China

U.S. launches sweeping crackdown on Southeast Asia cyberscams and sanctions Cambodian senator

By Grant Peck, Associated Press

U.S. officials have announced a sweeping crackdown on Southeast Asian cyberscam operations as part of what U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro characterized Friday as a “new theater of war” launched by the Trump administration against Chinese transnational organized crime.

Trump administration vows crackdown on Chinese companies 'exploiting' AI models made in U.S.

By Matt O'Brien, Associated Press

The memo arrives at a time when China is challenging U.S. dominance in artificial intelligence, an area where the White House says the U.S. must prevail to set global standards and reap economic and military benefits.

Japan lifts ban on lethal weapons exports in major change of its postwar pacifist policy

By Mary Yamaguchi, Associated Press

The move comes as the country accelerates its military buildup in the face of growing security challenges in the region.

U.S. and allied forces kick off combat drills with Philippines as China objects

By Jim Gomez, Associated Press

The United States and the Philippines have kicked off one of their largest combat exercises, aimed at deterring aggression in Asia.

Humanoid robot wins Beijing half-marathon, defeating the human world record

By Associated Press

This year's race featured over 300 robots from more than 100 teams, including international participants. The competition highlights China's advancements in a technological competition with the U.S.

China says it will resume some ties with Taiwan following visit by opposition leader

By Huizhong Wu, Associated Press

China said Sunday it would resume some ties it had suspended with Taiwan such as direct flights and imports of Taiwanese aquaculture products following a visit by the opposition leader of Taiwan.

Taiwan opposition leader visits China on what she calls a 'journey to peace'

By E. Eduardo Castillo, Simina Mistreanu, Associated Press

The visit is the first by a Taiwanese opposition leader in a decade and comes ahead of a meeting in Beijing between Xi and Trump scheduled to take place in May.

Russia and China veto watered-down UN resolution aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz

By Edith M. Lederer, Farnoush Amiri, Associated Press

The vote — 11 in favor, two against and two abstentions — took place just hours before an 8 p.m. Eastern deadline set by U.S. President Donald Trump for Iran to open the strategic waterway or face attacks on its…

Newly discovered fossils give scientists first look at the evolution of early complex animals

By Seth Borenstein, Associated Press

Newly discovered fossils have given scientists their first real glimpse of when Earth made a crucial transition from plants and unrecognizably simple animals to the complex creatures that took over the world and would eventually lead to us.