South Central Florida Life

Monkeypox can spread to pet dogs, doctors report

NEW YORK (AP) — Health officials are warning people who are infected with monkeypox to stay away from household pets, since the animals could be at risk of catching the virus. The Centers for … more

By MIKE STOBBE | 8/16/22

Brazil's presidential campaign kicks off amid violence fears

JUIZ DE FORA, Brazil (AP) — Brazil's presidential election campaign officially began Tuesday with former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva leading all polls against incumbent Jair Bolsonaro amid … more

By MAURICIO SAVARESE and DIANE JEANTET | 8/16/22

Putin blasts US 'hegemony,' predicts end to 'unipolar' world

MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the United States of trying to encourage extended hostilities in Ukraine as part of what he described Tuesday as Washington's alleged efforts … more

By VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV | 8/16/22

China sets sanctions on Taiwan figures to punish US, island

BEIJING (AP) — China imposed visa bans and other sanctions Tuesday on Taiwanese political figures as it raises pressure on the self-governing island and the U.S. in response to successive … more

8/16/22

Columbia River's salmon are at the core of ancient religion

ALONG THE COLUMBIA RIVER (AP) — James Kiona stands on a rocky ledge overlooking Lyle Falls where the water froths and rushes through steep canyon walls just before merging with the Columbia River. … more

By DEEPA BHARATH | 8/16/22

Columbia River's salmon are at the core of ancient religion

ALONG THE COLUMBIA RIVER (AP) — James Kiona stands on a rocky ledge overlooking Lyle Falls where the water froths and rushes through steep canyon walls just before merging with the Columbia River. … more

By DEEPA BHARATH | 8/16/22

Safety concerns after deadly fire rips through Egypt church

CAIRO (AP) — A deadly fire that ripped through a Coptic Orthodox church in Egypt's capital has spurred an outpouring of condolences and mourning from many in the country. But the devastating blaze … more

By SAMY MAGDY | 8/15/22

Kenya's Ruto declared president after last-minute chaos

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — In a chaotic announcement that could foreshadow a court challenge, Kenya’s electoral commission chairman on Monday declared Deputy President William Ruto the winner of the … more

By CARA ANNA | 8/15/22

British regulator 1st to OK Moderna's updated COVID booster

LONDON (AP) — British drug regulators have become the first in the world to authorize an updated version of Moderna's coronavirus vaccine that aims to protect against the original virus and the … more

By MARIA CHENG | 8/15/22

Afghanistan marks 1 year since Taliban seizure as woes mount

KABUL (AP) — The Taliban on Monday marked a year since they seized the Afghan capital of Kabul, a rapid takeover that triggered a hasty escape of the nation's Western-backed leaders, sent the … more

By RAHIM FAIEZ and EBRAHIM NOROOZI | 8/15/22

Whanganui River 'always makes things better for me'

WHANGANUI, New Zealand (AP) — Five years ago, the Whanganui River was recognized as a living person in a groundbreaking New Zealand law. For many who live along its banks, the official recognition … more

By NICK PERRY | 8/15/22

New Zealand river's personhood status offers hope to Māori

WHANGANUI, New Zealand (AP) — The Whanganui River is surging into the ocean, fattened from days of winter rain and yellowed from the earth and clay that has collapsed into its sides. Logs and … more

By NICK PERRY | 8/15/22

A year on, ex-Afghan leader defends role in Taliban takeover

ISLAMABAD (AP) — On the eve of the anniversary of the Taliban takeover of Kabul, Afghanistan's former president on Sunday defended what he said was a split-second decision to flee, saying he wanted … more

By RAHIM FAIEZ | 8/14/22

Norway puts down Freya the walrus that drew Oslo crowds

BERLIN (AP) — Authorities in Norway have euthanized a walrus that had drawn crowds of spectators in the Oslo Fjord after concluding that it posed a risk to humans. The 600-kilogram … more

8/14/22

Major wildfire in Spain forces the evacuation of 1,500

MADRID (AP) — A large wildfire in northeast Spain grew rapidly overnight and was burning out of control Sunday, forcing the evacuation of eight villages and 1,500 people in Zaragoza province, … more

8/14/22

EXPLAINER: Tension between Nicaragua and the Catholic Church

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Earlier this month Nicaragua shuttered seven radio stations belonging to the Catholic Church and launched an investigation into the bishop of Matagalpa, Monsignor Rolando … more

By GABRIELA SELSER and MARÍA TERESA HERNÁNDEZ | 8/14/22

Mexico president to bypass congress to keep army in streets

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico’s president has begun exploring plans to sidestep congress to hand formal control of the National Guard to the army, a move that could extend the military’s control … more

By MARIA VERZA | 8/14/22

Officials: Fire at Coptic church in Cairo kills 41, hurts 14

CAIRO (AP) — A fire ripped through a church in the Egyptian capital of Cairo on Sunday sending huge amounts of thick black smoke into the air as congregants worshipped, killing at least 41 and … more

By SAMY MAGDY | 8/14/22

Iraqi judiciary says it has no powers to dissolve parliament

BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq’s top judicial body said Sunday it doesn't have the authority to dissolve the country’s parliament, days after an influential Shiite cleric gave it one week to dismiss the … more

By QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA | 8/14/22

Despite public anger, no progress in Iraq political deadlock

BAGHDAD (AP) — Weeks after followers of an influential cleric stormed parliament, Iraq’s political crisis shows no signs of abating, despite rising public anger over a debilitating gridlock that … more

By QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA and SAMYA KULLAB | 8/14/22