World News

Vivienne Westwood, influential fashion maverick, dies at 81

LONDON (AP) — English designer Vivienne Westwood has died at 81. Her fashion house announced her death Thursday on its social media platforms, saying she died peacefully in South London surrounded by friends and family. A cause was not immediately…

Russia hits key infrastructure with missiles across Ukraine

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian missiles struck Ukraine in the biggest wave of strikes in weeks, hitting power stations and other critical infrastructure Thursday during freezing winter weather. Russia fired 69 missiles at energy facilities and Ukrainian forces shot down…

Mexico's president asks residents to reject drug gang gifts

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico’s president appealed to the country’s citizens Tuesday not to accept holiday handouts and gifts from drug gangs, after videos posted online showed garish pickup trucks handing out loads of gifts while bystanders described the drivers…

Messi wins World Cup, Argentina beats France on penalties

By Steve Douglas - AP Sports Writer LUSAIL, Qatar (AP) — Lionel Messi's once-in-a-generation career is complete. The Argentina superstar is finally a World Cup champion. Messi scored two goals and then another in a shootout as Argentina beat France…

Jewish festival of lights begins in Ukraine as battles rage

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Jews in Ukraine waging a "war between darkness and light" lit a giant menorah on Sunday night to start the eight-day Hanukkah holiday as tens of thousands remained without electricity and Russia's nearly 10-month war produced…

N Korea fires 2 ballistic missiles capable of reaching Japan

By Hyung-Jin Kim - Associated Press SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea test-fired a pair of ballistic missiles with a potential range of striking Japan on Sunday, in a possible protest of Tokyo's adoption of a new security strategy…

Bethlehem welcomes Christmas tourists after pandemic lull

BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) - Business is bouncing back in Bethlehem after two years in the doldrums during the coronavirus pandemic, lifting spirits in the traditional birthplace of Jesus ahead of the Christmas holiday. Streets are bustling with tour groups.…

US soccer journalist Grant Wahl dies at World Cup

By Ronald Blum - AP Sports Writer LUSAIL, Qatar (AP) — Grant Wahl, an American journalist who helped grow the popularity of soccer in the U.S. and reported on some of the biggest stories in the sport, died Saturday while…