World

China boosts defence spending by 6.8% in slight uptick

BEIJING - China is increasing its defence spending by 6.8%, a slight uptick from last year, amid high government debt and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic impact. A national budget report issued...

Mar 4, 2021

China announces "over 6%" economic growth target, tech plans

BEIJING - China's top economic official announced a healthy growth target for the nation and its plans to become a more self-reliant technology leader amid tension with Washington and Europe over trad...

Mar 4, 2021

Powerful quake hits off New Zealand, prompting evacuations

WELLINGTON, New Zealand - A powerful magnitude 8.1 earthquake struck Friday in the ocean off New Zealand, prompting thousands of people to evacuate and triggering tsunami warnings across the South Pac...

Mar 4, 2021

Phish guitarist to found substance abuse treatment centre

LUDLOW, Vt. - Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio plans to start a substance use disorder treatment centre in Vermont, where the band was formed in 1983. Anastasio, who is now 14 years sober, announced Thu...

Mar 4, 2021

California to give 40% of vaccine doses to vulnerable areas

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - California will begin setting aside 40% of all vaccine doses for people who live in the most vulnerable neighbourhoods in an effort to inoculate people most at risk from the coron...

Mar 4, 2021

Dallas police officer charged with 2 counts capital murder

DALLAS - A Dallas police officer was arrested Thursday on two counts of capital murder in two unconnected 2017 killings that weren't related to his police work, authorities said. Bryan Riser, a 13-yea...

Mar 4, 2021

California Legislature OKs plan aimed at in-person learning

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - California lawmakers on Thursday approved a $6.6 billion plan aimed at pressuring school districts to return students to the classroom before the end of the school year. The bill ...

Mar 4, 2021

Still divisive, Dr. Luke resurges at Grammys - as Tyson Trax

NEW YORK - With dark clouds looming behind him, controversial music producer and hitmaker Dr. Luke rose to the top of the Billboard charts last year with Doja Cat's ubiquitous funk-pop jam "Say So," a...

Mar 4, 2021

11 killed in army helicopter crash in eastern Turkey

ANKARA, Turkey - An army helicopter crashed in eastern Turkey on Thursday, killing 11 military personnel on board and injuring two others, the Defence Ministry said. News reports said a high-ranking o...

Mar 4, 2021

Bucking GOP trend, Alabama governor extends mask order

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Breaking from other Southern GOP governors, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey extended her state's mask order for another month Thursday but said the requirement will end for good in April. Fol...

Mar 4, 2021