Shiite powerhouse al-Sistani helped shape today's Iraq
One highlight of Pope Francis' historic visit to Iraq is his meeting Saturday with a revered religious leader for Shiite Muslims, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani.
World News
The Latest: Ontario wants vaccine shot in adults by June 20
TORONTO — The head of the vaccine program for Canada’s most populous province expects to get every adult in Ontario a first vaccine shot by June 20.
Perseverance rover takes its first drive on Mars, sends back image
The NASA Perseverance rover has taken its first drive on Mars, traveling about 21 feet and doing a little spin across Jezero Crater. And that first 33-minute test drive on Thursday went "incredibly well," according to Anais Zarifian, Perseverance's mobility test bed engineer.
Mobile orchestra tries to bring cheer to Venezuelan streets
BARQUISIMETO, Venezuela (AP) — Orchestra music envelops the streets of a Venezuelan city every time a truck carrying musicians has made its way through traffic for the past year, capturing the attention of drivers and passers-by who take photos and stare at the vehicle. The live performance is an effort to give people some small respite from the coronavirus pandemic and other hardships.
Protests backing opposition leader escalate in Senegal
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Police fired tear gas in Senegal’s capital to disperse protesting supporters of the country’s main opposition leader, who appeared in court for the first time on Friday since his detention two days ago sparked days of violent demonstrations in which at least four died.
It's been a 'mixed bag', but most Canadian schools have kept students in class
For one of Canada's most densely populated communities, this Toronto suburb, locked down for weeks, was eerily quiet on a recent Friday morning. Except for the school buses.
WHO head wants virus vaccine patents waived to boost supply
GENEVA (AP) — The head of the World Health Organization called Friday for patent rights to be waived until the end of the coronavirus pandemic so that vaccine supplies can be dramatically increased, saying these “unprecedented times” warrant the move.
UK says vaccine shipment from India won't hurt poor nations
LONDON (AP) — Britain’s vaccines minister on Friday dismissed suggestions that the country was getting key COVID-19 jabs intended for poorer countries, insisting that 10 million doses coming from India were always intended for distribution in the U.K.
EU, US agree to suspend tariffs over Airbus-Boeing dispute
BRUSSELS (AP) — A first phone call Friday clinched the first trade breakthrough to start rebuilding trans-Atlantic relations between the United States and the European Union in the wake of the Trump presidency.
EU, US agree to suspend tariffs over Airbus-Boeing dispute
BRUSSELS (AP) — A first phone call Friday clinched the first trade breakthrough to start rebuilding trans-Atlantic relations between the United States and the European Union in the wake of the Trump presidency.
Meghan: talk with Oprah without royals' input 'liberating'
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex has described to Oprah Winfrey how “liberating” it was to have a conversation - let alone a sit-down interview - with the television host without royal minders.
No winners: UK waits for Harry, Meghan's take on royal split
LONDON (AP) — The timing couldn’t be worse for Harry and Meghan.
Myanmar cracked down brutally on protests. It may get worse.
TOKYO (AP) — Myanmar's security forces have killed scores of demonstrators protesting a coup. The new junta has jailed journalists — and anyone else capable of exposing the violence. It has done away with even limited legal protections. The outside world has responded so far with tough words, a smattering of sanctions and little else.
Cuba's struggling entrepreneurs look to Biden with hope
HAVANA (AP) — Business was booming for a trendy little clothing shop called Clandestina in the heart of Old Havana, one of thousands of new private businesses that had arisen in what was once a near-wholly state-run socialist economy.
Pakistani opposition to boycott confidence vote for PM Khan
ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan’s opposition announced Friday it will boycott a special session of the National Assembly this weekend called by the prime minister after a politically embarrassing defeat of Imran Khan’s key candidate in elections for the Senate.
Watch Now: Incredible Russian art exhibit takes place under freezing water
Take a look at this incredible art exhibit under the freezing waters of the White Sea in Russia.
Judge: Paper must run Page 1 statement on Meghan's legal win
LONDON (AP) — A British judge has ordered the Mail on Sunday to publish a front-page statement highlighting the Duchess of Sussex’s legal victory over the newspaper for breaching her copyright by publishing parts of a letter she wrote to her estranged father.
France backs Italy in vaccine ban as EU defends mechanism
BRUSSELS (AP) — Europe's vaccine solidarity got a boost on Friday after France said it could emulate Italy's move to block coronavirus vaccine exports outside the European Union if that's what is needed to enforce the bloc's own contracts with drugs manufacturers.
Germany gives nuke plant operators $2.9B for early shutdown
BERLIN (AP) — The German government said Friday it has agreed with four utility companies that they will receive a combined 2.4 billion euros ($2.9 billion) in compensation for the early shutdown of their nuclear power plants.
German TV director charged with rape in prominent MeToo case
BERLIN (AP) — One of Germany's best-known TV directors and scriptwriters has been formally charged with raping an aspiring actress almost 25 years ago, Munich prosecutors said Friday.
Japan extends virus emergency for 2 weeks for Tokyo area
TOKYO (AP) — Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga announced that his government is extending a state of emergency in the Tokyo region for another two weeks because its medical systems are still strained by COVID-19 patients.
Increasing evidence that Myanmar's military forces are shooting to kill as country mourns young victims
Zin Ko Ko Zaw, 22, killed by a bullet to the head. Ma "Angel" Kyal Sin, 19, fatally shot in the head. Nay Myo Aung, 16, killed by a bullet that pierced his lung.
After mixed messages, Europe warns against vaccine shopping
PARIS (AP) — First, France's president suggested that the AstraZeneca vaccine was “quasi-ineffective” in protecting older people from COVID-19. Now, Emmanuel Macron's government is begging people to take it.
Must-watch videos of the week
A SpaceX rocket has a major crash, old photos come to life and a New York woman makes a weird discovery. These are the must-watch videos of the week.
