WASHINGTON  – China has halted nascent nuclear-arms-control talks with the United States, its foreign ministry said on Wednesday, in a protest of Washington’s arms sales to the democratically governed island of Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its territory.

Several tons of fish have died along one of the main rivers in Sao Paulo state after an alleged illegal dumping of industrial waste from a sugar and ethanol plant, environmental authorities and prosecutors said

UNITED NATIONS – Russia is ready to work with any U.S. leader – elected by the U.S. people – who is willing to engage in “equitable, mutually respectful dialogue,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday.

WELLINGTON – New Zealand’s military said on Thursday it plans to ask civilian staff to volunteer for layoff packages and to make other cuts as it tries to plug a NZ$130 million ($79.04 million) budget shortfall.

Bolivia’s embattled president has announced the discovery of vast natural gas reserves just north of the capital, describing it as the biggest find in nearly two decades that could help the cash-strapped country reverse its falling production

PARIS – French President Emmanuel Macron spoke on Tuesday with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Qatar’s Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to discuss the conflict between Israel and Hamas, said Macron’s office.

The International Monetary Fund has upgraded its economic outlook this year for China, India and Europe while modestly lowering expectations for the United States and Japan

Thailand’s prime minister has said that eligible businesses and individuals can register from August for digital cash handouts, a controversial program that will cost billions of dollars and is meant to boost the lagging economy

Tense deliberations over how and if to allow deep sea mining are unfolding in Jamaica as at least one company threatens to apply for permission before rules and regulations are in place

China says its economy expanded at a slower-than-forecast 4.7% annual rate in the last quarter