World

A week after blast, Beirut pauses to remember the dead

Published on Tue, 08/11/2020 - 3:26pm

BEIRUT (AP) — The shattered city of Beirut on Tuesday marked a week since the catastrophic explosion that killed at least 171 people, injured thousands and plunged Lebanon into a deeper political crisis.

Thousands of people marched near the devastated port, remembering those who died in the most destructive single blast to hit the country. 

Hong Kong residents defend free press

Published on Tue, 08/11/2020 - 3:25pm

HONG KONG (AP) — Last year, hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets of Hong Kong to demand full democracy, many egged on by a tabloid newspaper critical of China’s ruling Communist Party.

On Tuesday, they lined up at newsstands across the city to buy that same paper, handing over 10 Hong Kong dollars ($1.25) a copy in a bid to help the Apple Daily — and press freedom — survive.

Serbia considers buying Chinese air missiles

Published on Tue, 08/11/2020 - 3:24pm

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Serbia is considering buying a modern Chinese air defense missile system, the Serbian president said Tuesday, as the United States warned that such deals with Beijing could jeopardize the Balkan country’s proclaimed European Union membership goals.

Aleksandar Vucic said that “we were thinking, but we have not yet purchased” the FK-3 system — the export version of the Chinese last-generation, medium range HQ-22 anti-aircraft system.

Lebanese PM steps down in wake of the Beirut explosion, protests

Published on Mon, 08/10/2020 - 12:01am
Article Image Alt Text

BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon’s prime minister stepped down from his job on Monday in the wake of the disastrous Beirut port explosion that triggered public fury, saying he has come to the conclusion that corruption in Lebanon is “bigger than the state.”

China sanctions 11 US politicians and heads of organizations

Published on Mon, 08/10/2020 - 12:00am
Article Image Alt Text

BEIJING (AP) — China on Monday announced unspecified sanctions against 11 U.S. politicians and heads of organizations promoting democratic causes, including Senators Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz, who have already been singled out by Beijing.

US tops 5 million confirmed virus cases, to Europe’s alarm

Published on Mon, 08/10/2020 - 12:00am
Article Image Alt Text

ROME (AP) — With confirmed coronavirus cases in the U.S. hitting 5 million Sunday, by far the highest of any country, the failure of the most powerful nation in the world to contain the scourge has been met with astonishment and alarm in Europe.

Hong Kong newspaper raided, tycoon detained under new law

Published on Mon, 08/10/2020 - 12:00am

HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong authorities broadened their enforcement of a new national security law on Monday, arresting media tycoon Jimmy Lai, searching the publisher’s headquarters and carting away boxes of what they said was evidence, in a blow to one of the territory’s leading pro-democracy newspapers.

Russia’s race for virus vaccine raises concerns

Published on Fri, 08/07/2020 - 2:26pm
Article Image Alt Text

MOSCOW (AP) — Russia boasts that it’s about to become the first country to approve a COVID-19 vaccine, with mass vaccinations planned as early as October using shots that are yet to complete clinical trials — and scientists worldwide are sounding the alarm that the headlong rush could backfire.

Glacier in Italy threatens valley, forces evacuations

Published on Fri, 08/07/2020 - 2:26pm

ROME (AP) — Experts were closely monitoring a Mont Blanc glacier on Friday, a day after they evacuated 75 tourists and residents amid fears the glacier could soon break apart and crash into a popular Italian Alpine valley. 

Valerio Segor, a glacier expert in Valle d’Aosta, a region in northwestern Italy, told reporters on Friday that the next 72 hours were critical for the Planpincieux Glacier, which lies under a massif on the Italian side of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in the Alps. 

Survivors mark 75th anniversary of world’s 1st atomic attack

Published on Thu, 08/06/2020 - 2:33pm
Article Image Alt Text

HIROSHIMA, Japan (AP) — Survivors of the world’s first atomic bombing gathered in diminished numbers near an iconic, blasted dome Thursday to mark the attack’s 75th anniversary, many of them urging the world, and their own government, to do more to ban nuclear weapons.