This handout satellite image courtesy of Maxar Technologies released on July 30, 2022 shows the Olenivka prison in the Donetsk region of Ukraine on July 27, 2022. Moscow and Kyiv on July 29, 2022 accused each other of bombing a jail holding Ukrainian prisoners of war in Russian-held territory, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky saying more than 50 were killed and calling the attack a …
Europe scrambles to deal with gas crisis
Leaders prepare for 'worst-case scenario' on fears of a total shut off Gasoline and diesel prices are displayed near a gas station in Rome, Italy, June 23, 2022. (PHOTO / XINHUA) Just one of five turbines is now whirring within the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, the chief artery that pumps gas from Russia to Europe. Previously reduced capacity was once again reduced to 20 percent …
Hundreds of firefighters battle blaze near Lisbon
A firefighter tackles a wildfire at the village of Asseiceira Pequena in Mafra on July 31, 2022. (PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA / AFP) MAFRA, Portugal – Hundreds of firefighters battled a blaze raging in a Portuguese municipality near the capital Lisbon on Sunday as high temperatures and strong winds made it harder to put out the flames. A huge cloud of black smoke billowed over …
COVID-19: Biden remains positive, ‘continues to feel well’
US President Joe Biden coughs as he speaks about "The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022"inthe State Dining Room of the White House in Washington on July 28, 2022. (SUSAN WALSH / FILE / AP) WASHINGTON/ZURICH – US President Joe Biden remained positive for COVID-19 on Sunday but "continues to feel well," his physician said. White House physician Kevin O'Connor wrote in a memo that "this …
Senegal’s ruling coalition claims majority after legislative vote
A man casts his vote for legislative elections, at a polling station in Dakar, Senegal, Sunday, July 31, 2022. (LEO CORREA / AP PHOTO) DAKAR – Senegal President Macky Sall's ruling coalition said on Monday it has won 30 of the country's 46 administrative departments, giving it a slim majority parliament following Sunday's legislative election. Senegal President Macky Sall's refusal to publicly rule out a …
After starting New Mexico fire, US asks victims to pay
This satellite image released by Maxar Technologies shows an overview of active fire lines of the Hermits Peak wildfire near Las Vegas, New Mexico, May 11, 2022. (TECHNOLOGIES / AFP) TIERRA MONTE, N.M. – After the US government started the largest wildfire in New Mexico's recorded history in April, it is asking victims to share recovery costs on private land, jeopardizing relief efforts, according to …
Senegal kicks off legislative elections
People stand in line outside a voting station in Ziguinchor on July 31, 2022. (MUHAMADOU BITTAYE / AFP) DAKAR – Senegal kicked off legislative elections at 8 am Sunday (local time and GMT) to elect 165 new deputies to the National Assembly for a five-year term across national territory and abroad. Some seven million Senegalese people, including 300,000 living abroad, are expected to vote until …
On navy day, Putin says US main threat to Russia
Russia's President Vladimir Putin (center) reviews naval troops as he attends the main naval parade marking the Russian Navy Day, in St. Petersburg on July 31, 2022. (OLGA MALTSEVA / AFP) ST PETERSBURG, Russia – President Vladimir Putin on Sunday signed a new naval doctrine which cast the United States as Russia's main rival and set out Russia's global maritime interests for crucial areas such …
‘First grain ship could leave Ukraine on Monday’
A general view shows the coastline looking east towards in the port city of Odessa, on April 12, 2022. (ED JONES / AFP) ISTANBUL – The possibility of the first grain-exporting ship leaving Ukraine's ports on Monday is high, a spokesperson for President Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday. "If all (details) are completed by tomorrow, it seems like there is a high possibility that the …
Moroccan king calls for normal relations with Algeria
This handout picture released by the Moroccan Royal Place on July 13, 2022, shows Morocco's King Mohammed VI (right) chairing a council of ministers accompanied by his son Prince Moulay Hassan, at the Royal Palace in the capital Rabat. (MOROCCAN ROYAL PALACE) / AFP) RABAT – Moroccan King Mohammed VI on Saturday called for building "normal relations" between Morocco and Algeria. "I look forward to …
Biden tests positive for COVID-19 in ‘rebound’ case
