World
U.S. approves $1.3 billion package of long-term military aid for Ukraine
The Pentagon announced a new $1.3 billion package of long-term military aid to Ukraine on Wednesday, including four air defense systems and an undisclosed number of drones.
Iraqis are furious over their government's demolition of a minaret that stood for nearly 300 years
For three centuries, the al-Siraji Mosque, with its minaret fashioned from weathered bricks and its pinnacle inlaid with blue ceramic tiles, was a distinctive feature of the city of Basra in southern Iraq.
Video appears to show Russian mercenary chief Prigozhin for first time since short-lived mutiny
A video released Wednesday appears to show Russian mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin for the first time since he led a short-lived rebellion last month, and he is seen telling his troops they will spend some time in Belarus training its military before deploying to Africa.
Czech parliament approves treaty making it easier to deploy U.S. troops on Czech territory
The Czech Parliament gave its expected approval Wednesday to a defense treaty signed with the United States in May that would deepen military cooperation and make it easier to deploy U.S. troops on Czech territory.
Belarus Red Cross sparks outcry after its chief says it brought Ukrainian children to Belarus
The Belarus Red Cross has sparked international outrage after its chief told Belarusian state television that the organization is actively involved in bringing Ukrainian children from Russian-occupied areas to Belarus.
Cracks emerging in Israel's military as reservists threaten not to serve if government plan passes
The Middle East's best equipped and most powerful force is under one of the worst assaults it has encountered -- a battle within its own ranks.
Egypt pardons jailed activists, including two prominent rights defenders, official reports say
Egypt's president pardoned two prominent rights activists Wednesday, including one with ties to Italy who was sentenced this week, the country's state-run news agency reported.
Pakistan's interior minister accuses Imran Khan of exposing official secrets for political gains
Pakistan's interior minister on Wednesday accused former Prime Minister Imran Khan of "exposing an official secret document" last year to falsely claim he was ousted from power in a plot by Washington.
An American economist is getting a top EU job. France's Macron isn't happy about it
With French President Emmanuel Macron insisting the European Union needs more strategic independence, he seemed decidedly piqued on Tuesday over the EU head office's plans to hire an American expert as its chief competition economist.
South Africa Pres. Cyril Ramaphosa says arresting Putin if he comes to Johannesburg would be 'war'
South Africa's president said Tuesday that arresting Russian President Vladimir Putin - should he show up at an economic summit next month in Johannesburg - would amount to a "declaration of war" by his country.
Escalating violence in Congo displaces more people and demands urgent response, U.N., aid group say
The United Nations warned that violence in northeastern Congo has escalated significantly, with more than 40 civilians killed in three days.
IOC's Bach says key to Russian decision for Paris Olympics is athletes' respectful conduct
The key factor in weighing the IOC's ultimate decision on letting Russians participate at the 2024 Paris Games is how well athletes behave in international competitions, the Olympic body's president Thomas Bach said Tuesday.
Crowded GOP field vies for the Christian Zionist vote as Israel's rightward shift spurs protests
When John McCain was the Republican presidential nominee in 2008, he was forced to reject megachurch pastor John Hagee's endorsement after a sermon surfaced that was derided as antisemitic.
Thousands died in the Philippines' 'war on drugs.' An international probe will now go ahead
Appeals judges at the International Criminal Court ruled Tuesday that an investigation into the Philippines' deadly "war on drugs" can resume, rejecting Manila's objections to the case going ahead at the global court.
The Taliban use tasers, fire hoses and gunfire to break up Afghan women protesting beauty salon ban
Dozens of Afghan women protested a beauty salon ban on Wednesday after the Taliban ordered their closure nationwide. Security forces used fire hoses, tasers and shot their guns into the air to break up the protest.
The upper house of Russian parliament approves a ban on gender changes
The upper house of Russia's parliament on Wednesday unanimously approved a bill outlawing gender-affirming procedures, sending the measure to President Vladimir Putin to be signed into law.
U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak apologizes for a previous ban on LGBTQ+ people in the military
U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak apologized Wednesday for the treatment of gay veterans, saying that a previous ban on LGBTQ+ people serving in the U.K. military was "an appalling failure of the British state."
