Ships identify themselves as Chinese around Strait of Hormuz

HONG KONG (AP) – Some commercial ships near or in the Strait of Hormuz and Persian Gulf have declared themselves as China-linked since the Iran war began, marine traffic data show, as their operators apparently try to reduce risks of being targeted in attacks.

California governor says no imminent threat from Iran drone attack

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – California Gov. Gavin Newsom said there was no imminent threat to the state, despite a warning from the FBI that Iran could send drones to the West Coast in retaliation for war. Newsom said drone issues “have always been top of mind.” “We’ve been aware of that information. … It’s all about a posture of preparedness for worst-case scenarios.”

China positions itself as force for global stability at its annual Congress

BEIJING (AP) – While much of the world’s attention is on the Iran war, that hasn’t stopped China from moving ahead with national priorities with global repercussions. Not that China doesn’t care about the war and its impact on energy supplies and geopolitics. But for the world’s second largest economy, it revolves around the development of the cutting-edge technologies.

Mexico's president promises 'Plan B' after congressional defeat of electoral reforms

MEXICO CITY (AP) – Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum on Thursday downplayed the defeat of a constitutional reform proposal in the Congress, her first major legislative setback since taking office, saying there was a “Plan B” to make changes to the electoral system.

China adopts an ethnic unity law that critics say will cement assimilation

BEIJING (AP) – China adopted a sweeping law Thursday to promote what it calls “ethnic unity,” a measure that critics say would further erode the rights of some minority groups as authorities cement a push toward assimilation.

Pope appoints fellow Augustinian to run Vatican's charity office

ROME (AP) – Pope Leo XIV on Thursday entrusted the Vatican’s charity works to a fellow Augustinian, signaling a line of continuity with Pope Francis who had elevated the centuries-old job to a position of action and prominence that helped define his legacy.

Lawyers in social media addiction trial make final appeals to the jury

LOS ANGELES (AP) – After about a month of hearing from addiction experts, therapists, platform engineers and executives, including Mark Zuckerberg, a jury will listen to closing arguments before heading to the deliberation room to decide whether social media companies should be liable for harms caused to children using their platforms.

US applications for unemployment benefits inch down to 213,000

WASHINGTON (AP) – U.S. applications for unemployment benefits inched down modestly last week as layoffs remain at historically healthy levels despite a weakening job market. The number of Americans filing for jobless aid for the week ending March 7 fell by 1,000 to 213,000 the previous week, the Labor Department reported Thursday.

Eswatini receives third batch of migrants deported by the US

Johannesburg (AP) – Four more African migrants deported from the United States arrived in Eswatini, authorities said Thursday. This is the third batch of deportees that the Trump administration has sent to Eswatini. They are the latest of more than 40 deportees sent to Africa as part of largely secretive agreements with at least seven African nations.