Thailand Decriminalizes Marijuana, but Not the Strong Stuff
BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand made it legal to cultivate and possess marijuana as of Thursday, like a dream come true for an aging generation of pot smokers who recall the kick the legendary Thai Stick variety delivered.
China, Cambodia Breaking Ground on Joint Port Project
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodia denied again Tuesday that it will allow any Chinese military presence at a port where it and China are beginning an expansion this week that has prompted concern in the United States and elsewhere that it will be used by Beijing as a naval outpost on the Gulf of Thailand.
Vietnam’s Health Minister Arrested Over COVID Test Gouging
HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — Vietnam’s health minister and the mayor of the capital Hanoi have been arrested as part of an expanding investigation into massive price gouging of COVID-19 tests, state media reported.
Proud Boys Charged With Seditious Conspiracy in Capitol Riot
WASHINGTON (AP) — The former top leader of the far-right Proud Boys extremist group and other members were charged with seditious conspiracy for what federal prosecutors say was a coordinated attack on the U.S. Capitol to stop Congress from certifying President Joe Biden’s 2020 electoral victory.
US Official Vows ‘Forceful Response’ if N. Korea Tests Nuke
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman on Tuesday warned of a forceful response if North Korea carries out its first nuclear test explosion in nearly five years as she traveled to Seoul to meet with South Korean and Japanese allies and discuss the escalating standoff.
The Party Ends but the UK Monarchy Looks to the Future
LONDON (AP) — Extinguish the beacons, take down the stage, roll up the bunting. The party’s over.
Putin Warns West Against Sending Arms; Kyiv Hit by Missiles
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin's new warning to the West against sending longer-range rocket systems to Ukraine came as his forces claimed to have destroyed Western military supplies in their first such airstrikes on Ukraine's capital in more than a month.
Carbon Emissions Dip, at Least Briefly, in China, Study Says
WASHINGTON (AP) — China, the world’s top emitter of carbon dioxide that causes global warming, has seen a notable dip in its emissions over the past three quarters — but it’s not clear how long the drop will continue.
WHO Believes COVID Getting Worse, Not Better in North Korea
LONDON (AP) — A top official at the World Health Organization said the U.N. health agency assumes the coronavirus outbreak in North Korea is “getting worse, not better,” despite the secretive country's recent claims that COVID-19 is slowing there.
No Verdict Yet in Depp-heard Trial; Jury to Return Wednesday
FAIRFAX, Va. (AP) — A jury finished a second day of deliberations Tuesday without reaching a verdict in the defamation claims of Johnny Depp and ex-wife Amber Heard over their volatile and unhappy marriage.
