World

Malaysia denies media harassment in row over Al-Jazeera film

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - Malaysia has denied it was clamping down on social media after an outcry over an announcement that all video production must be licensed amid a row with news broadcaster Al-Ja...

Jul 23, 2020

China tells US to close consulate in Chengdu in growing spat

BEIJING - China on Friday ordered the United States to close its consulate in the western city of Chengdu in an increasingly rancorous diplomatic conflict. The order followed the U.S. closure of the C...

Jul 23, 2020

Trump calls off Florida segment of GOP National Convention

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he has cancelled segments of the Republican National Convention scheduled for Florida next month, citing a "flare-up" of the coronavirus. Co...

Jul 23, 2020

Movie theatres implore studios: Release the blockbusters

NEW YORK - A long time ago in a pre-COVID universe far, far away, blockbusters opened around the globe simultaneously or nearly so. In 1975, "Jaws" set the blueprint. Concentrate marketing. Open wide....

Jul 23, 2020

WHO chief upbraids Pompeo over 'unacceptable' allegations

GENEVA - The director-general of the World Health Organization upbraided U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday for "untrue and unacceptable" allegations during the coronavirus pandemic after...

Jul 23, 2020

Jobless claims rise as cutoff of extra $600 benefit nears

WASHINGTON - Just days before the end of an enhanced unemployment benefit, the nation got another dose of bad economic news Thursday: The number of laid-off workers seeking jobless benefits last week ...

Jul 23, 2020

Watchdog to review conduct of federal agents in Portland, DC

WASHINGTON - The Justice Department inspector general said Thursday that it will conduct a review of the conduct of federal agents who responded to unrest in Portland, Oregon and Washington, D.C., fol...

Jul 23, 2020

Taylor Swift will release surprise album 'Folklore' Friday

NEW YORK - While in isolation, Taylor Swift has created a new album and is releasing it Friday. The pop star made the surprise announcement Thursday on Instagram. "Folklore," her eighth record, comes ...

Jul 23, 2020

AP-NORC poll: 3 in 4 Americans back requiring wearing masks

LOS ANGELES - Three out of four Americans, including a majority of Republicans, favour requiring people to wear face coverings while outside their homes, a new poll finds, reflecting fresh alarm over ...

Jul 23, 2020

New literary prize is $50,000 honour for best New York story

NEW YORK - A new literary award with a $50,000 cash prize will honour those best at telling a New York story. The Gotham Literary Prize, announced Thursday, came out of a conversation between business...

Jul 23, 2020