Outdoor ceremonies, protests mark new Connecticut session

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut lawmakers returned to the state Capitol on Wednesday for a socially distanced opening day, complete with an outdoor swearing-in ceremony in chilly January, a pre-taped address fro…

Wisconsin Republicans divided over election objection

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin's Republican congressional delegation is split over whether to confirm the Electoral College vote won by Joe Biden, with at least two planning to object Wednesday and one saying such …

Ukraine seizes ton of heroin destined for Europe

MOSCOW (AP) — Ukrainian officials say they have seized about 1 metric ton (1.1 tons) of heroin that smugglers intended to take into European Union countries and that four Turkish citizens have been detained in the …

Dayton mayor won't seek reelection; higher office run likely

CINCINNATI (AP) — Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley said Wednesday she won’t seek a third term, raising expectations that the Ohio Democrat will seek higher office.

More Pennsylvania GOP lawmakers protest Electoral College

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Leaders of Pennsylvania's state Senate Republican majority are asking Republicans in Congress to delay the certification of the Electoral College, the latest effort by Republicans to undo Dem…

Lawyers for Danish Parliament say ex-minister can be tried

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Two lawyers appointed by Denmark’s Parliament said Wednesday that a former immigration minister in the previous government can be tried before a rarely used court for a 2016 order to sepa…

Beleaguered Armenian PM stays away from church on Christmas

YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) — Armenia’s prime minister, who is under harsh criticism from the country’s dominant Orthodox Christian church in connection with the recent war with Azerbaijan, stayed away from Christmas ser…

Outdoor ceremonies, protests to mark new Connecticut session

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut lawmakers were returning to the state Capitol on Wednesday for a socially distanced opening day, complete with an outdoor swearing-in ceremony in chilly January, a pre-taped addre…

EU calls for 'immediate release' of Hong Kong activists

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union called for the immediate release Wednesday of the 53 former lawmakers and pro-democracy activists who have been arrested in Hong Kong after being accused of violating a new securi…

European Union medicines agency recommends approval of Moderna Inc.'s COVID-19 vaccine for use in the 27-nation bloc

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — European Union medicines agency recommends approval of Moderna Inc.'s COVID-19 vaccine for use in the 27-nation bloc.

Trump challenges to election reverberate in New Mexico

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's top elections official is urging a federal court to dismiss a challenge by President Donald Trump of absentee voting procedures for ballot drop boxes. She also wants Trump's campa…

Balkans feel abandoned as vaccinations kick off in Europe

SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina (AP) — When thousands of people across the European Union began rolling up their sleeves last month to get a coronavirus vaccination shot, one corner of the continent was left behind, f…

California governor plans $4 billion for economic recovery

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — After spending most of 2020 telling small businesses to close and limit their customers, California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday proposed $4 billion worth of state spending he says will he…

GA-Senate-Unexp-elected

EXPLAINER: Why Trump's ballot 'dump' tweet is misleading

As votes were being tabulated Tuesday night in Georgia's two tight Senate runoff contests, President Donald Trump predicted election officials in the state would release a large tranche of results that would overwh…