World hopes for renewed cooperation with US under Biden

MEXICO CITY (AP) — World leaders welcomed into their ranks the new U.S. President Joe Biden, noting their most pressing problems, including the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change, require multilateral cooperation, an approach his predecessor Donald Trump ridiculed. Many expressed hope Biden would right...

Officials: Suicide bombs rock central Baghdad, 6 dead

BAGHDAD (AP) — Twin suicide bombings hit Iraq’s capital Thursday killing at least six people and wounding at least 25 others, police and state TV said. Three police officials said two explosions hit a commercial center in central Baghdad. Iraqi state television reported they were suicide bombings....

Iraqi State TV reports suicide bombing in central Baghdad, unknown number of casualties

Amid crippling sanctions, Iran traders seek lifeline in Iraq

DOHUK, Iraq (AP) — Piles of plush carpets line the floors of a northern Iraq shopping center hosting traders from neighboring Iran who hope the spangle of their ornate handicrafts might offer a lifeline out of poverty. In their own country, the economy is in tatters amid crippling U.S. sanctions. ...

Today in History

Today in History Today is Thursday, Jan. 21, the 21st day of 2021. There are 344 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight in History: On Jan. 21, 2020, the U.S. reported its first known case of the new virus circulating in China, saying a Washington state resident who had returned the previous week from...

The Latest: Sri Lanka reopens tourism after 10-month closing

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Sri Lanka is welcoming tourists again after keeping the doors closed to visitors for nearly 10 months due to the coronavirus pandemic. The government’s action Thursday is seen as an effort to revive the island nation’s tourism industry, which has been badly hit by the...

UN announces talks on new Syria constitution resume Jan 25

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. special envoy for Syria announced Wednesday that the next round of talks toward revising the war-battered country's constitution will start in Geneva on Jan. 25 and urged the parties to move to actual drafting. Geir Pedersen told the U.N. Security Council he views the meeting...

AP FACT CHECK: Trump's fiction in his goodbye to Washington

WASHINGTON (AP) — In his final remarks as president, Donald Trump tried to take credit for accomplishments of his predecessor and even those to come under President Joe Biden. Falsehoods suffused his farewell remarks Wednesday morning and the night before, though he was spot on with this: “We were...

After vote, Greece to double reach of western coastal waters

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Lawmakers in Greece Wednesday overwhelmingly approved legislation to extend the country's territorial waters along its western coastline from six to 12 nautical miles. In the 284-0 vote, representatives of four opposition parties backed the center-right government, while members of...

Armed men try to storm governor’s house in Sudan’s Darfur

CAIRO (AP) — Armed men opened fire overnight, trying to storm the residence of a provincial governor in Sudan’s restive Darfur region but were repelled by guards, officials said Wednesday. There were no injuries or damage in the attempted attack on West Darfur Gov. Mohammed Abdalla al-Douma’s...