Longest-serving legislative leader in US history steps aside as Illinois House Democrats choose first Black speaker

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Longest-serving legislative leader in US history steps aside as Illinois House Democrats choose first Black speaker.

The Latest: McConnell rejects emergency session for trial

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on the fallout from the attack of the U.S. Capitol by pro-Trump loyalists (all times local):

Desecration trial opens over LGBT rainbow put on Polish icon

PLOCK, Poland (AP) — Three human rights activists went on trial Wednesday in Poland for alleged desecration and offending religious sentiment by adding the LGBT rights movement's rainbow symbol to posters of a reve…

Embed-Chart-Federal Executions, ADVISORY

FEDERAL EXECUTIONS — Chart. This digital embed shows U.S. executions carried out by year since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976. This chart is current as of Jan. 13, 2021, and will update as events warrant.…

Amazon seeks to keep conservative app Parler offline

SEATTLE (AP) — Seattle-based Amazon.com, Inc. has asked a federal judge to deny a request to reinstate the cloud-service account for conservative social media network Parler, claiming Parler shrugged off police vio…

Spain: Judge orders incapacitated woman to get virus vaccine

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — A judge in northwest Spain has overruled a family's objections and decided to allow health authorities to administer a coronavirus vaccine to an incapacitated woman in a nursing home.

McConnell racing away from Trump as impeachment vote nears

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is moving abruptly away from President Donald Trump, telling people that he thinks Trump perpetrated impeachable offenses.

The Latest: Pelosi calls Trump a 'clear and present danger'

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on the fallout from the attack of the U.S. Capitol by pro-Trump loyalists (all times local):

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The Latest: Pharmacy group: Can meet Biden's vaccine goals

WASHINGTON — A trade group representing chain pharmacies says its members can “easily” meet President-elect Joe Biden’s goal of administering 100 million coronavirus vaccines in the first 100 days of his administra…

Italian PM Conte faces power test as Renzi plays spoiler

ROME (AP) — Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte’ on Wednesday waited to learn if his squabbling government would survive, or whether a skeptical coalition partner would make good on a weekslong threat to pull out its mi…

Louisiana State Police: Deputies killed man who shot at them

MONTEGUT, La. (AP) — Sheriff’s deputies in southeast Louisiana fatally shot a man who was firing a rifle at them, state police said.

Mexico to use trade deal to make sure workers get vaccine

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico said Wednesday it will invoke the labor section of the free trade agreement signed with the United States last year to pressure for its workers in the U.S. to have access to the COVID-19 v…

Small plane crashes in South Carolina neighborhood in fog

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A small plane crashed into a neighborhood in dense fog and set a home on fire Wednesday near an airport in South Carolina’s capital city, authorities said. A woman inside the home apparently e…

Colombia struggles to keep social leaders safe

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Just taking a walk in the streets of Colombia’s capital can feel dangerous for Luz Nelly Santana.