Amazon forest fires in Brazil increased by 19.5 percent in June compared to the same month last year, making it the worst June in 13 years, authorities revealed on Wednesday. June marks the start of the dry period and there were 2,248 recorded fires, leaving analysts expecting a worse year...

Syrian army defector Salam had signed a surrender deal with the regime supposed to protect him, but after reporting for military service, he disappeared and months later was declared dead. "He went off and never came back," his elder brother told AFP. Salam is one of a growing number of...

Gunmen on Wednesday attacked a drug rehabilitation center in central Mexico, killing at least 24 people and leaving seven wounded, local authorities said. According to preliminary information, the attackers "entered the scene, forced (the victims) onto the ground and shot them," said Pedro...

Russians looked set Wednesday to overwhelmingly approve constitutional changes that will allow President Vladimir Putin to extend his two-decade rule until 2036. Early results from six days of national voting that ends Wednesday showed more than 70 percent of voters backing the reforms,...