National News - The Morning Sun

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the owner of the Wagner Group military company, right, sits inside a military vehicle posing for a selfie photo with a local civilian on a street in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, Saturday, June 24, 2023, prior to leaving an area of the headquarters of the Southern Military District. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Prigozhin's troops who joined him in the uprising will not face prosecution and those who did not will be offered contracts by the Defense Ministry. After the deal was reached Saturday, Prigozhin ordered his troops to halt their march on Moscow and retreat to field camps in Ukraine, where they have been fighting alongside Russian troops. (AP Photo)

Russian defense minister makes first public appearance since mercenary revolt demanded his ouster

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu made his first public appearance Monday since a mercenary uprising demanded his ouster, inspecting troops in Ukraine. He’s the first of three powerful Russian … more

By The Associated Press | 6/26/23

Political activist and writer James Meredith sits in the shade as an event staffer holds an ice pack on his head after he fell outside the Mississippi Capitol at an event marking his 90th birthday, in Jackson, Miss., Sunday, June 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Civil rights icon James Meredith, 90, falls at Mississippi event but has no visible injuries

Civil rights icon James Meredith fell outside the Mississippi Capitol at an event marking his 90th birthday. He suffered no visible injuries. Meredith tumbled forward onto a portable lectern Sunday … more

By EMILY WAGSTER PETTUS | 6/25/23

FILE - Russian President Vladimir Putin is seen on monitors as he addresses the nation after Yevgeny Prigozhin, the owner of the Wagner Group military company, called for armed rebellion and reached the southern city of Rostov-on-Don with his troops, in Moscow, Russia, Saturday, June 24, 2023. (Pavel Bednyakov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP, File)

Russian mercenaries' revolt undermines Putin and could lead to further challenges to his rule

For the first time in his more than 20-year rule, President Vladimir Putin’s power appeared to hang in the balance this weekend. And even though the rebellious Russian mercenary forces who … more

By The Associated Press | 6/25/23

Local authorities are on the scene as heavy equipment is staged to begin removing the wreckage after a bridge collapse near Columbus, Mont., Saturday, June 24, 2023. The bridge collapsed overnight, causing a train that was traveling over it to plunge into the water below. Authorities on Sunday were testing the water quality along a stretch of the Yellowstone River where mangled cars carrying hazardous materials remained after crashing into the waterway. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown)

Water being tested where freight train carrying hazardous material plunged into Yellowstone River

Authorities were testing the water quality along a stretch of the Yellowstone River where mangled cars carrying hazardous materials remained after crashing into the waterway following a bridge … more

6/25/23

FILE - This undated image provided by OceanGate Expeditions in June 2021 shows the company's Titan submersible. The wrecks of the Titanic and the Titan sit on the ocean floor, separated by 1,600 feet (490 meters) and 111 years of history. How they came together unfolded over an intense week that raised temporary hopes and left lingering questions. (OceanGate Expeditions via AP, File)

US Navy: Hefty salvage system not required in probe of fatal Titan implosion

The U.S. Navy said Sunday it won’t be using a large piece of salvage equipment it had deployed to the effort to retrieve the Titan submersible. The Flyaway Deep Ocean Salvage System had the … more

By JENNIFER McDERMOTT and STEVE LeBLANC | 6/25/23

FILE - Salman Rushdie attends the 68th National Book Awards Ceremony and Benefit Dinner on Nov. 15, 2017, in New York. Rushdie, Cheryl Strayed, Carl Hiassen and Ibram X. Kendi are among hundreds of authors who have endorsed an announcement by the American Library Association and the Association of American Publishers that calls attention to the 70th anniversary of a Freedom to Read Statement issued by book publishers and librarians during the height of the McCarthy era. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)

Salman Rushdie and Cheryl Strayed among endorsers of anti-censorship initiative

Salman Rushdie, Cheryl Strayed, Carl Hiassen and Ibram X. Kendi are among hundreds of authors who have endorsed an initiative by the American Library Association and the Association of American … more

