AP National News

Fearful US residents in Afghanistan hiding out from Taliban

By BERNARD CONDON and JULIE WATSON - Associated Press

by Rayos Syndication User

Some of those left behind after the U.S. military’s chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan say they are scared the ruling Taliban will find them, throw them in jail, perhaps even kill them because they are Americans or had worked for the U.S. government. Through messages, emails and phone conversations with loved ones and rescue groups, AP has pieced together what life has been like for some families of permanent U.S. resident green card holders, who described a frightened, furtive existence of hiding in houses and apartments, keeping the lights off at night and moving from place to place every few days.

The Latest: Arizona reports more deaths, fewer virus cases

By The Associated Press

by Rayos Syndication User

PHOENIX — Arizona reported more than 100 daily coronavirus deaths for the second time since February. The 108 confirmed deaths and 2,742 new coronavirus cases were reported Saturday. Hospitalizations dropped below 2,000 for the first time in nearly three weeks, with 1,981 COVID-19 patients occupying hospital beds on Friday. That’s down from the current surge’s high of 2,103 on Sept….

The Latest: Pakistani PM to prod Taliban on inclusive govt

By The Associated Press

by Rayos Syndication User

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan’s prime minister says he has “initiated a dialogue” with the Taliban to prod them to form an inclusive government that would ensure peace and stability not only in Afghanistan but also in the region. Imran Khan tweeted on Saturday that he took the initiative after his meetings this week in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, with leaders of countries neighboring…

AP Week in Pictures: Global

AP

by Rayos Syndication User

SEPT. 11 – 17, 2021 From 9/11 commemorations in New York, to scenes of daily life in Afghanistan, to a dramatic collision at the Italian Formula One Grand Prix, this photo gallery highlights some of the most compelling images from around the world made or published by The Associated Press in the past week. The selection was curated by AP…

The Latest: American Samoa reports first case of coronavirus

By The Associated Press

by Rayos Syndication User

PAGO PAGO, AMERICAN SAMOA — American Samoa reported its first case of coronavirus on Friday. The U.S. territory’s acting governor and health officials said the islands’ first case of COVID-19 was of a resident who returned to America Samoa from Hawaii this week. The infected traveler flew in on Monday, the first day of newly resumed commercial flights from Honolulu…

The Latest: UN says Taliban must form inclusive Afghan govt

By The Associated Press

by Rayos Syndication User

UNITED NATIONS — The U.N. Security Council has unanimously approved a resolution stressing that Afghanistan’s new Taliban rulers need to establish an inclusive government with “the full, equal and meaningful participation of women and upholding human rights.” The resolution adopted by the U.N.’s most powerful body on Friday extends the current mandate of the U.N. political mission in Afghanistan for…

Latest: SKorea reports more than 2,000 new coronavirus cases

By The Associated Press

by Rayos Syndication User

SEOUL, South Korea – South Korea has reported more than 2,000 new cases of the coronavirus, nearing a one-day record set last month, continuing an alarming surge as the nation enters its biggest holiday of the year. The 2,008 cases reported Friday was the 73rd consecutive day of over 1,000 despite officials enforcing the country’s strongest social distancing rules short…

Police: Man killed in brawl outside Philly cheesesteak spot

AP

by Rayos Syndication User

Police say a man is dead after he was beaten with a trash can lid and pummeled during a brawl outside a famous cheesesteak restaurant in Philadelphia. The violence broke out early Thursday outside Pat’s King of Steaks and may involve spectators who earlier attended a soccer game. Police say the 28-year-old New York man was fatally beaten and two other people including his father were injured in the fight before the suspects fled in an SUV. Police say alcohol may have played a role in the brawl. Police were called to the restaurant in July after a New Jersey man was shot and killed during an argument. A suspect was arrested and charged.

The Latest: Dutch foreign minister resigns over Afghanistan

By The Associated Press

by Rayos Syndication User

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Dutch Foreign Affairs Minister Sigrid Kaag has resigned after the lower house of parliament passed a motion of censure against the government over its handling of evacuations from Afghanistan amid the Taliban takeover of the country. In a parliamentary debate on Wednesday night, Kaag acknowledged that the government’s slow or muddled response to warnings about the…

Polis, 1st openly gay governor elected, marries in Colorado

AP

by Rayos Syndication User

Colorado’s Jared Polis, who became the first openly gay man to be elected governor in the United States in 2018, has married his longtime partner and first gentleman Marlon Reis, a writer and animal welfare advocate. Polis and Reis were married in a traditional Jewish ceremony attended by family and friends in Boulder on Wednesday. They have been together for 18 years and have two children, a 7-year-old son and a 9-year-old daughter. The family lives in Boulder. Polis, a Democrat, and Reis got engaged in December as Reis was preparing to be hospitalized after contracting COVID-19. Reis was released from the hospital after two days. Polis also caught the coronavirus but had only mild symptoms.