World faces tension with China under Xi Jinping’s third term

BEIJING — The world faces the prospect of more tension with China over trade, security and human rights after Xi Jinping, the country’s most powerful leader in decades, awarded himself another term as leader of the ruling Communist Party. Xi has tightened control at home and is trying to use China’s economic heft to increase its influence abroad. Washington accused Beijing this month of trying to undermine US alliances, global security and economic rules. Activists say Xi&rsquo

Oct. 24, 2022

COP27′s Coke sponsorship leaves bad taste with green groups

LONDON — This year’s United Nations climate summit is brought to you by Coke. Soft drink giant Coca-Cola Co.’s sponsorship of the flagship UN climate conference, known as COP27, sparked an online backlash and highlighted broader concerns about corporate lobbying and influence. The COP27 negotiations aimed at limiting global temperature increases are set to kick off next month in the Red Sea resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh. The Egyptian organizers cited Coca-Cola’s efforts

Oct. 24, 2022

129 dead after fans stampede to exit Indonesian soccer match

MALANG, Indonesia (AP) -- Panic at an Indonesian soccer match after police fired tear gas to stop brawls left 129 dead, mostly trampled to death, police said Sunday. Several fights between supporters of the two rival soccer teams were reported inside the Kanjuruhan Stadium in East Java province's Malang city after the Indonesian Premier League game ended with Persebaya Surabaya beating Arema Malang 3-2. The brawls that broke out just after the game ended late night Saturday prompted riot poli

Oct. 2, 2022

In photos: Yoon's London visit

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol visited London for two days to attend the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, held Monday, as part of his three-nation swing to the UK, US and Canada. On Tuesday, the leader is attending the UN General Assembly in New York and will hold a series of summits on the sidelines, including a highly anticipated meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Here are some photos recapping the president and first lady's UK trip.

Sept. 20, 2022

Britain and the world say farewell to Queen Elizabeth II

LONDON -- Queen Elizabeth II will be laid to rest on Monday, after a state funeral attended by leaders from around the world and a historic last ceremonial journey through the packed streets of London. Huge crowds gathered in near silence to watch as the queen's flag-draped coffin, topped with the Imperial State Crown, her orb and sceptre, was carried slowly to a gun carriage from parliament's Westminster Hall where it had lain in state since Wednesday. To the tune of pipes and drums, the gun

Sept. 19, 2022

Queen Elizabeth II dies, Charles III succeeds

BALLATER -- Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-serving monarch in British history and an icon instantly recognisable to billions of people around the world, died at her Scottish Highland retreat on Thursday. She was 96. The eldest of her four children, Charles, Prince of Wales, who at 73 is the oldest heir apparent in British history, became king immediately. Royal officials confirmed he is now known as King Charles III -- the first king of that name to sit on the throne since 1685. His mother's

Sept. 9, 2022

As Beijing rages over Taiwan, mood on China's streets muted

BEIJING (AFP) -- China’ thunderous response to US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s Taiwan visit brought cross-Strait tensions to their highest level in years and sparked an outpouring of nationalist zeal online, but the mood on the streets in mainland China is a little more circumspect. Enraged by Pelosi’s trip, Beijing last week launched some of its largest-ever military drills encircling the island while suspending cooperation with the United States on issues including climate

Aug. 9, 2022

'Enough is enough': Thousands demand new gun safety laws

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Thousands of people rallied on the National Mall and across the United States on Saturday in a renewed push for gun control measures after recent deadly mass shootings from Uvalde, Texas, to Buffalo, New York, that activists say should compel Congress to act. "Enough is enough," District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser told the second March for Our Lives rally in her city. "I speak as a mayor, a mom, and I speak for millions of Americans and America's mayor

June 12, 2022

Asia: Renewable Energy webinar invitation

HANOI, Vietnam -- The challenges of climate change and energy security have propelled Asian nations to increasingly embrace investment in renewable energy. Advanced technology, investment incentives and readied capital have also helped renewable energy become one of the highest growth sectors with increasing deployment by businesses as they pursue a “green” strategy. Another big question is: Are consumers are ready? These issues and more on renewable energy development in Asia will

June 12, 2022

[Newsmaker] UK PM Johnson survives no-confidence vote

LONDON -- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson survived a no-confidence vote on Monday, securing enough support from his Conservative Party to remain in office despite a rebellion that leaves him a weakened leader with an uncertain future. Known for his ability to shrug off scandals, the charismatic leader has struggled to turn the page on revelations that he and his staff repeatedly held boozy parties that flouted the COVID-19 restrictions they imposed on others. Support among his fellow Conser

