Toxic gas, new rivers of molten lava endanger Spanish island

EL PASO, Canary Islands (AP) — As a new volcanic vent blew open and unstoppable rivers of molten rock flowed toward the sea, authorities on a Spanish island warned Tuesday that more dangers lie ahead for residents, including earthquakes, lava flows, toxic gases, volcanic ash and acid rain. ...

Sudanese officials say coup attempt failed, army in control

Sudanese authorities reported a coup attempt Tuesday by a group of soldiers but said the attempt failed and the country's ruling council and military remain in control. The development underscored the fragility of Sudan’s path to democracy, more than two years after...

Libya lawmakers pass no confidence vote for transition govt

BENGHAZI, Libya (AP) — Libyan lawmakers on Tuesday passed a vote of no confidence in the country’s transitional government, an official said, a move that throws long-waited elections late this year into further uncertainty. The vote took place in the parliament’s...

Military general who ruled Egypt after Mubarak ouster dies

CAIRO (AP) — Hussein Tantawi, the Egyptian general who took charge of the country when longtime autocrat Hosni Mubarak was forced to step down amid the 2011 Arab Spring uprising, died on Tuesday, Egypt’s presidency said. He was 85. Field Marshal Tantawi, Mubarak’s...

Spain's new volcano attracts visitors, destroys banana crops

LA LAGUNA, Spain (AP) — Traffic jams pack the winding narrow roads of La Palma at dusk as curious residents and visitors flock to snap photos as the Spanish island's new volcano furiously ejects material into the air and glowing lava swallows villas, crops and warehouses on its downhill...

Libyan parliament passes vote of no confidence in transitional government, throwing planned elections into question

Tunisian president vows new electoral code, transition team

TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — Tunisia’s president has announced plans to draft a new electoral code and appoint a transitional leadership — and to hang on to the exceptional powers that he seized in July, throwing the country’s young democracy into question. In a speech...

Nobody hurt but much damage in Spanish volcano eruption

LA LAGUNA, Spain (AP) — Giant rivers of lava tumbled slowly but relentlessly toward the sea Monday after a volcano erupted on a Spanish island off northwest Africa, with prompt evacuations helping to avoid casualties. Long fingers of fiery red lava slid down hillsides...

Ships rescue 190 Europe-bound migrants off Libya

ABOARD THE GEO BARENTS (AP) — Two vessels rescued around 190 Europe-bound migrants, including women and children, off the coast of Libya, charities operating the vessels said Monday. The rescues came amid a spike in attempted crossings of the Mediterranean Sea. More...

AP PHOTOS: Jews redeem firstborn son in ancient ceremony

BEIT SHEMESH, Israel (AP) — Shortly after sundown, Yaakov Tabersky presented his firstborn son on a silver platter to a Jewish priest in a ceremony harking back to the biblical exodus from Egypt. The ceremony, known as “pidyon ha-ben,” or redemption of the...