Brazil lawmakers OK bill for treatment of gays

A Brazilian congressional human rights committee on Thursday approved legislation that would allow psychologists to treat homosexuality as a disorder or pathology.

US senators urge Kerry to review Honduras aid

A group of U.S. senators is urging Secretary of State John Kerry to order a review of aid for Honduras' police and military amid allegations of abuse and human rights violations.

Jamaica eyes expatriates as source of investment

In a bid to kick start Jamaica's chronically stagnant economy, the Caribbean country is wooing its citizens living abroad to invest in the island of their birth.

Afghan peace process in disarray as U.S. prepares to meet with Taliban

U.S. officials will meet with the Taliban on Thursday in a major breakthrough aimed at opening peace talks to end the war in Afghanistan, as the U.S. prepares for the end of its combat involvement. 1371644817

Protestors gather in front of the Metropolitan Cathedral in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Tuesday, June 18, 2013. Some of the biggest demonstrations since the end of Brazil's 1964-85 dictatorship have broke out across this continent-sized country, uniting multitudes frustrated by poor transportation, health services, education and security despite a heavy tax burden.

Brazil protesters clash with police in Sao Paulo

Protesters surrounding the city hall of Brazil's biggest city have clashed with police when a small group of demonstrators tried to force their way into the building. Photo Gallery Available

Argentine Supreme Court rejects judicial reform

Argentina's Supreme Court has struck down key elements of a judicial reform the government hoped would rapidly make the courts more responsive to majority rule.

Ammunition fire rages at Russian military base

Exploding shells set off a fire that was triggering explosions Wednesday at a military depot in southern Russia, injuring about 30 people and causing the evacuation of more than 6,000 from a nearby village, investigators and emergency workers said.

U.S. Navy sailors stand in formation aboard the USS Stockdale before maneuvers with the Jordanian Navy in the Gulf of Aqaba, Jordan as part of Eager Lion, a multinational military exercise, Tuesday, June 18, 2013. Under the watchful eye of stern-faced American advisers, hundreds of U.S.-trained Jordanian soldiers are holding war games that could eventually form the basis of an assault in Syria. There is fear of spillover from the Syrian war in this U.S.-allied kingdom, and the potential for a Jordanian role in securing Syria's chemical stockpiles should Bashar Assad's regime lose control.

AP EXCLUSIVE: US war games send signal to Assad

Under the watchful eye of stern-faced American advisers, hundreds of U.S.-trained Jordanian commandos fanned across this dusty desert plain, holding war games that could eventually form the basis of an assault in Syria. Photo Gallery Available

Israeli President Shimon Peres , center, sits flanked by former US President Bill Clinton and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, in a Jerusalem convention center as Peres' 90th birthday gala gets underway, Tuesday June 18 2013.

Star-studded party for Israeli president's 90th

Israeli and global leaders, local celebrities and Hollywood superstars celebrated under one roof Tuesday to honor Israeli President Shimon Peres for his upcoming 90th birthday, reflecting world respect for one of the country's peace pioneers. Photo Gallery Available

Sunni-Shiite violence hits Lebanese city of Sidon

The Lebanese city of Sidon exploded into widespread street violence Tuesday afternoon as supporters and opponents of the militant group Hezbollah traded artillery and small arms fire in response to an attack on a prominent Sunni Muslim opponent of the Shiite Muslim group, according to senior security officials and witnesses. At least one person was killed and nearly a dozen wounded, according to Lebanese security officials. 1371641221

British Prime Minister David Cameron speaks during a media conference at the G-8 summit at the Lough Erne golf resort in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, on Tuesday, June 18, 2013. The final day of the G-8 summit of wealthy nations is ending with discussions on globe-trotting corporate tax dodgers, a lunch with leaders from Africa, and suspense over whether Russia and Western leaders can avoid diplomatic fireworks over their deadlock on Syria’s civil war.

G-8 NOTEBOOK: Cameron Tweets WWII bomb at G-8 site

Well, that was close. Or was it? Shortly after wrapping up one of the most peaceful Group of Eight summits in recent memory, Prime Minister David Cameron let a cat out of the bag.

Syrian pound tumbles on US plans to arm rebels

Many exchange shops closed in Damascus on Tuesday, fearing more chaos a day after the Syrian currency plunged to a new record low, reflecting growing fears in the capital following a U.S. decision to arm rebel groups fighting to topple President Bashar Assad's regime.

Afghan forces take over, doubts loom

Afghan security forces are now officially in charge of protecting their country from the insurgents whom the U.S.-led coalition of foreign troops has been fighting here for more than 11 years, President Hamid Karzai announced during a ceremony Tuesday, even as news broke that the Taliban were opening a long-discussed political office in Qatar, clearing a potential path to peace talks. 1371644817

Montreal Mayor Michael Applebaum announces his resignation a day after his arrest on fraud charges, Tuesday, June 18, 2013, at a news conference in Montreal. Applebaum had vowed to clean up the corruption scandals rocking the city. He faces 14 charges, including defrauding the government and corruption in municipal affairs.

Montreal interim mayor resigns after fraud arrest

For the second time in less than a year, a Montreal mayor has stepped down amid corruption scandals ripping through Canada's second-largest city. Photo Gallery Available

FILE - In this Friday, May 17, 2013 file photo, An Egyptian activist covers her face with an applications for "Tamarod", Arabic for "rebel", a campaign calling for the ouster of Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi and for early presidential elections, during a protest in Tahrir Square, in Cairo, Egypt. Opponents of Egypt’s Islamist president are convinced that nationwide protests planned for June 30 are their last opportunity to drive him from power. They say they have tapped into widespread public discontent over shortages, broken infrastructure, high prices and lack of security, and can bring that anger into the streets.

Fears of violence as Egypt nears June 30 protests

Massive nationwide protests that Egypt's opposition plans for June 30 are taking on a dangerous edge. Photo Gallery Available

Obama opens 24-hour trip to Germany

President Barack Obama is opening a 24-hour visit to Germany, the culmination of which will be a speech Wednesday at Berlin's iconic Brandenburg Gate.

Turkey's Erdogan meets top Hamas officials

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is taking a break from his troubles at home to meet top Hamas officials for talks on Palestinian reconciliation.

Israeli premier: pressure on Iran must continue

Israel's prime minister says the international community must not ease pressure on Iran because of the election of a reformist president.

Report: Piracy in West Africa outstrips Somalia

More ships and sailors fell prey to pirates off West Africa last year than off Somalia's coast, long the lair of pirates, according to a new report that highlights the risk posed by the rise in attacks on vessels in the Gulf of Guinea.

Tourism workers and activists in Luxor protest a newly appointed Islamist governor and block his office Tuesday June 18, 2013. Adel el-Khayat was named to the provincial governor's post Sunday by President Mohammed Morsi, causing outrage because of his links to Gamaa Islamiya, which waged an armed insurgency against the state starting in 1992 and attacked police, Coptic Christians and tourists. Tourism is the lifeblood of Luxor but it has been hit hard by the downturn in foreign visitors since the Arab Spring unleashed political turmoil since 2011. Signs in Arabic read, "The plot you are hatching, we will undo" and "leave terrorist."

Egypt Islamists blame violence on opposition

Egypt's most powerful Muslim group has blamed the secular and liberal opposition for a wave of violence over the appointment of new Islamist governors. 1371641822 Photo Gallery Available

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