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 on Wednesday blamed the secular and liberal opposition for a wave of violence over the appointment of new Islamist governors. 1371647329 Photo Gallery Available

Lawsuit filed in Puerto Rico slaying of US banker

The widow of a U.S. banking executive slain in a drive-by shooting in Puerto Rico has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the bank's CEO and other high-ranking officials.

Islamists drive 19,000 farmers from north Nigeria

Islamic militants have driven 19,000 rice farmers from their land in northeast Nigeria while a military crackdown is preventing thousands more from working their fields, raising fears of imminent food shortages, officials warned Tuesday.

Sun foreign correspondent charged in bribery probe

Police say The Sun newspaper's chief foreign correspondent has been charged over alleged corrupt payments to public officials. It's the latest in a series of bribery-related charges filed against senior members of the best-selling British tabloid.

Iran's president meets newly elected successor

Iran's president has discussed transferring power in a meeting with his newly elected successor, the official IRNA news agency reported Tuesday.

In this June 1, 2013 photo, Paraguayans returning from shopping in Clorinda, Argentina carry boxes and bags across the international bridge over the Pilcomayo River into the town of Nanawa, Paraguay. Shoppers who turn to the street rather than the banks to swap their dollars are getting a bonanza of extra Argentine pesos and can shop much more cheaply than back at home due to Argentina's currency controls and black market for US dollars. Taking advantage of the guarani’s newfound strength, Paraguayans are rolling by the thousands into the Argentine frontier city of Clorinda to do their shopping.

Argentine cash controls bring bargains, headaches

The Brazilian visitors gawk in wonder as they stroll past shop windows along touristy Florida street in the Argentine capital. The jackets, the shoes - they're all so cheap when your purse is stuffed with black-market money. Photo Gallery Available

U.S tennis player, Serena Williams arrives for Burberry Prorsum show, during London Men's spring summer fashion collections 2014, in London, Tuesday, June 18, 2013.

Burberry showcases latest menswear in London

Womenswear and accessories like handbags may be the mainstays of the luxury goods market, but right now menswear is where the growth is. Photo Gallery Available

Obama: Friction in Afghan peace talks no surprise

President Barack Obama says it's no surprise that there's friction in early efforts to launch peace talks between the Taliban and Afghanistan's government. 1371642134

Tropical depression heads toward Mexican coast

Forecasters say a tropical depression crossing Mexico's Bay of Campeche is expected to become a tropical storm before making landfall in that country's Gulf Coast state of Veracruz. 1371644817

A closer look at how Zimbabwe's cattle bank works

HOW A CATTLE BANK WORKS:

Russia to ban married foreign gays from adopting

Russia is on its way to sharply limiting the adoption of children by people from countries that allow same-sex marriage.

In this Sept. 23, 2011 file photo, Amanda Knox arrives at the courthouse for the appeal trial in Perugia, Italy. On Tuesday, June 18, 2013, Italy's high court has explained why it reversed the acquittal of American student Amanda Knox, saying the decision acquitting her of murder was full of contradictions. In March, 2013, the Court of Cassation overturned Knox's acquittal in the 2007 murder of flatmate Meredith Kercher and ordered a new trial.

Italy top court faults Amanda Knox acquittal

Italy's high court on Tuesday harshly faulted the appeals court that acquitted American student Amanda Knox of murdering her roommate, saying its ruling was full of "deficiencies, contradictions and illogical" conclusions. It ordered a new appeals court to consider all the evidence to determine whether Knox helped kill the young woman. Photo Gallery Available

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