Pope’s Asian agenda: Atomic bombs, martyrs, family reunion

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis has agendas both pastoral and personal for his trip to Asia, where he’ll appeal for global nuclear disarmament at the sites of the atomic bomb and minister to two tiny Catholic communities that have suffered gruesome periods of persecution. Emphasizing the dignity of...

China carrier fleet passes near rival Taiwan

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — A Chinese aircraft carrier fleet passed near Taiwan on Sunday, prompting the self-governing island to scramble ships and jets to monitor the situation. Taiwan’s defense ministry said the southbound Chinese fleet passed into the Taiwan Strait but stayed on China’s side of...

Hong Kong protesters fight off police with fire and arrows

HONG KONG (AP) — A Hong Kong police officer was hit in the leg by an arrow and protesters set an overhead footbridge on fire Sunday as they fought to keep police using tear gas and water cannons from advancing on their university campus stronghold. Police said the arrow struck a media liaison officer in...

The Latest: Fires blaze as Hong Kong protesters face police

HONG KONG (AP) — The Latest on the protests in Hong Kong (all times local): 8:20 p.m. Protesters have set fires on bridges leading to Hong Kong Polytechnic University as they try to keep police from advancing on their campus stronghold. Orange flames extend the length of a footbridge over the roadway...

Former Sri Lankan defense chief wins presidential vote

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Gotabaya Rajapaksa, a former defense official revered by Sri Lanka’s ethnic majority for his role in ending a bloody civil war but feared by minorities for his brutal approach, registered a comfortable victory Sunday in the nation’s presidential election. Elections...

AP Photos: Violence engulfs Hong Kong university campus

HONG KONG (AP) — Bows and arrows, rocks, bricks, Molotov cocktails, blue dye fired from water cannons, and tear gas engulfing Hong Kong’s Polytechnic University were the defining images Sunday as anti-government protests entered their sixth month. A Hong Kong police officer was hit in the leg by an...

Hong Kong police say officer hit in leg by arrow during faceoff with protesters outside university

Australian MP says he and colleague barred entry to China

PERTH, Australia (AP) — An outspoken Australian parliamentarian said that he and a colleague have been barred entry to China for a study trip, a development he said was concerning. Sen. James Paterson said he and Rep. Andrew Hastie were due to take part in a study tour next month in Beijing organized by...

Chinese troops join Hong Kong cleanup as protesters retreat

HONG KONG (AP) — Chinese troops came out of the barracks in Hong Kong on Saturday — not to quell protests but to help clean up. It was a rare public appearance by the People’s Liberation Army on the streets of the semi-autonomous territory, where the local government’s inability to end...

Q&A: The Chinese troops in Hong Kong and what they can do

HONG KONG (AP) — Chinese troops made a rare public appearance on the streets of Hong Kong on Saturday, joining an effort to clear streets of debris from the anti-government protests that are now in their sixth month. Here’s a look at the People’s Liberation Army role in the semi-autonomous...