International

Russia's economy is still working but sanctions are starting to have an effect
Despite unprecedented sanctions, Russia's economy is still functioning and it's still attacking Ukraine. That's led to questions about whether the sanctions are effective.
A top Ukraine official hopes for a peace summit with Russia by the end of February
Ukraine's foreign minister told the AP that his government is aiming to have a summit, preferably at the United Nations with Secretary-General António Guterres as a possible mediator.
Aid agencies are stopping work in Afghanistan after the Taliban barred women staff
Three major international aid groups on Sunday suspended work in Afghanistan following a decision by the country's Taliban rulers to ban women from working at non-governmental organizations.
Pope Francis laments the 'icy winds of war' buffeting humanity at Christmas
Pope Francis used his Christmas message to make a plea for an immediate end to the fighting in Ukraine, which he decried as "senseless." He also addressed long-running conflicts in the Middle East.
These photos show how daily life continues as Kyiv enters its 2nd winter of war
Winter has come with hardships from war, but life in Kyiv goes on. Soldiers attend church. Opera performances continue. People go ice skating and shop at holiday markets, using headlamps in the dark.
Senate passes $1.7 trillion bill to fund gov't, aid Ukraine
The Senate has passed a $1.7 trillion bill to finance federal agencies through September, aid Ukraine and provide assistance to communities recovering from hurricanes, floods and other natural disasters. The bill passed by a vote of 68 to 29 and now goes to the House for action later in the day.
Ukraine’s Zelenskyy preparing to visit DC on Wednesday
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is preparing to visit Washington on Wednesday, according to three AP sources, in his first known trip outside the country since Russia's invasion began in February.
Police seize on COVID-19 tech to expand global surveillance
Millions worldwide believed government officials who said they needed confidential data for new tech tools to help stop coronavirus’ spread early on in the pandemic. In return, governments got a firehose of individuals’ private health details, photographs that captured their facial measurements and their home addresses.