Brazil’s Bolsonaro applies for 6-month U.S. visitor visa
January 30, 2023 GMTRIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has filed a request for a six-month visitor visa to stay in the U.S., indicating he may have no immediate intention of returning home, where legal issues await.
By the numbers: President Biden at the two-year mark
January 19, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden notches two years in office on Friday. That represents 730 days since his inauguration — and a whole lot of other numbers as well.
The story of the first half of Biden's term, at least by the numbers, is a mixed bag.
Text of Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey’s inauguration speech
January 16, 2023 GMTText of Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey's inauguration speech given on Jan. 16, 2023. Remarks as prepared:
My fellow Alabamians: Today, as we mark the start of a new chapter in our state government, we are reminded of how fortunate we are to call Alabama and the United States of America our home.
McMaster launches final term at South Carolina inauguration
January 11, 2023 GMTGov. Henry McMaster touted South Carolina's economic growth and pledged educational advancement and environmental conservation in his inaugural address on Wednesday as he entered what could be a historic final term.
Sarah Huckabee Sanders sworn in as Arkansas governor
January 10, 2023 GMTLITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Former White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders took aim at conservatives' favorite targets, including critical race theory and the federal government, as she was sworn in Tuesday as Arkansas' 47th governor and the first woman in the state to hold the office.
Oregon’s new governor sworn in, declares homeless emergency
January 10, 2023 GMTSALEM, Ore. (AP) — Oregon's newly sworn-in Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek said Monday at her inauguration that her first order of business will be tackling homelessness, as she unveiled several measures intended to address one of the state's most pressing issues.
GOP Gov. Mike DeWine starts 2nd term with Ohio inauguration
January 9, 2023 GMTCOLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Republican Gov. Mike DeWine said Monday that he enters his second term with more optimism than ever for Ohio and a host of ambitions that could have lasting impact, including to make it the nation's best state for mental health treatment and research.
Pro-Bolsonaro rioters storm Brazil’s top government offices
January 9, 2023 GMTRIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Supporters of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro who refuse to accept his election defeat stormed Congress, the Supreme Court and presidential palace Sunday, a week after the inauguration of his leftist rival, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Confident Sununu calls for cooperation, local control
January 5, 2023 GMTCONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Republican Gov. Chris Sununu was sworn in for a fourth term Thursday, exuding confidence and calling for increased cooperation, civic engagement and local control.
Sununu defeated Democrat Tom Sherman in November, becoming only the second governor in New Hampshire history to win a fourth term.
Maine governor celebrates inauguration with heating aid win
January 5, 2023 GMTAUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The Maine Legislature cleared the way for $450 relief checks to help residents struggling with high winter heating costs Wednesday before decamping to the Augusta Civic Center to hear Democratic Gov.
Nevada Gov. Lombardo stresses unity in inaugural address
January 4, 2023 GMTCARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — Nevada's Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo called for unity at his inauguration ceremony on Tuesday while still pushing for conservative ideals such as school choice and repealing some recent criminal justice reforms that he called “soft on crime."
Democrat Dan McKee sworn in as Rhode Island’s governor
January 3, 2023 GMTPROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Democrat Dan McKee was sworn in for his first full term as Rhode Island's governor Tuesday, saying he has never believed more strongly in the state's future.
“Rhode Island, this is our time, our moment to shine, our turn to raise everyone up,” he said in his remarks.
Gov. Walz pledges to bolster education as he begins 2nd term
January 2, 2023 GMTDemocratic Gov. Tim Walz pledged Monday to make the largest investments in public education in Minnesota history as he took the oath of office for his second term.
Brazil’s Lula sworn in, vows accountability and rebuilding
January 2, 2023 GMTBRASILIA, Brazil (AP) — Brazil’s Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was sworn in as president on Sunday, and in his first address expressed optimism about plans to rebuild while pledging that members of outgoing Jair Bolsonaro’s administration will be held to account.
Prayer service, open house all part of McMaster inauguration
December 6, 2022 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster plans a prayer service, open house and an inaugural ball when he is sworn into office next month for a second full term.
