News

Associated Press TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — When Washington and Moscow exchange prisoners, it usually comes after months of secret, back-channel negotiations. Swaps these days often take place on an airport tarmac. During the Cold War, the exchange sometimes came on a famous bridge between West Berlin and Potsdam. Sometimes those being released can see others

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States and Russia completed a 24-person prisoner swap on Thursday, the largest in post-Soviet history, with Moscow releasing Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and fellow American Paul Whelan in a multinational deal that set some two dozen people free, according to officials in Turkey, where the exchange took place.

Associated Press TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — One spent over 5½ years behind bars in Russia while other, higher-profile detainees were released ahead of him. Another was jailed for only a few months. They include journalists, veteran political activists and those simply opposed to the war in Ukraine. The youngest is 19, the oldest 71. Among

Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — A New York appeals court has denied Donald Trump’s bid to end a gag order in his hush money criminal case. The court Thursday rejected the Republican former president’s argument that his May conviction “constitutes a change in circumstances” that warrants lifting the restrictions. A five-judge panel ruled that

Associated Press CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (AP) — An inmate was sentenced to more than four years Thursday for his role in the 2018 fatal bludgeoning of notorious Boston gangster James “Whitey” Bulger in a troubled West Virginia federal prison. Massachusetts gangster Paul J. DeCologero was sentenced in federal court after pleading guilty to an assault charge.

Associated Press SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A near-total abortion ban will remain on hold in Utah after the state Supreme Court ruled that the law should remain blocked until a lower court can assess its constitutionality. With the decision, abortion remains legal up to 18 weeks. The panel wrote in its opinion Thursday that

MIAMI (AP) — Forecasters say Tropical Storm Carlotta is growing stronger over the Pacific Ocean as it moves away from Mexico. The National Hurricane Center in Miami says it could become a hurricane by Thursday night or Friday. The system’s top sustained winds have reached 65 mph, and it is moving west-northwest, with its center

AP Business Writer Just days away, WWE is gearing up for this year’s SummerSlam, which promises to bring lots of action – and sponsorships. The premium live event will have 12 total sponsors and six sponsorships for matches, both records for a non-WrestleMania premium live event. Sponsorship revenue is also booming, surging more than 60%

Associated Press CAIRO (AP) — A global authority on food security has warned that famine conditions in Sudan have spread in the North Darfur region and are likely to continue through October due to the ongoing conflict that has torn the country for over 15 months. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, or IPC’s report

ROME (AP) — Italian officials have confirmed that Italy’s controversial new migrant processing centers in Albania won’t be operational for several more weeks because of construction delays. Cabinet undersecretary Alfredo Mantovano cited the hot weather, which has forced work pauses during the hottest times of the day at the Gjader site, as contributing to the

Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Three newly freed Americans are back on U.S. soil after a landmark prisoner exchange with Russia. Journalist Evan Gershkovich, corporate security executive Paul Whelan and Alsu Kurmasheva, a journalist with dual U.S.-Russia citizenship, arrived at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland shortly before midnight Thursday for a reunion with their families.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Venu Sports — the sports streaming platform planned by ESPN, Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery — will be available for $42.99 per month with its planned launch in the fall. The streaming service’s launch price was announced on Thursday. Besides a seven-day free trial, those who sign up could receive it

BEIJING (AP) — Chinese state media say 30 people have died and 35 others are missing in a city in southeastern China after days of heavy rains tied to a tropical storm. The death toll rose sharply Thursday from a previously reported four deaths in villages in the city of Zixing in Hunan province. Chinese

ATLANTA (AP) — Authorities say the teenage brother of a U.S. Air Force airman who was shot and killed in his home by a Florida sheriff’s deputy in May was shot to death this week near Atlanta. The killing of Senior Airman Roger Fortson made global headlines in May. Now, the family is grieving the

AP Business Writer The Federal Trade Commission says that CarShield will pay $10 million to settle charges that its advertisements and telemarketing for vehicle service contracts are deceptive and misleading. The agency said Wednesday that many buyers found that repairs were often not covered, despite making payments of up to $120 per month. The FTC