Government restrictions on religion increasing worldwide

NEW YORK (AP) — Government restrictions on religion have increased markedly in many places around the world, not only in authoritarian countries, but also in many of Europe's democracies, according to a report surveying 198 countries that was released Monday. The report released by the Pew Research Center,...

Philippine leader signs law punishing sexual harassment

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The Philippine president has signed a bill into law penalizing a range of acts of sexual harassment including catcalling, wolf-whistling and persistent telling of sexual jokes, which pro-women's groups have accused him of committing. Philippine officials released on Monday a copy...

World shares mixed as China reports economic slowdown

BANGKOK (AP) — Global shares were mixed Monday after China reported that its economy grew at the slowest pace in at least 26 years in the last quarter, leading investors to opt for caution despite Friday's record highs on Wall Street. Tariff hikes by President Donald Trump have battered Chinese and U.S....

Court proceedings begin against Myanmar child rape suspect

NAYPYITAW, Myanmar (AP) — A court in Myanmar began proceedings Monday against a suspect in the rape of a 2-year-old girl at her nursery school, in a case that has generated huge interest and protests, partly because of doubts that the arrested man is guilty. Aung Kyaw Myo appeared at Dakkhina Thiri...

Thai police seize over a ton of crystal meth in raids

BANGKOK (AP) — Police in Thailand said they have seized more than a ton of crystal meth and over 10 million methamphetamine tablets in a series of drug raids this month, amid increased production and use of the drugs in Southeast Asia. Thai authorities often make several large seizures a year of...

Asian shares mixed as China reports economy slowed in 2Q

BANGKOK (AP) — Shares were mixed in Asia on Monday, with gains in Chinese markets on hopes for fresh stimulus measures after the government reported that the economy grew at the slowest pace in a decade in the last quarter. Analysts said the 6.2% annual rate of growth reported for April-June suggests the...

2 people dead, dozens of homes damaged in Indonesian quake

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — A strong earthquake in eastern Indonesia killed two people and damaged at least dozens of homes, a disaster official said Monday, as the government declared a seven-day emergency response period. The magnitude 7.3 quake on Sunday was centered 166 kilometers (103 miles) southeast...

Recent developments surrounding the South China Sea

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — A look at recent developments in the South China Sea, where China is pitted against smaller neighbors in multiple disputes over islands, coral reefs and lagoons. The waters are a major shipping route for global commerce and rich in fish and possible oil and gas reserves. ___...

At least 1 dead after strong quake in eastern Indonesia

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — A strong, shallow earthquake struck eastern Indonesia on Sunday, damaging homes and killing at least one person, officials said. Some people sent the night outdoors as numerous aftershocks rocked the Maluku island chain where the quake was most strongly felt. The U.S. Geological...

Shallow magnitude 7.3 quake rocks Indonesia's Maluku province, causing panic in several cities and villages

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Shallow magnitude 7.3 quake rocks Indonesia's Maluku province, causing panic in several cities and villages.