Efforts by Russia, Iran and China to sway US voters may escalate, new Microsoft report says

NEW YORK (AP) — Foreign adversaries have shown continued determination to influence the U.S. election –- and there are signs their activity will intensify as Election Day nears, Microsoft said in a report Wednesday. Russian operatives are doubling down on fake videos to smear...

Hong Kong bars services like WhatsApp and Google Drive from government computers

HONG KONG (AP) — The Hong Kong government is barring most civil servants from using popular apps like WhatsApp, WeChat and Google Drive on their work computers due to potential security risks. The latest IT security guidelines from the Digitial Policy Office have many civil...

China has deported a VW executive for allegedly using drugs while in Thailand

BEIJING (AP) — A senior executive for Volkswagen in China has been deported for allegedly using cocaine and marijuana while on vacation in Thailand, according to Chinese authorities and German media reports. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson confirmed Wednesday that a...

Trump targets hardcore partisans, Harris goes after moderates: Inside the campaign's final sprint

WASHINGTON (AP) — In battleground Pennsylvania, Kamala Harris warned that democracy and reproductive rights were at stake as she campaigned alongside a former Republican congresswoman. Going to the same state the day before, Donald Trump served French fries at a closed McDonald's....

Starbucks reports weak quarterly results despite the arrival of Pumpkin Spice Latte season

It’s been a disappointing start to Pumpkin Spice Latte season for Starbucks. The Seattle coffee giant on Tuesday reported weaker-than-expected sales in its fiscal fourth quarter, which ended Sept. 29. It also said it would suspend financial guidance for its 2025 fiscal year to give...

GM's shares post biggest percentage gain in over 4 years as company reports $3 billion profit in 3Q

DETROIT (AP) — Shares of General Motors surged almost 10% Tuesday after the automaker posted a $3 billion third-quarter profit, slightly less the same period a year ago. It was the stock's biggest single day percentage gain in more than four years. GM's stock closed up 9.8% at...

IMF's view: The global fight against high inflation is 'almost won'

WASHINGTON (AP) — The global war against inflation has largely been won — and at surprisingly little cost to economic growth, the International Monetary Fund declared Tuesday. In its latest assessment of the global economy, the IMF predicted that worldwide inflation will cool...

China and the Vatican agree to extend an agreement on appointing bishops

BEIJING (AP) — China and the Vatican have agreed to extend a provisional agreement on the appointment of Catholic bishops in China for four more years, officials said Tuesday. The 2018 agreement, extended twice previously, was an attempt under Pope Francis to bridge long-standing...

General Motors overcomes a drop in US sales and losses in China to post a profit of $3 billion in the 3rd quarter

China holds live-fire drills opposite Taiwan, a week after large-scale exercise

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — China is holding live-fire drills off the coast of its southern Fujian province facing Taiwan, just a week after a massive air-and-sea drill it described as punishment for Taiwan's president rejecting Beijing's claims of sovereignty. The live-fire drills were...