Ex-Philadelphia labor leader convicted of embezzling from union to pay for home renovations, meals (apnews.com)
Former Philadelphia labor leader John “Johnny Doc” Dougherty and a codefendant were convicted Thursday of using more than $650,000 in union funds for personal use, marking the second conviction federal prosecutors have secured against the long-powerful figure since a sweeping 2019 indictment....
Wikipedia, wrapped. Here are 2023's most-viewed articles on the internet's encyclopedia (apnews.com)
World carbon dioxide emissions increase again, driven by China, India and aviation (apnews.com)
The world this year pumped 1.1% more heat-trapping carbon dioxide into the air than last year because of increased pollution from China and India, a team of scientists reported....
Facebook parent Meta sues the FTC claiming 'unconstitutional authority' in child privacy case (apnews.com)
MENLO PARK, Calif. (AP) — The parent company of Instagram and Facebook has sued the Federal Trade Commission in an attempt to stop the agency from reopening a 2020 privacy settlement with the company that would prohibit it from profiting from data it collects on users under 18....
Myanmar's military is losing ground against coordinated nationwide attacks, buoying opposition hopes (apnews.com)
Cities crack down on homeless encampments. Advocates say that’s not the answer (apnews.com)
Fears of political violence are growing as the 2024 campaign heats up and conspiracy theories evolve (apnews.com)
The man who bludgeoned former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband with a hammer last year consumed a steady diet of right-wing conspiracy theories before an attack that took place with the midterm elections less than two weeks away....
Blinken warns Israel that humanitarian conditions in Gaza must improve to have 'partners for peace' (apnews.com)
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is warning Israel that it risks destroying an eventual possibility for peace unless it acts swiftly to improve humanitarian conditions in Gaza for Palestinian civilians as it intensifies its war against Hamas.
Mormon church sued again over how it uses tithing contributions from members (apnews.com)
War-weary mothers, wives and children of Ukrainian soldiers demand a cap on military service time (apnews.com)
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Scores of protesters gathered on the streets of Ukrainian cities on Friday to demand a cap of 18 months on mandatory military service, amid new suggestions of possible Ukrainian and international weariness with the 20-month war....
Food insecurity shot up last year with inflation and the end of pandemic-era aid, a new report says (apnews.com)
An estimated 17 million households reported problems finding enough food in 2022 — a sharp jump from 2021 when boosted government aid helped ease the pandemic-induced economic shutdown....
US strikes Iran-linked sites in Syria in retaliation for attacks on US troops (apnews.com)
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Questions linger after Connecticut police officers fatally shoot man in his bed (apnews.com)
The killing Monday angered and saddened Passmore’s family and raised questions about whether officers could have done things differently. It came as many police departments nationwide have changed the way they respond to certain calls, including those involving mentally ill people — in response to outcries over police...
Evidence shows Hamas militants likely used some North Korean weapons in attack on Israel (apnews.com)
Hamas fighters likely fired North Korean weapons during their Oct. 7 assault on Israel, a militant video and weapons seized by Israel show, despite Pyongyang’s denials that it arms the militant group....
A $1.4 million speeding ticket surprised a Georgia man before officials clarified the situation (apnews.com)
More Americans support striking auto workers than car companies, an AP-NORC poll shows (apnews.com)
A majority of Americans support higher pay for auto workers who are on strike against Detroit’s Big Three carmakers, although approval of the workers’ other demands is more mixed, according to a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research....
Several more people arrested over a far-right German plot to launch a coup and kidnap a minister (apnews.com)
Chinese developer Country Garden says it can't meet debt payment deadlines after sales slump (apnews.com)
Developed nations pledge $9.3 billion to global climate fund at gathering in Germany (apnews.com)
Developed countries pledged $9.3 billion to help poor nations tackle climate change at a conference held in the German city of Bonn on Thursday, authorities said. However, nongovernmental groups criticized the outcome, saying the funds fall short of what is needed to tackle climate change....
Russia has tested a nuclear-powered missile and could revoke a global atomic test ban, Putin says (apnews.com)
cross-posted from: lemmus.org/post/1022137...
Things to know about the Vatican's big meeting on the future of the Catholic Church (apnews.com)
California targets smash-and-grabs with $267 million program aimed at ‘brazen’ store thefts (apnews.com)
California will spend $267 million to help dozens of local law enforcement agencies increase patrols, buy surveillance equipment and conduct other activities aimed at cracking down on smash-and-grab robberies happening around the state....
US moves to advance prisoner swap deal with Iran and release $6 billion in frozen Iranian funds (apnews.com)
Google's dominance of internet search faces major challenge in legal showdown with U.S. regulators (apnews.com)
The U.S. government is taking aim at what has been an indomitable empire: Google’s ubiquitous search engine that has become the internet’s main gateway....