Ukrainian drones batter Russian oil facilities and set more oil tankers ablaze

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) – Ukrainian drones hit more Russian oil facilities and set two oil tankers ablaze in the Sea of Azov on Thursday, a day after U.S. President Donald Trump pledged to grant Kyiv a license to manufacture the Patriot air defense systems to protect its cities.

Ebola death toll in Congo reaches 600, as new cases in unaffected provinces

KINSHASA, Congo (AP) – New suspected cases of Ebola have been reported in parts of Congo that were previously unaffected, the government said Thursday, as the death toll in the country’s latest Ebola outbreak reached 600.

China's passenger car exports are up 80% in June as EV demand grows

HONG KONG (AP) – China’s passenger car exports surged 80% in June from a year earlier, mainly due to strong demand for electric vehicles, though domestic sales fell 26%. In the first half of this year, Chinese passenger vehicle exports jumped 72% to more than 4.4 million, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.

Top Asia Pacific Breaking News: Latest Updates

BANGKOK (AP) – When China launched a ballistic missile into the South Pacific Ocean on Monday, it was a rare test of a nuclear-capable weapons system that drew international rebuke. Arriving two years after a similar missile launch in international waters in the Pacific, the test by the People’s Liberation Army caught the attention of small island nations.

Germany agrees deal to buy long-range US Tomahawk missiles, Merz says

BERLIN (AP) – Germany has struck a deal to buy U.S.-made Tomahawk cruise missiles and station them in Germany, Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced Thursday. The agreement on the long-range missiles, which are used to strike targets deep inside enemy territory, was reached this week on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Turkey’s capital, Ankara, Merz said.

Australia agrees to sell uranium to India, ending a long stalemate

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) – Australia will begin to sell uranium to India for peaceful purposes after the two countries’ leaders signed an administrative deal Thursday, enacting an agreement on exports of the material that was held up for years over concerns about weapons use.

China's ballistic missile launch was a message for the US

BANGKOK (AP) – When China launched a ballistic missile into the South Pacific Ocean on Monday, it was a rare test of a nuclear-capable weapons system that drew international rebuke.

Today in History: July 9, 14th Amendment ratified

Today in History. Today is Thursday, July 9, the 190th day of 2026. There are 175 days left in the year. Today in History: On July 9, 1868, the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, granting citizenship and “equal protection under the laws” to anyone “born or naturalized in the United States,” including formerly enslaved people.

France beats Morocco 2-0 in the World Cup quarterfinals

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) – Kylian Mbappé had a goal and an assist after missing a first-half penalty kick, Ousmane Dembélé scored the other goal and France beat Morocco 2-0 Thursday in the World Cup quarterfinals.