CHENGDU, China (AP) — For a few days in October 2023, the capital of the science fiction world was Chengdu, China. Fans traveled from around the world as Worldcon, sci-fi ’s biggest annual event, was held in the country for the first time. It was a rare moment when Chinese and international fans could get together to celebrate the arts …

NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball’s average salary rose 7.1% last year to a record $4,525,719, according to the annual report the players’ association issued Thursday, but several teams appear to be cutting payroll for 2024. After declining in 2021 following the pandemic-shortened season, the average rose 23% over two seasons. The 2022 average marked a 14.8% increase from …

Manchester United and Chelsea kept alive their hopes of silverware this season by scoring late winners in the FA Cup on Wednesday. Liverpool also advanced to the quarterfinals, with its youngsters coming through big again for Jurgen Klopp. Casemiro stooped to head in an 89th-minute goal to seal United a 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest and a last-eight meeting with …

When gun accessories known as bump stocks first hit the market more than a decade ago, the U.S. government initially concluded the devices did not violate federal law despite enabling semi-automatic weapons to spray bullets at the rapid-fire rate of a machine gun. That changed after a gunman with bump stock-equipped rifles killed 60 people and wounded hundreds more at …

CHISINAU, Moldova (AP) — Officials in Moldova’s Russia-backed breakaway region of Transnistria appealed to Moscow for protection Wednesday, as tensions escalate with the pro-Western government. Moldova, a candidate to join the European Union, imposed new customs duties on Jan. 1, 2024 on imports to and exports from Transnistria, which borders Ukraine and isn’t recognized by any U.N. member countries, including …

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — A judge has rejected a second proposed settlement for improving Maine’s system for providing attorneys for residents who cannot afford them, and she won’t be waiting for a third try. Justice Michaela Murphy gave the ACLU of Maine until March 8 to file a new civil complaint to include new claims as part of a two-step …

Chiefs owner Clark Hunt admitted Wednesday the Super Bowl champions are overdue for renovations to their practice facilities after the NFL Players Association’s annual report card graded Kansas City the second-worst team in the league overall. Hunt had just unveiled plans for an $800 million renovation to Arrowhead Stadium that would include plenty of amenities for fans — but little …

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana lawmakers advanced a bill Tuesday that would hold back thousands more third graders who don’t pass the state’s literacy test, rejecting opponents’ arguments that it could burden schools and emotionally damage children. The Indiana Department of Education says about 18% of third graders did not pass Indiana’s reading test last year. GOP lawmakers argue that schools …

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hunter Biden compareció el miércoles para un interrogatorio a puertas cerradas con legisladores, en momentos en que la investigación lanzada por los republicanos sobre los negocios de la familia del presidente estadounidense Joe Biden parece estar al borde del colapso. La investigación, que lleva ya 14 meses, se centra en el hijo de Biden y su trabajo …

TOKYO (AP) — Japan defeated North Korea 2-1 on Wednesday to reach the women’s soccer tournament at the upcoming Paris Olympics. But not without a tiny bit of VAR controversy. The first match in the two-game series to determine one of Asia’s two qualifiers ended in a 0-0 draw on Saturday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Japan had three clear standout …