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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The baby sharks, bred at a gargantuan luxury resort on Dubai’s artificial palm-shaped island, had never before encountered the open sea. But on Thursday, the tiny carpet sharks were jolted out of their warm…

After facing criticism for downplaying the virus last year, Iranian authorities have put partial lockdowns and other measures in place to try and slow the coronavirus’ spread. But in this nation of 80 million people, which faces crushing U.S. sanctions, many struggle to earn enough to feed their families and good jobs remain scarce, forcing the public back out into the streets. Economic pressure, coupled with the growing uncertainty over when vaccines will be widely available in the Islamic Republic, have many simply giving up on the luxury of social distancing. That has public health officials worried the worst of the pandemic still may be yet to come.

President Joe Biden takes center stage in a two-day climate summit highlighting America's return to the fight to curb global warming. The all-virtual summit that begins Thursday will feature 40 world leaders and lots of other advocates and experts but is clearly Biden's show. Biden is expected to promise that America will cut its carbon pollution at least in half compared with 2005. Then he's going to challenge other nations to be just as ambitious. Also key will be financial help to poorer nations. The summit will be livestreamed so anyone can watch the cajoling, conflict and pathos.

The world’s fastest pace of spreading infections and the highest daily increase in coronavirus cases are pushing India further into a deepening and deadly health care crisis. India is the world’s second-most populous country, and its size presents extraordinary challenges to fighting COVID-19. It is a major vaccine producer but making enough to protect people will take time. Some 2.7 million vaccine doses are given daily, but that’s still less than 10% of its people who’ve gotten their first shot. Experts also note many opportunities were lost when India experienced a lull in cases late last year and mistakenly thought the worst had passed.

Syracuse coach Quentin Hillsman has been a busy man since the women's basketball season ended. He's had 11 players enter the NCAA transfer portal and has brought in four players to help make up for the losses. He says the Orange are in a good place and “not in panic mode.” Among those who have departed are leading scorer Kiara Lewis and Emily Engstler, who led the team in rebounding as the first player off the bench. Both are staying in the Atlantic Coast Conference, Lewis at Clemson and Engstler at Louisville. Hillsman admitted to being shocked by some of the players who departed.

GENEVA (AP) — Switzerland’s financial markets authority said Thursday it is looking into possible penalties against Credit Suisse after the top-drawer bank announced “significant losses” linked to a U.S.-based hedge fund. The authority, FINMA, said it will require “various risk-reducing…

Los Angeles right-hander Walker Buehler starts the opener of a four-game series against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium on Thursday. Buehler will be followed by Clayton Kershaw and Trevor Bauer, with Dustin May scheduled for Sunday’s series finale. The Dodgers won two of three last weekend in San Diego during the first series of the season between the NL West rivals. Meanwhile, right-hander Domingo Germán returns to the Yankees' rotation after a stint at the alternate training site, and the slumping Astros have lost nine of 10 heading into an AL West matchup with the visiting Angels. 

There’s a common thread linking most of the Football Championship Subdivision players who expect to hear their name called in the NFL draft. They didn’t participate in their schools’ pandemic-delayed spring season. The delaying of the FCS season until February left draft prospects from those schools facing a dilemma. Do they stick with their schools for the spring season or use that time to get ready for the draft? Most decided to start preparing for their future. North Dakota State's Trey Lance and Dillon Radunz will likely be the first two players drafted from non-Football Bowl Subdivision programs.  

Indonesia’s navy ships are intensely searching for a submarine that likely fell too deep to retrieve, making survival chances for the 53 people on board slim. Neighboring countries have rushed their rescue ships to support the complex operation. The diesel-powered submarine was participating in a training exercise Wednesday when it missed a scheduled reporting call. Officials reported an oil slick and the smell of diesel fuel near the starting position of its last dive, about 60 miles north of the resort island of Bali, though there has been no clear evidence that they are linked to the submarine. Indonesia’s navy believes the submarine sank to a depth of 2,000-2,300 feet _ much deeper than its estimated collapse depth at 656 feet. 

Chris Paul scored 28 points, Devin Booker had 19 and Mikal Bridges 18 to lead the Phoenix Suns to a 116-113 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night. Joel Embiid had 38 points and 17 rebounds. He heaved a fullcourt shot at the horn that rattled around the rim and put the All-Star center on his back in disbelief over the near-make. The Sixers again played without starters Ben Simmons because of an unspecified illness and Tobias Harris with a sore right knee.

Georgia Tech is announcing that its $25 million Kendeda Building has won certification as the 28th “living building” worldwide. Thursday's announcement means the building has proved over a year of operation that it does more good for the natural environment than harm. The building is a demonstration project. It's meant to show that an array of green technology is ready for wider use, especially in the South. Dennis Creech is the sustainability advisor for the Kendeda Fund. The fund gave the money for the building plus $5 million to pay for programming. He says the building is already influencing designs of other buildings.

A death penalty repeal proposal under consideration in Nevada is proving party affiliation can be an unreliable predictor on capital punishment. Three Democratic-majority legislatures have passed measures abolishing the death penalty since 2019, but the future of Nevada's repeal effort is far from clear. The proposal passed the Assembly this month. But leaders in the state Senate have not indicated whether they’ll consider the bill, and Gov. Steve Sisolak staunchly opposes it. Democratic-majority legislatures in Colorado, New Hampshire and Virginia have recently done away with the death penalty. Advocates on both sides of the debate say the contrast among states underscores how the death penalty jumbles partisan divides.

BEIJING (AP) — Around 200 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered so far inside China, with an emphasis on front-line workers, university students and people living in border areas, health officials said. China is ramping up vaccination efforts…

Precious relics of Afghanistan’s ancient past are returning home as the nation confronts deepening uncertainty about its future. A collection of 33 artifacts was seized from a New York-based art dealer who authorities say was one of the world’s most prolific smugglers of antiquities. This week the U.S. government turned over the collection to the government of Afghanistan. Now, the masks, sculptures and other items, some from the second and third centuries, are en route to Kabul. Peace talks have stalled between the government and the Taliban, and the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO troops looms.

Proponents of statehood for Washington, D.C., face a milestone moment in their decades-long movement to reshape the American political map. The House will vote Thursday on legislation that would create the new state of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth, with one representative and two senators. A tiny sliver of land including the White House, the U.S. Capitol and the National Mall would remain as a federal district. The measure is expected to pass easily in the House and be sent to the Senate, where the real fight awaits in the evenly divided chamber.

Law enforcement leaders say the conviction of former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin for George Floyd's death is a step toward restoring trust in the criminal justice system and repairing relations with communities. Police chiefs' willingness to speak out about the case is a major departure from years past, when even the highest levels would close rank around an officer following an on-duty killing. But police leaders and activists alike caution that a single case will not end systemic racism or stamp out excessive force in departments nationwide.