HONG KONG (AP) — A humanoid robot about the size of a primary school student had something to share in Hong Kong — it sang songs and spoke to …

China is reporting that factory activity expanded in March, reversing two straight months of contraction. However, analysts say the prolonged impacts from the Iran war could weigh on growth prospects. The National Bureau of Statistics said Tuesday that the manufacturing purchasing managers index rose to 50.4 from 49 in February, its highest level in a year. A years-long property sector slump in China has weighed on economic growth and weakened domestic consumption and investment demand in China, the world’s second-largest economy after the U.S. It has been reliant on growth in exports to help drive its economy, which analysts say could now be prone to rising global energy costs caused by the Iran war.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to target Iran’s energy infrastructure, including the country's desalination plants. Such a m…

A fire at an auto parts factory in South Korea’s central city of Daejeon injured at least 55 people on Friday, with officials warning the toll could rise. The National Fire Agency said 24 were seriously hurt in a blaze likely caused by an explosion. Officials could not immediately confirm whether any of the injured were in life-threatening condition. Nam Deuk-woo, fire chief of the city’s Daedeok district, said authorities were searching for at least 14 others believed to have been inside the facility when the fire broke out. Videos and photos from the scene showed thick gray smoke billowing from the complex and some workers jumping from a building.