Gov. McMaster picks experienced friend to run inauguration
November 30, 2022 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster is turning to an experienced friend to lead January's inauguration ceremonies for his second term.
Gov. Lujan Grisham to hold inauguration on New Year’s Day
November 22, 2022 GMTSANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham will kick off her second term with the new year.
A website launched by her administration devoted to inaugural festivities announced a governor's inaugural ball slated for Jan.
Chinese premier announces new aid for close ally Cambodia
November 9, 2022 GMTPHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Visiting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang announced a large development assistance package for Cambodia on Wednesday, oversaw the signing of 18 agreements on aid and cooperation, and attended the inauguration of a highway constructed with Chinese support.
Kenya’s new president promises ambitious climate plan
September 14, 2022 GMTMOMBASA, Kenya (AP) — Kenya’s newly elected president William Ruto said that climate change will be key to the government's agenda and made an ambitious pledge to ramp up clean energy and phase out fossil fuels for electricity by 2030.
Trump’s inaugural chair pleads not guilty to latest charges
May 24, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — The chair of former President Donald Trump’s inaugural committee pleaded not guilty Tuesday to the latest charges in an indictment accusing him of secretly working for the United Arab Emirates to influence Trump’s foreign policy.
Prosecutors detail charges against Trump’s inaugural chair
May 19, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Federal prosecutors have spelled out more details of the allegations against the chair of former President Donald Trump’s inaugural committee, who’s accused of secretly working as an agent for the United Arab Emirates to influence Trump’s foreign policy.
Chicago-area man gets 3 years for threat at Biden inaugural
May 18, 2022 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — A suburban Chicago man was sentenced to more than three years in prison Tuesday for threatening members of Congress and to commit violence at the 2021 presidential inauguration.
Japan to send FM to S. Korean president’s inauguration
May 6, 2022 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Japan announced Friday that its foreign minister will attend new South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's inauguration ceremony next week as part of an effort to bring the countries' strained relations back to normal.
French President Macron reelected: What’s happening next?
April 25, 2022 GMTPARIS (AP) — After winning another five years in the French presidential palace, Emmanuel Macron intends to go back to work straightaway on domestic and foreign policy — but he will soon face crucial parliamentary elections where he may struggle to keep his majority.
Nigeria eyes fertilizer exports with $2.5 billion plant
March 22, 2022 GMTABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday inaugurated a $2.5 billion fertilizer plant with which Africa’s most populous country hopes to contribute to the global supply amid the impact of increasing prices in the aftermath of the Russia-Ukraine war.
S. Korea’s Yoon faces obstacles in plan to ditch Blue House
March 21, 2022 GMTSEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s outgoing liberal government expressed its opposition Monday to a plan by its rival and conservative President-elect Yoon Suk Yeol to relocate the presidential office by his inauguration in May, a development that could put Yoon’s ambitious project in doubt and trigger a domestic political firestorm.
Turkey builds massive bridge linking Europe and Asia
March 18, 2022 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — The president of Turkey, South Korea’s prime minister and other officials inaugurated a massive suspension bridge Friday over the Dardanelles Strait that connects the European and Asian shores of the key waterway.
Burkina Faso junta leader inaugurated as nation’s president
February 16, 2022 GMTJAQUEVILLE, Ivory Coast (AP) — Burkina Faso’s junta leader Lt. Col. Paul Henri Sandaogo Damiba has been sworn in as president Wednesday, less than a month after mutinous soldiers seized control of the West African country in a coup.
Hondurans worry legislative crisis could sink new government
January 27, 2022 GMTTEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) — On the eve of their new president’s inauguration, Hondurans worried Wednesday that a legislative crisis threatened to derail the government they have placed so much hope in before it even begins.
Honduras in legislative crisis ahead of inauguration
January 25, 2022 GMTTEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) — Just two days from inaugurating its next president, Honduras was mired Tuesday in a legislative crisis bordering on the absurd.
Early in the morning, when the new Congress was scheduled to open its first session, rival congressional leadership teams convened two simultaneous, competing sessions.
