US sanctions Iran over supply of ballistic missiles to Russia

London — Washington announced new sanctions on Iran Tuesday over its supply of missiles to Russia for use in Moscow's illegal invasion of Ukraine

Burning of Zozobra tradition in Santa Fe, New Mexico, turns 100

Thousands of revelers gathered in New Mexico to set ablaze a 15-meter-tall effigy stuffed with personal regrets and gloomy thoughts

US senator blocks promotion of top aide to Defense Secretary Austin

washington — Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville is blocking the quick promotion of the top military aide to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin over concerns that he and other senior staff did not immediately notify President Joe Biden when Austin was hospi[..]

Blinken, Lammy stress importance of Taiwan Strait status quo in US-UK talks

State Department — U

Abortion-rights measure will be on Missouri's November ballot, court rules

JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri — An amendment to restore abortion rights in Missouri will be on the ballot, the state's Supreme Court ruled Tuesday

US Assistant Secretary of State O'Brien: Georgia's leadership is 'in denial'

WASHINGTON — A controversial law on “foreign influence transparency” is heading toward full implementation in Georgia, even though the country aspires to join the European Union and North Atlantic Treaty Organization

From exile, Afghan outlets find ways to amplify women’s voices

Taliban laws and restrictions make journalism in Afghanistan increasingly challenging

UN: Taliban’s morality laws targeting women deepen Afghanistan’s isolation

Islamabad, Pakistan — The United Nations rights chief expressed his “abhorrence” Monday at the recent promulgation of “so-called morality laws” in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan that silence women or order them to cover their faces and bodies in publ[..]

Japan's economy is growing, but political uncertainty is among the risks

TOKYO — Japan's economy grew at an annual rate of 2

South Korea summit to target 'blueprint' for using AI in the military

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA — South Korea convened an international summit on Monday seeking to establish a blueprint for the responsible use of artificial intelligence in the military, though any agreement is not expected to have binding powers to enforce it[..]

Philippines 'not looking' to extradite pastor to US

Manila, Philippines — The Philippines is not currently looking to extradite a Filipino pastor wanted for child sex trafficking in the United States, President Ferdinand Marcos said Monday after the suspect's arrest

Pope cheers East Timor's recovery while acknowledging a bishop's abuse scandal

DILI, East Timor — Pope Francis received a raucous welcome Monday as he arrived in East Timor to celebrate its recovery from a bloody and traumatic independence battle, even as he indirectly acknowledged an abuse scandal involving its Nobel Peace Pr[..]

Flooding sweeps away bus, bridge collapses in Vietnam as storm deaths rise to 59  

HANOI — A bridge collapsed and a bus was swept away by flooding Monday as more rain fell following a typhoon Vietnam that has caused at least 59 deaths in the Southeast Asian country and disrupted businesses and factories in the export-focused northe[..]

Attempts to keep up exchanges between Taiwanese, Chinese face obstacles

Taipei, Taiwan — Efforts to maintain exchanges between Taiwanese and Chinese citizens face new challenges after Beijing last month sentenced a Taiwanese activist to nine years in jail, a move that analysts say will create a chilling effect within Tai[..]

Under Yoon, calls for South Korean nukes 'normalized'

Seoul, South Korea — Less than two years after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol pledged his country would not seek nuclear weapons, his newly appointed defense minister is openly envisioning scenarios in which South Korea might reconsider that st[..]