Alleged Russian links taint Catalan separatist leader’s possible return to Spain
After six years on the run, the former president of Spain’s Catalonia region may come home to govern after his party won a close second in regional elections. But an…
First Ukrainian pilots graduate from F-16 training in US
the Pentagon — The first Ukrainian pilots have completed F-16 fighter jet training at a military base in Arizona, with others soon to follow this summer. “The first batch has graduated,…
Ukraine says Russia abducted more than 19,000 of its children
Ukrainian officials say Russia’s invasion has turned thousands of Ukrainian children trapped in occupied territories into hostages, while others have been deported to Russia and forced into reeducation programs and…
New volcanic eruption on Iceland’s Reykjanes peninsula
Reykjavik — A new volcanic eruption has begun on the Reykjanes peninsula in southwestern Iceland, the country’s meteorological office said Wednesday, shortly after authorities evacuated the nearby town of Grindavik. “An…
Georgian parliament overrides veto of controversial foreign agent law
Tbilisi, Georgia — Georgia’s parliament on Tuesday overrode the president’s veto of a controversial foreign agent law, despite protests at home and criticism in Western capitals, including a U.S. threat to…
Poland’s president seeks release of Polish traveler sentenced to life in Congo
WARSAW, Poland — Polish President Andrzej Duda has spoken on the phone with Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi to try to obtain the release of a Polish traveler who was sentenced to…
Rafael Nadal loses in French Open’s first round to Alexander Zverev
PARIS — Rafael Nadal lost in the first round of the French Open to Alexander Zverev 6-3, 7-6 (5), 6-3 on Monday in what might turn out to be the 14-time…
EU partners with Kenya to prosecute suspected maritime crime suspects
Nairobi, Kenya — Kenya has agreed to help the European Union in dealing with maritime crime suspects in the region, amid a rising threat from pirate activity and attacks by Yemen’s…
Diplomat: Russia moving closer to delisting Afghanistan’s Taliban as terrorist group
Islamabad — A senior Russian diplomat says Russia’s foreign and justice ministries have told President Vladimir Putin that Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban “can be removed” from the list of Moscow-designated terrorist organizations….
Unbowed, Ukrainian shop serves coffee just 8 kilometers from war’s front line
In the city of Kupyansk in eastern Ukraine, a small coffee shop sits just 8 kilometers from the front lines. It opened last summer — the latest in a chain…
US philanthropist builds homes for displaced Ukrainians
Since the spring 2022, Dell Loy Hansen has spent over $70 million to build homes for internally displaced Ukrainians. The U.S. philanthropist says he has been to Ukraine four times…
Lithuania’s Nauseda calls victory in presidential election
Vilnius, Lithuania — Lithuania’s Gitanas Nauseda announced his reelection in a presidential ballot on Sunday, following a campaign dominated by security concerns in the European Union and NATO member next door…
Georgian PM, president trade criticism over media freedom law
Tbilisi, Georgia — The president and prime minister of Georgia on Sunday lashed out at each other at a ceremony marking the country’s independence day as strong tensions persist over a…
Thousands rally in Armenia against Azerbaijan land transfer
Yerevan — Thousands of Armenians staged an anti-government protest on Sunday, demanding Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation over territorial concessions to arch foe neighbor Azerbaijan. Protests erupted in the Caucasus nation…
Macron begins first state visit to Germany by a French president in 24 years
Berlin — President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Germany Sunday for the first state visit by a French head of state in 24 years, a three-day trip meant to underline the strong…
Russian attack on Ukraine’s Kharkiv kills 12, injures dozens
KHARKIV, Ukraine — A Russian strike on a crowded DIY hardware store in Kharkiv killed 12 people and wounded dozens more, Ukrainian prosecutors said on Sunday morning, the death toll rising…
Lithuanians vote in presidential election overshadowed by Russia
VILNIUS, Lithuania — Lithuania holds presidential elections Sunday, with incumbent Gitanas Nauseda expected to win after a campaign dominated by security concerns in the post-Soviet state. The Baltic nation of 2.8…
G7 officials make progress on money for Ukraine from frozen Russian assets
FRANKFURT, Germany — Finance officials from the Group of Seven rich democracies said they had moved toward agreement on a U.S. proposal to squeeze more money for Ukraine from Russian assets…