Putin marks anniversary of annexation of Ukrainian regions as drones attack overnight

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday insisted that the residents of four Ukrainian regions that Moscow illegally annexed a year ago “made their choice — to be with their Fatherland.” In an address released in the early hours to mark the first...

Slovakia election pits a pro-Russia former prime minister against a liberal pro-West newcomer

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) — Voters in Slovakia cast ballots Saturday in an early parliamentary election that pits a populist former prime minister who campaigned on a pro-Russia and anti-American message against a liberal, pro-West newcomer. Depending on which of them prevails, the...

Putin orders former Wagner commander to take charge of 'volunteer units' in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered one of the top commanders of the Wagner military contractor to take charge of “volunteer units” fighting in Ukraine, signaling the Kremlin’s effort to keep using the mercenaries after the death of their chief, Yevgeny Prigozhin. In...

Today in History: September 26, Kennedy and Nixon in first-ever presidential nominees' debate

Today in History Today is Tuesday, Sept. 26, the 269th day of 2023. There are 96 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight in History: On Sept. 26, 1960, the first-ever debate between presidential nominees took place as Democrat John F. Kennedy and...

Russia hosts the Taliban for talks on regional threats and says it will keep funding Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Moscow will keep helping Afghanistan on its own and through the U.N. food agency, Russian officials said Friday as they hosted Taliban representatives for talks on regional threats. The talks in the Russian city of Kazan came as Moscow is trying to maintain its...

South Sudan’s leader discusses closer ties in energy, trade with Russian President Putin

JUBA, South Sudan (AP) — Visiting South Sudan President Salva Kiir agreed in a meeting with Russia’s president to expand their relationship in energy, trade and other areas, notably oil. Kiir and President Vladimir Putin met in Moscow on Thursday and also discussed political and...

Slovakia election pits a pro-Russia former prime minister against a liberal pro-West newcomer

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) — Slovakia holds an early parliamentary election on Saturday that pits populist former Prime Minister Robert Fico, who campaigned on a clear pro-Russia and anti-American message, against a liberal pro-West newcomer. Fico and his leftist Smer, or Direction,...

Russia accuses Ukraine's Western allies of helping attack its Black Sea Fleet headquarters

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia on Wednesday accused Ukraine’s Western allies of helping plan and conduct last week’s missile strike on the Black Sea Fleet’s headquarters on the annexed Crimean Peninsula. “There is no doubt that the attack had been planned in advance using...

Correction: Connecticut Court-Russia Probe story

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — In a story published Sept. 26, 2023, about the confirmation of Nora Dannehy to a seat on Connecticut’s Supreme Court, The Associated Press erroneously reported the vote total in the state’s House of Representatives. It was 120-18 in favor of confirmation.

Dozens dead in gas station explosion as Nagorno-Karabakh residents flee to Armenia

YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) — An explosion at a crowded gas station in Azerbaijan's Nagorno-Karabakh region left scores of people dead and injured as thousands of ethnic Armenians rushed to flee into neighboring Armenia, the separatist territory's authorities said Tuesday. Some 28,000...