Harris will travel to Honduras for president’s inauguration
January 18, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris will travel to Honduras next week to attend the inauguration of President-elect Xiomara Castro, the Central American country’s first female president.
Biden to hold news conference next Wednesday
January 14, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden will hold a news conference on Wednesday afternoon, the eve of the one-year anniversary of his inauguration.
The news conference comes as Biden is attempting to salvage his voting rights initiative and economic agenda, both of which lack the votes to move forward in the evenly-split Senate.
New mayor inaugurated for South Carolina’s capital city
January 5, 2022 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Daniel Rickenmann, a longtime Columbia city councilmember, has taken office as the new mayor of South Carolina's capital city.
Bruce Harrell promises ‘one Seattle’ as new mayor
January 4, 2022 GMTSEATTLE (AP) — Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell celebrated his inauguration Tuesday, promising to create “one Seattle” through a series of policy goals that prioritize public safety and housing.
Harrell held a small, private ceremony at City Hall Tuesday because of increasing COVID-19 cases, The Seattle Times reported.
GOP Missouri Rep. Hill resigning for Florida consulting job
January 4, 2022 GMTJEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Suburban St. Louis-area Republican Rep. Justin Hill, known for skipping his own inauguration last year to oppose President Joe Biden's election, on Monday announced he’s resigning from the Missouri House.
Virtual inauguration after new Florida mayor gets COVID
January 3, 2022 GMTST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The incoming mayor of a major Florida city will take office in a virtual inauguration ceremony after testing positive for COVID-19 on Monday, officials said.
Ken Welch was scheduled to be sworn in Thursday on the steps of City Hall as St.
Atlanta Mayor-elect announces inauguration schedule
December 26, 2021 GMTATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta's mayor-elect has released details of the events planned as a lead-in to his Jan. 3 inauguration as the city's 61st mayor.
Andre Dickens' swearing-in ceremony will culminate the weekend of activities in a 1 p.m.
St. Paul mayor plans outdoor inauguration events
December 24, 2021 GMTST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter is planning a series of outdoor events to celebrate his inauguration as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
Designer Christopher John Rogers tops starry CFDA awards
November 11, 2021 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Designers Christopher John Rogers and Emily Bode-Aujla for BODE took top honors at the annual Council of Fashion Designers of America awards, leading a young and diverse slate of honorees on fashion's big night.
Iran provincial governor slapped in a rare security breach
October 23, 2021 GMTDUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The new governor of a northwestern Iranian province was slapped in the face by an angry man during his inauguration Saturday, an unusual breach of security in the Islamic Republic during a ceremony attended by the country's interior minister.
Guinea junta leader sworn in as president amid uncertainty
October 1, 2021 GMTCONAKRY, Guinea (AP) — Coup leader Col. Mamady Doumbouya gave no timeline for holding new elections in Guinea as the junta swore him in as president on Friday, though he pledged not to run as a candidate once the vote is organized.
Police clash with opponents of Serbian church in Montenegro
September 5, 2021 GMTCETINJE, Montenegro (AP) — Arriving in a military helicopter, the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro was inaugurated in the state's old capital on Sunday amid clashes between police and protesters who oppose continued Serb influence in the tiny Balkan nation.
Zambia’s parliament elects first female speaker amid changes
September 3, 2021 GMTHARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — Zambia’s parliament has elected its first female speaker, days after new President Hakainde Hichilema began shaking up the government by firing security commanders and promising economic reforms.
Zambians cheer inauguration of new leader Hakainde Hichilema
August 24, 2021 GMTHARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — Zambia's new president, longtime opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema, has been sworn into power, raising hopes in the southern African country that in recent years has swung from prosperity and stability to massive debt, recession and repression.
Montenegrins protest inauguration of new Serbian church head
August 22, 2021 GMTCETINJE, Montenegro (AP) — Several thousand people demonstrated Sunday in Montenegro over the planned inauguration of the new head of the Serbian Orthodox Church in the small Balkan state.
Ethic tensions have soared over the scheduled ceremony for Metropolitan Bishop Joanikije II.
