France signs weapons mega-deal with UAE as Macron tours Gulf

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — France announced multibillion-euro deals Friday to sell fighter planes and combat helicopters to the United Arab Emirates, aiming to boost military cooperation with its top ally in the Persian Gulf amid their shared concerns about Iran. ...

Study: New German govt's plans fall short of climate goal

BERLIN (AP) — A research institute's analysis has concluded the incoming German government’s plans for curbing greenhouse gas emissions are insufficient to put Germany on course to meet the goals of the 2015 Paris climate accord. The German Institute for Economic...

Iraqi region hit by migrant deaths; smuggling big business

RANYA, Iraq (AP) — Shoes pile up outside the Mamand home in northern Iraq from relatives and friends who have streamed inside to offer solace as they anxiously await news of the family's young son, who was lost at sea somewhere between France and Britain. Most are...

France says the United Arab Emirates has purchased 80 French-made Rafale warplanes for 16 billion euros.

World shares mostly higher after broad rally on Wall Street

BANGKOK (AP) — Stocks were mostly higher in Europe and Asia after a broad rally on Wall Street as investors awaited U.S. employment and other data due out Friday. Concerns over the spread of the new coronavirus variant and measures governments are taking to restrain it...

Live updates: California reports 2nd omicron case in 2 days

LOS ANGELES — California is reporting its second confirmed case of the omicron COVID variant in as many days. The Los Angeles County public health department says a county resident is self-isolating after apparently contracting the infection during a trip to South...

Omicron and delta spell return of unpopular restrictions

PARIS (AP) — Greeks over 60 who refuse coronavirus vaccinations could be hit with monthly fines of more than one-quarter of their minimum pensions — a get-tough policy that the country's politicians say will cost votes but save lives. Weekly protests in the...

WWII vet who survived COVID-19 honored on 105th birthday

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (AP) — A World War II veteran from Alabama who survived COVID-19 last year will be honored on his 105th birthday Friday with the French Legion of Honor in recognition of his service. Major Wooten, who repaired bomb-damaged trains in France as an Army...

Final goodbye: Recalling influential people who died in 2021

They both carved out sterling reputations as military and political leaders over years of public service. But both also saw their legacies tarnished by their actions in the long, bloody war in Iraq. Former Secretary of State Colin Powell and former Defense Secretary...

Variants, boosters turn rich-poor vaccine gap into chasm

PARIS (AP) — The global initiative to share coronavirus vaccines fairly already scaled back its pledge to the world's poor once. Now, to meet even that limited promise, COVAX would have to deliver more than a million doses every hour until the end of the year in some of the world's most...