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…

Legislators eye minimum sick leave, anti-discrimination law

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico legislators unveiled initiatives on issues ranging from minimum sick-day requirements as a precaution against contagions in the workplace to halting discrimination based on hair sty…

Missouri lawmakers return to work amid coronavirus pandemic

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri lawmakers on Wednesday began what's guaranteed to be an unusual legislative session as the state continues its battle with the coronavirus pandemic.

Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter won't attend Biden's inauguration

ATLANTA (AP) — Former President

Runoff for Public Service Commission also on Georgia ballots

ATLANTA (AP) — In addition to Georgia's twin U.S. Senate runoffs that have commanded national attention, the state's voters on Tuesday are deciding a race for the state’s Public Service Commission that could affect…

Hundreds of Trump supporters flock to DC ahead of vote

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hundreds of supporters of President Donald Trump descended on the nation’s capital Tuesday to cheer his baseless claims of election fraud a day before a congressional vote to affirm Joe Biden’s vi…

Democrat Raphael Warnock wins election to U.S. Senate from Georgia, beating incumbent Sen. Kelly Loeffler

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrat Raphael Warnock wins election to U.S. Senate from Georgia, beating incumbent Sen. Kelly Loeffler.