Russia poisoned Alexei Navalny with dart frog toxin, European nations say Rubio plugs Orbán's bid for another term after April elections Families of Venezuelan prisoners stage hunger strike 2 years on, Navalny's death still casts a shadow over Russia and Europe Rio police in 'Money Heist' masks apprehend Carnival phone thieves
Expectations low for latest US-brokered talks between Russia and Ukraine
US shipment of medicines to Venezuela signals new era of cooperation
Obama shuts down alien buzz and says there's no evidence they've made contact
Judge says US must bring back some deported Venezuelans
Japan's economy barely grows in the last quarter as exports slow
TOKYO (AP) – Japan’s economy expanded at an anemic 0.2% annual pace in the last quarter, the government reported Monday, with growth for all of 2025 at just 1.1%.  Private consumption rose at a 0.4% annualized pace in October-December, but that was offset by a 1.1% drop in exports, the latest seasonally adjusted preliminary data show.  
Child recruitment by armed groups in Colombia quadruples in last 5 years

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) – The forced recruitment of children by illegal armed groups in Colombia has quadrupled over the last five years, UNICEF said Thursday, citing a surge in regional violence and a systemic lack of opportunities within vulnerable communities.

Wall Street steadies after its AI-induced sell-off

NEW YORK (AP) - U.S. stocks steadied on Friday after an encouraging update on inflation helped calm a Wall Street that's been wracked by worries about how artificial-intelligence technology may upend the business world. The S&P 500 barely budged. The Dow Jones Industrial rose 48 points, or 0.1%, and the Nasdaq composite slipped 0.2%.

Venezuela's parliament is to debate an amnesty bill that could free hundreds

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) – Venezuela’s parliament, which is controlled by the ruling party, is to discuss a bill on Thursday that could free hundreds of opposition members, activists and human rights defenders who have been detained for months or years for political reasons.

Top Asia Pacific Breaking News: Morning Edition

BANGKOK (AP) – Myanmar ‘s military government ordered East Timor ‘s senior diplomat to leave the country after judicial authorities from the fellow Southeast Asian country accepted a criminal complaint against Myanmar’s armed forces, state media said Monday.

Rio mayor hands city's key to King Momo as Carnival kicks off

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) – The mayor of Rio de Janeiro gave King Momo the key to the Brazilian city on Friday, ushering in the symbolic Carnival monarch’s five-day reign over the festivities.

North Korea opens housing for families of soldiers killed in Russia-Ukraine war

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) – North Korea said Monday it completed a new housing district in Pyongyang for families of North Korean soldiers killed while fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, the latest effort by leader Kim Jong Un to honor the war dead.

Milei takes on Argentina's unions, drawing protests

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) – Thousands of workers mobilized by powerful trade unions converged outside Argentina’s Congress on Wednesday, blocking traffic and clashing with police as senators debated an overhaul of labor laws that is considered crucial to libertarian President Javier Milei’s shock therapy program.

Editorials from New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post and others

Excerpts from recent editorials in the United States and abroad:

Rio Carnival parade will spotlight sex workers in effort to dismantle stigma

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) – When Lourdes Barreto fled her home in Brazil’s northeastern state of Paraiba as a teenager – a move that launched her into sex work and a lifetime of activism – she never imagined that six decades later a samba school in Rio de Janeiro would pay tribute to her life’s journey.

Today in History: February 16, Castro sworn in as Cuban leader
In blunt warning, the US says Peru could lose its sovereignty to China
Anderson Cooper exiting from '60 Minutes,' but staying with CNN