AP National News

AP Diplomatic Writer AQABA, Jordan (AP) — American officials have been in direct contact with the terrorist-designated rebel group that led the overthrow of Syrian President Bashar Assad, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Saturday. Blinken, speaking at a news conference in Jordan, was the first U.S. official to publicly confirm contacts between the

AP Diplomatic Writer AQABA, Jordan (AP) — Secretary of State Antony Blinken has wrapped up perhaps his last Middle East mission as America’s top diplomat. His aim has been preventing Syria from spiraling out of control after the sudden ouster of President Bashar Assad. Blinken was one of several senior U.S. officials traveling across the

Associated Press MORONI, Comoros (AP) — Officials say the French territory of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean has suffered extensive damage from Cyclone Chido. They say several people have died. French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau says “We’re afraid the toll will be high” following an emergency meeting in Paris. France’s new Prime Minister François Bayrou

Associated Press LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump huddled with allies and a Republican cause célèbre at Saturday’s Army-Navy football game, taking in one of the most storied rivalries in college sports while spotlighting his emerging national security team. Trump was joined by Vice President-elect JD Vance, embattled Pentagon pick Pete Hegseth, potential backup

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A court in Iran has sentenced Iranian-American journalist Reza Valizadeh to 10 years on prison after finding him guilty of collaborating with a hostile government. Reza Valizadeh is a former journalist for the U.S.-government-funded Voice of America’s Farsi language service and also has worked for Radio Farda, an outlet

Associated Press SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil’s federal police have arrested Gen. Walter Braga Netto, a member of former President Jair Bolsonaro’s Cabinet, in connection with an alleged coup plot,  the Supreme Court said in a statement. Braga Netto was formally accused by police in November, along with Bolsonaro and 35 other people, of a

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Serbia’s president says the United States plans to introduce sanctions against Serbia’s main gas supplier that is controlled by Russia. President Aleksandar Vucic told state RTS broadcaster on Saturday that Serbia has been officially informed that the decision on sanctions will come into force on Jan. 1 but that he has

Associated Press TOKYO (AP) — U.S. Marines have begun a partial transfer from Okinawa to Guam, 12 years after Japan and the United States agreed on their realignment to reduce the heavy burden of American troop presence on the southern Japanese island. The relocation began Saturday with 100 members of III Marine Expeditionary Force stationed

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — PEN America has condemned the arrest of Reza Khandan, Iranian activist and husband of leading human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh. Karin Deutsch Karlekar, Director of Writers at Risk at the literary and human rights organization demanded Khandan’s immediate release. The pro-reform Shagh Daily cited Mahmoud Behzadi Rad, an Iranian

AP Fashion Writer PARIS (AP) — The reopening of Notre Dame was a solemn celebration of cultural and spiritual renewal. Yet for some, the historic cathedral’s revival also felt like a meticulously choreographed branding event by LVMH and other luxury conglomerates. Bernard Arnault, the lowkey billionaire behind luxury powerhouse LVMH and a key Notre Dame

Associated Press A woman who accused rappers Jay-Z and Sean “Diddy” Combs of sexually assaulting her when she was 13 at an awards show after-party has acknowledged certain inconsistencies in her story, while her lawyer said he will continue to vet her claims. The unnamed woman described being driven from Rochester, New York, to New

NEW DELHI (AP) — A popular actor in southern India has been released from jail on bail, a day after he was arrested by police in connection with a stampede that led to the death of a woman at the premiere of his movie earlier this month. A local court on Friday ordered Allu Arjun

Associated Press BENGALURU, India (AP) — Despite two weeks of U.N.-sponsored talks in Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh, the participating 197 nations failed to agree on a plan to deal with global droughts, made longer and more severe by a warming climate. The biennial talks, known as COP 16 and organized by a UN body that deals

Associated Press TBILISI, Georgia (AP) — Former soccer player Mikheil Kavelashvili became president of Georgia on Saturday, as the ruling party tightened its grip in what the opposition calls a blow to the country’s EU aspirations and a victory for former imperial ruler Russia. Kavelashvili, 53, who was the only candidate on the ballot, easily

BANGKOK (AP) — Thai police say two suspects are in custody as authorities investigate a bombing in the north that killed at least three people and injured 48 others. An explosive device was thrown into a crowd during an outdoor performance at an annual festival in Umphang town in Tak province, which borders Myanmar, on

Associated Press Last year, when Lauren Haydel began her first sober holiday season, she wondered how difficult it would be to avoid alcohol at family parties and celebrations with friends. She owns a boutique, Fleurty Girl, in New Orleans’ French Quarter, a neighborhood synonymous with drinking. But few people questioned her choice. “Instead of them

Associated Press/Report for America TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A group of young people in Florida is suing the state agency that regulates public utilities in the hopes of forcing the state’s energy companies to transition toward renewable energy sources. The activists say they believe the Florida Public Service Commission’s continued reliance on fossil fuels is

Associated Press DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) — Nizam Abazid is gleefully planning his first trip in decades to Syria, where he grew up. Rama Alhoussaini was only 6 years old when her family moved to the U.S., but she’s excited about the prospect of introducing her three kids to relatives they’ve never met in person. They

Associated Press BEIRUT (AP) — A severely hobbled Hezbollah was in no position to help defend former Syrian President Bashar Assad, a longtime ally, from the lightning-fast insurgency that toppled him. With Assad gone, the militant group based in Lebanon is even weaker. Hezbollah was dealt a major blow during 14 months of war with