask (apnews.com)
A federal judge who is weighing whether to allow the nation’s first execution by nitrogen hypoxia to go forward next month, urged Alabama on Thursday to change procedures so the inmate can pray and say his final words before the gas mask is placed on his face....
New York governor vetoes bill that would make it easier for people to challenge their convictions (apnews.com)
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul vetoed a bill days before Christmas that would have made it easier for people who have pleaded guilty to crimes to challenge their convictions, a measure that was favored by criminal justice reformers but fiercely opposed by prosecutors....
Colorado releases additional 5 gray wolves as part of reintroduction effort (apnews.com)
Wildlife officials in Colorado have released an additional five gray wolves in the state, bringing the total so far under a voter-approved reintroduction program to 10....
Mexico's president is willing to help with border migrant crush but wants US to open talks with Cuba (apnews.com)
Mexico’s president said Friday that he is willing to help out with a surge of migrants that led to the closure of border crossings with the United States, but he wants the U.S. government to open talks with Cuba and send more development aid to migrants’ home countries....
New migrants face fear and loneliness. A town on the Great Plains has a storied support network (apnews.com)
Magdalena Simon’s only consolation after immigration officers handcuffed and led her husband away was the contents of his wallet, a few bills....
Iowa won't participate in US food assistance program for kids this summer (apnews.com)
Iowa will not participate this summer in a federal program that gives $40 per month to each child in a low-income family to help with food costs while school is out, state officials have announced....
Airbnb admits misleading Australian customers by charging in US dollars instead of local currency (apnews.com)
New York will set up a commission to consider reparations for slavery (apnews.com)
New York state will create a commission tasked with considering reparations to address the persistent, harmful effects of slavery in the state, under a bill signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul on Tuesday....
A passenger hid bullets in a baby diaper at New York's LaGuardia Airport. TSA officers caught him (apnews.com)
It was a loaded diaper, but not like you would think....
As conflicts rage abroad, a fractured Congress tries to rally support for historic global challenges (apnews.com)
As the Senate wrapped up its work for the year, Sen. Michael Bennet took to the floor of the nearly empty chamber and made a late-night plea for Congress to redouble support for Ukraine: “Understand the stakes at this moment.”...
About 300 Indian travelers are stuck in a French airport in a human trafficking probe (apnews.com)
About 300 Indian citizens heading to Central America were sequestered in a French airport for a third day Saturday after a dramatic police operation prompted by a tip that those aboard might be victims of human trafficking, authorities said....