6/25/23

Russian mercenaries' short-lived revolt could have long-term consequences for Putin

A short-lived revolt by a rebellious Russian mercenary commander has ended with his troops beating a retreat. But the extraordinary challenge to President Vladimir Putin’s two-decade hold on power … more

By The Associated Press | 6/25/23

Malika N. Pryor gives a tour in preparation for the opening of the International African American Museum on Friday, June 23, 2023, in Charleston, S.C. Overlooking the old wharf at which nearly half of the enslaved population first entered North America, the 150,000-square foot museum houses exhibits and artifacts exploring how African Americans' labor, perseverance, resistance and cultures shaped the Carolinas, the nation and the world. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

At International African American Museum opening, a reclaiming of sacred ground for enslaved kin

The International African American Museum will soon open in Charleston, South Carolina, at one of the country’s most historically significant slave-trading ports. Overlooking the sacred site of … more

By AARON MORRISON | 6/25/23

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the owner of the Wagner Group military company, looks out from a military vehicle on a street in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, Saturday, June 24, 2023, leaving an area of the headquarters of the Southern Military District. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Prigozhin's troops who joined him in the uprising will not face prosecution and those who did not will be offered contracts by the Defense Ministry. After the deal was reached Saturday, Prigozhin ordered his troops to halt their march on Moscow and retreat to field camps in Ukraine, where they have been fighting alongside Russian troops. (AP Photo)

Belarus deal to take in leader of Russian rebellion puts him in an even more repressive nation

Russian mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin was notorious for unbridled and profane challenges to authority even before the attempted rebellion that he mounted Saturday. The reported agreement for him … more

By The Associated Press | 6/25/23

FILE - This 2004 photo provided by the Institute for Exploration, Center for Archaeological Oceanography/University of Rhode Island/NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration, shows the remains of a coat and boots in the mud on the sea bed near the Titanic's stern. The wrecks of the Titanic and the Titan sit on the ocean floor, separated by 1,600 feet (490 meters) and 111 years of history. How they came together unfolded over an intense week that raised temporary hopes and left lingering questions. (Institute for Exploration, Center for Archaeological Oceanography/University of Rhode Island/NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration, File)

When wealthy adventurers take huge risks, who should foot the bill for rescue attempts?

In recent days, the massive hunt for a submersible vehicle lost during a north Atlantic descent to explore the wreckage of the Titanic has refocused attention on the conundrum: who should pay for the … more

By ADAM GELLER and WYATTE GRANTHAM-PHILIPS | 6/25/23

Live Updates | Aftermath of Russian mercenary chief's armed rebellion

There are still no reports of mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin arriving in Belarus after he reached a deal with the Kremlin to go into exile and ended his rebellion. Many other questions remained … more

By The Associated Press | 6/25/23

Several train cars are immersed in the Yellowstone River after a bridge collapse near Columbus, Mont., on Saturday, June 24, 2023. The bridge collapsed overnight, causing a train that was traveling over it to plunge into the water below. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown)

A bridge over Yellowstone River collapses, sending a freight train into the waters below

A bridge that crosses Yellowstone River in Montana collapsed overnight, causing portions of a freight train that was traveling over it to plunge into the water below. There was no immediate word on … more

By MATTHEW BROWN | 6/24/23

Tornado that ripped through massive Wyoming coal mining site injures 8 people, officials say

A tornado touching down at a mine in Wyoming has injured eight people and knocked over employee transport buses and empty train cars at the facility. The Gillette News Record reports the tornado hit … more

6/24/23

Demonstrators mark the first anniversary of the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, the case widely considered to have overturned Roe v. Wade, by displaying neon signage in support of abortion access in front of the Supreme Court on Friday, June 23, 2023, Washington. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)

One year later, the Supreme Court's abortion decision is both scorned and praised

Activists and politicians are lauding and bashing the Supreme Court ruling one year ago that led to massive changes in abortion access and law across the U.S. After years of calling for change, it's … more

