News

By BASSEM MROUE Associated Press BEIRUT (AP) — The lead judge investigating last year’s massive blast in Beirut’s port suspended his work in the case Monday after a former Cabinet minister demanded his dismissal. Monday’s move comes amid a growing campaign by Lebanon’s political class against the judge. Judge Tarek Bitar took over the job

By MALLIKA SEN Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — Many of the 38 members recognized by the United Nations as small island developing states are known for their stunning coral reefs, pristine beaches and dire imperilment by climate change. These islands are dependent on tourism, which itself is a significant driver of climate change. With

By NICOLE WINFIELD and FRANCESCO FEDELI Associated Press SAN MARINO (AP) — Pope Francis has repeated the Catholic stance that abortion is “murder,” a day after the tiny republic of San Marino became the latest Catholic state to legalize the procedure. The measure passed overwhelmingly, getting 77% of the 14,384 votes cast Sunday in the

By LIZ WESTON of NerdWallet Millions of U.S. workers have changed jobs or are looking, often in pursuit of flexible hours, remote work and other nonmonetary benefits. But money is important, too. How can you be sure a different gig will improve your overall financial picture? Start by listing every benefit you use now or

By HUIZHONG WU Associated Press TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — China’s Foreign Ministry says two Canadians detained in late 2019 who were allowed to return to Canada were released on bail for health reasons. A ministry spokesperson made the comment as Beijing sought to downplay the connection between their release and the return to China of

By MIKE CORDER Associated Press THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor has sought urgent clearance from the court’s judges to resume investigations of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Afghanistan. Prosecutor Karim Khan said Monday that under the country’s new Taliban rulers “there is no longer the prospect of

By LLAZAR SEMINI Associated Press TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Wildlife campaigners have called on the Albanian government to stop the construction of two hydropower plants in a protected nature area in the north of the country. The World Wide Fund for Nature Adria, on Sunday said that the investor has not respected a Supreme Court

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard says two of its members died from injuries they suffered in an unexplained fire the day before. The Guard said on Monday the fire erupted in a warehouse at what it described as a “research self-sufficiency center” west of the capital, Tehran. Three Guard members

By MARI YAMAGUCHI Associated Press TOKYO (AP) — Japanese Princess Mako’s fiancé has returned to Japan for their marriage, which was suspended for more than three years because of a financial dispute involving his mother. Kei Komuro arrived from New York, where he studied law and plans to work as a lawyer, with his hair

By ROD McGUIRK Associated Press CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — An Aboriginal man is taking Australia’s government to court to argue that Indigenous people should have access to their pensions earlier than other Australians because Indigenous life expectancy is years shorter. Dennis Fisher says he is taking the action to benefit other Indigenous Australians. The case