President Xi Presides Over Show of Chinese Military Might

China’s military has the “confidence and capability” to bolster the country’s rise into a world power, President Xi Jinping said Sunday as he oversaw a large-scale military parade meant to show off China’s fighting prowess.   Live state television broadcasts showed Xi, dressed in fatigues and speaking from an open-top jeep, telling his troops that …

Crocodile Industry Hopes to Boost Australia Aboriginal Communities

The crocodile industry in Australia’s Northern Territory, a new report says, is worth more than four times the previous estimate of US $80 million. Officials hope the findings will give poorer aboriginal communities the chance to develop crocodile farming industries. The saltwater creature is the world’s largest reptile. In Australia, they were once hunted to …

Jessica Williams Says It’s a Great Time to Be Actor of Color

Jessica Williams says it’s a great time to be an actress of color, and applauds Netflix for leading the way in promoting diversity.   Williams, who cut her teeth as a correspondent on “The Daily Show,” takes on her first starring role in the streaming network’s original film, “The Incredible Jessica James.”   The actress …

Spokesman: Palestinian Leader in Hospital for Routine Tests

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ spokesman said Saturday the 82-year-old leader has been hospitalized for a routine checkup and will be discharged in a matter of hours.   Nabil Abu Rdeneh said Abbas is undergoing regular examinations at a Ramallah hospital. Abbas has suffered heart problems in the past, but his doctors have said he is …

Inquiry Probes Alleged Australian War Crimes in Afghanistan

An inquiry is looking into allegations an Australian Special Forces soldier shot dead a man in Afghanistan then planted a firearm on the body to make it look like the trooper had acted in self-defense.  The probe is part of a far-reaching investigation of Australia’s elite fighting units.   According to the allegation, a member …

Pakistan Defiant as US Ponders South Asia Strategy

Days after the Pentagon announced it is withholding $50 million intended for Pakistan as part of its Coalition Support Fund, the South Asian country’s ambassador hinted at potential retaliation, possibly coaxing Washington to renegotiate access to the country’s air corridors, which Islamabad suggests have been taken for granted. Pakistan is ready to cooperate with the …

Researchers: Artificial Intelligence Can Help Fight Deforestation in Congo

A new technique using artificial intelligence to predict where deforestation is most likely to occur could help the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) preserve its shrinking rainforest and cut carbon emissions, researchers have said. Congo’s rainforest, the world’s second-largest after the Amazon, is under pressure from farms, mines, logging and infrastructure development, scientists say. Protecting …

New Surgical Glue Inspired by Slug Slime

Scientists have developed an experimental surgical glue inspired by the mucus secreted by slugs that could offer an alternative to sutures and staples for closing wounds. While some medical glues already exist, they often adhere weakly, are not particularly flexible and frequently cannot be used in very wet conditions. To get around those problems, a …

US Jury Finds Macau Billionaire Guilty in UN Bribery Case

A U.S. jury on Thursday found Macau billionaire Ng Lap Seng guilty on charges he bribed two United Nations ambassadors to help him build a multibillion-dollar conference center. Ng, 69, was convicted on all six counts he faced, including bribery, money laundering and corruption, in the U.S. District Court in Manhattan. Jurors needed less than …

Warming to Worsen Dead Zones, Algae Blooms Choking US Waterways

Projected increases in rain from global warming could further choke U.S. waterways with fertilizer runoff that trigger dead zones and massive algae blooms, a new study said.   If greenhouse gas emissions keep rising, more and heavier rain will increase nitrogen flowing into lakes, rivers and bays by about 19 percent by the end of …