Taliban seizes 4 more cities in sweep across southern Afghanistan

The Taliban has taken half of Afghanistan’s 34 provincial capitals in recent days, including its second- and third-largest cities, Herat and Kandahar.

Taliban seize 3 more Afghan provincial capitals, officials say

The Taliban seized three more provincial capitals in Afghanistan, officials said Wednesday. The insurgents now control some two-thirds of the nation.

France mandates COVID-19 pass to enter restaurants, trains

The measure is part of a government plan to encourage more people to get a COVID-19 vaccine shot and slow down a surge in infections.

Taliban seizes key Afghan cities as US troops complete pullout

The Taliban advances in Afghanistan were the latest in a series of blows to government forces as U.S. troops complete their pullout after nearly two decades in the country.

Tokyo train stabbing leaves 10 injured, suspect in custody

Fire officials and news reports say a man with a knife has stabbed at least 10 passengers on a commuter train in Tokyo and was seized by police after fleeing.

Taliban kill director of Afghan government's media department

The Taliban on Friday shot and killed Dawa Khan Menapal, the director of Afghanistan's Government Information Media Center.

Birthplace of Olympics threatened as Greece battles forest fires

The archaeological site at the birthplace of the modern Olympics in Greece was being threatened by one of the major forest fires burning in Greece.

Beirut explosion: Lebanon marks 1 year since blast with mourning, anger

The Beirut explosion killed at least 214 people and injured thousands. Lebanon is marking one year since the blast with a national day of mourning.

US expands Afghan refugee program, citing Taliban violence

The U.S. is expanding its efforts to evacuate at-risk Afghan citizens amid Taliban violence, now including aid workers, journalists and others.

Tokyo's daily COVID-19 cases exceed 3,000 in day for 1st time

Tokyo reported 3,177 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, another all-time high just days after the start of the Tokyo Olympics.

France mandates COVID-19 vaccines for health care workers amid protests

France passed a new law requiring health care workers to get a COVID-19 vaccine, as well as setting up a health pass for restaurants and other venues.

India’s COVID-19 death toll estimated in the millions, study finds

Most experts believe India’s official toll of more than 414,000 dead is a vast undercount, but the government has dismissed those concerns as exaggerated and misleading.

Bay Area activists take fight for Cuba to Washington as Biden imposes new sanctions

Alian Collazo came to Florida on a raft from Cuba at the age of eight. On Monday, he will voyage from Largo to Washington to exercise a right family still in Cuba don't have: The right to demonstrate. He will protest on behalf of the Cuban people.