US says attack on Saudi oil site was an Iranian 'act of war'

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday called the attack on Saudi Arabia's oil installations an "act of war" against the kingdom by Iran, as the Saudis displayed missile and drone wreckage and cited other evidence they said shows the raid was "unquestionably sponsored...

Nevada desert towns prep for possible 'Storm Area 51' influx

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Visitors descending on the remote Nevada desert for "Storm Area 51" are from Earth, not outer space. No one knows what to expect, but the two tiny towns of Rachel and Hiko near the once-secret military research site are preparing for an influx of people over the next few days. "It's...

A museum in Bolivia pays homage to President Evo Morales

ORINOCA, Bolivia (AP) — From the air, it stands like a concrete fortress amid the humble adobe and brick homes in the remote town of Orinoca high up in the desert of the Bolivian altiplano. It's one of the biggest museums in this Andean country and it was built by President Evo Morales in his birthplace to...

British Columbia, Alaska officials fail to reach ferry deal

KETCHIKAN, Alaska (AP) — A British Columbia mayor and Alaska's top transportation official have been unable to reach an agreement over a firearms regulation that could end ferry service. The Ketchikan Daily News reported Wednesday that Alaska Transportation Commissioner John MacKinnon met with Mayor Lee...

Walnut Canyon monument closed during helicopter operations

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — A national monument near Flagstaff will be closed for two days while a helicopter delivers material to widen a trail. Walnut Canyon National Monument will be closed to visitors Thursday and Friday. It's about 10 miles (16 kilometers) southeast of Flagstaff. Rock and other material...

Hawaii lighting plan will protect birds and allow football

HONOLULU (AP) — A plan to minimize the effects of strobe lights on endangered seabirds will allow at least three Friday night football games on Kauai this fall. The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported Wednesday that Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami approved an agreement between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service...

Humberto brushes Bermuda as new hurricane threatens Mexico

MIAMI (AP) — Hurricane Humberto lashed Bermuda with strong winds Wednesday as the powerful Category 3 storm passed just to the north of the British Atlantic territory, while a newly formed hurricane threatened tourist resorts along Mexico's Pacific coast. The hurricane came within about 75 miles (120...

Tropical Storm Lorena becomes a hurricane just offshore the coast of Colima, Mexico

New Mexico tribe loses claim to national preserve

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A federal judge has rejected an effort by a Native American tribe to reclaim Valles Caldera National Preserve. U.S. District Judge James Browning recently issued a sealed opinion denying Jemez Pueblo's claim that its aboriginal property rights were never extinguished. In a court...

California to assist financing of California-Vegas train

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California officials on Wednesday could put a private company's plan to build a high-speed train connecting Las Vegas and Southern California one step closer to reality by helping it access billions of dollars in private financing. A committee chaired by state Treasurer Fiona Ma...