World News

Afghan president calls on Taliban to join in peace talks

KABUL, Afghanistan –  Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani is calling on the Taliban to take part in peace talks to "save the country." Ghani spoke Wednesday at the 2nd Kabul Process Conference attended by representatives from more than 20 countries and…

Thousands of well-armed rebel fighters are in Syria's Ghouta

BEIRUT –  The Syrian government's battle to recapture the rebel-held eastern suburbs of Damascus is likely to be a long and bloody fight because of the presence of thousands of battle-hardened fighters who have had years to prepare. Many of…

Indian in UAE helped famed actress Sridevi's body come home

AJMAN, United Arab Emirates –  When famed Indian actress Sridevi died in the United Arab Emirates, a local compatriot helped get her body back home. Ashraf "Sherry" Thamarassery, a 44-year-old man from Kerala who runs a mechanic's shop in Ajman,…

Military takeover in Rio sparks fears of police brutality

RIO DE JANEIRO –  One by one, three black Brazilian men matter-of-factly give tips for interacting with police that sound very much like "the talk" that many black Americans have with their sons. Don't carry a long umbrella. Don't make…

Brazilian arms dealer indicted in the US for illegal exports

RIO DE JANEIRO –  One of Brazil's top arms dealers has been charged in the United States with illegally exporting firearms, accessories and ammunition. The decision by a court in Miami on Tuesday follows an investigation by the U.S. Immigration…

Philippine chief justice expects to be impeached, win trial

MANILA, Philippines –  A spokesman for the chief justice on the Philippine Supreme Court says she expects to be impeached by the House of Representatives next month and will go on indefinite leave to prepare for the trial. Spokesman Jojo…

Confidential helpline for UN staff on sexual harassment

UNITED NATIONS –  The United Nations has launched a 24-hour helpline for U.N. staff to speak confidentially about sexual harassment at work, and to support victims and witnesses. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said people who call will be able to speak…

Victims group shuns Indonesia attacks reconciliation event

JAKARTA, Indonesia –  One of the main Indonesian groups for survivors of terror attacks has refused to participate in what it says is a flawed government-organized "reconciliation" meeting between former Islamic militants and victims. The three days of meetings between…

China factory index at 19-month low as holiday slows work

HONG KONG –  China's manufacturing activity has weakened to its lowest level in 19 months as the extended Lunar New Year holiday left the month with fewer work days. The official purchasing managers' index released Wednesday slipped to 50.3 for…

UN experts: North Korea sent banned chemical items to Syria

UNITED NATIONS –  U.N. experts say North Korea sent items used in ballistic missile and chemical weapons programs to Syria along with missile technicians in violation of U.N. sanctions, and it transferred banned ballistic missiles systems to Myanmar. The panel…

Papua New Guinea quake killed at least 15, governor says

WELLINGTON, New Zealand –  The governor of the central Papua New Guinea region hit by an earthquake this week says at least 15 people were killed and the toll may rise. Southern Highlands Governor William Powi told The Associated Press…

Toronto chief comments on serial killer angers community

TORONTO –  Community leaders say a suggestion by Toronto's police chief that an alleged serial killer would have been arrested sooner if the public had been more cooperative with investigators has angered LGBTQ residents and could worsen already strained relations.…

4 powers condemn Iran for violating arms embargo on Yemen

UNITED NATIONS –  The four Western powers that are parties to the Iran nuclear deal are condemning Iran for violating an arms embargo on Yemen, a day after Russia vetoed a Security Council resolution that took aim at Tehran over…

New satellite photos show Iran establishing another base in Syria

Western intelligence sources have found that Iran has built a new permanent military base outside Syria’s capital city.  (ImageSat International) EXCLUSIVE –  Iran has built another permanent military base outside Syria’s capital city complete with hangers used to store missiles…

Brazil's federal police chief fired by new security minister

RIO DE JANEIRO –  Brazil's new public security minister has fired the head of the country's federal police following public remarks he made on an investigation into President Michel Temer. A spokeswoman for security minister Raul Jungmann said Tuesday he…

Vatican sex crimes investigator meets Chile Marist victims

SANTIAGO, Chile –  The Vatican's sex crimes investigator interviewed several victims of sexually abusive members of the Marist Brothers religious order Tuesday, suggesting that his mandate has expanded beyond investigating alleged abuse cover-up by a lone Chilean bishop. Archbishop Charles…

Lion fatally mauls woman at game lodge in South Africa

JOHANNESBURG –  South African media say a lion has killed a 22-year-old woman at a game lodge north of Pretoria. The African News Agency says the female lion mauled the woman in the Hammanskraal area on Tuesday. Nick Dollman of…

Protesters in Macedonia decry proposed name compromise

SKOPJE, Macedonia –  Several thousand protesters have gathered in front of Macedonia's parliament in the capital of Skopje to demand the government call off talks with neighboring Greece on a decades-long name dispute. The protesters marched peacefully from the main…

Nigeria sets up probe into girls' school attack, abductions

LAGOS, Nigeria –  Nigeria's government says it has set up a panel to investigate the abduction of 110 girls from their school last week by suspected members of the extremist Boko Haram group. Information and Culture Minister Lai Mohammed said…