CHINA

The divided U.N. Security Council is scrambling to reach agreement on whether to extend travel exemptions for 13 Taliban officials now ruling Afghanistan that are set to expire at midnight Friday

China is suffering from its worst heatwave in six decades as temperatures in dozens of cities surpass 40 degrees Celsius, or 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

China's Red Rail is said to be the world's first suspended maglev train that uses permanent magnets, allowing it to float through the air untethered.

We've had our eyes on Starbucks, Estee Lauder and Palo Alto Networks. Here's how developments this week are shaping our views.

Always controversial, nuclear power has been on a steady slide in prominence, supplying 10% of the world’s electricity today compared with 18% at its peak in the mid-1990s. While a few countries, notably China and India, have been expanding their capacities, concerns about reactor safety led most advanced economies to move in the opposite direction. In recent years, however, the climate crisis has given this carbon-free source of energy fresh appeal. Now insecurities about fuel supplies provoked

The U.N. health agency said there were 5.4 million new COVID-19 cases reported last week, a decline of 24% from the previous week. Infections fell everywhere in the world, including by nearly 40% in Africa and Europe and by a third in the Middle East. COVID deaths rose in the Western Pacific and Southeast Asia by 31% and 12% respectively, but fell or remained stable everywhere else. At a press briefing Wednesday, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said reported coronavirus deaths over the past month have surged 35%, and noted there had been 15,000 deaths in the past week. “15,000 deaths a week is completely unacceptable, when we have all the tools to prevent infections and save lives,” Tedros said.

The talks come weeks after a controversial visit to Taiwan by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Asian shares were mostly higher Wednesday as regional markets looked to strong economic signs out of the U.S. and China as drivers of growth. "Expectations of economic growth in China and the U.S. will likely remain key to gauging recession fears. Soaring oil prices and the sliding yen were key factors. Broadcom fell 1.3%, Moderna slid 5% for the biggest drop in the S&P 500 and Marathon Oil fell 1.1%. U.S. crude oil prices fell 3.2% Tuesday.

Asian shares are mostly higher as regional markets looked to strong economic signs out of the U.S. and China as drivers of growth.

China Drought A dried riverbed is exposed after the water level dropped in the Yangtze River in Yunyang county in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022. Unusually high temperatures and a prolonged drought are affecting large swaths of China, reducing crop yields and drinking water supplies. That came after reservoir levels fell and power demand for air conditioning surged in scorching temperatures. Hundreds of thousands of hectares (acres) of crops across central and northern China have wilted due to lack of water and high temperatures, according to the government. Makers of solar power equipment in Sichuan including Tongwei Solar Co. Ltd. and GCL-Poly Energy Holdings Ltd. said they received notices to ration power.

Factories in China's southwest have shut down and a city imposed rolling blackouts after reservoirs to generate hydropower ran low in a worsening drought.

A woman in China filed a lawsuit against her colleague who allegedly broke three of her ribs by hugging her too tightly. The woman from Yueyang city in China’s Hubei province was reportedly talking with a co-worker in May 2021 when a male colleague approached her and gave her a tight hug, which allegedly left her screaming in pain. An X-ray scan revealed that she had three broken ribs: one left rib and two right ribs.

Greater uncertainty means higher inventories, but it’s not shaking out equally among semiconductor manufacturers. No surprise, TSMC is beating the rest.

South Korea Financial Markets A currency trader walks by screens showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI), right, and the foreign exchange rates at a foreign exchange dealing room in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022. Asian shares mostly rose Tuesday after a rebound on Wall Street, despite regional investor risks reflected in negative economic data out of China. European shares gained in early trading. Hong Kong's benchmark slipped, while Shanghai shares rose. In Tuesday trading, benchmark U.S. crude fell $1.46 to $87.95 a barrel.

Germany Fighter Jets A German Eurofighter gets ready for takeoff at Neuburg Air Base in Neuburg An Der Donau, Germany, Monday Aug. 15, 2022. A group of German air force fighter jets neared Singapore on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022, in a marathon bid to fly them some 12,800 kilometers (8,000 miles) from their home base to Southeast Asia in just 24 hours. (Daniel Karmann/dpa via AP) (Daniel Karmann)BANGKOK — (AP) — A group of German air force fighter jets neared Singapore on Tuesday in a marathon bid to fly them some 12,800 kilometers (8,000 miles) from their home base to Southeast Asia in just 24 hours. In addition to Germany, European NATO members France, Britain and the Netherlands are participating, along with the United States, New Zealand, Korea, the UAE, India, Japan, Thailand and others. Following the Aug. 19-Sept. 8 exercise in Australia, the German jets are to stop in Japan and South Korea on their way back home.

