France boosting security at facilities abroad

France's Foreign Ministry says it is strengthening security measures, hiring more guards and buying new equipment to help protect French facilities abroad amid shifting threats.

Mexico cartel dominates, torches western state

The western Mexico state of Michoacan is burning.

Colombia: 9 soldiers killed by in rebel attack

At least nine Colombian soldiers were killed in an attack with homemade explosives by the country's second-largest leftist rebel band, the military said Wednesday.

Police arrest Dominican accused of raping 60 women

Authorities in the Dominican Republic have arrested a man suspected of raping at least 60 women in the past two years.

Palestinians have little faith in Kerry effort

Palestinians believe the U.S. effort to restart peace talks is doomed, and they're preparing instead to resume their campaign of seeking membership in key international organizations as soon as next month, officials told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

EU consider labelling Hezbollah military wing a terrorist group, say officials

The European Union is reassessing whether to declare the Lebanese party Hezbollah's military wing a terrorist organization, a move it has long shied from despite pressure from the U.S., officials said Wednesday.

UN: New reports of chemical weapons use in Syria

The U.N.'s top Mideast envoy says there are mounting reports of chemical weapons use in Syria.

Costa Rican volcano spews ash, smoke

Scientists say one of Costa Rica's largest volcanos is spewing clouds of ash and gas, setting off a small-scale evacuation.

Opposition in Burkina Faso vow to fight Senate law

Opposition parties walked out of a meeting in parliament this week in protest over the creation of a Senate.

El Salvador president meets pope amid Romero hopes

El Salvador's president meets with Pope Francis on Thursday amid mounting indications that the stars have finally aligned to move slain Archbishop Oscar Romero onto the first key stage on the path toward possible sainthood.

Argentine dictator Videla's burial protested

People who live in the hometown of former Argentine dictator Jorge Rafael Videla aren't happy about plans to bury him there.

Police: 1 dead, 2 injured in attack in London

One person has died and at least two people were wounded in a violent attack near a military training barracks in London, British officials said Wednesday, as Prime Minister David Cameron called an emergency meeting in response.

Bahrain opposition group snubs crisis talks

Bahrain's main Shiite opposition group says it will temporarily boycott talks aimed at easing the Gulf nation's more than two-year unrest because of increased crackdowns by security forces.

Israeli air force chief says military needs to be ready for 'surprise war' from Syria

Israel's air force chief says his troops need to be ready to act quickly in case of an attack from Syria.

'Strong indications' deadly London attack was terror-related, British PM Cameron says

One man was killed and two others wounded in a reported machete attack in London on Wednesday, as one UK official said the attack could be terror-related.

Ousted premier seeks return to power in Caymans

A former Cayman Islands premier who faces 11 criminal charges is heading into elections with a chance of returning to leadership of the British Overseas Territory.

Bahrain claims Iranian drone found

Bahrain's Interior Ministry says an Iranian drone has been found in the strategic Gulf kingdom that hosts the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet.

Germans, French eye plan to create jobs for young

Germany and France are preparing to launch a drive to combat the problem of high European youth unemployment, which officials in Berlin say will center on trying to get business involved and make better use of already-pledged public money.

Afghanistan: Suicide bomb kills anti-Taliban elder

Police say a suicide bomber on foot has killed an anti-Taliban village elder and at least three other people in a busy marketplace in central Afghanistan.

Malawi finds buyer for presidential jet

Malawi's cost-cutting president is selling her predecessor's jet.

Pope issues first appeal for Chinese Catholics

Pope Francis has issued his first appeal directed at Catholics in China, long the source of concern for his predecessor Benedict XVI.

Close ally urges Toronto mayor Rob Ford to address crack video

A close ally of Toronto mayor Rob Ford is saying Ford has followed legal advice in remaining silent about a purported video that appears to show him smoking crack cocaine.

Prayers from Prison: American pastor held in Iran releases letter

The American pastor jailed in Iran for his faith has written a letter to his global supporters, thanking them for their ongoing advocacy and prayers, according to his family in Iran, which was permitted to visit him this week.

Russian drunk driver who killed orphans sentenced

A Russian drunk driver who sparked a nationwide debate after killing seven, including five orphan children, in a road accident last year has been sentenced to prison.

African Union celebrates 50th year

African nations this week mark the 50th year since the founding of a continentwide organization, now called the African Union, that spearheaded efforts to liberate the continent from colonial masters.

Vienna official: Looted Nazi goods returned

An official for the city of Vienna says the Austrian capital has handed over nearly 6,000 valuable objects looted by the Nazis to their rightful owners or their heirs since it started taking inventory of them 14 years ago.

Zimbabwe's president signs new constitution

Zimbabwe's president signs into law a new constitution and vows to hold peaceful and clean elections later this year.

Ukrainian journalists disrupt government session

Ukrainian reporters on Wednesday disrupted a government session chaired by the prime minister, suggesting his family members could be the next victims of official inaction after police in Kiev stood by while pro-government activists attacked two journalists covering an opposition protest.

Ethiopian corruption watchdog arrests 51 suspects

Ethiopian authorities have carried out another wave of arrests that brings the number of people detained on suspicions of corruption to more than 50.

South Sudan warns it may shut down oil flow again

South Sudan is warning that it may stop exporting oil through Sudan's pipelines again.