Drones target Iraqi city where US forces are based as US-Iran fighting escalates

IRBIL, Iraq (AP) – Drones carrying explosives targeted a city in northern Iraq where U.S. forces are stationed, and sirens rang out in Bahrain on Friday, hours after the American military said it finished its 13th night of strikes against Iran.

German leader Merz reshuffles top posts to counter far-right advance

BERLIN (AP) – German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reshuffled top posts on Friday as he tries to boost the fortunes of his deeply unpopular government ahead of regional elections. Merz’s presentation of an incomplete set of changes, however, raised questions and risked undermining his effort to generate new momentum.

China slaps export controls on 14 EU entities in retaliation

BEIJING (AP) – China announced on Friday it was adding 14 European entities to an export control list in retaliation for the European Union penalizing 14 Chinese enterprises as part of its latest round of sanctions against Russia.

Editorials from The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Guardian and others

Excerpts from recent editorials in the United States and abroad:

Four Palestinians and one Israeli killed in shooting in West Bank

Four Palestinians and one Israeli killed in shooting in northern West Bank

White House correspondents' dinner, redux: What will Trump have to say?

When guests arrive for the rescheduled White House Correspondents’ Association dinner on Friday at Washington’s Waldorf Astoria hotel, security will be much tighter, the guest list smaller, the partying pared down.

ICC chief prosecutor removed over sexual misconduct allegations

UNITED NATIONS (AP) – Member state representatives of the International Criminal Court voted to remove the global tribunal’s chief prosecutor on Friday, nearly two years after sexual misconduct allegations against him first emerged, two diplomats have confirmed to The Associated Press.

50 people killed and 700,000 displaced by India floods after monsoon rains

GUWAHATI, India (AP) – Flooding in India’s northeastern Assam state has killed at least 50 people and displaced 700,000 after days of heavy monsoon rain that overflowed the Brahmaputra River, officials said Friday.

Democrats select South Carolina for first presidential nominating contest

WASHINGTON (AP) – South Carolina was selected Friday to once again lead off the Democratic Party’s 2028 presidential nominating schedule, most likely cementing a dramatic break from decades of tradition by keeping Iowa off the top of the calendar and elevating more racially diverse states.