AP National News

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 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 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 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

NEW YORK (AP) — Kyle Rittenhouse says in a new interview that he believes the jury that acquitted him of murder came to the right verdict, and he’s now hoping to lay low for a while. Rittenhouse was acquitted Friday on charges stemming from killing two men and wounding another during the unrest that followed

By ELAINE KURTENBACH AP Business Writer Stocks are mixed in Asia after ending mostly lower on Wall Street Friday, despite the Nasdaq’s first close above 16,000. A resurgence of coronavirus outbreaks in the U.S., Europe and some other regions is weighing on investor sentiment. Comments by senior Chinese economic advisers about risks of “stagflation,” meanwhile,

By MARK KENNEDY AP Entertainment Writer NEW YORK (AP) — South Korean superstars BTS were crowned artist of the year at the American Music Awards on Sunday, brushing aside challenges from Taylor Swift, Drake and The Weeknd as they took home a total of three awards and teamed up with Coldplay for a raucous “My

BEIJING (AP) — China says five of its citizens have been kidnapped from a mining operation in eastern Congo. The Chinese Embassy in Kinshasa posted on its Chinese social media account that the five were abducted early Sunday from the site in South Kivu province that borders Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania. It urged all Chinese

By MARK KENNEDY AP Entertainment Writer NEW YORK (AP) — BTS were all over the American Music Awards on Sunday, performing with Coldplay on a raucous “My Universe” and taking home three big awards — artist of the year, favorite pop duo or group and favorite pop song for “Butter.” “Seven boys from Korea, united

By ROD McGUIRK Associated Press CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — The Australian government expects 200,000 vaccinated foreign students and skilled workers will soon return without quarantining when the country further relaxes pandemic restrictions next week. Prime Minister Scott Morrison says that from from Dec. 1, students, skilled workers and travelers on working vacations will be allowed

By SCOTT BAUER and MIKE HOUSEHOLDER Associated Press WAUKESHA, Wis. (AP) — Police say a person is in custody after an SUV sped through barricades and into a parade of Christmas marchers in suburban Milwaukee on Sunday, killing multiple people. More than 20 adults and children were injured in a horrifying scene captured by the

By SCOTT BAUER and MIKE HOUSEHOLDER Associated Press WAUKESHA, Wis. (AP) — An SUV driver sped through a police line and into a parade of Christmas marchers on Sunday, hitting more than 20 adults and children in a horrifying scene captured by the city’s livestream and the cellphones of onlookers. Waukesha Police Chief Dan Thompson