World News

Ex Scottish Leader To Testify As Sex Case Tears Party Apart

Ex-Scottish leader testifies as sex case tears party apart

LONDON (AP) — Former Scottish leader Alex Salmond on Friday criticized the government of his successor and one-time friend for undermining democratic principles and the rule of law, in the latest episode of a political tug of war that threatens to tear apart Scotland’s independence movement.

North Macedonia: Clashes At Protest Over Terror Convictions

North Macedonia: Clashes at protest over terror convictions

SKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — Protesters clashed with police in North Macedonia’s capital Friday after a court this week upheld the terrorism-related convictions of ethnic Albanian men accused of killings nine years ago that inflamed ethnic tensions in the Balkan country.

Dutch Poet Declines Assignment To Translate Gorman’s Works

Dutch poet declines assignment to translate Gorman's works

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — A writer who was chosen to translate American poet Amanda Gorman's work into Dutch has handed back the assignment following criticism that a white author was selected to translate the words of a Black woman who is the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history.

Belgium Likely To Prolong Restrictions As Virus Cases Rise

Belgium prolongs major restrictions as virus cases rise

BRUSSELS (AP) — The Belgian government will not approve new COVID-19 relaxations for at least another week after health authorities warned Friday that the number of coronavirus infections is rising, probably due in part to the fast-spreading variant first found in Britain.

Ivory Coast 2nd Country To Receive Covid Vaccines Via Covax

Ivory Coast 2nd country to receive COVID vaccines via COVAX

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast (AP) — Ivory Coast on Friday became the second country in the world to receive a shipment of COVID-19 vaccines from the global COVAX initiative, with 504,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine made by the Serum Institute of India.

Volkswagen Weathers Pandemic With $10.7 Billion Profit

Volkswagen weathers pandemic with $10.7 billion profit

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Volkswagen said Friday it made better than expected profit of 8.8 billion euros ($10.7 billion) after tax in 2020 despite the pandemic. The world's No. 2 automaker said the rapid recovery of China, its largest single market, and resilient sales of luxury vehicles helped the bottom line.

India’s Economy Expands 0.4% In Oct. Dec., Ending Recession

India's economy expands 0.4% in Oct.-Dec., ending recession

NEW DELHI (AP) — India’s economy expanded by a weaker-than-expected 0.4% in the October-December quarter, which still allowed it to escape recession following large contractions in the two previous quarters during the coronavirus pandemic, the government said Friday.

Former King Pays 4.4 Million Euros To Spanish Tax Agency

Former king pays 4.4 million euros to Spanish tax agency

MADRID (AP) — A law firm representing Juan Carlos I says that the former Spanish monarch has paid close to 4.4 million euros ($5.33 million) to the country's tax authorities in his latest attempt to regularize past undeclared income.

Prince Harry Raps ‘fresh Prince,’ Says He Didn’t Walk Away

Prince Harry raps 'Fresh Prince,' says he didn't walk away

LONDON (AP) — Prince Harry, who decamped from England to Southern California last year, rapped the theme song to the 1990s sitcom “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” during a late-night talk show appearance in which he said he didn’t walk away from his royal duties.

Ba Parent Company Books Huge Loss, Pushes For Digital Passes

BA parent company books huge loss, pushes for digital passes

LONDON (AP) — The parent company of British Airways and Iberia on Friday said it lost 6.9 billion euros ($8.3 billion) last year as the pandemic caused a near-total collapse in international air traffic, and called for digital passes to help revive travel.