Biden speeds refugee admissions but doesn't lift Trump cap

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Friday signed an emergency determination that officials said would speed refugee admissions to the U.S., but he did not immediately lift his predecessor's historically low cap of 15,000 refugees for this year. Biden, instead, is...

Muslims mark 1st Ramadan Friday prayers in Jerusalem

JERUSALEM (AP) — Tens of thousands of Muslim worshippers gathered at a sacred Jerusalem plaza for the first Friday prayers of Ramadan after coronavirus lockdowns kept the site off-limits last year. About 70,000 faithful, most of them Arab citizens of Israel, prayed at...

Israel says it will 'definitely' stop Iran from getting bomb

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Israel’s foreign minister said Friday that his country was determined to stop Iran from building a nuclear weapon, after Tehran promised to step up its uranium enrichment process. “We will do whatever it takes to prevent the extremists (in...

Iran starts enriching uranium to 60%, its highest level ever

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran began enriching uranium Friday to its highest-ever purity that edges Tehran close to weapons-grade levels, attempting to pressure negotiators in Vienna amid talks on restoring its nuclear deal with world powers after an attack on its main enrichment...

Christian Coleman to miss Olympics despite reduced ban

GENEVA (AP) — The man who had been expected to succeed Usain Bolt as Olympic champion will miss the Tokyo Games after failing Friday in an appeal to overturn his ban for missed doping tests. The Court of Arbitration for Sport cut current 100-meter world champion...

Turkey to ban cryptocurrencies for buying goods, services

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey’s central bank is banning the use of cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin in payments for goods and services, according to a decision published in the country’s Official Gazette on Friday. The decision comes as many in Turkey have turned to...

Iran official says Tehran has started enriching uranium up to 60% purity, its highest level ever, after Natanz sabotage

The Latest: Half eligible Californians have at least 1 shot

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Gov. Gavin Newsom says nearly half of Californians eligible for vaccination have received at least one shot against the coronavirus. He is urging more residents to sign up for appointments and not let apprehension get in the way of getting protected...

Israeli army: Rocket from Gaza hits south Israel

JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli military says a projectile fired from the Gaza Strip Thursday evening landed in south of the country, breaking weeks of relative cross-border calm. There were no reports of damage or casualties. Sirens warning of incoming rockets sounded in...

Iran to purchase 60M Russian vaccines as coronavirus surges

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran has finalized a deal with Russia to purchase 60 million doses of Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine, the state-run IRNA news agency reported Thursday. The report quotes Iran’s ambassador to Russia, Kazem Jalali, as saying the contract has been...