Hiroshima marks 78th anniversary of atomic bombing
TOKYO — Hiroshima officials criticized growing support for nuclear weapons as a detterent resulting from uneasiness over Russia’s war in Ukraine and tensions in the Koreas, commenting Sunday as the city remembered the atomic bombing of 78 years ago.
Philippine military condemns Chinese coast guard’s use of water cannon
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine military on Sunday condemned a Chinese coast guard ship’s “excessive and offensive” use of a water cannon to block a Filipino supply boat from delivering new troops, food, water and fuel to a Philippine-occupied shoal in the disputed South China Sea.
Trump pleads not guilty to federal charges again
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Donald Trump pleaded not guilty Thursday to trying to overturn the results of his 2020 election loss, answering for the first time to federal charges that accuse him of orchestrating a brazen and ultimately unsuccessful attempt to block the peaceful transfer of presidential power.
Appeals court temporarily allows Biden asylum restrictions
WASHINGTON, D.C. — An appeals court Thursday allowed a rule restricting asylum at the southern border to temporarily stay in place.
Seattle to crack down on prostitution, human trafficking
SEATTLE — A vanload of church volunteers drove along a main street in north Seattle one night last month with sandwiches, water bottles and blankets for homeless people. They didn’t find any — but they did see dozens of barely clothed women walking along the road or leaning into traffic to advertise their services.
Economy likely generated 200,000 new jobs in July
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American economy has generated at least 200,000 new jobs for a record 30 straight months. And the streak likely continued into July. But just barely.
After 50 years, the Endangered Species Act may be in peril
SHARON TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Biologist Ashley Wilson carefully disentangled a bat from netting above a tree-lined river and examined the wriggling, furry mammal in her headlamp’s glow. “Another big brown,” she said with a sigh.
U.S. may put troops on commercial ships to stop Iran seizures
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The U.S. military is considering putting armed personnel on commercial ships traveling through the Strait of Hormuz, in what would be an unheard of action aimed at stopping Iran from seizing and harassing civilian vessels, American officials told The Associated Press on Thursday.
New Zealand to boost its defense capabilities
WELLINGTON, New Zealand — New Zealand said Friday it plans to boost its defense capabilities as tensions rise in the Pacific, due in part to a military buildup by China.
Okinawa warned as Typhoon Khanun starts its U-turn east
TOKYO — Residents of Japan’s southwestern islands were warned of high winds and rain through the weekend once a nearly stationary Typhoon Khanun starts moving back east later Friday.
Beirut port blast probe blocked by intrigue
BEIRUT — Three years after Beirut’s massive port blast, attempts to prosecute those responsible are mired in political intrigue, the final death toll remains disputed and many Lebanese have less faith than ever in their disintegrating state institutions.
Flooding in China worsens as rescues continue
BEIJING — Heavy rain and high water levels on rivers in northeastern China were threatening cities downstream on Friday, prompting the evacuation of thousands, although the country appears to have averted the worst effects of the typhoon season battering parts of east Asia.
Trump to face judge in D.C.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Donald Trump is due in federal court Thursday to answer to charges that he sought to overturn the results of the 2020 election, facing a judge just blocks from the U.S. Capitol that his supporters stormed to block the peaceful transfer of presidential power.
Prosecutors may be aiming for quick Trump trial
WASHINGTON, D.C. — By not naming or charging six alleged co-conspirators in the indictment this week of former President Donald Trump, federal prosecutors may be signaling their desire to expeditiously put the Republican presidential front-runner on trial for seeking to overturn the 2020 election.
Pence is a central figure in his former boss’s indictment
NEW YORK — Mike Pence fought the Department of Justice in court to try to avoid testifying against his former boss. But the former vice president plays a central role in a new federal indictment unsealed Tuesday that outlines the first criminal charges against Donald Trump connected to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
California waves get bigger as Earth warms, research finds
SAN DIEGO — Waves are getting bigger and surf at least 13 feet (about 4 meters) tall is becoming more common off California’s coast as the planet warms, according to innovative new research that tracked the increasing height from historical data gathered over the past 90 years.
Progress made against massive Cal-Nev wildfire
MOJAVE NATIONAL PRESERVE, Calif. — Firefighters aided by rain fought to contain a massive blaze that swept through the California desert into Nevada and is threatening the region’s famous spiky Joshua trees.
Russian drone strikes hit a Ukrainian port on Romania’s border
KYIV, Ukraine — Russian drones on Wednesday hit a Ukrainian port city along the border with Romania, causing significant damage and a huge fire at facilities that are key to Ukrainian grain exports.
Pope Francis blasts ‘scandal’ of clergy sex abuse in Portugal
LISBON, Portugal — Pope Francis met with survivors of clergy sexual abuse in Portugal on Wednesday and blasted members of the country’s Catholic hierarchy for their response to the long-ignored scandal, which he said had marred the Catholic Church and helped drive the faithful away.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard runs drill on disputed islands
TEHRAN, Iran — Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard launched a surprise military drill Wednesday on disputed islands in the Persian Gulf, just as the U.S. military increase its presence in the region over recent ship seizures by Tehran.