Hong Kong marks Tiananmen anniversary, defying a police ban

HONG KONG (AP) — Thousands of people in Hong Kong defied a police ban Thursday evening, breaking through barricades to hold a candlelight vigil on the 31st anniversary of China's crushing of a democracy movement centered on Beijing’s Tiananmen Square. With democracy snuffed out in the mainland, the...

Will open seats be familiar sight in sports as virus fades?

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Empty seats have been the norm the past few years at the University of Kansas, where a succession of football coaches has failed to turn around the flailing fortunes of the Jayhawks. Now, all those open seats — and short lines and quiet concourses — will be the norm in...

Protest in Hong Kong over China's move to pass security law

HONG KONG (AP) — Dozens of people protested in a mall in Hong Kong on Friday following a vote by China’s ceremonial parliament to approve legislation that could severely restrict opposition political activity and civil society in the Asian financial center. The protesters chanted slogans in the...

The Latest: Outlaws run in front of limited fans in Missouri

The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world: ___ The World of Outlaws raced in front of live fans -- through attendance was greatly capped because of the coronavirus pandemic -- for the first time in months at a Sprint Car event in Peavley, Missouri. The Outlaws returned last...

China hikes defense spending by 6.6%, lowest rate in years

BEIJING (AP) — China will increase its defense spending by 6.6% in 2020, the lowest rate in years as it battles an economic crisis brought on by the coronavirus outbreak, the government said Friday. The figure is down from the double-digit percentage increases of just a few years ago that have given China...

Asia Today: S. Korean students return to class; 32 new cases

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korean students began returning to classes Wednesday as the country counted 32 new coronavirus cases. It was the first time in nine days that the daily increase was above 30. South Korea relaxed much of its social distancing rules in early May, but then saw a spike in new...

Taiwan President Tsai calls for stability in China relations

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen called for stability in relations with China in her inaugural address Wednesday but said she would not accept Beijing’s political terms that would “downgrade Taiwan and undermine the cross-strait status quo.” Reelected by a...

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen has been inaugurated for a second term amid increasing pressure from China

Taiwan: Won't press for World Health Assembly participation

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Taiwan will not press for participation at the World Health Assembly beginning Monday, but will continue to donate medical supplies abroad and protest China's “two-faced behavior" that excludes it from such forums, the island's foreign minister said. Joseph Wu told reporters...

Costa Rica seeks unity for COVID fight as WHO assembly looms

GENEVA (AP) — Costa Rica’s president said Friday that COVID-19 can only be defeated if countries shun nationalism and aren’t “selfish,” urging access to diagnostics and treatment tools for everyone as a major meeting of the World Health Organization’s membership looms...