Month: October 2023

By MICHAEL PHILLIS and MIKE STOBBE Associated Press The Environmental Protection Agency will soon strengthen lead in drinking water regulations, after decades when they essentially remained the same. Those decades have included numerous crises involving lead poisoning from tainted water, including Flint, Michigan, and Washington, D.C. Overall, lead levels in children’s blood have have dropped

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — U.N. agencies say there has been a sharp increase in Afghans returning home since Pakistan launched a crackdown on migrants who are in the country illegally. The policy targets all undocumented or unregistered foreigners, according to the government. But it mostly affects Afghans, who make up the bulk of migrants in

By NICOLE WINFIELD Associated Press VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis’ monthlong meeting on the future of the Catholic Church is wrapping up. Delegates are voting on a final document on the role of women and how the church can better respond to the needs of the faithful today. Organizers and participants alike have tried

By STEPHEN GROVES Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — New House Speaker Mike Johnson inherits many of the same problems that bedeviled Republican leaders with far more experience. At least for now, however, he holds favor with the ultra-conservative wing of his party that toppled previous House speakers. But can he unite House Republicans where others

LONDON (AP) — Kazakhstan has confirmed the nationalization of ArcelorMittal Temirtau which operates the country’s largest steel plants and several coal and ore mines following a coal mine fire that killed, according to emergency services, at least 32 workers while another 14 remained unaccounted for. Some 252 people were working on Saturday at the Kostenko

By JON GAMBRELL and ISABEL DEBRE Associated Press JERUSALEM (AP) — As an Israeli ground offensive in the Gaza Strip looms in its most devastating war yet with Hamas, one of the greatest threats to both its troops and the 2.3 million Palestinians trapped inside the seaside enclave is buried deep underground. An extensive labyrinth

By KENYA HUNTER AP Health Writer State and local health departments across the U.S found out in June they’d be losing the final two years of a $1 billion investment to strengthen the ranks of people who track and try to prevent sexually transmitted diseases — especially the rapid increase of syphilis cases. The fallout

By ZEN SOO Associated Press HONG KONG (AP) — Hundreds of mourners have lined the streets and laid flowers near former Chinese Premier Li Keqiang’s childhood residence, a day after he died of a heart attack. Li was born in Hefei in the eastern Chinese province of Anhui, where he spent most of his childhood

By MARIAM FAM Associated Press For many of the university chaplains and faith leaders caring for students angered and shaken by the Israel-Hamas war, the needs are acute, the days intense. The bloodshed has roiled campuses in the United States, at times sparking rival rallies and competing demands. Kaiser Aslam, Muslim chaplain at the Center

By HYUNG-JIN KIM Associated Press SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Halloween celebrations in South Korea are subdued on the eve of the anniversary of the harrowing party crush that killed about 160 people. Many restaurants, bars, department stores and amusement parks are avoiding Halloween-themed events as a sign of respect for the victims. Few people

CAIRO (AP) — Egypt’s health ministry said at least 32 people were killed in a multi-car pileup on a highway linking Cairo and the Mediterranean city of Alexandria. At least 63 others were injured in the crash Saturday which involved a passenger bus and other vehicles, the statement said, adding that fire erupted in some

By JULHAS ALAM and KRUTIKA PATHI Associated Press DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — Police in Bangladesh’s capital have fired tear gas to disperse supporters of the main opposition party who threw stones at security forces during a massive rally demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Police say one officer died and dozens have been