AP National News

AP Entertainment Writer Ariana Grande hosted “Saturday Night Live” for the first time since 2016. She says in her monologue that she once again finds herself on the stage at the 30 Rock studio in New York with the possibility of a female president, and maybe the second time is the charm. Former cast member

Associated Press SHAWNEE, Kan. (AP) — After introducing herself at their front doors, Vanessa Vaughn West began her pitch to voters with a question: What issues are important to you? She heard frustration about rising local property taxes, a desire for smaller government and questions about affordable housing. West is a Democrat making her second

Associated Press DAMASAK, Nigeria (AP) — When Boko Haram launched an insurgency in northeastern Nigeria in 2010, Abdulhameed Salisu packed his bag and fled from his hometown of Damasak in the country’s battered Borno state. The 45-year-old father of seven came back with his family early last year. They are among thousands of Nigerians taken

Associated Press BAKERSVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Nearly two weeks after Hurricane Helene downed power lines and washed out roads all over North Carolina’s mountains, the constant din of a gas-powered generator is getting to be too much for Bobby Renfro. It’s difficult to hear the nurses, neighbors and volunteers flowing through the community resource hub

Associated Press VILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) — Lithuanians voted Sunday in the first round of parliamentary elections that could lead to the center-right governing coalition being replaced by the opposition Social Democrats and smaller center-left parties. Despite economic successes, strict COVID-19 measures and an influx of migrants have cast shadows over conservative Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė’s

Associated Press HAVANA (AP) — Balto, Pepa and Mami were among the lucky ones. After being abandoned by their owners who left Cuba — or simply couldn’t care for them anymore — the dogs were rescued by animal rights activists on the island, who fed them, sterilized them and found them a new home. Many

Associated Press TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — When ankle-deep floodwaters from Hurricane Helene bubbled up through the floors of their home, Kat Robinson-Malone and her husband sent a late-night text message to their neighbors two doors down: “Hey, we’re coming.” The couple waded through the flooded street to the elevated front porch of Chris and Kara

Associated Press LAS VEGAS (AP) — Minutes after Donald Trump delivered his standard warnings about drug dealers and criminals illegally crossing the border during a Saturday campaign event, the former president heard from someone who was once in the country illegally but now plans to vote for him. Elias Trujillo was one of several people

Associated Press MACAO (AP) — Macao’s former top judge has been chosen the Chinese casino hub’s next leader. Sam Hou Fai will become the city’s first chief executive born in mainland China. He was the sole candidate and almost the entire election committee stacked with Beijing loyalists — 394 of 398 — voted for him

Associated Press The America First Policy Institute says “hostile foreign actors” breached its systems. AFPI is a group helping to lay the groundwork for a future Donald Trump administration. It says it discovered the breach last week but would not disclose what materials were compromised. AFPI has been publishing policy guides and penning executive orders

Associated Press CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina football player Tylee Craft died Saturday morning from a rare form of lung cancer, coach Mack Brown said. Brown made the announcement in his postgame news conference following the Tar Heels’ loss to Georgia Tech. Craft was 23. “This young man fought so hard for his

Associated Press PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The conservancy that oversees a storied but aging ocean liner and its landlord have resolved a years-old rent dispute that will clear the way for a Florida county to turn the historic ship into the world’s largest artificial reef. A federal judge had ruled in June that the SS United

Associated Press RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris on Saturday helped pack diapers into boxes of personal care products destined for North Carolina hurricane victims, agreeing with one helper who said “it takes a village.” “You’re exactly right,” Harris replied to Greg Hatem, owner of The Pit Authentic Barbecue restaurant as she put

A magnitude-6.2 earthquake shook parts of Costa Rica on Saturday but appears not to have caused any serious damage. The U.S. Geological Survey says the epicenter of the quake was off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica near the border with Nicaragua, where it was also felt. It had a depth of about 12 miles.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Authorities in Kansas say a man was shot to death by law enforcement officers during a confrontation. Col. Keith Allen of the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office says the 27-year-old man was shot early Saturday after he got out of a vehicle and charged at officers. Authorities had received a call that

Associated Press LONDON (AP) — Alex Salmond, the former first minister of Scotland who for decades championed Scotland’s independence from the U.K. and nearly accomplished it, has died. He was 69. Salmond, who was one of the most divisive figure in British politics at the turn of the century and who as the then leader

Associated Press BEIRUT (AP) — A top United Nations official says that he is concerned that Lebanon’s ports and airport might be taken out of service, with serious implications for getting food supplies into the county. That’s as Israel continues its offensive against the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. Carl Skau is deputy executive director of

Associated Press A federal appeals court has ordered the removal of a judge and overturned her contempt finding and fine against the state of Texas in a lawsuit over the state’s struggling foster care system. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling late Friday says U.S. District Judge Janis Jack’s contempt ruling and $100,000