In this file photo taken on July 27, 2022, US President Joe Biden coughs while delivering remarks in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, DC. Joe Biden has tested positive for COVID-19 for a second time and is returning to isolation, his White House doctor said on July 30, 2022, attributing the result to "rebound" positivity from treatment the US president received. …
At least 16 die in Kentucky floods, including 6 children
Members of the Winchester Fire Department walk inflatable boats across flood waters over a road in Jackson, Kentucky, to pick up people stranded by the floodwaters, July 28, 2022. (TIMOTHY D. EASLEY / AP) The death toll in eastern Kentucky rose to at least 16 on Friday as flooding unleashed by "epic" torrential rainfall swept through homes, washed out roads and pushed rivers over their …
Brazil sees 1st monkeypox death outside Africa in current outbreak
A health professional prepares a dose of a monkeypox vaccine at the Edison municipal vaccination centre in Paris on July 27, 2022. (ALAIN JOCARD / FILE / POOL VIA AP) SAO PAULO – Brazil on Friday reported the first monkeypox-related death outside the African continent in the current outbreak, shortly before Spain confirmed Europe's first known death in the outbreak later in the day. The …
Mexico: Drought in northern state matter of ‘national security’
Neighbors wait in line to collect water in plastic containers at a public collection point in Monterrey, Mexico on June 20, 2022. (PHOTO / AP) MONTERREY, Mexico – Mexico declared the water shortage in the northern state of Nuevo Leon a matter of "national security" on Friday as the region, home to Mexico's industrial capital, has been crippled by a worsening drought in recent months. …
Tunisia’s foreign ministry summons US envoy
In this photo provided by the Tunisian Presidency, Tunisian President Kais Saied casts his vote on a new constitution at a polling station in Tunis, Tunisia, Monday, July 25, 2022. (SLIM ABID / TUNISIAN PRESIDENCY VIA AP) Tunisia's foreign ministry said on Friday it summoned an official from the US embassy after Secretary of State Antony Blinken raised concerns about Tunisia's democracy. Secretary of State …
Pope says with frailty and age, he is in new phase of papacy
Pope Francis recites the Angelus noon prayer from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican on July 3, 2022. (ANDREW MEDICHINI / AP PHOTO) ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE – Pope Francis said on Saturday that his advancing age and his difficulty walking have ushered in a new, slower phase of his papacy and repeated that he would be ready to …
US House passes bill to ban assault weapons
Protestors take part in a rally against gun violence and calling for Federal Background Checks on Aug 18, 2019 in New York City. (JOHANNES EISELE / AFP) WASHINGTON – The US House of Representatives passed a bill on Friday to ban assault weapons with a narrow 217-213 vote. The legislation will prohibit the sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession of semiautomatic assault weapons and large-capacity ammunition …
Lavrov, Blinken discuss situation in Ukraine over phone
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (left) poses with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov before a meeting at the Harpa Concert Hall in Reykjavik, Iceland on May 19, 2021, on the sidelines of the Arctic Council Ministerial summit. (SAUL LOEB / POOL PHOTO VIA AP) MOSCOW/ UNITED NATIONS / KYIV – Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed the …
‘Look, no tie’: Spanish PM urges casual wear to save energy
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez addresses a press conference to present his government's results since the beginning of the year, at La Moncloa Palace in Madrid, on July 29, 2022. (JAVIER SORIANO / AFP) MADRID – Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez asked his ministers, public officials and private sector employees on Friday to stop wearing ties and stay cool as heatwaves sweep parts of Europe, …
Oil, Iran, rights on agenda as Macron hosts Saudi crown prince
French President Emmanuel Macron, left, welcomes Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for a dinner at the Elysee Palace in Paris, July 28, 2022. (LEWIS JOLY / AP) PARIS – French President Emmanuel Macron was hosting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Thursday as part of increased Western efforts to court the major oil-producing state amid the war in Ukraine and faltering talks to …