5 to midnight on Brexit talks? And EU-UK deal looks close

European Union and British negotiators closed in on a trade deal Wednesday with only a disagreement over fishing remaining, raising hopes a chaotic economic break between the two sides on New Year's Day could be av…

Report says several dozen killed in latest Ethiopia massacre

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — An Ethiopian news agency says several dozen people have been killed in the latest massacre along ethnic lines in the western part of the country.

Closer by Beijing at community group buying and big tech

HONG KONG (AP) — China is ramping up its scrutiny of the practice of community group buying, summoning some of the nation's largest tech companies for discussions as part of an anti-monopoly push.

Bieniemy, Saleh among minorities in running for top jobs

One year ago, Eric Bieniemy and Robert Saleh missed out on the coaching carousel despite being coordinators of the two Super Bowl teams.

The Latest: Britain quarantines travelers from South Africa

LONDON — British Health Secretary Matt Hancock says scientists have identified another new variant of the coronavirus in two people, both of whom are contacts of recent arrivals from South Africa.

Revised police accountabilty bill gets House approval

BOSTON (AP) — The Massachusetts House has approved a revised version of a police accountability bill and sent it back to the desk of Gov. Charlie Baker who has indicated he would sign it.

Travel-Writers-American Places

Sixteen notable writers have created a combined list of places that they believe helped shape and define America, from coastal Oregon and Solvang, California, to Ellis Island and New Hampshire’s Black Heritage Trai…

Wolf seeks $145M fund shift to help businesses with pandemic

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Gov. Tom Wolf on Wednesday proposed spending $145 million in reserves from a worker's compensation fund to help the hardest-hit businesses cope with the raging coronavirus pandemic.

Christmas unites community after fire guts historic church

NEW YORK (AP) — At Christmases past, parishioners at Middle Collegiate in New York City rejoiced over gospel hymns, carols and soul tunes played on a Steinway piano that is now only metal and ashes after the histor…

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Ohio judge pulled from cases over coronavirus concerns

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio judge who failed to adopt written rules for mask wearing and other coronavirus prevention measures has been removed from two cases by the chief justice of the Ohio Supreme Court.

Power out at Oregon prison amid COVID-19 outbreak

UMATILLA, Ore. (AP) — One of Oregon’s largest prisons experiencing another COVID-19 outbreak has been grappling with a major power outage for the last week.

Police detain 2 suspects over series of far-right attacks

BERLIN (AP) — German prosecutors say police in Berlin arrested two men Wednesday suspected of involvement in a series of far-right attacks.

The Latest: Egypt reports highest daily COVID-19 cases

CAIRO — Egypt reported its highest daily confirmed cases in months, with over 911 confined cases and 42 fatalities, as authorities said New Year’s Eve celebrations would be canceled.

California gets a Latino US senator and some Blacks angry

LOS ANGELES (AP) — California is getting its first Latino U.S. senator. For Gov. Gavin Newsom, it’s a political gamble.