HAVANA – Berta Soler, one of Cuba’s best-known dissidents as head of the Ladies in White, said Sunday she’ll submit her leadership of the divided opposition group to a vote by members living inside the country. Soler’s announcement came after members of the Ladies in White living outside Cuba called …

BERLIN – The United Nation’s top human right official says Myanmar is “headed in the wrong direction” amid a crackdown on dissidents and minorities. The Southeast Asian nation’s military-backed government has pledged to introduce democratic reforms and hold elections later this year. But U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid …

COPENHAGEN, Denmark – Thousands of people of different faiths have gathered in Denmark and Sweden in a show of unity after attacks against Jews in Europe. In Copenhagen, people formed a “ring of peace” Friday on the City Hall Square, where Mayor Frank Jensen said “a mad man must not …

BEIJING – China has sent a new naval squadron to conduct anti-piracy patrols off the coast of Somalia after diverting other ships to help evacuate citizens from war-torn Yemen. The official Xinhua News Agency said the three ships left the port of Zhoushan on Friday for the Gulf of Aden. …

CANBERRA, Australia – The Australian government on Wednesday approved the sale of one of the nation’s largest construction companies, John Holland Group Pty. Ltd., to state-owned giant China Communications Construction Company International Holding Ltd. Treasurer Joe Hockey said he approved the sale under foreign investment rules because it was in …

PARIS – India’s prime minister has announced plans to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets from France, but said negotiations on “terms and conditions” of the multibillion euro sale are ongoing. Visiting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking on Friday at a joint news conference with French President Francois Hollande, said the …

LONDON – Britain’s Ministry of Defense says it is monitoring the activities of a Russian destroyer and two other ships in the English Channel. The ministry says the destroyer Severomorsk, a tanker and a support ship are passing through the waters while returning from the Mediterranean. Officials said “no exercises …

KHARTOUM, Sudan – Polls have closed in Sudan’s presidential and legislative elections, with President Omar al-Bashir expected to extend his 25-year rule following an opposition boycott of the vote. Polling centers closed at 7:00 p.m. (1600 GMT) Thursday and ballot counting will start on Friday. Results are expected on April …

ATHENS, Greece – Greek authorities have picked up more than 120 migrants who illegally entered the country by sea on three separate vessels, a day after a yacht with 90 people on board foundered just off the island of Rhodes, drowning three. The Merchant Marine Ministry says 42 people, including …

LONDON – British authorities on Thursday charged a 14-year-old boy with terrorism offenses in connection with an alleged plot to attack a war memorial ceremony in Australia. The Crown Prosecution Service said the boy, who has not been named for legal reasons, allegedly incited another person to carry out an …