Middle East latest: Palestinian militants in Gaza fire rockets into Israel as it marks Oct. 7

Palestinian militants in Gaza fired a barrage of rockets into Israel on Monday as mourners marked the anniversary of the Oct. 7 attack, without disrupting a nearby ceremony. Lebanon’s Health Ministry said an Israeli strike in the country’s south killed at least 10 firefighters....

Countries around the world commemorate the anniversary of Hamas attack on Israel

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Vigils, commemorations and acts of remembrance were planned across the world on Monday to mark one year since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel as world leaders called for an end to antisemitism and the release of Israeli hostages. Last year's surprise...

Philippines, South Korea deepen security cooperation, elevating ties to a strategic partnership

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — South Korea and the Philippines, each faced by increasingly hostile rival nations, elevated their ties to a strategic partnership on Monday, including broader defense and security cooperation between the two U.S. treaty allies. South Korean President Yoon...

South Korean leader says North Korea wants US attention by showing off nuclear might

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea’s recent disclosure of a nuclear facility was likely an attempt to grab U.S. attention ahead of next month's presidential election, and the North will likely stage major provocations like a nuclear test explosion and a long-range missile test, South...

Biden says he doesn't know whether Israel is holding up peace deal to influence 2024 US election

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden had terse words for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday, and said he didn't know whether the Israeli leader was holding up a Mideast peace deal in order to influence the outcome of the 2024 U.S. presidential election. “No...

Biden: 'I don't know' if Israel is trying to influence the 2024 US election in not agreeing to a cease-fire

Javier Bardem on Gaza: ‘We cannot remain indifferent’ in call for hostage release and cease-fire

Javier Bardem was no longer comfortable being silent on Gaza. The Spanish actor spoke out about the Israeli-Hamas conflict upon accepting an award at the San Sebastian Film Festival last week. In his nuanced remarks, Bardem condemned the Hamas attacks as well as the “massive...

UK leader Starmer pitches pragmatism as he seeks to mend EU ties battered by Brexit

BRUSSELS (AP) — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday held out the prospect of “sensible leadership” on issues of common interest as he launched a mission to improve ties with the European Union, which disintegrated as his country left the world’s biggest trading bloc four years...

After pressing an Israel-Hezbollah cease-fire, the Biden administration shifts its message

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration says there is a significant difference between Israeli actions that have expanded its war against the Iranian-backed militant groups Hamas and Hezbollah and Iran’s retaliatory missile attack against Israel, which it condemned as escalatory. ...

Leaders depart UN facing prospect of a wider Mideast war — but with a blueprint for a better future

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — They gathered at the United Nations surrounded by unsettling warnings of an escalating conflict that could engulf the Middle East and further shatter international relations that are based on "multilateralism" — nations working together and sharing power. A week later,...