Asian shares mostly rose Tuesday after a rebound on Wall Street, despite regional investor risks reflected in negative economic data out of China. The benchmark in Tokyo was little changed, erasing earlier gains, but indexes in South Korea, Australia and China gained in morning trading. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man) (Lee Jin-man)TOKYO — (AP) — Asian shares mostly rose Tuesday after a rebound on Wall Street, despite regional investor risks reflected in negative economic data out of China. The benchmark in Tokyo was little changed, erasing earlier gains, but indexes in South Korea and Australia gained. Wall Street is worried that the Fed could hit the brakes too hard and send the economy into a recession.

Asian shares are mostly rising after a rebound on Wall Street, despite regional investor risks reflected in negative economic data out of China.

A group of German air force fighter jets neared Singapore on Tuesday in a marathon bid to fly them some 12,800 kilometers (8,000 miles) from their home base to Southeast Asia in just 24 hours. The exercise comes at a time of heightened tensions between China and the U.S. and its allies over Taiwan and demonstrates the ability for a European nation to move air power quickly to the region. The European Union unveiled a new strategy in September for boosting economic, political and defense ties in the Indo-Pacific.

Sichuan province, home to more than 80 million people, said production would be suspended in 19 cities and prefectures until Saturday to preserve electricity.

South Korea Financial Markets A currency trader walks by screens showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI), left, and the foreign exchange rate between U.S. dollar and South Korean won at a foreign exchange dealing room in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022. Asian shares mostly rose Tuesday after a rebound on Wall Street, despite regional investor risks reflected in negative economic data out of China. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man) (Lee Jin-man)TOKYO — (AP) — Asian shares mostly rose Tuesday after a rebound on Wall Street, despite regional investor risks reflected in negative economic data out of China. The benchmark in Tokyo was little changed, erasing earlier gains, but indexes in South Korea, Australia and China gained in morning trading. In Tuesday's trading, benchmark U.S. crude fell 57 cents to $88.84 a barrel.

Financial Markets Wall Street FILE - The New York Stock Exchange on Wednesday, June 29, 2022, in New York. Stocks on Wall Street recovered from early losses and turned higher in afternoon trading Monday, Aug. 15, 2022, as investors remain focused on the economy and on several updates from retailers this week. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson, File) (Julia Nikhinson)Stocks recovered from early losses and ended higher on Wall Street. Stocks on Wall Street recovered from early losses and turned higher in afternoon trading Monday as investors remain focused on the economy and on several updates from retailers this week. Wall Street will get another look at the health of the retail sector and consumer spending when the Commerce Department releases its July retail sales report on Wednesday.

Florida Power and Light has unveiled a new fixed-wing drone designed to fly into tropical storm force winds and help restore power after severe weather. (Aug. 15) (AP Video: Cody Jackson)

"The momentum of economic recovery has slowed," a government spokesperson said.

The fourth quarter will be "the challenge" for Malaysia's economy if the Russia-Ukraine war and China's zero-Covid policy persist, said Zafrul Aziz.

Shares were mixed in Asia on Monday after China's central bank cut a key interest rate and Japan reported its economy expanded at a faster pace in the last quarter. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko) (Eugene Hoshiko)BANGKOK — (AP) — World shares were mostly higher early Monday after China's central bank cut a key interest rate and Japan reported its economy picked up momentum in the last quarter. Major indexes got a big bump on Wednesday after a report showed that inflation cooled more than expected last month. The aggressive pace of rate hikes has investors worried that the Fed could steer the economy into a recession. This week, the Commerce Department releases its retail sales report for July and retail giant Walmart reports its latest financial results.

