WASHINGTON (AP) — Ukraine is on an “irreversible” path to NATO membership , U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday, advancing American assurances that the country will be allowed to join the Western military alliance but only after its war with Russia ends. A joint communique from all 32 NATO allies meeting in Washington
PADERBORN, Germany (AP) — Didier Deschamps is staying on as France coach after being praised by the head of the country’s soccer federation for leading the team “in the best possible way” at the European Championship. France lost 2-1 to Spain in the semifinals on Tuesday, ending an underwhelming tournament for Kylian Mbappé and his
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Kawhi Leonard will not be part of the U.S. men’s basketball team that will compete in the Paris Games after all. It would have been the first Olympic trip for Leonard, who missed 12 of the Los Angeles Clippers’ final 14 games this past season with right knee inflammation. USA Basketball
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Norway will donate six F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine to defend itself from Russian attacks, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said Wednesday, adding that the jets will be important for Kyiv. Ukraine has long pleaded for the sophisticated fighter to give it a combat edge against Russian firepower. No date was
BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand’s Election Commission on Wednesday officially certified the 200 newly elected senators who will replace the 250 military-appointed members who have served in the upper chamber since 2019, even though official complaints about the process are still pending. The new Senate, whose first session has not yet been set, loses one of
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela’s government faces its toughest electoral test in decades in a July 28 presidential election, which could give President Nicolas Maduro another six years in power or end the self-described socialist policies that once successfully boosted anti-poverty programs but whose sustained mismanagement later pushed the country into an ongoing economic crisis.
TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — The wife of an imprisoned Belarusian Nobel Peace Prize laureate said Wednesday that the country’s authorities are depriving her husband of medicine as his health deteriorates. The 61-year-old pro-democracy activist, Ales Bialiatski, is serving a 10-year prison sentence . He suffers from a number of serious chronic illnesses that have worsened
LONDON (AP) — Elena Rybakina knows people see her as the favorite to win her second Wimbledon title. The 2022 champion’s 6-3, 6-2 victory over No. 21 Elina Svitolina to reach the semifinals on Wednesday will only bolster that view. “Definitely, I have an aggressive style of game. I have a huge serve, so it’s
ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan announced Wednesday it is extending the stay of 1.45 million Afghan refugees who legally reside in the country, a day after a visit by the U.N. refugee agency. Afghan refugees with proper documentation will be able to remain in Pakistan until June 30, 2025, according to a statement issued by Prime
Israel is ordering all Palestinians to leave Gaza’s largest city as bombardment appears to escalate throughout the besieged territory. Israel says it is pursuing Hamas fighters who are regrouping in parts of the strip that had been targeted early in the war. Israel launched the war in Gaza after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack in which
