AP-Newswatch

Finland joins NATO in major blow to Russia over Ukraine war

BRUSSELS (AP) — Finland has joined the NATO military alliance, dealing a major blow to Russian President Vladimir Putin with a historic realignment of Europe’s post-Cold War security landscape triggered by Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. With the Nordic nation entering the world’s biggest security alliance, NATO’s land border with Russia has doubled. Finland had adopted neutrality after its defeat by the Soviets in World War II. But its leaders signaled they wanted to join the alliance just months after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine sent a shiver of fear through Moscow’s neighbors. Putin has long complained about NATO’s expansion toward Russia and partly used that as a justification for the invasion.

Tennessee House moves to expel 3 Democrats after gun protest

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee Republican lawmakers have taken the first steps to expel three Democratic members from the GOP-dominant House for their role in a recent gun control protest at the state Capitol. Resolutions were filed Monday against Reps. Gloria Johnson, Justin Jones and Justin Pearson. They led chants from the House floor with supporters in the gallery last Thursday. The resolution declared the three had participated in “disorderly behavior” and “did knowingly and intentionally bring disorder and dishonor to the House of Representatives.” Expelling lawmakers is an extraordinary action inside the Tennessee Capitol. Just two other House members have ever been ousted from the chamber since the Civil War.

Forecast warns of more severe storms in South, Midwest

Forecasters are warning of more severe weather and fire danger in the days ahead across much of the same region hit by storms last week. The fierce storms that began Friday spawned tornadoes in 11 states and traveled northeast through the South and into the Midwest and Northeast. Forecasters say more severe weather is forecast for Tuesday afternoon and evening across parts of northeastern Missouri into southeastern Iowa and west central Illinois and on Wednesday in eastern Illinois, lower Michigan and parts of the Ohio Valley. The fire danger remains high across portions of Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and Colorado. Wildfires destroyed more than 40 homes in Oklahoma on Friday.

‘He’s a war criminal’: Elite Putin security officer defects

LONDON (AP) — Gleb Karakulov, an officer in Putin’s secretive personal security service, defected in October. The 35-year-old engineer is one of few Russians to flee and go public who have rank, as well as knowledge of intimate details of Putin’s life and potentially classified information. Karakulov, who was responsible for secure communications, said moral opposition to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and his fear of dying there drove him to speak out, despite the risks. Karakulov’s account generally conforms with others that paint the Russian president as a once charismatic but increasingly isolated leader, who doesn’t use a cell phone or the Internet. He also offered new details about how Putin’s paranoia appears to have deepened since Russia invaded Ukraine.

Celebrations, destruction on campus follow UConn victory

STORRS, Conn. (AP) — Thousands of UConn fans, most of them students, spilled onto campus after watching a broadcast of the Huskies’ NCAA Tournament win over San Diego State, with some pulling down signs and light poles, smashing windows and causing other damage. Gampel Pavilion was open Monday night for students to watch the game, which was played in Houston. UConn officials said 15 people were arrested and 16 taken to the hospital with injuries. The basketball team was scheduled to return to campus in the afternoon to a rally inside Gampel, the team’s home arena.

Former top aide to Maryland governor dead after manhunt

BALTIMORE (AP) — A lawyer says a one-time chief of staff for former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan has died after FBI agents confronted him in a manhunt launched when he failed to show up for trial on corruption charges. Attorney Joseph Murtha said Monday that it is not immediately clear if Roy McGrath’s wound was self-inflicted or came during an exchange of gunfire with agents. Murtha says the FBI confirmed to him that McGrath had died. An attorney for McGrath’s wife, Laura Bruner, also confirmed the death. William Brennan says Bruner is “absolutely distraught.”

NHL’s Pride nights collide with LGBTQ+ political climate

After six NHL players recently opted out of wearing rainbow-colored jerseys on their teams’ Pride nights for the first time, the league’s commissioner says it is weighing the future of the events. Some NHL fans and LGBTQ+ supporters say it’s a sign that a political climate that has led to restrictions on LGTBQ+ people and transgender sports participation both in the U.S. and internationally is now threatening events that are meant to be fun and affirming. One advocate says that because the NHL has been such a leader in how to do Pride nights well, it’s conspicuous to see players roll back their support.

Chicago chooses between progressive, moderate for mayor

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago voters are choosing a new mayor to lead the heavily Democratic city. Tuesday’s runoff pits former Chicago schools CEO Paul Vallas against progressive Brandon Johnson. Vallas is a moderate Democrat endorsed by Chicago’s police union and major business groups. Johnson is a former teacher and union organizer backed by the Chicago Teachers Union. Both men finished ahead of current Mayor Lori Lightfoot in a February election, making her the first incumbent in 40 years to seek reelection in the city and lose. The top two vote-getters in the all-Democrat but officially nonpartisan race moved to the Tuesday runoff because no candidate received over 50% of the vote.

Virgin Orbit seeks bankruptcy protection after mission fail

Richard Branson’s Virgin Orbit is filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after a failed mission and increasing difficulty in raising funding for future operations. The company laid off most of its staff on Friday and in and told the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware in a filing Monday that it was looking to sell its assets. Virgin Orbit said in a statement that it has secured $31.6 million in debtor-in-possession financing from Branson’s Virgin Investments Ltd.