WASHINGTON — The Senate will pursue a spending increase next year of about 3.4% for defense and 2.7% increase for non-defense programs under an agreement reached by top Democratic and Republican lawmakers on the Senate Appropriations Committee, setting up a certain clash with the House, which is pursuing less spending in both categories. Under an agreement reached last year by President Joe Biden and then-Speaker…

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — A company has installed computerized vending machines to sell ammunition in grocery stores in Alabama, Oklahoma and Texas, allowing patrons to pick up bullets along with a gallon of milk. American Rounds said their machines use an identification scanner and facial recognition software to verify the purchaser’s age and are as “quick and easy” to use as a computer tablet. But advocates…

DoorDash says it’s stepping up efforts to identify dangerous delivery drivers and remove them from its platform after a flood of complaints from cities ByDEE-ANN DURBIN AP business writer DoorDash said Tuesday that it’s stepping up efforts to identify dangerous delivery drivers and remove them from its platform after a flood of complaints from cities. In a letter sent last month to DoorDash and other…

ABOARD THE USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER IN THE RED SEA — The combat markings emblazoned on the F/A-18 fighter jet tell the story: 15 missiles and six drones, painted in black just below the cockpit windshield. As the jet sits on the deck of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier in the Red Sea, its markings illuminate the enemy targets that it’s destroyed in…

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — A bulk carrier sank days after an attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who are believed to have killed one mariner on board, authorities said early Wednesday. It was the second ship sunk in the rebels’ campaign targeting Red Sea shipping. The sinking of the Tutor marks what appears to be a new escalation by the Iranian-backed Houthis in their campaign…

BRUSSELS — The European Union’s executive arm on Wednesday criticized France for running up excessive debt, a stinging rebuke at the height of an election campaign where President Emmanuel Macron is facing a strong challenge from the extreme right and the left. The EU Commission recommended to seven nations, including France, that they start a so-called “excessive deficit procedure,” the first step in a long…

HANOI, Vietnam — Russian President Vladimir Putin signed at least a dozen deals with his Vietnamese counterpart on Thursday and offered to supply fossil fuels, including natural gas, to Vietnam during a state visit that comes as Moscow is seeking to bolster ties in Asia to offset its growing international isolation over its war in Ukraine. Putin and President To Lam agreed to further cooperate…

More than 3,000 nurses at six Oregon hospitals spent a second day on the picket lines Wednesday carrying signs that say, “Patients over profits” and “We’re out to ensure it’s safe in there,” as they continued to demand fair wages and better staffing levels. Nurses are striking at six Providence medical facilities across the state — from St. Vincent Medical Center in Portland in the…

China says it has banned a number of business units of American aviation maker Lockheed Martin Corporation and three of its executives over arms deals with Taiwan, the self-ruling island it claims as its own territory BEIJING — China said Friday it has banned a number of business units of American aviation manufacturer Lockheed Martin Corp. and three of its executives over arms deals the…

Nigerien military authorities have withdrawn the operating permit for a large uranium mine from the French company Orano ByDALATOU MAMANE Associated Press and MONIKA PRONCZUK Associated Press NIAMEY, Niger — Nigerien military authorities have withdrawn the operating permit for a large uranium mine from the French company Orano, the company said, significantly escalating tensions between the military junta and the country’s former colonial power. Niger,…