Month: October 2021

BEIJING (AP) — China’s leading financial magazine has been dropped from an official list of outlets websites can republish, reducing the exposure of a rare independent voice as the authorities tightens control over the media. Caixin Media is privately funded, unlike most state-run media. Internet platforms are barred from publishing content from non-approved sources. The

BRUSSELS (AP) — Belgium’s government is warning that the country could well be on the cusp of another major surge in COVID-19 cases despite its high vaccination rate. Though the government recently relaxed the mandatory use of facemasks, it is again starting to encourage the population to use them. This is to counter an increase

By JOSEF FEDERMAN Associated Press JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s new environmental protection minister has set some ambitious goals: Tamar Zandberg believes she can use her office to play an important role in the global battle against climate change while also promoting peace in the volatile Middle East. Zandberg laid out her agenda in an interview

BEIJING (AP) — At least three people have been killed and 30 injured in an apparent gas explosion at a hotel in the northern Chinese city of Shenyang. State media reported the blast occurred as the city of more than 8 million people is renovating and replacing old gas lines. Images posted online showed a

By ARITZ PARRA Associated Press MAHBAS REGION, Western Sahara (AP) — For nearly 30 years, the vast territory of Western Sahara in the North African desert has existed in limbo, awaiting a referendum that was supposed to let the local Sahrawi people decide their future. On one side, the Polisario Front wants the territory to

By HYUNG-JIN KIM Associated Press SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s military will appeal a landmark court ruling that struck down its decision to discharge the country’s first known transgender soldier before she was found dead earlier this year. A court ruled that the military unlawfully discriminated against the soldier by forcing her out

By NICK PERRY Associated Press WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand’s new governor-general says she plans to reach out to people marginalized by issues like homelessness, addiction and discrimination. Cindy Kiro is the first Indigenous woman appointed to the role as the representative of Queen Elizabeth II. She took her oath in both Maori

NEW YORK (AP) — The Premier Hockey Federation has reached an agreement to make ESPN+ the exclusive home for watching games in this U.S. this season. It is a major step forward for the women’s hockey league in putting all of its games on a single platform. The deal covers 60 regular-season games for the