BRUSSELS (AP) — If European Union chief Donald Tusk is still “a dreamer” about Britain having second thoughts on leaving the EU, some other EU leaders at a summit Thursday tried to dash his hopes. Discord over whether the exit process could still be reversed surfaced at the summit as British Prime Minister Theresa May … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on Senate Republicans’ health care bill (all times local): 11:35 a.m. Democrats are roundly criticizing the Republican plan to scrap the Obama health care law. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer spoke on the Senate floor Thursday moments after the GOP’s 142-page discussion draft was posted online. Republicans had been briefed on … Continue reading
STERLING, Va. (AP) — Whether a mourner in a black robe at a mosque or a soccer mom in a T-shirt and shorts at a community vigil, reaction to 17-year-old Nabra Hassanen’s death carried a common refrain: That could have been my daughter. More than 5,000 people attended Hassanen’s funeral Wednesday in suburban Washington, grinding … Continue reading
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A federal appeals court on Thursday upheld a 3 1/2 year prison sentence for a former CIA officer found guilty of leaking government secrets to a reporter. A three-judge panel of the 4th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals affirmed all but one of Jeffrey Sterling’s convictions and said there was no … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi is telling Democrats that next year could be the year they take back control of the House. The response from some: It better be. In the wake of a dispiriting loss for Democrats in a Georgia special House race, Pelosi is confronting renewed questions about her leadership, especially … Continue reading
NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stock indexes ticked higher in morning trading Thursday after the price of oil stabilized, at least for now. This week has been dominated by oil’s tumbling price, which dropped on Wednesday to its lowest level since last summer, and how much it will affect the broader market. KEEPING SCORE: The … Continue reading
NEW YORK (AP) — Ron Howard is taking command of the Han Solo “Star Wars” spinoff after the surprise departure of directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. Lucasfilm announced their replacement director Thursday, two days after Lord and Miller left the project over creative differences. Howard gives the reeling production a veteran hand in the … Continue reading
MUNICH (AP) — Sergio Garcia opened his first event in Europe since his Masters win by shooting a 6-under 66 to lie one stroke off the lead at the BMW International Open midway through Thursday’s first round. Thomas Detry (65) was in the lead, with Joost Luiten (66) tied with Garcia. Garcia opened with six … Continue reading
LONDON (AP) — The Church of England “colluded” with and helped to hide the long-term sexual abuse of young men by one of its former bishops, the head of the church said Thursday. Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby apologized to the victims who had spoken out and helped to bring ex-bishop Peter Ball to justice … Continue reading
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Latest on Tropical Storm Cindy (all times local): 10:00 a.m. Forecasters say Cindy, the onetime tropical storm since downgraded to a depression, is weakening as it heads inland. But bands of heavy rain are continuing — with heavy rain in parts of Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee. The National Hurricane … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump questions why the Obama administration didn’t try to stop Russian interference in the 2016 election. The president’s tweet Thursday appears to cast doubt on the assessment of 17 intelligence agencies that blame Russia for election meddling. The president tweeted: “By the way, if Russia was working so hard on … Continue reading
PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron’s new government presented a security bill Thursday to beef up police powers amid extremist threats to Europe. Macron insists the bill discussed at a Cabinet meeting won’t infringe on freedoms, but rights groups fear France is heading for a permanent state of emergency. His government is seeking to … Continue reading
CINCINNATI (AP) — Jurors have begun a fourth day of deliberations in the murder retrial of a white University of Cincinnati police officer who shot an unarmed black motorist. They resumed Thursday morning after deliberating about 18 hours since getting the case Monday. Ray Tensing’s first trial ended in a hung jury last November after … Continue reading
LONDON (AP) — Britain’s Prince Harry has suggested that no one in the royal family really wishes to rise to the throne — and that it is duty, rather than desire, that prompts them to continue serving the British people. In an interview with Newsweek magazine, Harry said the House of Windsor is “not doing … Continue reading
SEATTLE (AP) — After five innings of offensive futility, Jarrod Dyson was just looking to get on base. He did, and turned the game around. Dyson’s bunt single broke up Justin Verlander’s bid for a perfect game in the sixth inning Wednesday night and sparked the Seattle Mariners to a 7-5 comeback win over the … Continue reading
Spartan Echo 