MOSCÚ (AP) — El presidente ruso Vladímir Putin viajó el jueves como copiloto en un bombardero estratégico con capacidades nucleares en un vuelo cuyo objetivo aparente fue reafirmar su imagen antes de la elección del próximo mes, en la que su triunfo es casi seguro. El vuelo de Putin en el bombardero estratégico Tu-160M, que duró 30 minutos, también pareció …

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Steve Sarkisian is college football’s latest $10 million man. The University of Texas System Board of Regents on Thursday approved a raise and contract extension for the Longhorns coach that boosts his guaranteed salary to $10.3 million this year and signs him through 2030. The four-year extension makes Sarkisian one of the highest paid coaches in …

Scientists have confirmed what became of a star that exploded in a stunning supernova visible to Earth more than three decades ago: It morphed into a neutron star, one of the oddest objects in the universe. In 1987, a star in a nearby galaxy went supernova and its fiery demise was detected in Earth’s nighttime sky with the naked eye …

BUENOS AIRES (AP) — Tras la frustrada gira por China, Argentina confirmó que jugará amistosos ante El Salvador y Nigeria a fines de marzo en Estados Unidos como preparación para defender el título en la Copa América de este año. La Albiceleste se medirá ante el seleccionado centroamericano el viernes 22 de marzo en el estadio Lincoln Field de Filadelfia. …

LYMAN, Ukraine (AP) — When the Russian army mounted a full-scale invasion two years ago, Ukrainian men zealously rushed to recruitment centers across the country to enlist, ready to die in defense of their nation. Today, with Russia in control of roughly one-quarter of Ukraine and the two armies virtually deadlocked along a 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line, that spirit to …

GHAZNI, Afganistán (AP) — El Talibán organizó el jueves una doble ejecución pública en un estadio en el sureste de Afganistán, donde miles de personas asistieron a la muerte de dos hombres condenados, abatidos por familiares de sus víctimas. La Corte Suprema del Talibán había declarado a los acusados responsables de la muerte a puñaladas a dos víctimas en ataques …

LONDON (AP) — Britain’s government said Thursday it is withdrawing from a controversial international energy treaty after efforts to modernize it ended in stalemate. The U.K.’s move followed similar announcements by France, Germany and other European Union countries to quit the Energy Charter Treaty, which critics say is being used by the fossil fuel industry to legally challenge governments over …

New York Islanders (23-18-14, fifth in the Metropolitan Division) vs. St. Louis Blues (29-24-2, fourth in the Central Division) St. Louis; Thursday, 8 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: The New York Islanders visit the St. Louis Blues after the Islanders took down the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-4 in overtime. St. Louis has gone 16-11-1 at home and 29-24-2 overall. The Blues have …

The AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here. Saint Thomas Tommies (17-10, 7-5 Summit League) at North Dakota State Bison (13-14, 6-6 Summit League) Fargo, North Dakota; Thursday, 8 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: St. Thomas visits …

TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s industry minister summoned the president of the utility that runs the Fukushima nuclear power plant to his office Wednesday and chided him for a radioactive water leak at the plant earlier this month. Mishaps related to the massive amount of contaminated water at the tsunami-damaged Fukushima Daiichi plant are especially sensitive while the government tries to …