Philippine officials say Chinese forces seized 2 navy boats in disputed shoal, injuring sailors ( apnews.com )
US widens sanctions on Russia to discourage countries such as China from doing business with Moscow ( apnews.com )
Blinken to push cease-fire proposal in eighth urgent Mideast trip since war in Gaza erupted ( apnews.com )
WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Antony Blinken will push for a breakthrough on President Joe Biden’s cease-fire proposal when he returns to the Middle East next week on his eighth diplomatic mission to the region since the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza began in October, the State Department said Friday....
India’s Modi elected as leader of coalition and set to form new government ( apnews.com )
NEW DELHI (AP) — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday was formally elected leader of the National Democratic Alliance coalition, which won the most seats in the national election after his political party failed to win a majority on its own....
A synthetic drug ravages youth in Sierra Leone. There's little help, and some people are chained ( apnews.com )
In Sierra Leone, a cheap, synthetic drug is ravaging youth. Trash-strewn alleys are lined with boys and young men slumped in addiction. Healthcare services are severely limited. One frustrated community has set up what it calls a treatment center, run by volunteers. But harsh measures can be used....
Poland rolls out plans for fortifications along its border with Russia and Belarus ( apnews.com )
Macron is making a surprise trip to New Caledonia amid deadly unrest and indigenous frustration ( apnews.com )
French President Emmanuel Macron is making a surprise trip to New Caledonia, the French Pacific territory that has been gripped by days of deadly unrest and where indigenous people have long sought independence.
Climate change impacts millions in India. But as the country votes, some politicians skirt the issue ( apnews.com )
Almost 970 million Indians are voting in general elections amid sweltering heat and unpredictable weather extremes exacerbated by human-caused climate change, leading to loss of livelihood, forced migration and increasingly difficult living conditions for millions across the country....
France imposes curfew in New Caledonia after unrest by people who have long sought independence ( apnews.com )
Authorities in the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia announced a two-day curfew and banned gatherings on Tuesday after violent unrest on the archipelago with decades of tensions between indigenous Kanaks seeking independence and colonizers’ descendants who want to remain part of France.
Civilian casualties rise in Myanmar's civil war as resistance forces tighten noose around military ( apnews.com )
EU reaches a tentative deal on Ukraine aid coming from profits of frozen Russian assets ( apnews.com )
European Union nations reached a tentative breakthrough deal to provide Ukraine with billions in additional funds for arms and ammunitions coming from the profits raised from frozen Russian central bank assets held in the bloc....
Chinese scientist who first published COVID sequence stages protest after being locked out of lab ( apnews.com )
US military ships are working to build a pier for Gaza aid. It's going to cost at least $320 million ( apnews.com )
A U.S. Navy ship and several Army vessels involved in an American-led effort to bring more aid into the besieged Gaza Strip are offshore of the enclave and building out a floating platform for the operation that the Pentagon has said will cost at least $320 million. ...
Israel-Hamas war: Doctors visiting Gaza stunned by the war's toll on Palestinian children ( apnews.com )
One toddler died from a brain injury caused by an Israeli strike that fractured his skull. His cousin, an infant, is still fighting for her life with part of her face blown off by the same strike....
US congressional delegation pledges continued defense support for Taiwan ( apnews.com )
A bipartisan U.S. congressional delegation pledged continued support for Taiwan on Thursday, days after Congress approved $300 million in military aid for the self-governed island that’s claimed by China....
Philippines lodges its 'strongest protest' against China over a water cannon assault in disputed sea ( apnews.com )
The Philippines lodged its “strongest protest” against Beijing on Monday and summoned a senior Chinese diplomat over a water cannon assault by the Chinese coast guard that injured Filipino navy crew members and heavily damaged their boat in the disputed South China Sea, officials said....
Mexico’s president says he won’t fight drug cartels on US orders, calls it a ‘Mexico First’ policy ( apnews.com )
Remember when Trump said "America First" and everyone cried? Pepperidge Farms remembers..
Netanyahu snaps back against growing US criticism after being accused of losing his way on Gaza, says Israel won't stop until 'total victory' is achieved ( apnews.com )
Finns go to the polls to elect a new president at an unprecedented time for the NATO newcomer ( apnews.com )
Voters in Finland were electing a new president Sunday at an unprecedented time for the Nordic nation that is now a NATO member with its eastern border with Russia closed — two things almost unthinkable a few years ago....
Israel’s military campaign in Gaza seen as among the most destructive in recent history, experts say ( apnews.com )
A hard-right party gathers strength in Poland, pushing a new, less friendly course on Ukraine ( apnews.com )
10 Ukrainians held prisoner for years in Russia return home after Vatican mediation ( apnews.com )
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ten Ukrainian civilians held prisoner for years by Russia arrived in Kyiv overnight Saturday after the mediation of the Vatican, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said...
Two candidates drop out of Iran presidential election, due to take place Friday amid voter apathy ( apnews.com )
Iranians are set to go to the polls to cast their ballots in an upcoming vote to replace the late President Ebrahim Raisi. Associated Press news director Jon Gambrell explains how Iran’s foreign policy could be affected by the election this Friday....
Israel lets 19 kids leave Gaza who are sick or wounded, first medical evacuation in nearly 2 months ( apnews.com )
KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli authorities say 68 people — 19 sick or wounded children plus their companions — have been allowed out of the Gaza Strip and into Egypt in the first medical evacuation since early May, when the territory’s sole travel crossing was shut down after Israel captured it....
Veronika Slowikowska worked toward making it as an actor for years. Then she went viral ( apnews.com )
When Veronika Slowikowska graduated from college in 2015, she did what conventional wisdom says aspiring actors should do: Work odd jobs to pay the bills while auditioning for commercials and background roles, hoping you eventually make it....