BEIJING — (AP) — China’s central bank trimmed a key interest rate Monday to shore up sagging economic growth at a politically sensitive time when President Xi Jinping is believed to be trying to extend his hold on power. Despite downward pressure on growth, party leaders affirmed their commitment to the severe “zero-COVID” strategy in a July 29 statement. The latest rate cut and extra money for lending are small compared with China's $17 trillion-a-year economy, the world's second-largest. The ruling party is struggling to revive activity after Shanghai, the country’s business capital, and other industrial centers were shut for weeks starting in late March to fight virus outbreaks. A survey of manufacturers released earlier showed activity in July contracted.

Taiwan US China In this photo released by the Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, from left, U.S. Democratic House member Alan Lowenthal from California, Democratic House members John Garamendi, Donald Yu-Tien Hsu, Director-General, dept. The delegation of American lawmakers are visiting Taiwan just 12 days after a visit by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi that angered China. (Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs via AP) (Uncredited)TAIPEI, Taiwan — (AP) — Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen met Monday with a delegation of U.S. Congress members in a further sign of support among American lawmakers for the self-governing island that China claims as its own territory. China says it wants to use peaceful means to bring Taiwan under its control, but its recent saber rattling has emphasized its military threat. Reducing tensions in the Taiwan Strait and investments in Taiwan's crucial semiconductor industry are expected to be key topics of discussion.

Investment into real estate fell at a faster pace in July than June, while investment into manufacturing slowed its pace of growth.

China Taiwan FILE - Taiwan Air Force Mirage fighter jets taxi on a runway at an airbase in Hsinchu, Taiwan, Friday, Aug. 5, 2022. China on Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022, renewed its threat to attack Taiwan following almost a week of wargames near the island. Taiwan has called Beijing's claims to the self-governing democracy “wishful thinking" and launched its own military exercises. (AP Photo/Johnson Lai, File) (Johnson Lai)TAIPEI, Taiwan — (AP) — A delegation of American lawmakers is visiting Taiwan just 12 days after a visit by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi that angered China. China claims self-ruled Taiwan as its territory and objects to it having any official contact with foreign governments.

A delegation of American lawmakers is visiting Taiwan just 12 days after a visit by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi that angered China. The five-member delegation is led by Democratic Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts and is in Taiwan on Sunday and Monday as part of a visit to Asia, the American Institute in Taiwan said. A Taiwanese broadcaster showed video of a U.S. government plane landing about 7 p.m. at Songshan Airport in Taipei, the Taiwanese capital.

Chinese authorities say seven people were killed by a torrent of water that came rushing down a river in a popular recreational spot following mountain rains in southwestern China’s Sichuan province

Stargazers around the world captured some dazzling views of the Perseid meteor shower as it peaked overnight Friday and Saturday (Aug. 12-13)

China’s space station recently gained a new module and with it a pair of huge, solar energy-capturing “wings” that can rotate as the outpost orbits the Earth.

A Delaware gardener named Jeff Premar noticed someone was stealing his vegetables. So, he set up a security camera – and realized the culprit was a groundhog. "He would get right up into the camera and chomp on the veggies in your face like, 'Yeah I’m eating your veggies, what are you gonna do about it, Gardener Jeff?'" Premar told CBS News. Eventually, have gave up and built the groundhog, whom he named Chunk, a mini table to dine at.

Freya the walrus, a popular attraction in the Oslo Fjord, is in danger from too much attention.

The Mengtian module arrived at Wenchang spaceport in south China on Tuesday (Aug. 9) after being shipped in containers from the northern port city of Tianjin.

While many EVs qualify for tax credits under inflation bill, no cars sold today likely would get the full $7,500 rebate.

Though the virus has not yet caused any fatalities, it comes from the same family as other deadly viruses.

China has blocked the imposition of U.N. sanctions sought by the United States and India against the deputy chief of Jaish-e-Mohammad, a Pakistan-based extremist group designated by the United Nations as a terrorist organization

When Zhou Xiaoxuan first went public with her accusations against a star TV presenter in China, her story inspired many other women to come forward.

Lost billions, graft probes, and broken dreams are the result of over-ambitious goals to build a leading chip sector.

ByteDance's healthcare unit in China, Xiaohe Health, has acquired a high-end healthcare organization called Amcare Healthcare for $1.5 billion.

Powerful anti-satellite weapons have been developed by rival nations to knock out each other's satellites as the battle for space heats up.

