AP-Newswatch

Judge dismisses some charges against Trump in the Georgia 2020 election interference case

ATLANTA (AP) — The judge overseeing the Georgia 2020 election interference case has dismissed some of the charges against ex-President Donald Trump, but others remain. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee wrote Wednesday in an order that six of the charges in the indictment must be quashed, including three against Trump. The order leaves intact many other charges in the indictment. The judge wrote that prosecutors could seek a new indictment on the charges he dismissed. The six charges in question have to do with soliciting elected officials to violate their oaths of office. One of the counts stems from a phone call Trump made to fellow Republican Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger on Jan. 2, 2021. Trump denies wrongdoing.

House passes a bill that could lead to a TikTok ban if Chinese owner refuses to sell

WASHINGTON (AP) — A TikTok spokesman is criticizing Congress for being too secretive as it advances a proposal that could lead to a nationwide ban of the popular video app. The House on Wednesday passed a bill that would ban TikTok in the U.S. if its China-based owner doesn’t sell. Lawmakers are concerned the company’s current ownership structure is beholden to the Chinese government and poses a U.S. national security threat. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman accuses Washington of resorting to political tools when U.S. businesses fail to compete. The House bill now goes to the Senate, where its prospects are unclear. TikTok has 150 million American users and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Chinese technology firm ByteDance Ltd.

Putin warns again that Russia is ready to use nuclear weapons if its sovereignty is threatened

President Vladimir Putin says that Russia is ready to use nuclear weapons if its sovereignty or independence is threatened. It was another blunt warning to the West just days before an election in which the Russian leader is all but certain to win another six-year term. Putin has repeatedly talked about his readiness to use nuclear weapons since launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Putin was asked in an interview with Russian state television released early Wednesday if he has ever considered using battlefield nuclear weapons in Ukraine. He responded that there has been no need. But Putin said that Moscow is ready to use nuclear weapons in case of a threat to its sovereignty or independence.

Plan to install new leaders in Haiti appears to crumble after political parties reject it

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — A proposal to install new leadership in Haiti appears to be crumbling as some political parties rejected the plan to create a presidential council that would manage the transition. The panel would be responsible for selecting an interim prime minister and a council of ministers that would attempt to chart a new path for the Caribbean country that has been overrun by gangs. The violence has closed schools and businesses and disrupted daily life across Haiti.

Biden’s fraying coalition and Trump’s struggle with moderates: AP data shows nominees’ challenges

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump have secured their party’s nominations for president, setting up a rematch of the 2020 election. An analysis of survey data from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and AP VoteCast highlights the two men’s electoral challenges as they square up for another contest. Polling during Biden’s time in office reveals a widespread sense of disappointment with Biden’s performance as president, even among some of his most stalwart supporters. Meanwhile, Trump, who has perennially struggled to broaden his appeal beyond his base, won the Republican nomination with limited support from moderates and independents, which could turn into a big problem as Trump looks to November.

A Massachusetts town spent $600k on shore protection. A winter storm washed it away days later

BOSTON (AP) — A Massachusetts beach community is scrambling after a weekend storm washed away nearly $600,000 worth of sand that had been trucked to protect the homes, roads and other infrastructure. The project to bring in 14,000 tons of sand in Salisbury was completed just three before Sunday’s storm brought strong wind, heavy rainfall and coastal flooding to southern New England. Sand replenishment has been the government’s go-to method of shore protection for decades. But critics say it’s inherently wasteful to keep pumping sand ashore that will inevitably wash away. State and town officials planned to meet Wednesday to discuss next steps.

Evangelical Christians are fierce Israel supporters. Now they are visiting as war-time volunteers

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Evangelicals have been among Israel’s fiercest foreign supporters for years. This is particularly true in the United States, where their political influence has helped shape the Israel policy of recent Republican administrations. Since the Israel-Hamas war began five months ago, evangelicals have been visiting Israel in growing numbers to volunteer and help support the war effort. Tourism to Israel has plummeted since October. The Tourism Ministry says up to half of those who do visit now come with faith-based groups. Evangelicals believe Israel is key to an end-times prophecy that will bring about the return of the Christian Messiah.

Another dangerous amoeba has been linked to neti pots and nasal rinsing. Here’s what to know

NEW YORK (AP) — Researchers have linked another kind of amoeba to nasal rinsing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday published a report that for the first time connects Acanthamoeba infections to use of neti pots and other nasal rinsing devices. For years, scientists have known people can become infected with a different germ — a brain-eating amoeba — through the misuse of neti pots. Cases are extremely rare. But officials also are renewing their warning against using common tap water for nasal rinsing. The CDC recommends using boiled, sterile or distilled water. If tap water is used, it must be boiled first.

3 men face firearms charges after Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade shooting, authorities say

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Federal prosecutors say three men from Kansas City, Missouri, face firearms charges, including gun trafficking, after an investigation into the mass shooting during the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl parade and rally. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Kansas City says 22-year-old Fedo Antonia Manning, was charged in a 12-count complaint. Ronnel Dewayne Williams Jr., 21, and Chaelyn Hendrick Groves, 19, were charged in four-count complaints. The charges were filed Monday and unsealed Wednesday, after the arrests. Court documents that were part of the complaint said 12 people brandished firearms and at least six people fired weapons at the rally attended by an estimated 1 million people on Feb. 14. One woman died and nearly two dozen other people were injured.

50 years later, Tommy John surgery remains a game-changer

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — There is a bridge that runs from Tommy John and Dr. Frank Jobe in 1974, all the way to Justin Verlander and Bryce Harper. A thread that connects an increasing number of baseball’s biggest stars. Almost 50 years ago, on Sept. 25, 1974, Jobe reconstructed a torn ulnar collateral ligament in John’s left arm. It was a pioneering achievement for Jobe and a lifeline for John, who went from a career-ending injury to 14 more years in the majors. The procedure became known as Tommy John surgery. It is one of baseball’s most important operations, extending the careers of some of the game’s biggest stars.