China boosts defense spending by 6.8% in slight uptick
BEIJING (AP) — China is increasing its defense spending by 6.8%, a slight uptick from last year, amid high government debt and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic impact.
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China announces 'over 6%' economic growth target, tech plans
BEIJING (AP) — China’s top economic official announced a healthy growth target for the nation Friday and its plans to become a more self-reliant technology leader amid tension with Washington and Europe over trade, Hong Kong and human rights.
US demands Myanmar release detained journalists, protesters
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration stepped up its condemnation of the coup in Myanmar on Thursday, demanding that military authorities stop their brutal crackdown on pro-democracy protesters and release demonstrators and journalists who have been detained.
Pew survey shows hardening American attitudes toward China
BEIJING (AP) — New polling from the Pew Research Center shows strong negative attitudes among Americans toward China, with almost nine out of 10 adults seeing the country as hostile or a danger to U.S. interests.
The Latest: Maryland to distribute vaccines more equitably
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Gov. Larry Hogan released further plans Thursday to distribute COVID-19 vaccines more equitably to underserved parts of Maryland, after leaders of the state’s largest Black populations criticized major disparities in the rollout of vaccinations to minorities.
UN finds soaring poverty in virus-hit Latin America region
SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — More than 20 million people were pushed into poverty during pandemic-plagued 2020 across Latin America and the Caribbean, the U.N. economic agency for the region reported Thursday.
'Do not stay at home': Tsunami warning for parts of New Zealand after 8.1-magnitude earthquake
New Zealand's emergency agency has told residents in some areas to head for higher ground after a powerful earthquake struck the Kermadec Islands region early Friday, sparking fears of a tsunami.
Myanmar crackdown on protests, widely filmed, sparks outrage
YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — Footage of a brutal crackdown on protests against a coup in Myanmar unleashed outrage and calls for a stronger international response Thursday, a day after 38 people were killed. Videos showed security forces shooting a person at point-blank range and chasing down and savagely beating demonstrators.
EU, Italy stop AstraZeneca vaccine exports to Australia
BRUSSELS (AP) — A shipment of over a quarter million AstraZeneca vaccines destined for Australia has been blocked from leaving the European Union, in the first use of an export control system instituted by the bloc to make sure big pharma companies would respect their contracts.
OPEC, Russia send oil price up with deal to contain output
FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Caution about the pandemic took the upper hand Thursday at a meeting of the OPEC oil cartel and allied countries, as they left most of their production cuts in place amid worry that coronavirus restrictions could still undermine recovering demand for crude.
11 killed in army helicopter crash in eastern Turkey
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — An army helicopter crashed in eastern Turkey on Thursday, killing 11 military personnel on board and injuring two others, the Defense Ministry said. News reports said a high-ranking officer was among the victims.
In big shift, Germany to give AstraZeneca shots to over 65s
BERLIN (AP) — Germany’s independent vaccine committee has formally approved giving the AstraZeneca shot to people aged 65 and over, and recommended waiting 12 weeks between giving the first and second doses, officials said Thursday.
Watch Now: Mesmerizing drone footage captures beautiful Canadian mountainside
This amazing footage shows a super-fast drone hurtling through a snow-covered Canadian mountainside to capture these incredible scenic views.
Pakistani PM to seek vote of trust from parliament this week
ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan’s prime minister said Thursday he will seek a vote of confidence from the National Assembly this weekend to prove that he still has the support of majority lawmakers in the house despite the surprising and politically embarrassing defeat of his ruling party’s key candidate in Senate elections.
Italy blocks export of Covid-19 vaccine doses to Australia, using EU powers for the first time
Italy invoked European Union powers to block the export of 250,000 Covid-19 vaccine doses to Australia on Thursday, in a dramatic escalation of a dispute between the EU and drug giant AstraZeneca.
Famed Madrid flamenco venue closes amid virus restrictions
MADRID (AP) — Artists at one of Madrid’s best-known flamenco bars put on a final outdoor show Thursday, marking its closure after 140 years because of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions that have shuttered entertainment venues.
Bunny Wailer, reggae luminary, dies in Jamaica at age 73
KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — Bunny Wailer, a reggae luminary who was the last surviving founding member of the legendary group The Wailers, died on Tuesday in his native Jamaica. He was 73.
China legislature to deliberate Hong Kong electoral changes
BEIJING (AP) — China's ceremonial legislature will deliberate changes to Hong Kong's electoral system during its annual session, a spokesperson said Thursday, adding to concerns that Beijing intends to shut opposition voices out of the city's political process entirely.
Loyalists pull support for NI peace deal over Brexit rules
LONDON (AP) — Outlawed Loyalist paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland say they are temporarily withdrawing their support for the historic 1998 peace accord because of the disruption caused by new post-Brexit trade rules.
Probe into EU border agency leaves some questions unanswered
BRUSSELS (AP) — An inquiry into claims that the European Union’s border and coast guard agency was involved in illegally pushing back migrants has found no link to Frontex in any of the incidents but has been unable to establish what happened in five cases, according to the official report into the allegations.
EU wants employers to report pay levels to fix gender gap
BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union executive wants to force employers to be much more open about how much their staff earn to make it easier for women to challenge wage imbalances and close the gender pay gap.
Israeli minister sticks to Iran 'environmental terror' claim
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel's environmental protection minister on Thursday stood by her allegation that a crude oil spill in the eastern Mediterranean last month was an intentional attack by Iran but provided no evidence for her claim.
UK competition watchdog investigates Apple's App Store
LONDON (AP) — U.K. authorities have launched an investigation into Apple's App Store over concerns it has a dominant role that stifles competition and hurts consumers.
South Korea's first known transgender soldier found dead
She had protested the military's decision last year to discharge her for undergoing gender reassignment surgery. South Korea prohibits transgender people from joining the military.
