Venezuela warns of 'serious' environmental impact from oil spill

CARACAS (AP) – Venezuela says an oil spill that originated in Trinidad and Tobago, two islands just off its coast, had caused serious environmental damage along the coastlines of at least two of its states and in a gulf area near the Caribbean nation.

Tech carries Wall Street to records, even as most stocks fall

NEW YORK (AP) - A reound for technology stocks led Wall Street to records, even though the majority of U.S. stocks fell following another discouraging update on inflation. The S&P 500 rose 0.6% Wednesday and topped its prior all-time high set early this week. The Dow Jones dipped 0.1%, and the Nasdaq climbed 1.2% to its own record.

Argentina insists it didn't cause the hantavirus outbreak

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) – Officials in Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego province are challenging the idea that the ongoing deadly hantavirus outbreak may have emerged there, pushing instead for investigations into the other Argentine provinces that passengers visited before boarding the ill-fated Atlantic cruise ship.

Top Asia Pacific Breaking News: Latest Updates

BEIJING (AP) – U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in Beijing on Wednesday for his hotly anticipated talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the Iran war, trade and U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. The meat of the summit doesn’t start until Thursday, when the leaders hold bilateral talks.

Paraguay and Taiwan reaffirm ties after China sought to lure away Taipei ally

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) – Paraguay’s President Santiago Peña said Friday that his country deeply values its ties with Taiwan, in a show of solidarity with the island democracy a day after Beijing asked the South American nation to sever diplomatic relations with Taipei.

King Charles III lays out UK government agenda

LONDON (AP) – The irony wasn’t lost on anyone. On a day when the British government’s legislative plans were presented by no less than King Charles III himself, Prime Minister Keir Starmer was fighting to remain in power following rising discontent within his Labour Party.

 

Paraguay's president visits Taiwan as pressure from China grows

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) – Paraguay’s President Santiago Peña arrived in Taiwan on Thursday for his first visit to the self-ruled island that Beijing claims as its own territory. Paraguay is the only remaining country in South America and one of 12 worldwide to recognize Taiwan.

Editorials from The Washington Post, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and others

Excerpts from recent editorials in the United States and abroad:

Brazil's Lula to discuss fighting organized crime, tariffs with Trump

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) – Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will discuss cooperation in the fight against organized crime and tariffs with U.S. President Donald Trump, Brazil’s finance minister Dario Durigan said Wednesday, one day ahead of the scheduled meeting between the presidents.