BERLIN (AP) — The European Space Agency is postponing the launch of probe that will test technology for a future mission to measure gravitational waves. The agency said Tuesday that a technical problem has been discovered in the Vega rocket that was due to lift the probe into orbit Wednesday. Engineers are working on fixing … Continue reading
DUBLIN, Va. (AP) — Volvo is preparing to lay off 734 employees at its truck plant in Virginia. Volvo spokesman John Mies said Tuesday that the layoffs at the New River Valley Assembly Plant in Dublin will begin in February. He says there’s been a slowdown in demand for highway trucks and that the company … Continue reading
ATLANTA (AP) — Legendary TV producer Norman Lear believes there is still a place for shows to explore race relations issues in the same manner as his famed sitcoms “All in the Family” and “Good Times.” Lear, a champion of television diversity, took part in a panel discussion about race and American culture on Monday … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. will deploy a new special operations force to the Middle East to help fight Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said Tuesday. Carter told the House Armed Services Committee that over time, these special operators will be able to conduct raids, free hostages, gather intelligence … Continue reading
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — The newly elected mayor of Alaska’s capital city was found dead at his Juneau home, and police are investigating a range of possible causes. The Juneau Police Department released few details on the death of Stephen “Greg” Fisk, 70, but called rumors of an assault “speculation.” Fisk’s adult son found his … Continue reading
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The nation’s net farm income is the lowest since 2002, and with another year of low commodity prices, demand for agriculture loans is surging as farmers struggle to make ends meet. A Kansas banker says today’s grain prices will bring in enough to pay for basic operating costs, but it’s not … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House and Senate have reached agreement on a 5-year, $281 billion transportation bill that would increase spending to address the nation’s aging and congested highways and transit systems — a legislative feat that lawmakers and President Barack Obama have struggled throughout his entire administration to achieve. The bill would also put … Continue reading
NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks moved solidly higher Tuesday, helped by improving economic data from Japan and Europe as well as hopes that the European Central Bank will expand its stimulus program. However, trading remained quiet ahead of the release later this week of the U.S. government’s monthly jobs survey. KEEPING SCORE: The Dow … Continue reading
COLUMBIA, South Carolina (AP) — Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush is making it clearer that his call for the U.S. refugee program to give preference to Christians fleeing Syria does not exclude Muslims. His campaign says Bush supports accepting women and children regardless of their religion and does not exclude Syrian Muslims broadly, as long … Continue reading
NEW YORK (AP) — A stronger economy and lower gas prices mean Thanksgiving travelers can expect more congested highways this year. During the long holiday weekend, 46.9 million Americans are expected to go 50 miles or more from home, the highest number since 2007, according to travel agency and car lobbying group AAA. That would … Continue reading
Encouraging quarterly results from Wal-Mart Stores, Home Depot and other big retailers helped nudge stocks slightly higher in afternoon trading Tuesday. The major stock indexes pared some of their gains from earlier in the day but were on course to close higher for the second day in a row. Investors also weighed new economic data … Continue reading
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Ex-Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship made a habit of violating mine safety laws, a government attorney said Tuesday, but a defense lawyer said the prosecution has presented no evidence that Blankenship was involved in a criminal conspiracy. Both sides gave closing arguments in Blankenship’s federal criminal trial in West Virginia. He’s … Continue reading
MILAN (AP) — European car buyers appear reluctant to punish Volkswagen for its emissions scandal, penalizing the German automaker’s sales last month no more than some of its mass-market competitors. The European car market expanded 2.9 percent in October, topping 1.1 million units as growth slowed in all major markets, according to new figures released … Continue reading
DALLAS (AP) — Hillary Rodham Clinton won the endorsement of the Service Employees International Union on Tuesday, giving her the support of a labor powerhouse that backed President Barack Obama in 2008. The nation’s largest health care union represents about 2 million nurses, health care workers and other caregivers and is among the most ethnically … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States remains ill-prepared to combat state-backed cyber intrusions from China and lawmakers should look at whether U.S.-based companies be allowed to ‘hack back’ to recover or wipe stolen data, a congressional advisory body said Tuesday. That’s the primary recommendation of this year’s report by the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review … Continue reading
Hello! Here’s a look at how AP’s general news coverage is shaping up today in Virginia. Questions about today’s coverage plans are welcome, and should be directed to the Richmond bureau at 804-643-6646 or aprichmond@ap.org. A reminder this information is not for publication or broadcast, and these coverage plans are subject to change. Expected stories … Continue reading
GROOT MARICO, South Africa (AP) — “Is that a rain cloud, or am I imagining things?” asks Jana du Plessis, speaking Afrikaans. “I’d be thrilled if it is,” says her husband, Riaan du Plessis, with a joyless laugh. The flimsy white clouds drifting above this South African farm are not enough to bring relief, or … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders secured the endorsement of the 200,000-member American Postal Workers Union on Thursday, marking the largest labor union to back his Democratic presidential campaign. The union’s decision gives Sanders more organizational strength and a boost heading into the second Democratic debate in Iowa on Saturday. It comes as the … Continue reading
SINJAR, Iraq (AP) — Supported by U.S.-led airstrikes, Kurdish Iraqi troops on Thursday seized part of a highway that is used as a vital supply line for the Islamic State group, a key initial step in a major offensive to retake the strategic town of Sinjar from the militants. The town was overrun by the … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — Ben Carson has called for harsh criminal penalties for health care fraud, but the Republican presidential candidate and his wife also have kept millions invested with a close friend who admitted defrauding insurance companies, according to an Associated Press review. Pittsburgh dentist Alfonso A. Costa pleaded guilty to a felony count of … Continue reading
HELSINKI (AP) — After the smartphone and fitness bracelet, here comes the smart ring. And the smart pacifier, and smart rollator. “Wellness” computers that monitor your pulse, temperature and other health indicators are becoming increasingly sophisticated and varied to cover every aspect — and age — of human life. Some products, like the ring by … Continue reading
NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks are skidding Thursday, weighed down by weakness in mining and energy companies as commodities prices fall. Stocks are heading for their sixth drop in seven days. KEEPING SCORE: The Dow Jones industrial average sank 159 points, or 1 percent, to 17,532 as of 1:25 p.m. The Standard & Poor’s … Continue reading
MOSCOW (AP) — Details of a new Russian submarine-launched nuclear torpedo have been shown on state-controlled TV, a secret the Kremlin said should never have been aired. Some observers, however, saw it as a deliberate leak. The airing of the video on television channels under tight Kremlin control raised suspicions that it was done intentionally … Continue reading
Hello! Here’s a look at how AP’s general news coverage is shaping up today in Virginia. Questions about today’s coverage plans are welcome, and should be directed to the Richmond bureau at 804-643-6646 or aprichmond@ap.org. A reminder this information is not for publication or broadcast, and these coverage plans are subject to change. Expected stories … Continue reading
NEW YORK (AP) — Comcast is further expanding its Internet data caps to new markets in 5 Southern states. The cable company is rolling out more caps as the Internet becomes an increasingly popular way to watch TV. Streaming video eats up more data than surfing the Internet and reading email. Comcast this year became … Continue reading
Spartan Echo 