World News - The Morning Sun

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese smiles at the end of a press conference in Sydney, Tuesday, July 4, 2023. The Australian government distanced itself Thursday, July 6, from a decision of U.S. President Donald Trump’s oldest son to defer a speaking tour to Australia. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

Australian government distances itself from Donald Trump Jr.'s postponed tour

Australia’s center-left government has distanced itself from the postponement of Donald Trump Jr.’s speaking tour in Australia. His promoters said the eldest son of the former U.S. president was … more

By ROD McGUIRK | 7/6/23

Young Buddhist monks hold ceremonial scarves and stand in queue to offer prayers in front of a portrait of their spiritual leader the Dalai Lama during his 88th birthday celebration in Kathmandu, Nepal, Thursday, July 6, 2023. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)

Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama celebrates 88th birthday

The Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader, is celebrating his 88th birthday at his hillside Indian headquarters in Dharamsala. The celebrations Thursday are taking place in the courtyard of the … more

By ASHWINI BHATIA | 7/6/23

FILE - A woman wearing a face mask carries a child as they walk at a public park in Beijing, on June 1, 2023. China reported Thursday, July 6, 2023 that 239 people died from COVID-19 in June in a significant uptick months after it lifted most containment measures. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)

China says 239 people died from COVID-19 in June in a significant uptick

China says 239 people died from COVID-19 in June in a significant uptick months after it lifted most containment measures. The country had reported 164 deaths in May and none at all in April and … more

7/6/23

FILE - Pro-China lawmakers attend the second reading of a bill that will overhaul district council elections in Hong Kong, on July 5, 2023. Hong Kong lawmakers on Thursday, July 6, passed an amendment to a law to eliminate most directly elected seats on local district councils, the last major political representative bodies chosen by the public, shutting down further democratic challenges in the city. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte, File)

Hong Kong changes law to slash directly elected council seats, undermining democratic challenges

Hong Kong lawmakers on Thursday passed an amendment to a law to eliminate most directly elected seats on local district councils, the last major political representative bodies chosen by the public. … more

By KANIS LEUNG | 7/6/23

FILE - Youth throws a bottle to police forces during riots Thursday, June 29, 2023 in Nanterre, outside Paris. In all, more than 3,600 people have been detained in the unrest across France since the death of Nahel on June 27, with an average age of 17, according to the Interior Ministry. The violence left more than 800 law enforcement officers injured, French courts are working overtime to process the arrests, including opening their doors through the weekend, with fast-track hearings around an hour long and same-day sentencing. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, File)

French justice is working overtime and the mood is stern after thousands of teen arrests

French courts are working overtime in fast-track trials for more than 3,600 people arrested in unrest sparked by the police killing of a 17-year-old boy captured on video. Courts opened their doors … more

By JADE LE DELEY and LORI HINNANT | 7/6/23

FILE - In this photo reviewed by U.S. military officials, a flag flies at half-staff in honor of the U.S. service members and other victims killed in the terrorist attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, as seen from Camp Justice in Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba, Aug. 29, 2021. The first U.N. independent investigator to visit the U.S. detention center at Guantanamo Bay said Monday, June 26, 2023, that the 30 men held there are subject “to ongoing cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment under international law.” The U.S. response said Irish law professor Fionnuala Ní Aoláin was the first U.N. special rapporteur to visit Guantanamo and had been given “unprecedented access” with “the confidence that the conditions of confinement at Guantanamo Bay are humane and reflect the United States’ respect for and protection of human rights for all who are within our custody.” (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

Guantanamo detainees tell first independent visitor about scars from torture and hopes to leave

At the U.S. detention center at Guantanamo Bay, the aging men known by their serial numbers arrived at the meeting shackled. For the first time since it had opened in 2002, a U.S. president was … more

By EDITH M. LEDERER | 7/6/23

Blinken says a multinational force is needed to help Haiti's National Police restore order

U.S. State Secretary Antony Blinken says a multinational force is needed to help Haiti’s National Police as he echoed recent appeals made by U.N. officials who warn that the country’s insecurity … more

