Henry Fambrough, last surviving original member of The Spinners, dies at 85

Henry Fambrough, last surviving original member of The Spinners, dies at 85

DETROIT — Henry Fambrough, the last surviving original member of the iconic R&B group The Spinners, whose hits included “It’s a Shame,” “Could It Be I’m Falling in Love” and “The Rubberband Man,” died Wednesday, a spokesperson for the group said. He was 85. Fambrough died peacefully of natural causes in his northern Virginia home, … Read more

Ecuador’s high court decriminalizes euthanasia, following a lawsuit by a terminally ill patient

Ecuador’s high court decriminalizes euthanasia, following a lawsuit by a terminally ill patient

QUITO, Ecuador — Ecuador’s high court on Wednesday decriminalized euthanasia and ordered lawmakers and health officials to draft rules and regulations for the procedure. The decision of Ecuador’s Constitutional Court came in response to a lawsuit from a terminally ill woman diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as ALS, who had argued that she … Read more

US Homeland chief joins officials in Vegas declaring Super Bowl a ‘no drone zone’

US Homeland chief joins officials in Vegas declaring Super Bowl a ‘no drone zone’

Las Vegas — While police were pursuing and apprehending a man who climbed a Las Vegas Strip landmark, local, federal and NFL officials met with the media on Wednesday to outline hardened security measures and declare the Super Bowl a “no drone zone.” League, FBI and Secret Service officials and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas … Read more

Medical examiner rules death of baby decapitated during delivery was a homicide

Ecuador’s high court decriminalizes euthanasia, following a lawsuit by a terminally ill patient

ATLANTA — The death of a Georgia couple’s baby that was decapitated during delivery has been classified by a medical examiner as a homicide, their attorneys announced Wednesday. Treveon Taylor Jr.’s parents have sued the hospital and the doctor who delivered the baby in July. Both have denied wrongdoing. The Clayton County Medical Examiner’s Office … Read more

The Spurs held practice at a Miami Beach school. And kids there got a huge surprise

The Spurs held practice at a Miami Beach school. And kids there got a huge surprise

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Jacob Assaraf lost a bet, so he had to go through classes at Hebrew Academy on Wednesday wearing a suit instead of more casual attire. Turns out, that wasn’t the most unusual part of his day. Members of the boys and girls basketball teams at the small private school got quite … Read more

Florida asks state Supreme Court to keep abortion rights amendment off the November ballot

Florida asks state Supreme Court to keep abortion rights amendment off the November ballot

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Lawyers trying to keep an abortion-rights measure off the Florida ballot told the state Supreme Court on Wednesday that the proposed amendment is deceptive, and that voters won’t realize just how far it will expand access to the procedure. But the justices seemed to think the proposed ballot question isn’t so much … Read more

Does Spain’s popular Eurovision song ‘Zorra’ insult women or defend them?

Does Spain’s popular Eurovision song ‘Zorra’ insult women or defend them?

MADRID — Spain’s Eurovision song “Zorra,” whose title can be translated as an anti-female slur, is causing a storm among conservatives and feminists while Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez says he likes it. The song by the duo Nebulossa was chosen Saturday as Spain’s offering for the Eurovision song contest in May. The music platform … Read more

Diapers and baby formula are hard to find in Gaza, leaving parents desperate

Diapers and baby formula are hard to find in Gaza, leaving parents desperate

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Zainab al-Zein was forced to make a desperate decision: Feed her infant daughter solid foods that her tiny body may not be able to digest or watch her starve because of a lack of baby formula in the besieged Gaza Strip. Al-Zein chose to give 2 1/2-month-old Linda solids, knowing … Read more

By disclosing his cancer, Charles breaks centuries of royal tradition. But he shares only so much

By disclosing his cancer, Charles breaks centuries of royal tradition. But he shares only so much

LONDON — In British history, the secrecy of the monarch’s health has always reigned supreme. Buckingham Palace’s disclosure that King Charles III has been diagnosed with cancer shattered that longstanding tradition. On the heels of the shock and well-wishing that followed the official statement Monday came the surprise that the palace had announced anything at … Read more

AP PHOTOS: A decade ago, the Sochi Olympics saw Russia’s soft power collide with hard realities

AP PHOTOS: A decade ago, the Sochi Olympics saw Russia’s soft power collide with hard realities

The 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics were President Vladimir Putin’s pet project as he sought to expand Russia’s global clout, boost its prestige and impress the world. But the Kremlin’s attempt at soft power soon collided with hard realities. It became the most expensive Olympics ever — summer or winter — with costs that ballooned to … Read more