World
US and Cuba to restore diplomatic ties after 54 years
The United States and Cuba formally agreed on Wednesday to restore diplomatic relations on July 20, setting up a trip to Havana by John Kerry.
US same-sex marriage ruling inspires hope and revulsion in Africa
President Barack Obama hailed last week's Supreme Court decision to allow same-sex marriage as a "thunderbolt" but few share his view of gay rights in socially and religiously conservative Africa.
Fires at black churches in America's southern states fan racial fears
Some were deliberately lit. Others were caused by an electrical fault or lightning. But regardless of the origins, a spike in fires at black churches is fraying nerves at a time of heightened racial tensions across the United States.
Six people killed in post-election violence in Burundi
At least six people, including one policeman, were killed in Burundi's capital on Wednesday, witnesses and a police spokesman said, in the latest violent clash between police and residents since Monday's parliamentary election.
Indonesia calls off search for military plane crash victims
Indonesian authorities will call off a two-day search for victims on Thursday after a military transport plane crashed into a residential area in Sumatra, killing around 140 people, the military said.
Islamist militants launch deadly attacks at Egyptian military checkpoints
Egypt's army said on Wednesday more than 100 militants and 17 soldiers were killed after simultaneous assaults on military checkpoints in North Sinai, in the deadliest fighting in years in the restive province.
GOP presidential bet Donald Trump draws more flak over 'racist' rants vs. Mexicans
Mexico will boycott the Miss Universe pageant this year after its main organizer, business tycoon and US presidential aspirant Donald Trump, called Mexican immigrants criminals, rapists and drug dealers.
Over 100 dead in Sinai battles as militants with ISIS links launch offensive in Egypt
Islamic State-linked jihadists tried to spread their brand of militancy to Egypt on Wednesday, attacking military checkpoints in North Sinai and killing 17 Egyptian soldiers, according to Egyptian military authorities.
Jailed US Marine turned imam who sent young men to join terrorists abroad is freed
A former Marine turned imam accused of radicalising terrorists has been set free by a federal judge who said the accused is a "very bad man" but prosecutors failed to prove their case to keep him behind bars.
Louisiana governor signs law making medical marijuana accessible to people
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) has on Monday inked a law that would provide access to medical marijuana, more than two decades after the state allowed the chronically ill to use cannabis, according to reports.
President Obama stands firm versus Iran, vows to 'walk away' from bad nuke deal
US President Barack Obama has cautioned on Tuesday that he will "walk away" from any nuclear agreement that deviates from his intended deal, asserting there would be no bargain if all avenues for Iran to build a nuclear weapon are not closed.
60,000 flee Syrian city as ISIS militants attack; help sought for people still inside
At least 60,000 people have been forced to escape the Syrian city of Hassakeh as the Islamic State attacked some communities under the control of government troops.
Israel vows to improve protection of its Christian community following attacks
The Israeli government has vowed to step up its efforts in protecting its very own Christian community following attacks by fringe groups in some Christian areas in the past few years, according to a report.
Ebola back in Liberia 2 months after being declared free of virus that killed over 11,000
Liberia has confirmed two positive cases of Ebola nearly two months since the country has been declared Ebola-free, igniting fears that the deadly virus, which has killed thousands in the region, is making a return.
US survey: 1 in 3 owns firearm; 310 million guns in country with 318.9-M population
A new survey showed that almost one in three US adults owns at least one gun and predominantly white married men over 55 years old.
Warning raised on possible ISIS 4th of July terror bomb attacks in New York and other US cities
The warning was issued by Republican Rep. Peter King, chairman of the House Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence, who cited information he gathered.