By DÁNICA COTO | 7/5/23

Members of the media gather outside the Shevchenskivskyi court during a news conference by Ukraine's Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, July 5, 2023. A man brought to court to stand trial blew himself up in the courthouse. The accused was attempting to escape custody at the time, according to a statement from the Kyiv city administration. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Suspect in Ukraine detonates explosives at a courthouse, killing himself and wounding 2 officers

Ukrainian officials say that a criminal suspect has died when he detonated explosives inside a court building in the Ukrainian capital. Two police officers were wounded. Ukraine's interior minister … more

7/5/23

In this handout photo released by Novaya Gazeta Europe via web site Novayagazeta.eu on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, Novaya Gazeta journalist Elena Milashina sitts after giving her a medical treatment in Grozny, Russia. Unidentified masked assailants in the Russian province of Chechnya have attacked and beaten a journalist and a lawyer. The violent incident underlines human rights abuses in the region. Novaya Gazeta journalist Elena Milashina and lawyer Alexander Nemov had just arrived in Chechnya to attend the trial of Zarema Musayeva, the mother of two local activists who have challenged Chechen authorities. (Novaya Gazeta Europe Novayagazeta.eu via AP)

Russian journalist sustained a brain injury and fractures during a brutal beating in Chechnya

A prominent Russian investigative reporter has received a brain injury and multiple fractures when she and a lawyer accompanying her were brutally beaten by unidentified assailants in the Russian … more

7/5/23

Hong Kong police arrest 4 men accused of supporting people overseas endangering national security

Hong Kong police have arrested four men they accused of providing financial support to people who fled overseas and are involved in activities endangering national security, escalating a high-profile … more

By KANIS LEUNG | 7/5/23

FILE - The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Europe's largest, is seen in the background of the shallow Kakhovka Reservoir after the dam collapse, in Energodar, Russian-occupied Ukraine, Tuesday, June 27, 2023. Ukraine and Russia accused each other Wednesday, July 5, 2023, of planning to attack the power plant, which is occupied by Russian troops, but neither side provided evidence to support their claims. (AP Photo/Libkos, File)

Ukraine and Russia trade accusations of imminent attack on Europe's largest nuclear plant.

Ukraine and Russia have accused each other of planning to attack one of the world’s largest nuclear power plants. Neither side provided evidence to support their claims. The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear … more

By SAMYA KULLAB | 7/5/23

FILE - Rescue workers carry the body of a victim of a Ukrainian plane crash in Shahedshahr, southwest of the capital Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020. The United Kingdom, Canada, Sweden and Ukraine launched a case against Iran at the United Nations' highest court Wednesday, July 5, 2023, over the downing in 2020 of a Ukrainian passenger jet and the deaths of all 176 passengers and crew. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi, File)

UK, Canada, Sweden, Ukraine take Iran to top UN court over 2020 downing of a Ukrainian passenger jet

The United Kingdom, Canada, Sweden and Ukraine have launched a case against Iran at the United Nations’ highest court over the downing in 2020 of a Ukrainian passenger jet and the deaths of all 176 … more

By MIKE CORDER | 7/5/23

Poland's Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki speaks with the media as he arrives for an EU summit at the European Council building in Brussels, Friday, June 30, 2023. European Union leaders wrap-up a two day summit on Friday in which they will discuss Ukraine, Migration and China. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

EU executive chides Poland, Hungary for democratic deficiencies

The European Union’s executive is chiding Poland and Hungary for democratic deficiencies. While the EU Commission’s annual rule of law report on Wednesday notes a smattering of improvements in … more

By RAF CASERT | 7/5/23

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak visits the Evelina Children's ward at St Thomas' hospital to take part in a NHS Big Tea celebration to mark the 75th anniversary of the NHS, in central London, Tuesday July 4, 2023.. (Jack Hill/Pool Photo via AP)

Condition critical? Britain's beloved but battered National Health Service turns 75

