Middle East latest: Israeli strikes hit Gaza and also target suspected weapons sites in Syria

Israeli strikes killed at least six people in the central Gaza Strip, Palestinian medical officials said Monday, while also hitting suspected chemical and long-range weapons sites in Syria to keep them from rebels who seized Damascus. The U.N. Security Council plans to hold emergency...

As Israel advances on a Syrian buffer zone, it sees peril and opportunity

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — The dramatic downfall of Syrian President Bashar Assad presents possible danger, and an opening, for neighboring Israel. After fighting wars on multiple fronts for months, Israel is now concerned that unrest in Syria could spill over into its territory....

A gang leader in Haiti is accused of massacring older people to avenge his son's death

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — A gang leader who controls a key port in Haiti's capital is accused of massacring older people and Vodou religious leaders in his community to avenge his son's death, according to the government and human rights organizations that estimate more than 100 killed. ...

Head of UN human rights promises advice to FIFA and Saudi Arabia over 2034 World Cup issues

GENEVA (AP) — Two days before FIFA confirms Saudi Arabia as the 2034 World Cup host, the United Nations’ top human rights official pledged Monday to try to ensure migrant labor standards are “properly respected” around the tournament. Saudi Arabia is the only candidate and...

Earth's lands are drying out. Nations are trying to address it in talks this week

Much of Earth's lands are drying out and damaging the ability of plant and animal life to survive, according to a United Nations report released Monday at talks where countries are working to address the problem. The report was released at the U.N. summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on...

Migrants who survived Madagascar boat tragedy arrive back in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — Nearly 50 survivors of a migrant boat tragedy last month that left 25 people dead in the Indian Ocean off Madagascar arrived back in Somalia on Saturday and were received by government officials. The survivors aged 17 to 50 wore outfits made of fabric with...

U.N. special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, calls for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure 'orderly political transition'

Kenya police boss denies reports officers in Haiti peacekeeping mission haven't been paid in months

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Kenya's top police official has denied reports that officers serving in the United Nations-backed multinational peacekeeping mission in Haiti have gone unpaid for three months. The police inspector general, Douglas Kanja, on Thursday said officers in Haiti had...

Closely-watched international climate case in the Hague wraps up its first week of testimony

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — A closely-watched international climate case that could yield guidance for governments around the world wrapped its first week of arguments before the top court of the United Nations in The Hague Friday. The case, though not binding, is expected to spell out what...

Sudan documentary implores world to remember how a hopeful revolution became a forgotten war

MARRAKECH, Morocco (AP) — In the early days of Sudan's 2019 revolution, Shajane Suliman brought sandwiches, coffee and mint tea to demonstrations in closed-off sections of Khartoum. But as hope made way for despair, she decided more than food was needed to nourish the movement. ...