World News

Pakistan says Indian fire across border kills van driver

ISLAMABAD –  Pakistan's army says Indian fire has struck a school van from across the frontier in Kashmir, killing the driver and forcing residents to flee to safety. Army spokesman Maj. Gen. Asif Ghafoor says Indian forces in an "unethical…

Specialist prosecutor for Kosovo court standing down

THE HAGUE, Netherlands –  The American prosecutor working to bring to justice former members of the Kosovo Liberation Army accused of crimes against ethnic Serbs in Kosovo's war for independence is stepping down at the end of next month. Specialist…

The Latest: Russian FM: 5 Russians killed in US Syria strike

ANKARA, Turkey –  The Latest on developments in Syria (all times local): 4:15 p.m. The Russian Foreign Ministry says five Russians have been killed in a U.S. strike in Syria, the first official recognition of Russian deaths in the incident…

US says 'deeply concerned' over political arrests in Sudan

CAIRO –  The United States Embassy in Sudan says it is "deeply concerned by the continued arrests and detentions of hundreds of political leaders, activists and ordinary citizens" in the country. In a Thursday statement it says that many of…

2 more Westerners freed in Cambodian 'dirty dancing' case

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia –  Two more Westerners arrested in Cambodia for allegedly posting photos on social media of sexually suggestive dancing have been released, leaving only a British man incarcerated. A spokesman for the Siem Reap provincial court, Yim Srang,…

Ethiopia's prime minister submits resignation letter: Report

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia –  Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn has submitted a resignation letter after the worst anti-government protests in a quarter-century, the state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate reported Thursday. "The prime minister said he tried his utmost effort to solve…

Egypt says 53 militants killed in massive security operation

CAIRO –  Egypt says its security forces have killed 53 militants since the beginning of a massive security operation, mainly in restive northern Sinai Peninsula, the epicenter of a years-long Islamic insurgency. Armed forces spokesman Tamer al-Rifaai said Thursday that…

Indian air force helicopter crashes, killing 2 crewmembers

GAUHATI, India –  Indian police say an air force helicopter has crashed in the remote northeast, killing both crewmembers on board. Police officer Mukesh Aggarwal says the crash occurred Thursday while the helicopter was flying to Majoli island from Gauhati,…

Russia blocks opposition leader Navalny's website

MOSCOW –  Russia's communications providers have blocked access to the website of opposition leader Alexei Navalny on orders of the state communications watchdog. The agency, Roskomnadzor, demanded that Navalny remove a video alleging that Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Prikhodko received…

Poles abroad asked to report "anti-Polish" statements

WARSAW, Poland –  Poland's senate leader has appealed to Poles living abroad to report to the authorities any statements deemed "anti-Polish" or hurt "Poland's good name." The letter posted on the Senate's website is part of a wider campaign by…

Iran general assails Israel, commemorates Hezbollah figure

TEHRAN, Iran –  A top Iranian general has lashed out at Israel during a commemoration for a Hezbollah figure killed in a 2008 Damascus car bombing that the group blamed on Israel. Qassem Soleimani, head of Iran's Quds Force, pledged…

Mattis: US, Turkey finding 'common ground' on Syria

BRUSSELS –  U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Thursday the United States and Turkey are having an open dialogue about their growing differences over the fight in Syria, and are "finding common ground." Speaking at the close of a NATO…

Zimbabwe leader says fair elections 'tribute' to Tsvangirai

HARARE, Zimbabwe –  Zimbabwe's president is expressing condolences over the death of longtime opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai and says upcoming elections must be free and fair "in tribute to him." Tsvangirai, who was the boldest opponent to longtime leader Robert…

Doctors Without Borders issue statement on sexual misconduct

GENEVA –  International aid group Medecins Sans Frontieres says it has taken action on 24 cases of sexual harassment or abuse among employees last year and dismissed 19 people in the process. The Switzerland-based organization also known as Doctors Without…

Turkey to US: remove Kurdish fighters from anti-IS force

ANKARA, Turkey –  Turkey's defense minister says he has asked his American counterpart that the United States end its support for Syrian Kurdish fighters and remove them from a U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF, that if fighting the Islamic…

NATO launches planning for expanded Iraq military training

BRUSSELS –  NATO's chief says the alliance plans to expand its military training mission in Iraq and help the conflict-ravaged country develop new academies and schools for its armed forces. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Thursday that "we will scale…

Thailand's former top cop grilled over brothel owner's loan

BANGKOK –  Thailand's former national police chief, who currently heads the Thai Football Association, has met with investigators to explain his financial links with a fugitive massage parlor owner. Somyot Poompanmoung reported Thursday to the Department of Special Investigation —…

Top Egyptian Islamist referred to state security prosecutors

CAIRO –  Egyptian officials say a senior Islamist leader detained over alleged links to the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood group has been referred to state security prosecutors for questioning. They say five associates of Abdel-Monaem Abul Fetouh were released from detention…

Vatican tries to defuse scandal, says pope meets victims

VATICAN CITY –  The Vatican is confirming that Pope Francis frequently meets with victims of sex abuse, seeking to defuse a mounting scandal over his unbridled support for a Chilean bishop accused by victims of witnessing and ignoring their abuse.…

Afghan officials: Attacks kill 3 policemen, 2 children

KABUL, Afghanistan –  Afghan officials say attacks in the country's north and west have killed three members of the security forces and two children. The spokesman for the chief of police in northern Faryab province, Karim Yuresh, says a Taliban…

Turkish group to press charges against German nationalist

BERLIN –  The head of a leading Turkish immigrant group in Germany says he's pressing charges against a politician from Germany's nationalist party for insulting Turks as "camel drivers" and immigrants with dual passports as a "homeless mob we no…

Ramaphosa aims to lead South Africa out of corruption swamp

JOHANNESBURG –  Up from Soweto township to become a leading anti-apartheid activist and then wealthy businessman, Cyril Ramaphosa has been a central figure in South Africa's tumultuous history before becoming the country's acting president. Astute and articulate, the 65-year-old former…