AP National News

By JAN M. OLSEN Associated Press COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Democracy is deteriorating across the world, with countries notably taking undemocratic and unnecessary actions to contain the coronavirus pandemic, an intergovernmental body said in its new report Monday. International IDEA says that as of August 2021, 64% of countries have taken an action to curb

By MUNIR AHMED Associated Press ISLAMABAD (AP) — The International Monetary Fund says it has reached a preliminary agreement with Pakistan, toward reviving a $6 billion bailout for the Islamic nation. In Monday’s statement, the IMF said it reached a staff-level agreement with Pakistani authorities on policies and reforms. Pakistan and IMF signed the accord

By STEPHEN WADE AP Sports Writer Peng Shuai’s appearance in a video call with International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach aired after the Chinese tennis player was out of public view for almost three weeks. The IOC and the Chinese government would like this to be the end of a saga which has run since

By TRISHA THOMAS Associated Press ROCCELLA JONICA, Italy (AP) — Officials in southern Italy are seeing a sharp increase in the number of migrant crossings using a lesser-known smuggling route from Turkey to the southern region of Calabria, in the “toe” of boot-shaped Italy. Entire families of wealthier Afghans, Iraqis and Iranians are paying upwards

JERUSALEM (AP) — A one-time spokesman for Benjamin Netanyahu has taken the stand against him in a corruption trial in Jerusalem. Nir Hefetz, a former spokesman for Netanyahu and a key prosecution witness, began testifying on Monday. His statement had been delayed because Netanyahu’s defense attorneys requested time to review new evidence alleging that Netanyahu’s

By BARBARA SURK Associated Press PARIS (AP) — The world police agency meets in Istanbul this week to elect new leadership. But human rights groups are warning that Interpol’s powerful network of global cops could end up in the hands of authoritarian governments. Representatives of countries like China and the United Arab Emirates are bidding

By KYLE HIGHTOWER AP Sports Writer BOSTON (AP) — It was the decade Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points, the Celtics-Lakers rivalry took flight and the NBA’s second dynasty reigned on the Boston Garden’s parquet court. It was also a time of ongoing struggle and crisis across America, when the country was forever altered on a

By SCOTT BAUER and MIKE HOUSEHOLDER Associated Press WAUKESHA, Wis. (AP) — The city of Waukesha, Wisconsin, says at least 5 people are dead and more than 40 injured after an SUV sped through barricades and into a Christmas parade in the Milwaukee suburb. The city did not release any additional information about those who

By LEE KEATH Associated Press KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Many Afghan families who once had steady, stable incomes have plummeted into desperation, uncertain of how they will pay for their next meal. The economy was already in trouble under the previous, U.S.-backed government and was worsened by both the coronavirus pandemic and a drought that

By SCOTT BAUER and MIKE HOUSEHOLDER Associated Press WAUKESHA, Wis. (AP) — A joyous scene of marching bands and children dancing in Santa hats and carrying pompoms turned deadly in an instant, as an SUV sped through a barricade and slammed into a Christmas parade in suburban Milwaukee as spectators watched in horror. Police said

By DAVID RISING and SOPHENG CHEANG Associated Press PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — After slow starts, vaccination campaigns in several countries in the Asia-Pacific region now boast inoculation rates that rank among the world’s best. The countries with high rates include both richer and poorer ones, some with larger populations and some with smaller. But

By NICK PERRY Associated Press WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Bars, restaurants and gyms can reopen in Auckland from early December but customers will be required to show proof they’ve been fully vaccinated. The New Zealand government announcement removes the last remnants of a lockdown that began in the nation’s largest city in August. It

BEIJING (AP) — Chinese leader Xi Jinping says his country will not seek dominance over Southeast Asia or bully its smaller neighbors, despite a rise in regional frictions. Xi made the remarks Monday during a virtual conference with the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, known as ASEAN, marking the 30th anniversary of

By MATTHEW DALY Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — A huge social and environmental policy bill passed by House Democrats includes a plan to impose a fee on emissions of methane. The powerful pollutant leaks from oil and gas wells and contributes to global warming. As the measure moves to the Senate, attention again will focus

VIENNA (AP) — Austria has gone into a nationwide lockdown in a desperate effort to contain skyrocketing coronavirus infections. The lockdown in the Alpine nation comes as average daily deaths have tripled in recent weeks and some hospitals have warned that their intensive care units are reaching capacity. The lockdown will last at least 10

By EVA VERGARA and JOSHUA GOODMAN Associated Press SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — A conservative lawmaker with a history of defending Chile’s military dictatorship and a former student protest leader are headed to a polarizing presidential runoff after failing to garner enough votes to win the country’s election outright. José Antonio Kast finished Sunday’s presidential election

By RUSS BYNUM Associated Press BRUNSWICK, Ga. (AP) — Attorneys in the murder trial over Ahmaud Arbery’s death are scheduled to deliver closing arguments. Superior Court Judge Timothy Walmsley planned for jurors to hear final words Monday from prosecutors and defense attorneys for the three white men charged. Arbery was chased and fatally shot Feb.

By HAROLD ISAAC Associated Press PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Two of 17 members of a missionary group who were kidnapped more than a month ago are safe and “in good spirits” after being freed in Haiti. Ohio-based Christian Aid Ministries issued a statement Sunday saying it could not give the names of those released, why

By JIM GOMEZ Associated Press MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The Philippine military has defiantly redeployed two supply boats to provide food to Filipino marines stationed at a disputed shoal in the South China Sea after China’s coast guard used water cannons to forcibly turn the boats away in an assault last week that drew angry