ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota’s gubernatorial hopefuls have burned through donations just to win the backing of their parties, and with months to go until the general election, the top contenders have relatively little money left.
US official: BP CEO Tony Hayward, under fire for handling of Gulf spill, will be replaced
NEW ORLEANS — Gaffe-prone BP Chief Executive Tony Hayward — who incensed many on the Gulf Coast by saying he wanted his life back as they struggled with the fallout from the company’s massive oil spill — will be replaced, a senior U.S. government official said Sunday.
One rises, the other sets: Contador wins 3rd Tour de France as Armstrong bids farewell
PARIS — Alberto Contador stood atop the podium at the Tour de France on Sunday for the third time in four years, struggling to rein in his emotions as Spain’s national anthem echoed across the wide boulevard of the Champs-Elysees.
Gadget makers forced to look at links to Congo war
NEW YORK — Does that smart phone in your pocket contribute to rape and murder in the depths of Africa? Soon, you’ll know: A new U.S. law requires companies to certify whether their products contain minerals from rebel-controlled mines in Congo and surrounding countries.
NKorea tensions spike at Asian security forum
HANOI, Vietnam — North Korea inflamed tensions over the deadly sinking of a South Korean warship by threatening the United States and South Korea on Friday with a “physical response” if they carry out naval maneuvers this weekend. The U.S. refused to back down.
In Iraq, 5 US governors say conditions improving
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Five U.S. governors visiting Iraq said Wednesday that conditions have improved, with Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon pronouncing that President Barack Obama’s goal of reducing U.S. forces to 50,000 troops by Sept. 1 is achievable.
Filibuster broken, jobless benefits may flow soon
WASHINGTON — With a GOP filibuster safely broken, the Senate is poised to pass legislation restoring jobless benefits for millions of people unable to find work in the frail economic recovery.
BP encouraged that capped-off oil well still holds
NEW ORLEANS — BP said its capped-off well appeared to be holding steady Friday morning, almost midway into a white-knuckle waiting period in which engineers watched the pressure gauges for signs of a leak.
Minn. DNR tracks loons for effects of Gulf spill
MOORHEAD, Minn. — The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is tracking 10 loons to study the effect of the Gulf oil spill on the state’s loon population.
New chief justice says court funding is concern
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota’s new chief justice, Lorie Skjerven Gildea, said Tuesday that her top priority will be securing enough money for a judicial system that’s slowing down due to budget cuts that have left the courts short-staffed.
“Ensuring adequate funding for the judiciary is the No. 1 priority,” Gildea said in an interview with The Associated Press, one day after she was ceremonially sworn in as Minnesota’s 22nd chief justice.
Quick guilty plea in ‘Barefoot’ case in Bahamas
NASSAU, Bahamas — The American teenager who police call the “Barefoot Bandit” pleaded guilty Tuesday to a minor offense in the Bahamas and will be deported soon to face prosecution for a string of break-ins and plane thefts across the United States.
Obama spokesman says Democrats could lose House
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama’s party could lose its House majority in this fall’s elections, his spokesman said Sunday, perhaps trying to jolt Democratic voters with the specter of GOP lawmakers rolling back White House policies.
Minn. zoo offers unlikely objects for its animals
DULUTH, Minn. — Dave Thompson can use some of the most unlikely objects — a discarded mirror, an empty Mountain Dew bottle, an odd-shaped piece of PVC tubing — in his work.
“When I go to Menards, it’s a lot different from normal people,” Thompson said.
Pawlenty returns to NH for 3rd trip in 7 months
DOVER, N.H. — Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who campaigned in New Hampshire for John McCain during the 2008 presidential primary, said Saturday he would offer voters here the same kind of blunt talk and authenticity if he runs for president.
Feds say new cap could contain Gulf leak by Monday
NEW ORLEANS — The BP oil leak could be completely contained as early as Monday if a new, tighter cap can be fitted over the blown-out well, the government official in charge of the crisis said Friday in some of the most encouraging news to come out of the Gulf in the 2 1/2 months since the disaster struck.