Foreign governments and activists criticize Hong Kong security law verdicts. China defends them

HONG KONG (AP) — The conviction of 14 pro-democracy activists Thursday in Hong Kong drew condemnation from human rights groups and expressions of concern from foreign governments. China, which authored the 2020 national security law that activists were prosecuted under, backed Hong...

Ship attacked by Yemen's Houthi rebels was full of grain bound for Iran, the group's main benefactor

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A Greek-owned, Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier that came under attack by Yemen's Houthi rebels earlier this week had a cargo of grain bound for Iran, the group's main benefactor, authorities said Thursday. The attack on the Laax comes as...

From electric vehicles to deciding what to cook for dinner, John Podesta faces climate challenges

WASHINGTON (AP) — John Podesta was two months into his new role as President Joe Biden’s top climate diplomat when he faced his first international crisis — what to serve for dinner. He had invited his Chinese counterpart, Liu Zhenmin, over to his house but learned that his...

The Panda Party is back on as giant pandas will return to Washington's National Zoo by year's end

WASHINGTON (AP) — Months after the nation's capital bid an emotional farewell to its giant pandas, the National Zoo is expecting a renewed surge in panda-mania with the announcement that two more of the furry black-and-white icons will be coming to Washington. The zoo announced...

IMF upgrades its forecast for China's economy, but says reforms are needed to support growth

The International Monetary Fund has upgraded its forecast for China’s economy, while warning that consumer-friendly reforms are needed to sustain strong, high-quality growth. The IMF's report, issued late Tuesday, said the world's second-largest economy will likely expand at a 5%...

Smithsonian says 2 new giant pandas are returning to Washington's National Zoo from China by the end of the year

US appoints a new representative to Taiwan as the self-governing island faces China's intimidation

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — The United States has appointed a new representative to Taiwan, as China boosts its threats against the self-ruled island following the election of a new president who wants the territory to maintain its de-facto independence. China claims Taiwan as its own...

Stock market today: Asian shares decline after a mixed post-holiday session on Wall Street

TOKYO (AP) — Asian shares were mostly lower Wednesday after a mixed session on Wall Street following a three-day holiday weekend. Shares fell in Tokyo, Seoul, Sydney and Hong Kong, but rose in Shanghai. Mainland Chinese markets were lifted by moves by city governments in China to...

Executions worldwide jumped last year to the highest number since 2015, Amnesty report says

LONDON (AP) — The number of executions recorded worldwide last year jumped to the highest level since 2015, with a sharp rise in Iran and across the Middle East, Amnesty International said in a report released Wednesday. The human rights group said it recorded a total of 1,153...

University of Florida employee, students implicated in illegal plot to ship drugs, toxins to China

A University of Florida research employee and students have been implicated in an illegal, multi-million dollar scheme investigated by the Justice Department to fraudulently buy thousands of biochemical samples of dangerous drugs and toxins that were delivered to a campus laboratory then illicitly...