Embattled French Prime Minister Lecornu survives no-confidence votes in Parliament

PARIS (AP) — French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has survived two votes of no-confidence that could have toppled his fragile new government. The National Assembly’s decision Thursday clears the way for Lecornu to focus on a significant challenge: passing a 2026 budget for the European Union’s second-largest economy through a divided Parliament before the end of the year. Lecornu’s survival also means President Emmanuel Macron will not have to dissolve the National Assembly and call snap legislative elections. Macron had indicated he might take the risky step if Lecornu had fallen.

Chief of staff of Yemen Houthi rebel’s military dies from wounds suffered in Israeli airstrike

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Israel says an airstrike in August killed the chief of staff of Yemen’s Houthi rebels. The group on Thursday acknowledged the death of Maj. Gen. Muhammad Abdul Karim al-Ghamari, who had been sanctioned by the United Nations. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz claimed responsibility for the attack, stating al-Ghamari died from his wounds from the August strike. The U.N. described al-Ghamari as a key figure in orchestrating the Houthis’ military efforts, threatening Yemen’s peace and security and conducting cross-border attacks against Saudi Arabia. The incident further escalates tensions between the Houthis and Israel, despite a ceasefire holding in the Gaza Strip.

Lesotho finds its HIV care system unraveling and patients in despair in the wake of US cuts

HA LEJONE, Lesotho (AP) — In the wake of massive U.S. cuts to foreign aid, the tiny country of Lesotho in southern Africa faces deep uncertainty and worry over its HIV-positive residents. Lesotho long had the world’s second-highest HIV infection rate. Over years, with nearly $1 billion in U.S. aid, Lesotho patched together a health network efficient enough to slow the epidemic’s spread. But when President Donald Trump froze foreign assistance and dismantled USAID, chaos and confusion followed in Lesotho. Clinics shut down, workers were let go, and patients stopped treatment. Much of Lesotho’s system to treat hundreds of thousands of HIV-positive residents is crumbling, and experts are sounding alarms, even as some U.S.-funded programs are temporarily reinstated.

A bomb explodes on Syrian Defense Ministry bus, killing 4 soldiers and wounding others

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — A bomb exploded Thursday on a Syrian Defense Ministry bus in the country’s east, killing four soldiers and wounding others, the country’s oil minister said. Oil Minister Mohammed al-Bashir said on the social platform X that the soldiers were killed and wounded while on their way to work as guards at an oil facility. State-run Al-Ikhbariah TV said the explosion occurred on the road linking the eastern cities of Deir el-Zour and Mayadeen. The report said the soldier worked at a facility in the oil-rich region that borders Iraq.” The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said three soldiers were killed and nine were wounded in the attack.