US projections on drought-hit Colorado River grow more dire

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — The U.S. government released projections Wednesday that indicate an even more troubling outlook for a river that serves 40 million people in the American West. The Bureau of Reclamation recently declared the first-ever shortage on the Colorado...

Gov. Lamont seeks to extend his masking, vaccination orders

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont on Wednesday released a list of executive orders he hopes top legislative leaders will agree to extend through Feb. 15. The orders include required COVID-19 vaccinations for nursing home workers, required vaccination or testing for school...

New Mexico races to spend federal rental assistance

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — State agencies spent federal pandemic aid at a furious pace during the month of August, channeling about $630 million in efforts to bolster unemployment reserves, provide emergency housing assistance and promote COVID-19 vaccination efforts, the Legislature's budget...

Afghan Taliban's new UN envoy urges quick recognition

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — The Taliban’s newly appointed envoy to the United Nations on Wednesday urged quick world recognition of Afghanistan’s new rulers even as the World Health Organization raised the alarm of an impending health care disaster in the war-wracked country. ...

The Latest: Ethnic tensions threaten Bosnia's integrity

The Latest on the U.N. General Assembly: ___ The chair of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s presidency called upon the United Nations to uphold its commitment to human rights, citing ethnic inequality within his own country. Željko...

Manila mayor, ex-scavenger and actor, to seek presidency

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The popular mayor of the Philippine capital said Wednesday he will run for president in next year’s elections, the latest aspirant in what is expected to be a crowded race to succeed the controversial Rodrigo Duterte. Manila Mayor Isko...

House OKs debt and funding plan, inviting clash with GOP

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House voted late Tuesday to keep the government funded, suspend the federal debt limit and provide disaster and refugee aid, setting up a high-stakes showdown with Republicans who oppose the package despite the risk of triggering a fiscal crisis. ...

House OKs funding to keep government open, suspend debt cap and provide disaster relief; GOP expected to block in Senate

California struggles to conserve water amid historic drought

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Californians failed to significantly cut back their water consumption in July, state officials announced Tuesday, foreshadowing some difficult decisions for Gov. Gavin Newsom's administration as an historic drought lingers into the fall. Newsom...

Legislators sue to rein in governor on pandemic relief

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Legislators asked the New Mexico Supreme Court on Monday to limit Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's authority over more than $1 billion in federal relief. The lawsuit from the Republican Party's top-ranked Senator and a Democratic colleague accuses...