Flash in dark sky was probably random meteor, expert says

PITTSBURGH (AP) — A flash that lit up the skies over parts of Pennsylvania and Ohio in the wee hours of Wednesday was probably a random meteor, an expert said.

Study: Neanderthal genes may be liability for COVID patients

BERLIN (AP) — Scientists say genes that some people have inherited from their Neanderthal ancestors may increase their likelihood of suffering severe forms of COVID-19.

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Winds rake US Northeast, leaving thousands without power

BOSTON (AP) — Winds close to hurricane strength swept across parts of the northeastern U.S. on Wednesday morning, toppling trees, downing power lines and leaving many thousands of residents without power.

Auditor general: Kenya to lose millions in COVID-19 response

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Kenya’s auditor general says the country stands to lose $21 million in the procurement of COVID-19 medical supplies because the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency failed to follow procurement law.

AG seeks delay in releasing Breonna Taylor grand jury files

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky's attorney general asked a court Wednesday to delay the release of secret grand jury proceedings in Breonna Taylor's killing by police just as audio recordings were set to be made pu…

Embed-Map-Brazil-Pantanal Wildfires, ADVISORY

BRAZIL-PANTANAL WILDFIRES — Map. Preliminary figures from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, based on satellite images, indicate that nearly 5,800 square miles (1.5 million hectares) have burned in Brazil's …

Trans person shot in Puerto Rico in 6th killing this year

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Authorities said a transgender woman was fatally shot Wednesday in southwest Puerto Rico, the sixth such killing this year.

Wisconsin Republicans want absentee ruling put on hold

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Republicans on Wednesday asked a federal appeals court to

As Brazil's wetlands burned, government did little to help

PORTO JOFRE, Brazil (AP) — After hours navigating Brazil’s Pantanal wetlands in search of jaguars earlier this month, Daniel Moura beached his boat to survey the fire damage. In every direction, he saw only devasta…

The Latest: Czech government declares state of emergency

PRAGUE — The Czech government has declared a state of emergency because of a record surge of coronavirus infections.

Arrest made in racist vandalism of suburban Detroit home

WARREN, Mich. (AP) — An arrest has been made in connection with vandalism and shots fired into the home of a Black suburban Detroit family who have a Black Lives Matter sign in their front window, police said.

Indonesian hostage dies in Philippine army, militant battle

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — One of the five Indonesians held hostage by Abu Sayyaf militants in the southern Philippines was killed Wednesday during a clash with troops, an Indonesian official said.

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Secret grand jury files in Breonna Taylor case to be public

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The workings of a Kentucky grand jury that brought no charges against police in the fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor are set to be opened, upending a long tradition of keeping those proceedin…