Author: Associated Press

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — As both presidential campaigns have stepped up efforts to win over voters in western swing states who belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a top church official urged members on Saturday to “avoid what is harsh and hateful” in the heat of election season. Dallin H. Oaks, the top…

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky fired the commander of the country’s air force Friday, four days after an F-16 warplane that Ukraine received from its Western partners crashed during a Russian bombardment. The order to dismiss Lt. Gen. Mykola Oleshchuk was published on the presidential website. “We need to protect people. Protect personnel. Take…

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Monday the time is now to conclude a Gaza ceasefire agreement that would return hostages held by Hamas and bring relief to Palestinian suffering after 10 months of devastating fighting in Gaza. Blinken’s ninth urgent mission to the Middle East since the conflict began came days after mediators,…

DALLAS (AP) — The uncle of the Uvalde, Texas, school shooter who killed 19 students and two teachers begged police to let him try to talk his nephew down, according to a 911 call included in a massive trove of recordings and transcripts released by city officials Saturday. “Maybe he could listen to me because…

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Disney teased upcoming its movies and television series including “Moana 2” in a rousing showcase featuring sneak peaks, live performances and surprise appearances from actors including Dwayne Johnson, Zoe Saldaña and Jude Law. Fans at Disney’s D23 convention welcomed CEO Bob Iger with a standing ovation Friday at the top of the showcase.…

PARIS (AP) — Travis Scott was released from French police custody without a charge after his arrest at a Paris hotel following an altercation with a security guard, French prosecutors said Saturday. In a statement, the Paris prosecutor’s office said, “the police custody order for Travis Scott has been lifted and all proceedings (against him) were terminated…

PARIS (AP) — Real-life couple Rossella Fiamingo and Gregorio Paltrinieri will be Italy’s flag bearers for the Paris Gamesclosing ceremony on Sunday, the Italian Olympic Committee announced. Fiamingo won a team fencing gold in Paris to add to her silver medal from Rio de Janeiro and bronze from Tokyo. Paltrinieri won silver and bronze in the 1,500-…

PARIS (AP) — Japan’s b-girl Ami won gold at the Olympics ‘ first breaking event by spinning, flipping and toprocking past a field of 16 dancers Friday in a high-energy competition that may not return for future Games. Ami, legally named Ami Yuasa, won all three rounds in a battle against b-girl Nicka (Dominika Banevič) from Lithuania…

PARIS (AP) — Refugee breaker Manizha Talash, or “b-girl Talash,” was disqualified from the first ever Olympic breaking competition on Friday after she wore a cape that said “Free Afghan Women” during her pre-qualifier battle against India Sardjoe — known as “b-girl India.” The 21-year-old, originally from Afghanistan and representing the Olympic Refugee Team, lost in the…

Susan Wojcicki, a pioneering tech executive who helped shape Google and YouTube, has died, her husband said. She was 56. Wojcicki played a key role in Google’s creation and served nine years as YouTube’s CEO, stepping down last year to focus on her “family, health, and personal projects I’m passionate about,” she said at the time. She was one…