AP National News

The Latest: Sri Lanka gets 2nd vaccine donation from China

By The Associated Press

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Sri Lanka has received 500,000 doses of Sinopharm coronavirus vaccine donated by China as the Indian Ocean island nation faces severe shortage of vaccines amid a recent rise in infections. The vaccine stock that arrived early Wednesday is the second donation from China, following a shipment of 600,000 doses in March. Sri Lanka is facing a…

Mistrial declared in murder trial of Simone Biles’ brother

AP

A judge in Ohio has declared a mistrial in the murder trial of the brother of Olympic gymnastics champion Simone Biles. Jurors told the judge during the third day of deliberations on Monday that copies of legal briefs from Tevin Biles-Thomas’ lawyers and prosecutors were among the evidence given to them. The paperwork included arguments over whether Biles-Thomas might have acted in self-defense. All 12 jurors told the judge they had been influenced by the information outlined in the briefs. The U.S. Army soldier is charged with murder in a 2018 New Year’s Eve party shooting in Cleveland that left three men dead. Biles-Thomas has pleaded not guilty.

The Latest: Haiti imposes curfew, mask use for pandemic

By The Associated Press

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Puerto Rico has ended a nightly pandemic curfew after more than a year in force and will allow vaccinated visitors to enter the island without a negative coronavirus test result. The island has been under a curfew since March 2020, when the first coronavirus case was reported. Even when the curfew was sometimes changed, it…

Suspect arrested after deadly shooting at NJ birthday party

By GEOFF MULVIHILL

One person is under arrest following what authorities say was a targeted shooting at a birthday party in New Jersey that left two people dead and 12 injured. Speaking at a news conference in Bridgeton Monday, Attorney General Gurbir Grewal said Saturday’s shooting in Fairfield Township was not a random act of violence. However, Grewal did not discuss a motive. Authorities say 30-year-old Kevin Elliott and 25-year-old Asia Hester, both of Bridgeton, were killed. The dozen who were injured ranged in age from 19 to 35. Gov. Phil Murphy says some have been released from hospitals while others “continue to fight for their lives.” Authorities charged 36-year-old Kevin Dawkins with weapons offenses and more arrests were expected.