June 7, 2022

[Newsmaker] Queen marks 70 years, vows to keep serving

LONDON -- Queen Elizabeth II on Sunday brought the curtain down on her historic Platinum Jubilee celebrations, making another public appearance on the last of four days of festivities and vowing to maintain her record-breaking reign. The 96-year-old monarch, who has been troubled by mobility problems, appeared for the first time in person since Thursday on the Buckingham Palace balcony after the Trooping the Colour military parade. Her exertions at the start of the celebrations had forced her to

June 6, 2022

[Newsmaker] Police patrol Hong Kong park amid Tiananmen vigil ban

Dozens of police officers patrolled Hong Kong's Victoria Park on Saturday after authorities for a third consecutive year banned public commemoration of the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown in 1989. For decades, an annual candlelight vigil was held in the park to remember China's deadly crackdown on protesters demanding greater democracy in Beijing's Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989. Critics say the ban is part of a move to suppress political dissent and a sign that Hong Kong is

June 4, 2022

UN: Record number of people without enough to eat in 2021

ROME (AP) -- The United Nations said Wednesday that the number of people without enough to eat on a daily basis reached all-time high last year and is poised to hit "appalling" new levels as the Ukraine war affects global food production. Almost 193 million people in 53 countries suffered acute food insecurity in 2021 due to what the UN said was a "toxic triple combination" of conflict, weather extremes and the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic. The UN said the tot

May 5, 2022

[Photo News] Palestinians pray on the holiest month of Muslim religion

Palestinians attend prayers on the 27th day of Ramadan at Al Aqsa compound in Jerusalem. Ramadan is a sacred month of the year for Muslims, in which they fast every day of the month, from sunrise to sunset. It is a month of self-reflection, as well as practicing generosity and positivity.  The 27th day of Ramadan is called “Laylat al -Qader.” According to Muslim tradition, the Koran, Islam’s holy book, was revealed to the Prophet Mohammed during the night of Laylat al-Qad

April 30, 2022

Possible mass graves near Mariupol shown in satellite images

ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine -- New satellite images show apparent mass graves near Mariupol, where local officials accused Russia of burying up to 9,000 Ukrainian civilians to conceal the slaughter taking place in the ruined port city that's almost entirely under Russian control. The images emerged just hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday claimed victory in the battle for Mariupol, despite the presence of an estimated 2,000 Ukrainian fighters who were still holed up at a giant ste

April 22, 2022

[Newsmaker] 'I feel so lost': The elderly in Ukraine, left behind, mourn

MYKULYCHI, Ukraine (AP) -- This was not where Nadiya Trubchaninova thought she would find herself at 70 years old, hitchhiking daily from her village to the shattered Ukrainian town of Bucha, trying to bring her son's body home for burial. The questions wore her down, heavy like the winter coat and boots she still wears against the chill. Why had the 48-year-old Vadym gone to Bucha, where the Russians were so much harsher than the ones occupying their village? Who shot him as he drove on Yabluns

April 17, 2022

Russia renews strikes in Kyiv, hits other cities

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) -- Russian forces accelerated scattered attacks on Kyiv, western Ukraine and beyond Saturday in an explosive reminder to Ukrainians and their Western supporters that the whole country remains under threat despite Moscow's pivot toward mounting a new offensive in the east. Stung by the loss of its Black Sea flagship and indignant over alleged Ukrainian aggression on Russian territory, Russia's military command had warned of renewed missile strikes on Ukraine's capital. Official

April 17, 2022

Ukraine girds for renewed Russian offensive on eastern front

KYIV, Ukraine -- Ukraine was bracing to battle for control of its industrial east and appealing for more help from the West after Russian forces withdrew from the shattered outskirts of Kyiv to regroup. Authorities were urging people to immediately evacuate from the Donbas region before Russia intensifies its offensive. In Brussels, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba urged NATO to provide more weapons for his war-torn country to help prevent further atrocities like those reported in the ci

April 7, 2022

Killings of Ukrainian civilians could bring more sanctions

BUCHA -- Police and other investigators walked the silent streets of ruined towns around Ukraine's capital, documenting widespread killings of unarmed civilians and other alleged war crimes by Russian forces that could draw tougher Western sanctions as soon as Wednesday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has kept up demands for war-crimes trials for Russian troops and their leaders, while warning they were regrouping for fresh assaults on Ukraine's east and south. Overnight, Russian forces

April 6, 2022

[Newsmaker] In Bucha, Ukraine, burned, piled bodies among latest horrors

BUCHA -- One blackened body had arms raised in supplication, the face contorted in a horrible scream. The skull of another had a bullet hole in the left temple. The small blackened foot of a child could be seen in the tangle of charred bodies piled together in Bucha, the town outside of Kyiv where graphic evidence of killings and torture has emerged following the withdrawal of Russian forces. The six burned and blackened corpses were just the latest gruesome scene to emerge from Bucha as world l

April 6, 2022