AP National News

RAHIM FAIEZ ISLAMABAD (AP) — An Afghan official says 20 people have been lashed in public in the Taliban-ruled country as punishment for alleged adultery, theft, and other crimes. Afghanistan’s new authorities have established hardline policies since they took over the country in August 2021 that reflect their interpretation of Islamic law, or Sharia. A

By HYUNG-JIN KIM Associated Press SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The U.S. military has formally launched a space force unit in South Korea, a move that will likely enable Washington to better monitor its rivals North Korea, China and Russia. The activation of the U.S. Space Forces Korea at Osan Air Base near Seoul came

By DAN GELSTON AP Sports Writer PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Meek Mill played football inside the Philadelphia Eagles’ practice facility with 35 area children from families caught in the criminal justice system. The Philly rapper and social activist says it was important to let the kids know they’re not forgotten as their parents or guardians sort

By AARON BEARD AP Basketball Writer PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas (AP) — A new market is evolving for international athletes playing college sports in the United States. Traveling for international sporting events is giving some of them a chance to chase their shot at cashing in on their fame. Those athletes have largely been left out

By HANNA ARHIROVA and JAMEY KEATEN Associated Press KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian authorities said they thwarted a Russian attack on Kyiv and the surrounding region Wednesday as their air defense system intercepted and destroyed 13 explosive-laden drones, although wreckage from some of them damaged five buildings. No casualties were reported. The attempted strikes underlined

By JOCELYN NOVECK AP National Writer They’ll have what she’s having. The 1989 rom-com “When Harry Met Sally” is one of 25 films chosen this year to enter the National Film Registry, a list that ranges from Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” to an 1898 silent documentary, long thought lost, about the Mardi Gras parade in

HELSINKI (AP) — Three Latvian parties have signed a deal to form a coalition government more than two months after a general election in the Baltic country that was shaped by neighboring Russia’s war in Ukraine and economic woes. The new Cabinet will be led by Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins’ ruling center-right New Unity party,

By ELAINE KURTENBACH AP Business Writer BANGKOK (AP) — European shares were mixed Wednesday after a day of gains in Asia ahead of a decision by the Federal Reserve on interest rates. Benchmarks fell in Paris and London but rose in Frankfurt and most Asian markets. Oil prices fell back and U.S. futures edged lower.

LONDON (AP) — Helicopters and lifeboats were dispatched to the English Channel off the coast of Kent in southern England to rescue a small boat that capsized in the freezing water, authorities said Wednesday. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak confirmed in comments before Parliament there was a loss of life but offered no specifics. Home Secretary

ROME (AP) — Pope Francis is calling for a “humble” Christmas this year, with savings from reduced spending on gifts donated to Ukrainians. Francis called Wednesday for “concrete gestures” of charity for Ukrainians this holiday season during his weekly general audience. Francis has spoken out frequently about the “martyred” people of Ukraine ever since Russia invaded

BERLIN (AP) — Chancellor Olaf Scholz says it’s in the interest of Germany and Europe for the remaining countries of the Balkans to join the European Union. Speaking to Parliament ahead of a one-day summit of the 27-nation bloc in Brussels, Scholz welcomed the revival of EU accession talks with the six Western Balkan countries

By SHEIKH SAALIQ and ANIRUDDHA GHOSAL Associated Press NEW DELHI (AP) — Argentina and Lionel Messi fans in India and Bangladesh are overjoyed after the soccer team secured its place in the World Cup final by beating Croatia. Fans poured onto the streets in Bangladesh’s Dhaka and India’s Kolkata waving Argentina flags and wearing the

By HANNA ARHIROVA and JAMEY KEATEN Associated Press KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian drone strikes damaged five buildings in the capital, Kyiv, on Wednesday even as Ukrainian air defenses thwarted many more, authorities said. No casualties were reported. The attacks underline how Ukraine’s biggest city remains vulnerable to the regular Russian attacks that have devastated

By DANICA KIRKA Associated Press LONDON (AP) — U.K. inflation remained close to a 40-year high in November, piling pressure on employers to boost wages as the nation faces a wave of strikes and economists expect the Bank of England to approve a ninth consecutive interest rate increase on Thursday. While annual consumer price inflation

By CARA ANNA Associated Press NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — As one deadly conflict in Ethiopia begins to calm, another is growing, challenging a government that’s eager to persuade the international community to lift sanctions and revive what was once one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies. Even as Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed attends the U.S.-Africa summit

By NICK PERRY Associated Press WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Fijians voted Wednesday in an election that pitted two former military coup leaders against each other at a time the nation is trying to recover from a severe economic downturn. Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama is seeking to extend his 16-year hold on power. He first

By HANNA ARHIROVA and JAMEY KEATEN Associated Press KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian authorities reported explosions in the capital, Kyiv, on Wednesday, saying two administrative buildings were hit in drone strikes in a downtown district that is home to many government offices. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko wrote in a post on Telegram that municipal teams

By HANNA ARHIROVA and JAMEY KEATEN Associated Press KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian authorities reported explosions in the capital, Kyiv, on Wednesday, saying two administrative buildings were hit in a downtown district that is home to many government buildings. Vitali Klitschko wrote in a post on Telegram that municipal teams were in place after the