Belarus scraps short-lived mask mandates amid virus surge
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Belarusian authorities on Friday horrified doctors by abolishing mask mandates, less than two weeks after their introduction for the first time during the pandemic and a day after the country registered a record number of new coronavirus infections.
Stocks edge lower, major indexes still head for weekly gains
Stocks edged lower in afternoon trading on Wall Street Friday as losses for several large technology and communications companies weighed on the broader market.
Alec Baldwin fired prop gun on set, killing cinematographer
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Alec Baldwin fired a prop gun on the set of a Western and killed the cinematographer in what the actor Friday called a “tragic accident.” The director of the movie was wounded, and authorities were investigating.
Bellagio in Vegas showing 11 Picasso works before auction
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Eleven Pablo Picasso artworks will be on display Friday and Saturday at a Las Vegas Strip resort, ahead of a Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art auction that host Sotheby’s estimates could fetch a combined $100 million.
Big tech data centers spark worry over scarce Western water
THE DALLES, Ore. (AP) — Conflicts over water are as old as history itself, but the massive Google data centers on the edge of this Oregon town on the Columbia River represent an emerging 21st century concern.
NOT REAL NEWS: A look at what didn't happen this week
A roundup of some of the most popular but completely untrue stories and visuals of the week. None of these are legit, even though they were shared widely on social media. The Associated Press checked them out. Here are the facts:
Supreme Court doesn't block Texas abortion law, sets hearing
The Supreme Court won't immediately block the Texas law that bans most abortions, but has agreed to hear arguments in the case in early November.
US budget deficit hits $2.77 trillion in 2021, 2nd highest
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. budget deficit totaled $2.77 trillion for 2021, the second highest on record but an improvement from the all-time high of $3.13 trillion reached in 2020. The deficits in both years reflect trillions of dollars in government spending to counteract the devastating effects of a global pandemic.
Rod Stewart's plea deal on battery charge falls through
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — A plea deal between British rock icon Rod Stewart and Florida prosecutors fell through Friday, meaning he and his adult son are again scheduled to stand trial on charges they battered a security guard during a New Year's Eve bash nearly two years ago.
Robert Durst charged with 1982 murder of wife Kathie Durst
NEW YORK (AP) — Millionaire real estate scion Robert Durst has been charged with murder in the death of his first wife, Kathie Durst, nearly four decades after she disappeared and just days after he was sentenced to life in prison in California for killing a confidante who helped him cover up the slaying.
Debut of Huey Newton bust spotlights an influential figure
It was the first time in decades that she’d seen his glow.
Minneapolis officer charged in pursuit that killed motorist
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Minneapolis police officer has been charged with manslaughter and vehicular homicide in a fatal crash in July that occurred while the officer was pursuing a stolen vehicle, a prosecutor announced Friday.
Explainer: Is it time to get a COVID-19 booster? Which one?
Millions more Americans just became eligible for COVID-19 boosters, but figuring out who's eligible and when can be confusing.
Watch Now: New exhibit will get you floating above New York City
The art installation called "Air" creates a floating experience through glass floors and mirrors high above New York City.
Limbo in a blue tent: African asylum-seekers stuck on Cyprus
NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — It seems a strange place to pitch a tent.
Free community college expected to be cut from spending bill
President Joe Biden's long-sought goal of free community college appears to be a victim of cost-cutting in his social spending plan, dealing a major blow to his vision for a historic expansion of educational opportunity to all Americans.