In her name: Amanda Gorman Award honors high school poets
August 12, 2021 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Amanda Gorman can still remember when she was just another young poet trying to find her voice.
Gorman and Penguin Random House have established the Amanda Gorman Award for Poetry, a $10,000 prize for public high school students who submit the best original work.
Iran swears in new hard-line president amid regional tension
August 5, 2021 GMTTEHRAN, Iran (AP) — The protégé of Iran’s supreme leader, Ebrahim Raisi, was sworn in as the country's new president during a ceremony in parliament on Thursday, an inauguration that completes hard-liners’ dominance of all branches of government in the Islamic Republic.
Iran supreme leader endorses hard-line protégé as president
August 3, 2021 GMTTEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran’s supreme leader officially endorsed his hard-line protégé as the nation’s next president on Tuesday, just two days ahead of the inauguration of Ebrahim Raisi at a sensitive time for Iran and the wider Middle East.
Analysis: Iran strikes hard-line pose ahead of new president
August 2, 2021 GMTDUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Once a protégé of Iran's supreme leader is sworn in as president this week, hard-liners will control all parts of the Islamic Republic's civilian government.
Trump inaugural chair: I’m ’100% innocent’ in lobbying case
July 26, 2021 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — The chair of former President Donald Trump’s 2017 inaugural committee pleaded not guilty Monday and said he was “100% innocent” of charges that he secretly lobbied the U.S. on behalf of the United Arab Emirates.
7 months later, Indiana governor to hold inaugural gala
July 26, 2021 GMTINDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb is getting around to holding an inauguration gala, seven months after beginning his second term in office.
Postponed all this time due to COVID-19, the “boots and black tie” inaugural ball will be held on Saturday, Aug.
Getaway driver gets 42 years in Chicago honor student death
July 21, 2021 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — The getaway driver in the 2013 fatal shooting of a Chicago high school honor student who just days before her death had performed at President Barack Obama's second inauguration festivities was sentenced Tuesday to 42 years in prison.
UAE inaugurates embassy in Israel in downtown Tel Aviv
July 14, 2021 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — The United Arab Emirates formally opened its embassy in Israel on Wednesday, inaugurating its diplomatic offices in Tel Aviv less than a year after the two countries announced they would establish open relations.
Israeli president given NFT of father’s oath of office
July 8, 2021 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — Israel's parliament has hopped on latest trend in digital artwork and presented the country's new president with a digital copy of his father's signed oath of office from 38 years earlier.
Herzog pledges to ‘calm things’ as Israel’s 11th president
July 7, 2021 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — Isaac Herzog pledged to heal deep divisions in Israeli society Wednesday as he took the oath of office to become Israel's 11th president.
With one hand on a Bible before the Knesset — Israel's parliament — Herzog, 60, assumed the largely ceremonial position that is designed to serve as the country's moral compass.
Egypt opens naval base, latest example of military build-up
July 3, 2021 GMTCAIRO (AP) — Egypt’s president inaugurated a new naval base on the Mediterranean Sea on Saturday, the latest example of the government’s military build-up.
The base is meant to “secure the country’s northern and western front… and the maritime shipping routes,” according to a statement by Abdel Fattah el-Sissi’s office.
Security forces fire on Afghan protesters in NE, killing 3
June 8, 2021 GMTKABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Security forces opened fire Tuesday on dozens of demonstrators in northeastern Afghanistan demanding clean tap water and electricity, killing three and injuring 42 others, protesters and provincial authorities said.
Biden inauguration priest resigns California university post
May 13, 2021 GMTSANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The Jesuit priest who presided over an inaugural Mass for President Joe Biden has resigned his position as president of Santa Clara University in Northern California, college officials said, after an investigation found he engaged in inappropriate, alcohol-fueled conversations with graduate students.
Florida man convicted in plot to attack pro-Trump protesters
May 6, 2021 GMTTALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A Florida man was convicted Thursday of trying to organize an armed response to supporters of former President Donald Trump for an expected gathering at the state Capitol in January ahead of Joe Biden's presidential inauguration...