Japan to maximize nuclear power in clean-energy push as electricity demand grows

TOKYO (AP) — A government-commissioned panel of experts on Wednesday largely supported Japan's new energy policy for the next few years that calls for bolstering renewables up to half of electricity needs by 2040 while maximizing the use of nuclear power as the country seeks to accommodate the...

AP PHOTOS: Glimpses of horror emerge inside Syria's Saydnaya prison, dubbed 'The Slaughterhouse'

SAYDNAYA, Syria (AP) — Behind the coils of razor wire and concrete walls, glimpses of the horror emerge from the warren of dank, airless corridors of what has been dubbed “The Slaughterhouse.” A coarse, heavy rope lies on the ground, tied into a hangman’s noose. Prosthetic...

Serbian police use mobile phone spyware to keep track of opponents and journalists, Amnesty says

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Serbia’s secret service and police have been spying on journalists and opposition activists by installing spyware on their mobile phones, Amnesty International said Monday. The watchdog's report, backed by testimonies of those who claim their phones have...

Zimbabwe's president once faced the death penalty and is now set to abolish it

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — Zimbabwe’s Senate has approved a bill to abolish the death penalty, a key step in scrapping a law last used in the southern African nation nearly 20 years ago. Zimbabwe's Parliament said Thursday that the bill was passed by senators the night before. The...

At least 110 people have died in 7 weeks of post-election protests in Mozambique, rights groups say

MAPUTO, Mozambique (AP) — More than 100 people including children have been killed by security forces in post-election protests in Mozambique that have lasted nearly two months, rights and civil society groups said. The main opposition leader called Thursday for more demonstrations...

Rights group demands probe of ex-governor, 2 army officers in Congo for possible humanitarian crimes

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Amnesty International called for an investigation Wednesday into a former governor and two top army officials in Congo for “possible crimes against humanity” during a deadly crackdown on demonstrators last year protesting the U.N. peacekeeping mission in the country. ...

Thousands scour Syria's most horrific prison but find no sign of their loved ones

SAYDNAYA, Syria (AP) — They came from all over Syria, tens of thousands. The first place they rushed to after the fall of their longtime tormentor, former President Bashar Assad, was here: Saydnaya Prison, a place so notorious for its horrors it was long known as “the slaughterhouse.” ...

Amnesty International says Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. Israel rejects the allegations

CAIRO (AP) — Amnesty International accused Israel of committing genocide in the Gaza Strip during its war with Hamas, saying it has sought to deliberately destroy Palestinians by mounting deadly attacks, demolishing vital infrastructure, and preventing the delivery of food, medicine and other...

Middle East latest: An Israeli strike on a Gaza hospital kills a teen in a wheelchair

An Israeli drone strike on a hospital compound in northern Gaza on Thursday killed a 16-year-old boy in a wheelchair and wounded at least 12 other people, including medical staff, the Gaza Health Ministry and the hospital director said. Kamal Adwan Hospital is one of the few...

Amnesty International says a genocide is being committed against Palestinians in Gaza, an accusation Israel rejects