World

JERUSALEM — The Israeli government has approved plans to build nearly 5,300 new homes in settlements in the occupied West Bank, a monitoring group said Thursday, the latest in a campaign to accelerate settlement expansion, aimed at cementing Israeli control over the territory and preventing the establishment of a future Palestinian state. Word of the decision emerged as diplomatic efforts …

BEIRUT — The Lebanese Hezbollah group said it launched over 200 rockets on Thursday at several military bases in Israel in retaliation for a strike that killed one of its senior commanders. The attack by the Iran-backed militant group was one of the largest in the monthslong conflict along the Lebanon-Israel border, with tensions escalating in recent weeks. The Israeli military …

No president has ever needed a public holiday like Joe Biden needs July 4. Biden is battling frantically to save his political career by escalating defiance. But he’s in danger of being swamped by a rising tide against him as more Democrats express doubts that he can beat Donald Trump after a disastrous debate performance. The president will gather family members who will …

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden’s conduct behind closed doors, in the Oval Office, on Air Force One and in meetings around the world is described in the same dual way by those who regularly see him in action. He is often sharp and focused. But he also has moments, particularly later in the evening, when his thoughts seem jumbled and he trails …

OROVILLE, Calif. — Firefighters lined roads to keep flames from reaching homes as helicopters dropped water on a growing wildfire Wednesday in Northern California that has forced at least 13,000 people to evacuate, with another day of extreme heat expected. The Thompson fire broke out before noon Tuesday about 70 miles (110 kilometers) north of Sacramento, in and around the city of …

Biden “acknowledged the tough past few days” in campaign all-staff call, source says With his White House and campaign in crisis mode, President Joe Biden doubled down on his commitment to staying in the race during an all-staff call with his campaign Wednesday afternoon.  Biden “acknowledged the tough past few days, and said unequivocally to his team he is running for …

United States and Panama, on Monday announced the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will begin a new U.S. Department of State-funded foreign assistance program to address irregular migration in the region. This program will help the Panamanian government to remove foreign nationals who do not have a legal basis to remain in Panama. This assistance seeks to reduce unprecedented …

FAA makes additional $1 billion available for Airport Terminal Program grants and announces nearly $290 million in awards for airport improvements, improving safety and efficiency. WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced a seventh round of Airport Infrastructure Grants (AIG) totaling $289 million to 129 airports across 40 states, improving the safety and efficiency of …

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden warned Monday that a Supreme Court ruling granting presidents broad immunity from prosecution would make an unchecked Republican Donald Trump “more emboldened to do whatever he wants” if he regains the White House in November’s election. Biden, under intense pressure after his disastrous debate performance against Trump last week, urged Americans to think carefully about their election …

There is a hole on the top of Rishi Sunak’s head. Roger Bairstow thrusts his index finger inside, presses his palm around the prime minister’s ears, and thumps him hard on the table. “It’s been non-stop,” he exclaims through a mischievous grin. “It’s just been go, go, go: one prime minister after another.” Next to Sunak are four other clay …