The U.K. is celebrating the 75th birthday of its beloved but increasingly creaky National Health Service. The date is being marked with charity tea parties, royal visits and a service of thanksgiving … more

By JILL LAWLESS | 7/5/23

FILE - European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell speaks during a media conference after a meeting 'Supporting the future of Syria and the region' at the European Council building in Brussels, June 15, 2023. The European Union says China has abruptly cancelled a visit by the EU's top diplomat for unspecified reasons. Borrell, the E.U.’s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, was due to arrive in China on July 10 for talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang and other officials, according to an announcement by the E.U. ambassador to Beijing on Sunday. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert, File)

China and the EU at odds over top diplomat’s visit, cancellation at the last minute

The European Union says China has abruptly cancelled a visit by the EU's top diplomat for unspecified reasons. Josep Borrell, the E.U.’s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, … more

By SIMINA MISTREANU | 7/5/23

FILE - Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaks during a joint press conference with Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic following their meeting at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on Feb. 26, 2020. China on Wednesday, July 5, 2023, dismissed criticism of racially tinged comments by its top diplomat, who said Europeans and Americans are incapable of distinguishing among Chinese, Koreans and Japanese. “No matter how yellow you dye your hair, or how sharp you make your nose, you’ll never turn into a European or American, you’ll never turn into a Westerner," said Wang Yi, a former foreign minister who now heads the ruling Communist Party's foreign affairs commission. (Roman Pilipey/Pool Photo via AP, File)

China dismisses criticism of top diplomat's comments appearing to push for race-based alliance

China is dismissing criticism of racially tinged comments by its top diplomat. At a forum on Monday, Wang Yi said Europeans and Americans were incapable of distinguishing among Chinese, Koreans and … more

7/5/23

Crowds across France showed solidarity at town halls targeted in rioting following police shooting. (July 3)

France sees itself as blind to race. After a teen is killed by police, how does one discuss racism?

The race of the police officer who shot and killed a French teenager during a traffic stop last week hasn’t been disclosed, and there’s no reason why it would be. Officially, race doesn’t exist … more

By CARA ANNA | 7/5/23

In this photo released by China's Xinhua News Agency, workers clean up silt and mud along a street in the Wanzhou district of Chongqing, China, Tuesday, July 4, 2023. More than a dozen people have been killed by floods in southwestern China as seasonal torrents hit mountain areas, authorities said Wednesday. (Ran Mengjun/Xinhua via AP)

15 killed by floods in southwestern China as seasonal torrents hit mountain areas

Authorities say floods have killed 15 people in southwestern China as seasonal torrents hit mountain areas. As of Wednesday, another four people were reported missing in Chongqing, a vast mountainous … more

7/5/23

Kim Neineng, 43, a tribal Kuki, cries as she narrates the killing of her husband, at a relief camp in Churachandpur, in the northeastern Indian state of Manipur, Tuesday, June 20, 2023. Neineng escaped with her four children to a nearby relief camp when a Meitei mob descended on their village. Her husband was killed by the mob — beaten with iron bars, his legs chopped off and then picked and tossed in the raging fire that had already engulfed his home. The deadly conflict between the two ethnic communities has killed at least 120 people. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Armed mobs rampage through villages and push remote Indian region to the brink of civil war

India's remote northeastern state of Manipur is caught in a deadly conflict between two ethnic communities that have armed themselves and launched brutal attacks against one another. At least 120 … more

By SHEIKH SAALIQ | 7/5/23

FILE - Supporters of Pan-Malaysia Islamic Party (PAS) gather on the election nomination day outside an nomination center in Langkawi, Malaysia, on April 28, 2018. Election Commission chief Abdul Ghani Salleh said Wednesday, July 5, 2023 that over 9.7 million voters will head to the ballot box on Aug. 12 to elect 245 assemblymen for six states. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian, File)

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar faces crucial test of support in state polls next month

Less than a year after taking office, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim faces a critical first test in state elections next month that pits his government against a powerful Islamic opposition. … more

By EILEEN NG | 7/5/23