ReutersPentagon mulling U.S. military request to send 5,000 troops to Middle East: officials
Tehran and Washington have this month been escalating rhetoric against each other, following U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to try to cut Iran's oil exports to zero and beef up the U.S. military presence in the Gulf in response to what he said were Iranian threats. The officials, speaking
- Reuters
Turkey stopped purchasing Iranian oil as of May: Turkish official
"We are not getting any oil from Iran now," said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Reuters on Monday reported that no tankers loaded in Iran have arrived at Turkish ports so far in this month, according to Refinitiv tracking data. Analysts said it was replacing Iranian oil
- Reuters
India prepares to count votes, with Modi looking at second term
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by Modi's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is expected to surpass the 272 seats needed to command a majority in the lower house of parliament, six of seven exit polls showed on Sunday. Modi came into campaigning under pressure, losing three
- Christian Science Monitor
As 2020 field balloons, Democrats struggle to emerge from pack
“The more the merrier!” is the typical response given by various hopefuls when asked about the latest entry to their field. It’s gotten so crowded that cable networks are running back-to-back town halls into the wee hours of the night, and the upcoming debates are being divided into separate rounds
- Christian Science Monitor
It’s populism vs. liberal democracy as EU goes to the polls
This could be crunch time for the European Union. As voters elect a new continent-wide parliament this week, both supporters of the European Union and its opponents are casting the poll as a defining moment for the future of the bloc – and perhaps for liberal democracy. “It is for you to decide whether
- Christian Science Monitor
In a world of autocrats, the humble stand out
In an era of strongman rule from Egypt to China, it is refreshing to see a new leader on the world scene who tries not to act like a personal hero but operates with compelling modesty. On Monday, Volodymyr Zelenskiy was sworn in as the elected president of Ukraine. Don’t hang his picture in government
- Christian Science Monitor
Letter from India: Lessons from an election with 900 million voters
It was the first phase of the largest democratic exercise on earth: India’s general elections. It takes 39 days, about 1 million polling booths, and around 5 million security forces and election workers to reach the country’s nearly 900 million eligible voters.
Associated PressPopulists expected to gain seats in May's EU elections
BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Parliament is predicting that nationalist, populist and anti-migrant groups will make significant gains in the May 23-26 EU elections but says it thinks mainstream parties will keep control over the assembly.
ReutersBrazil's president wins, justice minister loses in Congress
"It's part of the democratic debate." The vote on the first decree Bolsonaro issued the day he took office in January was a test of his ability to govern without courting traditional parties in Congress, which is threatening to derail his agenda after months of mutual antagonism. Failure
- Associated Press
9 die in western Mexico shootout, official slain in south
MEXICO CITY (AP) — A shootout between rival gangs in western Mexico killed at least nine people and wounded four, authorities said Wednesday.
Associated PressBrazil's leader issues new gun decree, but keeps much of old
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — President Jair Bolsonaro on Wednesday pulled back on part of a decree that eases rules on firearm possession in Brazil, after widespread criticism from politicians, judges and civic groups that a measure on semi-automatic rifles would increase violence in one of the world's
Associated Press6 Brazilian tourists die of carbon monoxide in Chile
SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — Six Brazilian tourists were found dead of carbon monoxide poisoning Wednesday inside an old apartment where they were staying in central Santiago.
ReutersSwiss propose house arrest, including for teenagers, to curb extremism
The measures, due now to be considered by Switzerland's parliament, are part of an evolving national action plan against violent extremism introduced in 2017. Federal Police Director Nicoletta della Valle told a news conference in Bern she expects "a few dozen people" could be affected
- Associated Press
Mexico frees 24 migrants kidnapped by Hondurans
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Police in northern Mexico have freed 24 kidnapped Cuban and Central American migrants and arrested five Hondurans accused of abducting them.
Associated PressSuicide car bomb kills at least 9 in Somalia's capital
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Islamic extremists exploded a suicide car bomb near the presidential palace in Somalia's capital Wednesday, killing at least nine people, including former Foreign Minister Hussein Elabe Fahiye, who was an adviser to the current president.
ReutersTrump administration may use Iran threat to sell bombs to Saudis without Congress' approval: senator
"I am hearing that Trump may use an obscure loophole in the Arms Control Act and notice a major new sale of bombs to Saudi Arabia (the ones they drop in Yemen) in a way that would prevent Congress from objecting. In this case, they said the Republican president would cite rising tensions with Iran
- Associated Press
Top Asian News 1:13 a.m. GMT
WASHINGTON (AP) — With negotiations on hold and tariffs piling up, the United States and China appear to be bracing for a prolonged standoff over trade. Beijing is airing Korean War movies (antagonist: America) to arouse patriotic feelings in the Chinese public and offering tax cuts to software and chip
Associated PressAPNewsBreak: Theme park to star 'Hunger Games,' 'Twilight'
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Some of Lionsgate's most popular film franchises from "Hunger Games" to "Twilight" will be brought to life when the studio opens what it calls the world's first vertical theme park in China this summer.
Associated PressMobile app to warn gropers, get help proves popular in Japan
TOKYO (AP) — A smartphone app developed by Japanese police is being widely downloaded by women trying to protect themselves from gropers on packed rush-hour trains.
Associated PressSEAL's trial delayed as defense seeks info on email snooping
SAN DIEGO (AP) — A judge delayed the murder case Wednesday of a decorated Navy SEAL to first make sure the government's monitoring of defense team emails did not compromise his right to a fair trial.
AFPInmates show off crochet creations in Brazil prison fashion show
The catwalk came to a Brazilian prison Wednesday when models from the Sao Paulo Fashion Week paraded a collection at a maximum security facility in front of the inmates who created them. Intricate crochet bodices, cheeky skirts and denim finishes featured in the fashion show at the Adriano Marrey prison
Associated Press'American Taliban' fighter to be released after 17 years
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — John Walker Lindh, the young Californian who became known as the American Taliban after he was captured by U.S. forces in the invasion of Afghanistan in late 2001, is set to go free after nearly two decades in prison.
AFPIllegal hunting threatens songbird prized as delicacy: study
About 300,000 of the birds pass through southwestern France, where they fall prey to hunters who for decades have defied bans on harvesting them in the name of gastronomic tradition. You see, the ortolan bunting is seen by elite chefs and foodies as a rare culinary treat -- one that is consumed whole
ReutersIndonesian protesters, police clash in second night of post-election unrest
Protesters tore up slabs of pavement, destroyed street signs and set fire to food stalls and security posts but their numbers thinned as the night wore on. Indonesian TV showed dozens of riot police trying to sleep on debris-strewn streets. The capital's governor, Anies Baswedan, said six people
Associated PressForecasters predict busy Central Pacific hurricane season
HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii and the Central Pacific could experience more storms than normal during this year's hurricane season.