Duterte Says He'll Set Aside Sea Feud Ruling Against China

The Philippine president said Saturday he would "set aside" a ruling by an international arbitration tribunal that invalidated Beijing's claims to most of the busy South China Sea, because he doesn't want to impose on China.

President Rodrigo Duterte made the remarks when asked in a news conference if a U.S. think tank report that China apparently installed anti-aircraft and anti-missile weapons on its new artificial islands in the disputed waters would affect his perception of Beijing. The Philippines

S. Koreans to Rally for President Park's Immediate Removal

Large crowds were expected to gather in South Korea's capital again on Saturday to call for impeached President Park Geun-hye to immediately quit and press the Constitutional Court to formally remove her from office.

The massive protests against Park in recent weeks have been peaceful, but there was concern on Saturday about the demonstrators clashing with thousands of Park's supporters who planned their own protest near the court.

Philippines' Duterte to US Over Aid Issue: 'Bye-Bye America'

President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday threatened to terminate a pact that allows U.S. troops to visit the Philippines, saying "bye-bye America" as he reacted with rage to what he thought was a U.S. decision to scrap a major aid package over human rights concerns.

A U.S. government aid agency, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, said this week that its board deferred a vote on a renewal of the development assistance package for the Philippines "subject to a further review of concerns around rule of law and civil liberties."

Mother Arrested After 2-Year-Old Son Shoots 1-Year-Old Girl

Police have arrested a woman in Louisiana after her 1-year-old daughter was accidentally shot in the face by her 2-year-old son.

Baton Rouge Police say 23-year-old Crystal Kinchen was arrested Wednesday and faces a charge of second-degree cruelty to a juvenile. Online jail records do not list an attorney for her.

Sgt. L'Jean McKneely says the shooting happened Tuesday night while the two children were alone in a car that was parked at a strip mall.

Fishermen Hopeful Trump Will Change Atlantic's 1st Monument

New England fishermen who opposed President Barack Obama's creation of the Atlantic Ocean's first marine national monument are hopeful President-elect Donald Trump will abolish it, shrink it or allow fishing inside it.

Trump, a Republican, hasn't specifically addressed the monument. He has said he'd undo Obama's policies he views as executive overreach.

Obama, a Democrat, has protected more land and water using national

California Judge Rejects Charges Involving Major Escort Site

A California judge has tentatively rejected pimping charges against the operators of a major international website that advertises escort services.

Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Michael Bowman said Wednesday the state attorney general's office cannot continue prosecuting Backpage.com's CEO and two former owners.

The men were charged by California Attorney General Kamala Harris, who

Court to Rule on New-Trial Request in Student's Sex Slaying

The New Hampshire Supreme Court is deciding whether a man convicted of killing a University of New Hampshire student should get a new trial based on his unsuccessful attempt to tell jurors about her sexual past.

Elizabeth "Lizzi" Marriott, of Westborough, Massachusetts, was a 19-year-old sophomore when she was killed in 2012. Prosecutors say Seth Mazzaglia (muh-ZAYL'-ee-uh) strangled her and dumped her body in a river, but his defense team argued at trial that she died accidentally during a consensual sex act.

Utah Locker Room Stabbing Leaves 5 Injured, School Stunned

High school junior Karen Martinez was arriving for her first class when she saw three boys run from a locker room toward the school's central office, one with a head wound and another with a neck injury. One had blood running down the back of his shirt.

Inside the locker room, police say, a 16-year-old straight-A student with no record of disciplinary trouble had attacked his classmates at Mountain

Congo State TV Reporter Killed in His Home, Group Says

A Congolese press freedom group says a state television reporter was killed in his home by unidentified assailants.

The group Journalist in Danger said in a statement Wednesday that the reporter, Marcel Lubala, was shot three times early Tuesday morning at his home in the central town of Mbuji-Mayi. The group said his body was dragged in front of his wife, who had been tied up.

'Sky Blue' Diamond, Russian Imperial Court Jewels Auctioned

Sotheby's is auctioning the square-cut "Sky Blue" diamond set in a ring by Cartier that is expected to fetch up to $25 million, plus two centuries-old diamond jewels dating back to Russia's imperial court.

The auction house says the 8.01-carat stone with a top-rank Fancy Vivid Blue grade from the Gemology Institute of America is the centerpiece of its latest Geneva jewelry auction on Wednesday.

UNICEF Brings Much-Needed Aid to War-Torn Mosul for the First in 2 Years

The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) announced that it entered the Iraqi city of Mosul this week for the first time in two years, bringing much needed emergency humanitarian aid to thousands of civilians who have become trapped in the ISIS stronghold.

Pakistan Displays Military Might in Drill Near India Border

Pakistan put its military might on display Wednesday with the country's prime minister and the army chief traveling to a strategic area close to the border with archrival India to observe a military drill.

The exercise, which showed off both ground forces and Pakistan's air power, comes amid escalating tensions between Islamabad and New Delhi over the disputed Kashmir region.

Israeli Minister Wants New Settlement Approach Under Trump

Israel's defense minister said Wednesday that Israel should seek a deal with President-elect Donald Trump to allow expanded construction in major West Bank settlements while freezing building in isolated areas of the occupied territory — a proposal that, if accepted, would mark a sharp break from the policy under the Obama administration.

Avigdor Lieberman's comments came

Police in Rio Shoot Tear Gas During Protest Over Budget Cuts

Military police in Rio de Janeiro are shooting pepper spray at demonstrators protesting austerity measures.

The demonstrators have pushed over a barrier fence outside the state of Rio de Janeiro's legislative assembly building, where legislators are discussing the measures.

The federal government sent hundreds of military police to help Wednesday after a similar protest last week became violent.