Biden declares ‘Kyiv stands’ in surprise visit to Ukraine

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — President Joe Biden has left Kyiv, Ukraine, after an unannounced visit to meet President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Monday’s visit was a gesture of solidarity coming days before the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Biden delivered remarks and met Zelenskyy at Mariinsky Palace to announce an additional half-billion dollars in U.S.…

US defends decision to shoot down three unidentified objects

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House is defending the shootdowns of three unidentified objects in as many days even as it acknowledged that officials had no indication the objects were intended for surveillance in the same manner as the high-altitude Chinese balloon that traversed American airspace earlier this month. White House national security spokesman John…

Powerful quake rocks Turkey and Syria, kills more than 2,500

ADANA, Turkey (AP) — A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake has rocked wide swaths of Turkey and neighboring Syria, killing more than 2,500 people and injuring thousands more. It toppled hundreds of buildings and trapped residents under mounds of rubble or pancaked floors. Authorities feared the death toll would rise further as rescuers on both sides…

Chinese balloon now over central US as Blinken cancels visit

WASHINGTON (AP) — A huge, high-altitude Chinese balloon is sailing across the U.S. The spectacle is drawing severe Pentagon accusations of spying on Friday — while sending excited or alarmed Americans outside with binoculars. Secretary of State Antony Blinken abruptly canceled a high-stakes Beijing trip aimed at easing U..S.-China tensions, and the Biden administration weighed…