KARANGASEM, Indonesia (AP) — Australian tourists who complained about being stranded on tropical Bali when volcanic ash closed its airport have been roasted online as out of touch with the hardships faced by Indonesians forced to flee their homes. Bali’s airport reopened Wednesday after being closed for 2 1/2 days and thousands of tourists are … Continue reading
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Asian stock markets were marginally higher Friday, after an overnight recovery of technology stocks on Wall Street. An agreement among key crude exporting countries to extend oil production cuts also boosted sentiment. KEEPING SCORE: Japan’s Nikkei 225 was flat at 22,724.11 while South Korea’s Kospi rose 0.2 percent to 2,480.42. … Continue reading
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Latest on the trial of a Mexican man in a killing on a San Francisco pier (all times local): 7:45 p.m. President Donald Trump says there was a “disgraceful verdict” after a Mexican man was found not guilty of murder in a high-profile killing that touched off a fierce immigration … Continue reading
DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — Pope Francis is ordaining 16 priests during a Mass in Bangladesh, the start of a busy day that will also bring him face-to-face with Rohingya Muslims refugees from Myanmar. An estimated 100,000 people gathered Friday in a Dhaka park for the service, which mirrors the ordination Mass St. John Paul II … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on Senate Republicans’ tax overhaul bill (all times local): 7:50 p.m. Republican Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin says he is still withholding support for the Republicans’ sweeping tax package because it doesn’t cut taxes enough for business owners. The package would allow business owners who report business income on their … Continue reading
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea says the most powerful missile that North Korea tested this week missile is potentially capable of striking targets as far as 13,000 kilometers (8,100 miles), which would put Washington within reach. The Defense Ministry says Friday further reviews are needed to determine whether the intercontinental ballistic missile’s warhead … Continue reading
Boyz II Men, “Under the Streetlight” (Sony Masterworks) The guys who gave us “Motownphilly” in 1991 are making fun of themselves these days in a Geico ad in which they harmonize gross digestive side effects at a pharmacy. “If you’re Boyz II Men,” you make anything sound good,” says the announcer. On a new CD, … Continue reading
NEW YORK (AP) — Gretchen Carlson says the Harvey Weinstein scandal shows the nation may be in the midst of a profound cultural shift on the issue of sexual harassment. Carlson’s lawsuit against former Fox News Channel CEO Roger Ailes led to his ouster last year. She said the “me too” social media campaign that … Continue reading
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Former President Barack Obama is set to return to the campaign trail for the first time since he left office with a rally to help Democrat Ralph Northam in Virginia’s closely watched race for governor. The Northam campaign announced Wednesday that the lieutenant governor and Obama will appear together at an … Continue reading
LONDON (AP) — The Latest on how the weakened remnants of Hurricane Ophelia are affecting Ireland and the U.K. (all times local): 4:20 p.m. A non-profit group that provides lifesaving services around the British Isles is warning people to stay away from seas and beaches as Post-Tropical Cyclone Ophelia passes over the British Isles. Royal … Continue reading
LONDON (AP) — U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May is speaking directly with leaders of some of the European Union’s biggest member states ahead of a meeting in Brussels aimed at unblocking negotiations on Britain’s departure from the bloc. May spoke by phone with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and planned to call France’s Emmanuel Macron and … Continue reading
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — A Christian Indonesian couple who fear they’ll be deported if they follow orders to report to U.S. immigration officials have taken refuge in a church run by a candidate in New Jersey’s governor’s race. The Rev. Seth Kaper-Dale offered sanctuary in the Reformed Church of Highland Park to Arthur Jemmy and … Continue reading
NEW YORK (AP) — Signs that more people are dropping their traditional TV subscriptions weighed on TV providers’ stocks Thursday. AT&T said it lost 90,000 video subscribers in the U.S. in the third quarter. It’s a steeper drop than the same period last year, even though gains from its newer, cheaper online cable-like service, DirecTV … Continue reading
ISLAMABAD (AP) — The Latest on the release of an American woman, her husband and their three children after being held for years by a group with ties to the Taliban (all times local): 6:50 a.m. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has thanked Canada’s allies around the globe for their work in achieving a positive … Continue reading
PARIS (AP) — The United States announced Thursday it is pulling out of the U.N.’s educational, scientific and cultural agency because of what Washington sees as its anti-Israel bias and a need for “fundamental reform” in the agency. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel plans to follow suit. While the Trump administration had been … Continue reading
Spartan Echo 