The solid-fueled Lijian 1 rocket, also referred to as ZK-1A, lifted off from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on July 27, carrying six satellites into orbit on its debut flight.

The semiconductor shortage is hitting another of the world's automakers, despite demand for product.

Asia-Pacific shares fell on Wednesday as investors digest inflation data from China and look ahead to the U.S. CPI report.

Former President Donald Trump said FBI agents searched his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida. Here's why it matters.

We gave interior designers Noz Nozawa, Darren Jett, and Joy Moyler a photo of the same kitchen - then asked each of them to create a design for it in their particular style, however they pleased. Three artists, one canvas, each bringing something different to space. Watch and see which designer checks the most boxes on your dream kitchen wishlist.

Nighttime temperatures could double in some eastern Asian cities, according to a study researchers say is the first to estimate the impact of hotter nights on climate change-related mortality risks.

New Zealand Sherman Visit U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, left, hands New Zealand Economic and Regional Development Minister Stuart Nash a NASA t-shirt Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022, during an agreement-signing event in Wellington, New Zealand. The United States is doubling down on its investment in the Pacific, said Sherman on Tuesday as she concluded a five-nation visit to the region. (AP Photo/Nick Perry) (Nick Perry)WELLINGTON, New Zealand — (AP) — The United States is doubling down on its investment in the Pacific, said U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman on Tuesday as she concluded a five-nation visit to the region. “The future will be written here in the Pacific,” Sherman said at an agreement-signing event in New Zealand's capital, Wellington. “And so we are doubling down on our investment here in the Pacific,” Sherman said.

The United States is doubling down on its investment in the Pacific.

China Cycling Boom Members of the Qiyi bicycle club climb a hill on a rural road during a group ride through the Baihe River Canyon in the northern outskirts of Beijing, Wednesday, July 13, 2022. Cycling has gained increasing popularity in China as a sport. Biking events organized by Beijing cycling club Qiyi tallied about 10,000 participants over the past year, with about 50% of them regulars. The boom in cycling reflects the growing popularity of outdoor activities, said Feng Baozhong, vice president of the Chinese Cycling Association. “The pursuit of health will not vanish, so I think there is a good prospect for the sustainability (of cycling),” Feng said.

Cycling is growing in popularity in China as a sport, not just a way to get to work.

Virus Outbreak China A woman rubs her nose as she rides on an electric bike, crossing an intersection in Beijing, Monday, Aug. 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) (Andy Wong)BEIJING — (AP) — Chinese authorities have closed Tibet's famed Potala Palace after a minor outbreak of COVID-19 was reported in the Himalayan region. The action underscores China's continued adherence to its "zero-COVID" policy, mandating lockdowns, routine testing, quarantines and travel restrictions, even while most other countries have reopened. Tibet’s economy is heavily dependent on tourism and the Potala is a key draw. China announced 828 new cases of domestic transmission on Tuesday, 22 of them in Tibet.

Former President Trump is under investigation by the Justice Department for allegedly removing presidential records from the White House.

Beijing redefines what is "acceptable" even as Taiwanese attitudes appear to be hardening further.

China has cut off climate talks with the U.S. — imperiling future global climate negotiations, but not necessarily blunting the impacts of significant climate actions at home in both countries.

Economies in the Asia-Pacific are forecast to hit the doldrums this year as decades-high inflation and the war in Ukraine add to uncertainty and the aftereffects of the pandemic.

Asian shares are mostly higher as investors welcome encouraging economic data and quarterly earnings reports from big companies.

The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations is heading to Africa, saying she is going to focus on how the United State can help Uganda, Ghana and Cape Verde deal with the food crisis that has hit the continent particularly hard — not to compete with China and Russia.

Four-time major champion Naomi Osaka won the first match she’s played since May, beating Zheng Qinwen 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 on at the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic.

India has announced a $100 million line of credit to the Maldives to support development projects.

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has arrived in Taiwan.

China's government says it is conducting military exercises off its coast opposite Taiwan.

Asian shares are mostly higher following a broad rally on Wall Street, but Hong Kong's benchmark sank more than 2%.

The head of the U.S. government aid agency has called on China to help Sri Lanka and other nations that had borrowed heavily from Beijing with debt restructuring, not just with lines of credit and emergency loans.

