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EC president nominee faces tough battle

German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen, who was nominated on Tuesday as the next European Commission president, is facing some tough opposition from members of the European Parliament who will vote on her confirmation on July 16.

Sudan military, opposition reach power sharing accord

KHARTOUM - Sudan's Transitional Military Council and protest leaders reached an agreement on the disputed issue of a new governing body on Friday, in a breakthrough power sharing accord aimed at ending the country's monthslong political crisis.

Turkish hot air balloon festival lures global tourists

ANKARA - With dozens of colorful hot air balloons decorating the sky, Turkey's Cappadocia, known for its "fairy chimney" rocks and unique landscape, kicked off its first hot air balloon festival on Wednesday to attract more tourists.

Elephants: The jumbo surprise outside megacity

OMO FOREST, Nigeria - The jungle was so thick that Emmanuel Olabode only found the elephants he was tracking when the great matriarch's sniffing trunk reached out close enough to almost touch.

Trump hails US might in July 4 speech

WASHINGTON - With fighter jets flying overhead, US President Donald Trump praised the military and reveled in a show of pomp and patriotism on Thursday in a celebration of Independence Day that critics accused him of turning into a political event.

Putin asks Rome to help restore EU ties

ROME - Russian President Vladimir Putin asked Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Thursday for help in improving relations between the European Union and Russia and ending sanctions on Moscow.

Migrants still detained after airstrike

TRIPOLI - Hundreds of migrants were held on Thursday in a detention center days after it was hit by an airstrike that killed 44 people, amid outrage over the plight of those still trapped in Libya.

Iran demands UK release oil tanker held in Gibraltar

TEHERAN - Iran demanded on Friday that the United Kingdom immediately release an oil tanker it has detained in Gibraltar, accusing it of acting at the bidding of the United States.

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King Tut bust faces UK sale

Christie's auction house has said it will go ahead with the sale of a Tutankhamen statue in London on Thursday despite an outcry from the Egyptian authorities, who claim the bust may have been stolen.

India Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi resigns

NEW DELHI - Taking responsibility for the Congress party's crushing defeat in recent elections, party president Rahul Gandhi of a fabled political family resigned on Wednesday.