French government ministers investigated over virus crisis

PARIS (AP) — A special French court ordered an investigation Friday of three current or former government ministers over their handling of the coronavirus crisis.

Armenian TV stations see politics in police checking masks

YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) — Armenian police showed up Friday at the offices of two independent television stations critical of the government to check into their alleged violation of infection-prevention rules during t…

Kansas sees worst 2-week COVID-19 spike since pandemic began

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas reported another big increase in confirmed coronavirus cases Friday, capping its worst two-week spike since the pandemic began and coming as a statewide mask mandate from the governor too…

NY-House-2-nominated

Republican who came out as gay in Utah ousted in primary

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A Republican voted out of office in a primary after coming out as gay in conservative Utah says a backlash during the campaign has him questioning whether his party has a place for him.

Italy slams Egypt's stance on killing as 'punch in the face'

ROME (AP) — The president of the lower house of Italy's Parliament has slammed Egypt’s stance in a probe to bring to justice the torturers and killers of an Italian doctoral student who disappeared in Cairo while r…

Judge: Hawaii's quarantine is reasonable during pandemic

HONOLULU (AP) — A U.S. judge will not stop Hawaii from enforcing a quarantine on arriving travelers, saying in a ruling that the emergency mandate is reasonable during the public health crisis caused by the coronav…

NY-House-3-nominated

Wolf's mask order inflames partisan fight over virus

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Gov. Tom Wolf's more expansive mask order issued this week as the coronavirus shows new signs of life in Pennsylvania and the July Fourth holiday starts has been met with hostility from Repub…

Kansas' largest city to mull mask rule after county said no

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The mayor of Kansas' largest city wants it to mandate the wearing of masks in line with

Judge rules Illinois governor's order exceeded authority

LOUISVILLE, Ill. (AP) — A county judge has ruled Gov. J.B. Pritzker exceeded his authority by

Aid ship declares emergency after 6 migrants attempt suicide

ROME (AP) — Six migrants aboard a rescue ship in the Mediterranean Sea tried to kill themselves and others have gotten into fights and threatened fellow passengers and crew members in growing desperation over their…

New minor party pushes for 'fusion voting' in New Mexico

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A political group that helped a slate of progressive-minded legislative candidates prevail in New Mexico's Democratic primary has registered as a political party.

New outbreaks push inmate coronavirus cases past 50,000

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The number of prison inmates testing positive for the coronavirus soared well past the 50,000 mark last month, as recent outbreaks threatened to undo control measures put in place earlier in t…

Reopening strategist Castex named new French prime minister

PARIS (AP) — The new French prime minister appointed Friday said he feels ready to face the key challenge of reviving France's economy following the damage caused by the coronavirus pandemic and a two-month nationw…