15 killed in an explosion and fire at a gas station in central Yemen

The explosion occurred Saturday at the Zaher district in the province of Bayda, the Houthi rebel-run Health Ministry said in a statement. At least 67 others were injured, including 40 in critical condition.

Russia forms an emergency task force as Kerch Strait oil spill continues to spread

An emergency task force arrived in Russia’s southern Krasnodar region on Sunday as an oil spill in the Kerch Strait from two storm-stricken tankers continues to spread a month after it was first detected, officials said.

24 dead as fire crews try to corral Los Angeles blazes before winds return this week

Firefighters scrambled Sunday to make further progress against wildfires that have destroyed thousands of homes and killed 24 people in the Los Angeles area as forecasters again warned of dangerous weather with the return of strong winds this week.

Sweden to contribute up to 3 warships to reinforced NATO presence in the Baltic

In addition to the warships, the Swedish military will contribute an ASC 890 surveillance aircraft. And the country’s coast guard will contribute four ships to help monitor the Baltic, with a further seven vessels on standby.

Hegseth’s views on women in combat expected to face scrutiny at Senate hearing

Pete Hegseth, an Army veteran and Fox News personality, has said women have a place in the military but not in ground-based combat positions. He will have his Senate confirmation hearing Tuesday to be the next defense secretary.

Soldier’s suicide exposes military’s struggle with mental health stigma

The New Year’s Day suicide of an Army Green Beret exposed the Pentagon’s struggle to identify and treat brain injuries and mental health issues, raising alarm among some lawmakers, medical experts and former military personnel.

Far-right party’s convention draws protests as Germany’s election campaign warms up

Thousands of people demonstrated against a convention of the far-right Alternative for Germany on Saturday.

Trump’s Cabinet picks are set for Senate hearings. Here’s the schedule

Here’s a look at the schedule for Senate hearings set so far.

Humvees, other equipment stolen from Army Reserve center amid California wildfires

Three Humvees and other military equipment were stolen from an Army Reserve center near Santa Ana, Calif., Wednesday, as wildfires devastated parts of Los Angeles County.

Special counsel Jack Smith has resigned after submitting his Trump report, Justice Department says

Special counsel Jack Smith has resigned from the Justice Department after submitting his investigative report on President-elect Donald Trump, an expected move that comes amid legal wrangling over how much of that document can be made public in the days ahead.

Biden honors Pope Francis with the Presidential Medal of Freedom

President Joe Biden on Saturday honored Pope Francis with the Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction, the highest civilian award given by the president, saying the pontiff was “a light of faith, hope, and love that shines brightly across the world.”

Rubio nomination complicated by attack on Musk’s Tesla and China’s ban

Sen. Marco Rubio’s stance on Ukraine has evolved to mirror President-elect Trump’s, but he has not moderated his stance on China. It could potentially pit him against key Trump ally Elon Musk, who has deep business ties in China that Rubio has criticized him for.

Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office confirms wildfire death toll rises to 16

The Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office confirmed the death toll from the wildfires ravaging the area has risen to 16.

Ukraine says it captured 2 North Korean soldiers fighting for Russia

Ukraine’s forces have captured two North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russian forces in Russia’s Kursk border region, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Saturday, the first such claim by Kyiv since North Korea sent thousands of troops to shore up Moscow’s war effort on the other side of the world.

Israel’s Netanyahu sends Mossad director to Gaza ceasefire talks in Qatar in sign of progress

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is sending the director of the Mossad foreign intelligence agency to ceasefire negotiations in Qatar, his office said Saturday, in a sign of progress in talks on the war in Gaza.

Sudan’s military retakes a strategic city from RSF rebels, dealing them a major blow

Sudan’s military and its allies have taken back a strategic city from the rebel Rapid Support Forces, officials said Saturday, dealing a major blow to the notorious paramilitary group which the United States accused of committing genocide in the country’s ongoing civil war.

Can Haiti’s gangs help solve the political crisis? Some politicians seem to think so

The powerful gang coalition known as Viv Ansanm — which has been launching deadly coordinated attacks all across Port-au-Prince since February of last year — is among several organizations listed on a document sent to the 15-member Caribbean Community bloc that suggests ways Haiti’s troubled political transition can be saved.

Turkey’s Kurdish leaders meet jailed politician as the two sides inch toward peace

A delegation from one of Turkey’s biggest pro-Kurdish political parties met a leading figure of the Kurdish movement in prison Saturday, the latest step in a tentative process to end the country’s 40-year conflict, the party said.

Twentynine Palms Marine pleads not guilty to murder charge in the death of his wife

Hospital officials called county deputies when Cpl. Carlos Zamudio, who they reported as having injuries to his head, brought his “severely” injured wife, Savannah Encke, into the emergency room. She died shortly after.