The Latest: Iranian commander: Downed drone a message to US

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The Latest on developments in the Persian Gulf region amid rising tensions between Iran and the U.S. (all times local): 10:40 a.m. The commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guard says the shooting down of a U.S. drone has sent "a clear message" to America. Gen. Hossein Salami...

The Latest: China, North Korean leaders hold talks

BEIJING (AP) — The Latest on Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to North Korea (all times local): 3:30 p.m. The leaders of China and North Korea are holding talks in the North Korean capital. China's official Xinhua News Agency said President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un sat down...

Iran Revolutionary Guard shoots down US drone amid tensions

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran's Revolutionary Guard shot down a U.S. drone on Thursday amid heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington over its collapsing nuclear deal with world powers, American and Iranian officials said, while disputing the circumstances of the incident. The Guard said it shot down...

Xi's NKorea visit a chance to strengthen ties, influence US

BEIJING (AP) — In the highly formalized world of China-North Korea relations, Xi Jinping's trip to Pyongyang carries enormous symbolic significance. Although less certain, it may also yield outcomes that could influence both countries' relations with the U.S. With tensions over trade, Taiwan and Hong Kong...

China's Xi arrives in North Korea for talks with Kim Jong Un

BEIJING (AP) — Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived Thursday morning for a two-day state visit to North Korea, where he is expected to talk with leader Kim Jong Un about the stalled negotiations with Washington over North Korea's nuclear weapons. A photo posted by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV on its...

Oil shippers boost security after mysterious attacks in Gulf

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A series of attacks on oil tankers near the Persian Gulf has ratcheted up tensions between the U.S. and Iran — and raised fears over the safety of one of Asia's most vital energy trade routes, where about a fifth of the world's oil passes through its narrowest at...

Chinese state media say President Xi Jinping has departed for his state visit to North Korea

N. Korean leader Kim Jong Un's months of ambitious summitry

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's fifth meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping continues his ambitious diplomatic outreach that has included summits with the leaders of the United States, South Korea and Russia in the past year and a half. Experts say Kim is attempting to form a united front with North Korea's...

'Joints will be separated': Jamal Khashoggi's murder, retold

GENEVA (AP) — The gathering on the second floor of the Saudi consulate featured an unlikely collection: a forensic doctor, intelligence and security officers, agents of the crown prince's office. As they waited for their target to arrive, one asked how they would carry out the body. Not to worry, the...

Xi, Kim summit topics: Friendship, food aid and maybe nukes

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — From nuclear weapons to huge food aid shipments to a shared skepticism about the United States, Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will have a long list of topics to discuss when Xi heads to North Korea on Thursday. Here's a look at things to watch...