Mexican president says lack of hugs caused US fentanyl crisis

On Friday, Mexico's president Andrés Manuel López Obrador told a morning news briefing that the problem was caused by “a lack of hugs, of embraces.”

Protests erupt in France over Emmanuel Macron's retirement age bill

President Emmanuel Macron is pushing a bill that will raise the retirement age from 62 to 64 through parliament without a vote angering opponents of the measure.

China’s Xi Jinping plans to visit Moscow in show of support for Vladimir Putin

China has refused to condemn Moscow’s aggression and sought to project itself as neutral in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine while accusing NATO and the U.S. of provoking Russia into military action.

US threatens TikTok ban if Chinese owners don't sell stakes in company

Lawmakers are considering a measure that would give the Biden administration more power to clamp down on TikTok amid national security concerns.

House-sized asteroid discovered this week will fly past Earth on Friday

The near-Earth object, called 2023 EY, has been posted on NASA’s asteroid database and listed as one of the next five asteroid approaches. Scientists estimate it is about 54 feet wide.

UK prime minister in doghouse after letting pet roam free in London park

In January, U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Suna was fined by police for taking off his seat belt to film a social media video in a moving car.

2 found dead in submarine filled with smuggled cocaine

The Colombian Navy found over $87 million worth of cocaine, two dead bodies, and two survivors aboard a submarine.

China will reopen to tourists, resume issuing all visas Wednesday

China is one of the last major countries to reopen its borders to tourists during the pandemic. Previously, the country stuck to a harsh “zero-COVID" strategy involving lockdowns and daily COVID-19 testing.

Last killer whale in captivity dies at Marineland theme park

A killer whale at Marineland and the last captive orca in Canada, who has swam alone in her tank for more than a decade, has died.

No masks required, but Japanese fans still wear them at World Baseball Classic

Japan eased its mask guidelines, recommending them only on crowded trains and in hospitals or care homes, but there was little sign residents were keen to unmask.

US and South Korea hold drills as North Korea test-fires missiles from submarine

The South Korean and U.S. drills include a computer simulation and field training exercises. North Korea’s increasing nuclear threats, and concerns about China’s ambitions, are pushing the United States to beef up its Asian alliances.

N. Korea launches two missiles from submarine in weapons test

The test on Sunday came a day before the U.S. and South Korean militaries begin large-scale joint military drills that North Korea views as a rehearsal for invasion.

How a road trip to Mexico turned deadly for 4 South Carolina friends

It was supposed to be a fun road trip to Mexico for a group of childhood friends. But once they got there, the trip took a terrible turn, and two members of the group would never make it home.