Pentagon forges new high-tech agreement with Australia, United Kingdom, aimed at countering China

MOUNTAIN VIEW, California (AP) — From underwater drones to electronic warfare, the U.S. is expanding its high-tech military cooperation with Australia and the United Kingdom as part of a broader effort to counter China’s rapidly growing influence in the Indo-Pacific. Defense...

Rafael Nadal says he will return to playing at Brisbane International in Australia in January

The Philippines opens a new monitoring base on a remote island in the disputed South China Sea

THITU ISLAND, South China Sea (AP) — The Philippines inaugurated a new coast guard monitoring base Friday on an island occupied by Filipino forces in the disputed South China Sea and plans to expand joint patrols with the United States and Australia to counter China’s “pure bullying” in the...

Alternative healer faces manslaughter charge over woman's death at a UK slapping therapy workshop

LONDON (AP) — An alternative healer who advocates a technique known as “slapping therapy” was charged Thursday over the death of a woman at one of his workshops in England seven years ago. Hongchi Xiao was charged with manslaughter by gross negligence in the October 2016 death...

Sweden halts adoptions from South Korea after claims of falsified papers on origins of children

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Sweden’s main adoption agency said Wednesday it was halting adoptions from South Korea, following claims of falsified papers on the origins of children adopted from the Asian country. Swedes have been adopting children from South Korea since the 1950s....

Women's soccer falls short in medical support and pay, World Cup survey claims

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Women’s soccer is falling short in key areas including medical support and pay, according to a survey of players involved in this year's Women's World Cup. The survey, conducted by players' union FIFPRO and released Wednesday, found that 60% of...

Australia apologizes for thalidomide tragedy as some survivors listen in the Parliament gallery

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Survivors of the harmful morning sickness drug thalidomide were in the public gallery Wednesday when Australia’s Parliament made a national apology to them on the 62nd anniversary of the drug being withdrawn from sale in the country. Thalidomide, also...

China warns Australia to act prudently in naval operations in the South China Sea

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — A visiting Chinese official on Tuesday warned Australia to act with “great prudence” in deploying warships in the South China Sea after a recent confrontation between the two navies. Liu Jianchao, the Chinese Communist Party’s international...

Relatives and a friend of Israelis kidnapped and killed by Hamas visit Australia's Parliament House

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Relatives and a friend of Israelis kidnapped and killed by Hamas visited Australia’s Parliament House on Tuesday, sharing personal stories in an effort to lobby for international support for all hostages to be freed — and to support Israel’s war effort. ...

60 years after JFK's death, today's Kennedys choose other paths to public service

NEW YORK (AP) — Patrick Kennedy, son of Sen. Ted Kennedy and nephew of President John F. Kennedy, remembers being a young state legislator in Rhode Island some 30 years ago and hearing encouraging words from the opposition leader at the time. “I just want you to know that no...