Teachers, family testify about killer's descent

Teachers, colleagues and family members of Brendt Christensen, convicted of killing visiting Chinese scholar Zhang Yingying, continued testimony on Thursday at the sentencing phase of his trial at US District Court in Peoria, Illinois, as defense attorneys sought to avert a death sentence for the murderer, a former University of Illinois graduate student.

IN BRIEF (Page 8)

Wellington declares 'climate emergency'

New Zealand's capital, Wellington, has joined the growing chorus of cities around the world declaring a "climate emergency".

Social media rescues Moroccan potters

OURTZAGH, Morocco - Beautiful handcrafted pottery made by Mama Aicha rarely sells in Morocco anymore but, thanks to social media, her ancient techniques are drawing students from around the world to the foothills of the Rif mountains.

New Epstein victim goes public as labor secretary defends plea deal

WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump's labor secretary on Wednesday defended his handling of a secret plea deal he made with Jeffrey Epstein, as another woman came forward to allege that she was raped by the billionaire.

Divisive telescope to restart building in Hawaii

HONOLULU, Hawaii - Construction on a giant telescope will start again next week after lengthy court battles and passionate protests from those who say building it on Hawaii's tallest mountain will desecrate land sacred to some Native Hawaiians.

UK says Iranian vessels tried to block ship

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - The British navy said it prevented three Iranian paramilitary vessels from impeding the passage of a British commercial ship in the Strait of Hormuz early on Thursday, a day after Teheran warned of repercussions for the seizure of its own supertanker.

Von der Leyen courts MEPs

German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen, nominated to be the next president of the European Commission, tried hard on Wednesday to win support from members of the European Parliament who will vote on her confirmation next week.

China helps light up African countries

The Export-Import Bank of China, also known as China EximBank, will step up efforts to support clean energy and development of renewable energy in Africa.

Brazil pension overhaul bill wins

RIO DE JANEIRO - Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's ambitious pension reform bill passed an initial vote in Congress on Wednesday, a major step for his efforts to boost confidence in the country's lagging economy.

Merkel feels 'very well' despite third shaking spell

BERLIN - German Chancellor Angela Merkel insisted she was "very well", despite suffering her third trembling spell in less than a month on Wednesday, focusing attention on her health.

World faces paradox over demography

As the international community observes this year's World Population Day on July 11, policymakers across the world, especially in Asia, face a demographic paradox.