world news

French government officials support minister accused of rape

PARIS –  France's government is sticking by its budget minister as he fights a rape accusation. Budget Minister Gerald Darmanin is the highest-ranking French official accused of sexual misconduct since the scandals that broke in Hollywood. Darmanin has strongly denied…

Pope reaches out to familiar Ukrainian Catholic community

ROME –  Pope Francis has hailed immigrant women who care for Italians' elderly and children and paid tribute to Catholics who perished because of their faith while Ukraine was under Soviet rule. Francis reached out to the Ukrainian Catholic community…

The Latest: Exit poll has Cyprus presidential race in runoff

NICOSIA, Cyprus –  The Latest on the presidential election in Cyprus (all times local): 6:25 p.m. A presidential election exit poll by Cyprus' state broadcaster shows incumbent President Nicos Anastasiades facing a runoff with independent candidate Stavros Malas, who's backed…

UN, African Union leaders praise international cooperation

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia –  The leaders of the United Nations and the African Union urged stronger international cooperation at the opening Sunday of the African Union summit in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. "I strongly believe Africa is one of…

Egyptian opposition figures say boycott presidential vote

CAIRO –  Five opposition figures, including a 2012 presidential candidate and two top campaign aides for now-arrested presidential hopeful Sami Annan, have called for a boycott of the March vote, saying it has lost all credibility. In a Sunday statement,…

Audio emerges of Netanyahu's wife raging over media story

JERUSALEM –  A recording of Benjamin Netanyahu's wife raging at an aide has surfaced, creating a new headache for Israel's embattled premier. Sara Netanyahu is heard complaining that a gossip column about her did not mention her educational credentials. She…

The Latest: IKEA founder praised for taking Sweden to world

STOCKHOLM –  The Latest on the death of IKEA founder Ingvar Kamprad (all times local): 3:55 p.m. Sweden's royal house, politicians and business leaders are praising the work and entrepreneurial spirit of IKEA founder Ingvar Kamprad, who died at age…

Cape Town to set up disaster operations HQ for water crisis

JOHANNESBURG –  South Africa's drought-stricken city of Cape Town says police and military would help secure some 200 water collection sites if authorities must turn off most taps on what they call "Day Zero," a date currently projected to fall…

Cambodia charges foreigners after pornographic dance arrests

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia –  Cambodian prosecutors charged 10 foreigners Sunday with producing pornographic pictures after they were arrested at a party in Siem Reap town, near the country's famed Angkor Wat temple complex. Police said they raided a rented villa…

Fans' history of aggression has Philadelphia on edge

A greased light pole in Philadelphia. "It would be nearly impossible to predict how many poles will be greased today, as each of the 21 district captains was tasked with identifying 'hot spots' where celebrations are likely occur, and taking…