Washington—Sen. John McCain, who seems to revel in the occasional lonely crusade, is now taking on America’s maritime industry and the longstanding law barring foreign-built ships from transporting goods within the United States.

Washington—The job market remains a frustrating place for America’s 9 million unemployed—perhaps more so as hiring has accelerated along with job postings.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates—Saudi Arabia’s new monarch isn’t wasting time. Since assuming the throne Jan. 23, King Salman has elevated some of his closest relatives and sidelined previous power-brokers, tightened decision-making and promised lavish payouts designed to win early goodwill.

PUEBLO, Colorado—The United States is about to begin destroying its largest remaining stockpile of chemical-laden artillery shells, marking a milestone in the global campaign to eradicate a debilitating weapon that still creeps into modern wars.

Riza Lozada The government, through the Department Of Trade And Industry (DTI), is looking at the standardization of indigenous products to compete in the Asean integrated market.

The government is considering .the use of drones or remote-controlled air vehicles to monitor key projects as a show of determination of the Aquino administration to assure the people that public funds are well spent, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said.

Economic officials and business leaders believe the country no longer deserves to be branded the “sick man of Asia” after its economy grew more than 6 percent for a third consecutive year.

Foreign trade groups are backing efforts in Congress to open local investment houses to foreign capital. Investment houses are currently among sectors in local business that the Constitution restricts foreign capital to 40 percent at most.

Alexandra Olson / The Associated Press NEW YORK—Global freedom has suffered a disturbing decline with 60 percent of the world’s population, or 2.6 billion people, living in countries that are not completely free, according to a report released Wednesday.

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria—Nigerian troops Sunday repelled Islamic extremists who attacked from four fronts on Maiduguri, the biggest city in northeast Nigeria, with several civilians killed by aerial bombs and grenades and mortar shells on the ground.