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Biden to meet Pope Francis amid some rifts with US bishops There’s an intriguing subplot to President Joe Biden’s upcoming meeting with Pope Francis. The world’s two most prominent Roman Catholics will be celebrating a shared outlook on church teaching and vital social issues even as Biden faces unwavering opposition from many U. by the Associated Press Published Oct. 23 2021 @ 11:10pm

Secrecy shrouds Afghan refugees sent by US to base in Kosovo WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. is welcoming tens of thousands of Afghans airlifted out of Kabul but has disclosed little publicly about a small group who remain overseas: dozens who triggered potential security issues during security vetting and have been sent to an American base in the Balkan nation of Kosovo. Published Oct. 23 2021 @ 11:10pm

Auburn University undergraduates start pet sitting service AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — With passion and a dash of ambition, three Auburn University pre-veterinary students decided to start a pet service known as AU Pet Crew for the Opelika-Auburn community. by Associated Press Published Oct. 23 2021 @ 11:10pm

Judge rules for Tennessee school district’s mask mandate NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A Tennessee school district can continue requiring students to wear masks in school after a federal judge on Friday extended a ruling blocking an opt out provision, The Tennessean reported. Published Oct. 23 2021 @ 11:05pm

Sculpture in New Orleans has feminist view of ancient Greece NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Men may have ruled ancient Greece, making all the important decisions about money, religion and war. Published Oct. 23 2021 @ 11:05pm

Vaccine mandates create conflict with defiant workers BATH, Maine (AP) — Josh “Chevy” Chevalier is a third-generation shipbuilder who hasn’t missed a day of work during the pandemic in his job as a welder constructing Navy warships on the Maine coast. Published Oct. 23 2021 @ 11:05pm

California braces for more storms, flash floods SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Northern California residents relieved that this week’s rain helped contain stubborn wildfires and soaked dry gardens were cleaning up Friday and preparing for a massive storm this weekend that could bring flash flooding to vast areas scorched by fire. Published Oct. 22 2021 @ 11:45pm

Pfizer says COVID-19 vaccine more than 90% effective in kids By the Associated PressChild-size doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine appear safe and nearly 91 percent effective at preventing symptomatic infections in 5- to 11-year-olds, according to study details released Friday as the U. Published Oct. 22 2021 @ 11:45pm

Deal seems near on $2T Biden package, though deadline slips WASHINGTON (AP) — A deal within reach, President Joe Biden and Congress’ top Democrats edged close to sealing their giant domestic legislation Friday, though the day’s informal deadline appeared to slip as they worked to scale back the measure and determine how to pay for it. Published Oct. 22 2021 @ 11:45pm

Fire-scarred California braces for more storms, flash floods SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Northern California residents relieved that this week’s rain helped contain stubborn wildfires and soaked dry gardens were cleaning up Friday and preparing for a massive storm this weekend that could bring flash flooding to vast areas scorched by fire. Published Oct. 22 2021 @ 11:05pm

Justice Dept to expand redlining investigation efforts WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department announced Friday a cross-government effort to investigate and prosecute redlining, the practice of banks discriminating against racial minorities or certain neighborhoods. Published Oct. 22 2021 @ 11:05pm

Laundrie family hopes for answers after remains found ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Family members were hoping for more answers from law enforcement regarding the cause of death for Brian Laundrie, who was a person of interest in the death of girlfriend Gabby Petito while the couple was on a cross-country road trip, an attorney said Friday. Published Oct. 22 2021 @ 11:05pm

US budget deficit hits $2.77 trillion in 2021, 2nd highest WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. budget deficit totaled $2.77 trillion for 2021, the second highest on record but an improvement from the all-time high of $3. Published Oct. 22 2021 @ 11:05pm

Haiti gang leader threatens to kill kidnapped missionaries PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — The leader of the 400 Mawozo gang that police said is holding 17 members of a kidnapped missionary group is seen in a video released Thursday saying he will kill them if he doesn’t get what he’s demanding. Published Oct. 21 2021 @ 11:10pm

Desperate Haitians suffocate under growing power of gangs PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — The video shows more than 30 men lined up in front of a crumbling structure in silence. Published Oct. 21 2021 @ 11:10pm

House votes to hold Trump ally Steve Bannon in contempt WASHINGTON (AP) — The House voted Thursday to hold Steve Bannon, a longtime ally and aide to former President Donald Trump, in contempt of Congress for defying a subpoena from the committee investigating the violent Jan. Published Oct. 21 2021 @ 11:10pm

California proposes new oil drilling ban near neighborhoods SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California’s oil and gas regulator Thursday proposed the state ban new oil drilling within 3,200 feet of schools, homes and hospitals to protect public health in what would be the nation’s largest buffer zone between oil wells and communities. Published Oct. 21 2021 @ 11:10pm

US: More threats, more desperate refugees as climate warms WASHINGTON (AP) — The Earth’s warming and resulting natural disasters are creating a more dangerous world of desperate leaders and peoples, the Biden administration said Thursday in the federal government’s starkest assessments yet of security and migration challenges facing the United States as the climate worsens. Published Oct. 21 2021 @ 11:10pm

Minneapolis officer gets nearly 5 years in killing of 911 caller MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Minneapolis police officer who fatally shot an unarmed woman after she called 911 to report a possible rape happening behind her home was sentenced Thursday to nearly five years in prison — the most the judge could impose but less than half the 12½ years he was sentenced to for his murder conviction that was overturned last month. Published Oct. 21 2021 @ 11:10pm

Tool for police reform rarely used by local prosecutors SEATTLE (AP) — Isaiah Obet was behaving erratically and in mental distress in 2017 when Auburn police officer Jeff Nelson ordered his police dog to attack and then shot Obet in the torso. Published Oct. 21 2021 @ 11:10pm

Moscow closing schools, many businesses as virus deaths soar MOSCOW (AP) — Restaurants, movie theaters and many retail stores in Moscow will be closed for 11 days starting Oct. Published Oct. 21 2021 @ 11:05pm

India celebrates 1B vaccine doses, hopes to speed 2nd shots NEW DELHI (AP) — India celebrated giving its billionth COVID-19 vaccine dose Thursday, a hopeful milestone for the South Asian country where the delta variant fueled a crushing surge earlier this year and missteps initially held back its inoculation campaign. Published Oct. 21 2021 @ 11:05pm