World Feb 09 Vance visits Armenia, a country no sitting U.S. president or vice president has gone to before By Michelle L. Price, Associated Press
World Feb 09 Watch 11:06 Jimmy Lai sentenced to 20 years in prison by Beijing-backed court Hong Kong democracy advocate and former media tycoon Jimmy Lai, who is 78, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison by a Beijing-backed court. It is the longest sentence handed down under China’s national security law that has effectively… By Nick Schifrin, Kayan Taraporevala
World Feb 09 U.S. military boards sanctioned oil tanker after pursuit from Caribbean to Indian Ocean Following the U.S. raid to apprehend then-President Nicolás Maduro in early January, several sanctioned tankers fled the Venezuelan coast, including the ship that was boarded in the Indian Ocean overnight. By Ben Finley, Michael Biesecker, Konstantin Toropin, Associated Press
World Feb 09 Airlines will no longer be able to refuel on Cuba as U.S. blockade deepens island's energy crisis Cuban aviation officials have warned airlines that there isn't enough fuel for airplanes to refuel on the island, the latest step in its moves to ration energy as the Trump administration cuts the Caribbean nation off from its fuel resources. By Andrea Rodriguez, Associated Press
World Feb 09 Norwegian ambassador resigns amid scrutiny over her contacts with Epstein A Norwegian ambassador who was involved in Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts in the 1990s and most recently served in Jordan has resigned as she faces scrutiny over her contacts with Jeffrey Epstein, the country's Foreign Ministry said. By Associated Press
Feb 09 Venezuela's top prosecutor orders arrest of opposition leader's ally hours after his release Venezuela's top prosecutor says his office has requested the arrest of Juan Pablo Guanipa, a close ally of opposition leader María Corina Machado. Continue reading
Feb 09 UK police force examines claims ex-Prince Andrew sent sensitive trade reports to Epstein By Danica Kirka, Associated Press Police launched the inquiry after news organizations reported on emails that suggest the then-prince sent Epstein reports from a 2010 tour of Southeast Asia he took as Britain's envoy for international trade. Continue reading
Feb 09 Hong Kong democracy advocate Jimmy Lai's sentence raises international outcry as China defends it By Associated Press Lai was convicted of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and conspiring with others to publish seditious articles. Continue reading
Feb 09 Puerto Rico stops for 13 minutes to applaud history and bask in Bad Bunny's spotlight By Dánica Coto, Associated Press Bad Bunny has used his platform to applaud immigrants, sing about Puerto Rico's identity and turmoil and denounce U.S. immigration policies. Continue reading
Feb 09 Head of Scotland's Labour Party calls on Starmer to resign By Jill Lawless, Associated Press Scotland's Labour Party leader Anas Sarwar is the most senior party figure to call for Starmer to quit, piling more pressure on the prime minister over his decision to appoint Mandelson to the high-profile diplomatic post. Continue reading