World Bank says Uganda’s anti-LGBTQ law violates its values
WASHINGTON — The World Bank said on Tuesday it would halt new lending to the Ugandan government after concluding that its anti-LGBTQ law, which...
Thais bid farewell to beloved King Bhumibol in ancient rites
BANGKOK -- Brahmin priests, drummers and soldiers in ceremonial uniforms led a solemn but color-splashed procession through Bangkok’s historic heart Thursday as Thailand bade...
US extends travel restrictions at Canada, Mexico land borders through July 21
WASHINGTON — US land borders with Canada and Mexico will remain closed to non-essential travel until at least July 21, the US Homeland Security Department said on Sunday.
Thai king endorses Paetongtarn Shinawatra as prime minister
BANGKOK — Paetongtarn Shinawatra was endorsed as prime minister by Thailand’s king on Sunday, two days after parliament elected her, paving the way for...
Pope Francis in critical condition after health deteriorates, Vatican says
VATICAN CITY — The Vatican said on Saturday that Pope Francis' health had deteriorated over the past 24 hours and for the first time...
Ukraine’s Zelensky tells US Congress aid is ‘not charity’
WASHINGTON/KYIV — President Volodymyr Zelensky told the US Congress that aid to Ukraine was an investment in democracy and “not charity” as he invoked...
Syria’s Assad wins 4th term with 95% of vote, in election the West calls...
BEIRUT — Syrian President Bashar al-Assad won a fourth term in office with 95.1% of the votes in an election that will extend his rule over...
Hamas frees more Israeli, Thai hostages in temporary truce
GAZA/JERUSALEM — Thirteen Israelis and four Thai nationals arrived in Israel on Sunday in the second release of hostages from Hamas captivity in exchange...
Japan reopens to tourists with shuttered souvenir shops
TOKYO — As Japan throws open its doors to visitors this week after more than two years of pandemic isolation, hopes for a tourism boom face tough headwinds amid shuttered shops and a shortage of hospitality workers.
Canada on track to exceed lofty 2022 immigration target
CANADA is on track to exceed its immigration goal of granting permanent residency to more than 430,000 people in 2022, Immigration Minister Sean Fraser said on Wednesday.
Taiwan president spoke with US House Speaker Johnson, sources say
TAIPEI — Taiwan President Lai Ching-te spoke by telephone with US House Speaker Mike Johnson during Mr. Lai’s visit to the Pacific, two sources...
Third of world’s people get no state aid during pandemic — Oxfam
NEW YORK — More than a third of the world’s population—some 2.7 billion people—has not received government aid during the coronavirus pandemic, Oxfam said...