By GEOFF MULVIHILL | 6/24/23

In this photo taken from video, people gather to look at military vehicles parked in a street in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, Saturday, June 24, 2023. Russia's security services have responded to mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin's declaration of an armed rebellion by calling for his arrest. In a sign of how seriously the Kremlin took the threat, security was heightened in Moscow, Rostov-on-Don and other regions. (AP Photo)

Live Updates | Armed rebellion by Russian mercenary chief

Russian mercenary leader Yevgheny Prigozhin on Saturday has denied allegations by President Vladimir Putin that he is betraying his country and called his fighters patriots. In an audio message … more

By The Associated Press | 6/24/23

FILE - A man walks down the steps of the Boeing 777X airplane during the Paris Air Show in Le Bourget, north of Paris, France, Monday, June 19, 2023. Airlines are facing increasing pressure to cut their climate-changing emissions. That made sustainable aviation fuel a hot topic this week at the Paris Air Show, a major industry event. Sustainable fuel made from food waste or plant material is aviation's best hope for reducing emissions in the next couple of decades. (AP Photo/Lewis Joly, File)

Want a climate-friendly flight? It's going to take a while and cost you more

Airlines are facing increasing pressure to cut their climate-changing emissions. That made sustainable aviation fuel a hot topic this week at the Paris Air Show, a major industry event. Sustainable … more

By DAVID KOENIG | 6/24/23

FILE - Thousands of protesters march around the Arizona Capitol after the Supreme Court decision to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade abortion decision Friday, June 24, 2022, in Phoenix. Gov. Katie Hobbs on Friday, June 23, 2023 signed a sweeping executive order to protect anyone involved with a legally obtained abortion from prosecution. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)

Arizona executive order safeguards abortion seekers and providers from prosecution

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs has signed a sweeping executive order to protect anyone involved with a legally obtained abortion from prosecution. The Democratic governor said Friday she will continue to … more

6/24/23

A submersible carrying five people to the Titanic imploded near the site of the shipwreck and killed everyone on board, authorities said Thursday, bringing a tragic end to a saga that included an urgent around-the-clock search and a worldwide vigil for the missing vessel. (June 22)

Follow the timeline of the Titan submersible's journey from departure to discovery

The wrecks of the Titanic and the Titan sit on the ocean floor, separated by 1,600 feet and 111 years of history. How they came together unfolded over an intense week that raised temporary hopes and … more

By HOLLY RAMER | 6/24/23

FILE - Yevgeny Prigozhin, the owner of the Wagner Group military company, arrives during a funeral ceremony at the Troyekurovskoye cemetery in Moscow, Russia, on April 8, 2023. On Friday, June 23, Prigozhin made his most direct challenge to the Kremlin yet, calling for an armed rebellion aimed at ousting Russia’s defense minister. The security services reacted immediately by calling for his arrest. (AP Photo/File)

Prigozhin, the mercenary chief urging an uprising against Russia's generals, has long ties to Putin

Long a low-profile Russian businessman, mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin has taken the spotlight in Russia. That’s by posing a direct challenge to Russia’s generals over the war in Ukraine. … more

By ELLEN KNICKMEYER | 6/23/23

In a image from video provided by The Ocean Race, an orca moves along a rudder of the Team JAJO entry in The Ocean Race on Thursday, June 22, 2023, as the boat approached the Strait of Gibraltar. A pod of killer whales bumped one of the boats in an endurance sailing race, the latest encounter in what researchers say is a growing trend of sometimes-aggressive interactions with Iberian orcas. No one was injured. (The Ocean Race via AP)

Orcas disrupt boat race near Spain in latest display of dangerous, puzzling behavior

A pod of killer whales bumped one of the boats in an endurance sailing race as it approached the Strait of Gibraltar. It's the latest encounter in what researchers say is a growing trend of … more

By JIMMY GOLEN | 6/23/23