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LONDON (AP) — The director of the British Museum said Friday that he would step down immediately amid investigations into the theft or disappearance of hundreds of items from its massive collection, including gold jewelry, semi-precious gems and antiquities dating to the15th century B.C.

Director of British Museum Steps Down Amid Controversy Over Thefts of Ancient Items

In Brazil, the use of homophobic slurs is now punishable by up to 5 years on prison.

Brazil’s Supreme Court Rules Homophobic Hate Speech Can Result in Prison Time

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Taiwan’s Defense Ministry says a Chinese weather balloon landed on one of its outlying islands, amid U.S. accusations that such craft have been dispatched worldwide to spy on Washington and its allies.

Taiwan Reports Chinese Balloon Found on Northern Island

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday asked artists and filmmakers to unequivocally declare their support for his country during a live video address at the opening of the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival.

Zelenskyy Asks for Support for Ukraine at Berlin Film Fest

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden said Thursday that the U.S. is developing “sharper rules” to track, monitor and potentially shoot down unknown aerial objects, following three weeks of high-stakes drama sparked by the discovery of a suspected Chinese spy balloon transiting much of the country.

Biden Wants “Sharper Rules” on Unknown Aerial Objects

BERLIN (AP) — The Hannover State Opera said Thursday that it is ending its contract with ballet director Marco Goecke after he smeared dog feces on the face of a newspaper critic whose reviews he had taken exception to.

German Ballet Director Fired Over Feces Attack on Critic

This Valentine’s Day event in Brussels, Belgium, broke the world record for largest speed dating event .💕

WATCH: 1,363 People Break Speed Dating World Record in Belgium

In the wake of 16-year-old Brianna Ghey’s murder, candlelit vigils are being held across the UK to celebrate the trans teen's life.

WATCH: UK Mourns Loss of Trans Teen Brianna Ghey Following Murder

WASHINGTON (AP) — Support among the American public for providing Ukraine weaponry and direct economic assistance has softened as the Russian invasion nears a grim one-year milestone, according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

Ukraine Aid Support Softens in the US: AP-NORC Poll

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — A Polish mother of seven has successfully given birth to premature quintuplets, hospital officials in southern Poland said Tuesday.

Polish Mother of 7 Successfully Gives Birth to Quintuplets

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — A cyclone that left a devastating wake of extensive flooding and landslides in New Zealand has claimed at least four lives and police have “grave concerns” for other residents who remain unaccounted for, the prime minister said on Wednesday.

New Zealand Fears More Fatalities After Cyclone Kills 4

LONDON (AP) — Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon said Wednesday that she plans to step down after more than eight years in office, amid criticism of her drive to expand transgender rights and her strategy for achieving independence from the United Kingdom.

World

Director of British Museum Steps Down Amid Controversy Over Thefts of Ancient Items

Hartwig Fischer had planned to leave the post next year but said his presence had become a distraction.

Brazil’s Supreme Court Rules Homophobic Hate Speech Can Result in Prison Time

The lead judge in this case, Justice Edson Fachin, stated in his ruling that providing equal legal protection to LGBTQIA+ citizens was a “constitutional imperative.”

Taiwan Reports Chinese Balloon Found on Northern Island

The ministry’s statement on Thursday said the balloon carried equipment registered to a state-owned electronics company in the northern city of Taiyuan.

Zelenskyy Asks for Support for Ukraine at Berlin Film Fest

Before the opening ceremony, Anne Hathaway lauded the Ukrainian president as a “hero of our time” and thanked the festival for inviting him via video link, German news agency dpa reported.

Biden Wants “Sharper Rules” on Unknown Aerial Objects

Biden said the U.S. believes 3 of the objects were “benign” items launched by private companies or research institutions.

German Ballet Director Fired Over Feces Attack on Critic

Goecke was suspended from his post as ballet chief this week after the Saturday attack on dance critic Wiebke Huester of German daily newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.

WATCH: 1,363 People Break Speed Dating World Record in Belgium

This Valentine’s Day event in Brussels, Belgium, broke the world record for largest speed dating event .💕

WATCH: UK Mourns Loss of Trans Teen Brianna Ghey Following Murder

In the wake of 16-year-old Brianna Ghey’s murder, candlelit vigils are being held across the UK to celebrate the trans teen's life.

Ukraine Aid Support Softens in the US: AP-NORC Poll

Forty-eight percent say they favor the U.S. providing weapons to Ukraine, with 29% opposed and 22% saying they’re neither in favor nor opposed.

Polish Mother of 7 Successfully Gives Birth to Quintuplets

The two boys and three girls were born through cesarean section Sunday, in the pregnancy’s 28th week, at the University Hospital in Krakow.

New Zealand Fears More Fatalities After Cyclone Kills 4

Cyclone Gabrielle struck the country’s north on Monday and has brought more destruction to this nation of 5 million than any weather event in decades.

Scottish Leader Nicola Sturgeon To Leave Post After 8 Years

The first female leader of Scotland’s devolved government, Sturgeon said she planned to remain in office until the SNP elects a new leader.