AP National News

Associated Press HONG KONG (AP) — Prominent activist Joshua Wong has asked for a lesser sentence in court after he earlier pleaded guilty in Hong Kong’s biggest national security case. Wong was one of 47 activists charged in 2021 under a Beijing-imposed security law for their involvement in an unofficial primary. The charges alleged they

Associated Press SAO PAULO (AP) — The indictment of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro for money laundering and criminal association in connection with undeclared diamonds from Saudi Arabia marked the far-right leader’s second formal accusation, with more potentially in store. The indictment on Thursday by Federal Police, confirmed by two officials with knowledge of the

Associated Press SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro has been a target for investigations since his early days in office, and the swarm of cases have multiplied since his failed reelection campaign in 2022. Bolsonaro has denied wrongdoing in all of the cases, and his allies have alleged political persecution, while recognizing

AP Economics Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — America’s employers delivered another healthy month of hiring in June, adding 206,000 jobs and once again displaying the U.S. economy’s ability to withstand high interest rates. Last month’s job growth did mark a pullback from 218,000 in May. But it was still a solid gain, reflecting the resilience of

Associated Press SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A South Korean court says a man who stabbed the country’s opposition leader in the neck earlier this year has been sentenced to 15 years in prison. The man attacked Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung in January after approaching him asking for his autograph at an event in

Associated Press GENEVA (AP) — The U.N. and partners say more migrants and refugees in Africa are heading north toward the Mediterranean and Europe, crossing dangerous land routes in the Sahara where criminal gangs roam subject them to enslavement, organ removal, rape, kidnapping for ransom and other abuses. A report from the U.N. refugee and

Associated Press WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand’s housing minister says the country will drastically ease restrictions on land use in a bid to “flood the market” with land for homes and override the powers of local councils to curb development. Chris Bishop said the new measures would require local councils to make enough

Associated Press TOKYO (AP) — Tokyo elects a new governor this weekend, but residents say personal publicity stunts have overtaken serious campaigning to a degree never seen before, with nearly nude women in suggestive poses, pets, an AI character and a man practicing his golf swing. It’s impossible to ignore. With internet campaigning still relatively

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Nepal’s second largest party withdrew from the government Thursday to join its longtime rival in a new coalition, as pressure builds on the prime minister to resign. The Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist) announced it was withdrawing support for Dahal and all their ministers resigned. Leaders of the Communist

Associated Press JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Vast swathes of Indonesia’s old-growth forests are left undeveloped for years after they’re felled. And when the land is finally put to use, it’s most often for new palm oil plantations. That’s according to a study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. But some experts —

BRUSH, Colo. (AP) — Authorities say an all-terrain vehicle crashed into a pickup truck on a rural road on Colorado’s plains, killing two toddlers and two adults. The Colorado State Patrol says the crash happened Wednesday afternoon after the driver of a Polaris RZR all-terrain vehicle went through a stop sign and hit a Ram

LONG BEACH, Calif. (AP) — A power boat crashed into a jetty in Southern California, killing one man and injuring 10 other people, officials said. The Long Beach Fire Department responded to reports around 9:20 p.m. on Wednesday that a 48-foot (15-meter) boat had crashed into the Alamitos Bay jetty, officials said Thursday. Capt. Jack

Associated Press LIMA, Peru (AP) — The Peruvian Congress has approved a law establishing a statute of limitations for crimes against humanity committed before 2002, a decision that human rights organizations have warned could encourage impunity and thwart investigations into serious abuses. It could also benefit figures including former president Alberto Fujimori and retired military

Associated Press SOUTH HAVEN, Mich. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom offered a forceful defense of embattled President Joe Biden on Thursday, telling Democrats in Michigan that the 81-year-old president has the record and energy to win a second term despite widespread doubts about his ability to campaign or govern effectively. Newsom’s pitch at a

Associated Press SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil’s Federal Police have indicted former President Jair Bolsonaro for money laundering and criminal association in connection with undeclared diamonds the far-right leader received from Saudi Arabia during his time in office, according to a source with knowledge of the accusations. A second source confirmed the indictment, although not

Two women in a home in Chicago, a police officer serving a warrant in Cleveland and an armed person making threats in Yellowstone National Park are among people who have been killed in shootings on the Fourth of July. The holiday is historically one of the nation’s deadliest days of the year. Three boys, ages

OROVILLE, Calif. (AP) — Thousands of people evacuated during a Northern California wildfire were allowed to return home Thursday afternoon as crews continued battling flames amid scorching heat, officials said. Containment of the Thompson Fire near the city of Oroville in Butte County also increased to 29% from 7%. The “vast majority” of the 17,000

Associated Press NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The City of New Orleans on Thursday officially welcomed thousands of people descending on the Big Easy for the Essence Festival of Culture. The celebration has been around for three decades — no easy feat, Essence CEO Caroline Wanga said Thursday during a news conference at Gallier Hall to

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico’s incoming president has announced her appointees for top posts, but hopes for a fresh approach were dashed by the re-appearance of old faces in the new cabinet. President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum announced Thursday that Rosa Icela Rodríguez, who headed outgoing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s failed security strategy, will serve as