A Chinese cargo spacecraft that serviced the country's permanent orbiting space station has largely burned up on reentering the atmosphere.

McDonald’s revenue fell short of expectations in the second quarter as coronavirus restrictions shuttered stores in China and higher prices took a toll on U.S. demand.

China has launched one of two laboratory modules to complete its permanent orbiting space station.

New U.S. Ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy said Friday the United States needs to engage more with the Pacific region at a time when China is asserting its presence.

Tesla’s second-quarter profit fell 32% from record levels in the first quarter.

The U.S. will spend $1.3 billion to develop advanced satellites that will be able to better track hypersonic missile threats.

The United Nations estimates that the world’s population will reach 8 billion on Nov. 15 and that India will replace China as the world’s most populous nation next year.

Asian stock markets have followed Wall Street higher after two Federal Reserve officials said the U.S. economy might avoid a recession and news reports said China might boost construction spending to stimulate its struggling economy.

From the snowcapped peaks of Tibet to the tropical island of Hainan, China is sweltering under the worst heatwave in decades while rainfall hit records in June.

Four activists wearing “Where is Peng Shuai?”.

Zhou Guanyu was taken to the medical center after a frightening first-lap crash at the British Grand Prix on Sunday.

The head of NATO says an unstable world could get even more dangerous if the alliance does not remain strong and united.

Recent reports out of Volusia County show an uptick in drug-related deaths countywide — a trend that Sheriff Mike Chitwood said could be traced back to a ‘porous’ border, drug-smuggling cartels and an abundance of fentanyl.

A top South Korean official says North Korea is increasingly targeting the South with its nuclear arms program, and urged China and Russia to persuade the North not to conduct a widely expected nuclear test.

Online discussion was swirling in response to reported remarks of Beijing's party secretary.

China’s first special envoy to the Horn of Africa has offered to mediate in disputes in the region as Beijing seeks to strengthen its influence and protect its investments from conflict and other troubles.

European benchmarks are higher after most Asian markets retreated, while the price of bitcoin hovered near $20,000.

After five weeks of declining coronavirus deaths, the number of fatalities reported globally increased by 4% last week, according to the World Health Organization.

China's capital has put school back online in one of its major districts amid a new COVID-19 outbreak linked to a nightclub.

China and Russia have defended their vetoes of a strongly backed U.S. resolution that would have imposed tough new sanctions on North Korea.

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development says Russia’s war in Ukraine and the energy and food crises it worsened will severely drag down global economic growth and push up inflation this year.

Diners are returning to restaurants in most of Beijing for the first time in more than a month as authorities further ease pandemic-related restrictions.

China has launched a new three-person mission to complete work on its permanent orbiting space station.

Dragon boat festivities have returned in parts of China for the first time since the outbreak of the pandemic in late 2019 as restrictions are lifted along with a major drop in COVID-19 cases.

Asian shares have risen amid mixed signs for investors such as rising energy prices and COVID-19 restrictions easing in China.

Amazon said Thursday it will shut down its digital Kindle bookstores in China and stop selling the device to retailers in the country.

Australia and China are continuing their tit-for-tat diplomatic rivalry in the Pacific as the foreign ministers from each country pay separate visits to island nations.

China's carbon emissions have dipped notably over the past three quarters — but it’s not clear how long the drop will continue.

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived in Tonga on Tuesday as he continued his regional island-hopping tour a day after failing to ink an ambitious deal with 10 South Pacific nations.

Shanghai authorities say they will take major steps Wednesday toward reopening China’s largest city after a two-month COVID-19 lockdown that has throttled the national economy and largely confined millions of people to their homes.

Iga Swiatek’s 20-set winning streak ended but her run of consecutive match victories is now up to 32 as she heads to the French Open quarterfinals.

China’s foreign minister has met with the leaders of Samoa on the third stop of an island-hopping tour aimed at deepening China’s ties with Pacific nations.

Asian shares are gaining as investors cheered a strong set of earnings from retailers that sent U.S. shares higher.

China and Russia have vetoed a U.N. resolution sponsored by the United States that would have imposed tough new sanctions on North Korea for its spate of intercontinental ballistic missile launches that can be used to deliver nuclear weapons.