Paris inaugurates giant water storage basin to clean up the River Seine for Olympic swimming
French officials inaugurated on Thursday a huge storage basin meant to keep cleaner the River Seine, which is to be the venue for marathon swimming at the Paris Games and the swimming leg of the Olympic and Paralympic triathlons.
Kyiv's forces are up against a concerted Russian push in eastern Ukraine, a military official says
A senior Ukrainian military official says the situation on the front line in eastern Ukraine is worsening but local defenders are so far holding firm against a concerted push by Russia’s bigger and better-equipped forces.
EU announces 1 billion euros in aid for Lebanon amid a surge in irregular migration
The European Union has announced an aid package for Lebanon of 1 billion euros — about $1.06 billion — that will mostly go to strengthening border control to halt the flow of asylum seekers and migrants from the small, crisis-wracked country across the Mediterranean Sea to Cyprus and Italy.
Georgia parliament cancels session after building damaged during huge protests
The parliament of Georgia has cancelled its plenary session following massive protests against a proposed law that critics fear will stifle media freedom and endanger the country’s bid for membership in the European Union.
Cambodia's Defense Ministry says explosion at military base that killed 20 soldiers was an accident
Cambodia's Defense Ministry says a huge explosion at a military base in the southwest that killed 20 soldiers and injured many others was an accident caused by a “technical issue” from the old and degraded ammunition that was being moved.
Jeremiah Manele elected prime minister in Solomon Islands, which is likely to keep close China ties
Solomon Islands lawmakers have elected former Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele as prime minister in a development that suggests the South Pacific island nation will maintain close ties with China.
The UN's nuclear watchdog chief will visit Iran next week as concerns rise about uranium enrichment
The head of the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog will travel to Iran next week as Tehran’s nuclear program enriches uranium a step away from weapons-grade levels and international oversight remains limited.
EU, UN reschedule launch of anti-human trafficking project in Cambodia after questions about venue
The European Union and United Nations abruptly rescheduled the launch of an anti-human trafficking program this week after being confronted with questions on the choice of venue: a Phnom Penh hotel owned by a Cambodian tycoon who has another property that has been used by human traffickers.
Blinken presses Hamas to seal cease-fire with Israel, says 'the time is now' for a deal
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has met with Israeli leaders in his push for a cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas to impress on them that “the time is now" for an agreement that would free hostages and bring a pause in the nearly seven months of war.
Why Israel is so determined to launch an offensive in Rafah. And why so many oppose it
Israel is determined to launch an offensive against Hamas in Rafah, Gaza’s southernmost town, a plan that has raised global alarm because of the potential for harm to more than a million Palestinian civilians sheltering there.
Chinese coast guard fires water cannons at Philippine vessels in the latest South China Sea incident
Chinese coast guard ships have fired water cannons at two Philippine patrol vessels near a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, damaging both, in the latest flareup in an increasingly tense territorial conflict.