AP National News

RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — A prisoner rights group says Israel has released a prominent Palestinian prisoner, two weeks after striking a deal that ended his marathon 131-day hunger strike. Kayed Fasfous was the symbolic figurehead of six hunger strikers protesting Israel’s controversial policy of “administrative detention.” The policy allows suspects to be held indefinitely

BRUSSELS (AP) — Belgian police used water cannon and tear gas to disperse some rowdy protesters in Brussels after most marched peacefully through the city to protest tightened COVID-19 restrictions. Thousands came to protest the new measures that were announced Friday, the third week in a row that the government has tightened its rules as

Associated Press KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Women’s rights activists in the Afghan capital of Kabul insist they will continue fighting for their right to education, employment and participation in Afghan political and social life, and said a recent Taliban decree banning forced marriage was not enough to address the issue of women’s rights. The decree,

By GEIR MOULSON Associated Press BERLIN (AP) — Germany’s pro-business Free Democrats have approved a deal to form a new government with two center-left parties. Sunday’s decision moves Chancellor-designate Olaf Scholz a step closer to taking office as the country’s new leader this week. The Free Democrats reached an agreement last month to form a

By WASBIR HUSSAIN Associated Press GAUHATI, India (AP) — Angry villagers have burned army vehicles in protest after more than a dozen people were killed by soldiers who mistakenly believed some of them were militants in India’s remote northeast region along the border with Myanmar. Nagaland state’s top elected official ordered a probe into the

By NINIEK KARMINI and AGOES BASOEKI Associated Press LUMAJANG, Indonesia (AP) — Rescuers are sifting through smoldering debris and thick mud in search of survivors a day after the highest volcano on Java island erupted with fury, killing at least 14 people with searing gas and ash. Mount Semeru spewed thick columns of ash after

VILLEPINTE, France (AP) — Far-right former French TV pundit Eric Zemmour is holding his first campaign rally near Paris, a few days after he formally declared his candidacy for April’s presidential election in a video relaying his anti-migrants, anti Islam views. The 63-year-old with multiple hate-speech convictions has unveiled his campaign’s slogan: “Impossible is not

By DON BABWIN Associated Press CHICAGO (AP) — After two brothers spent hours telling a jury how Jussie Smollett paid them to carry out a fake racist and anti-gay attack on himself, the big question when the actor’s trial resumes is whether he will tell his side of the story. The choice is risky, but

By BABACAR DIONE Associated Press DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Senegal has recorded its first case of the coronavirus omicron variant. The announcement was made by the Institute for Health Research, Epidemiological Surveillance and Training, which is one of the laboratories approved by Senegal for COVID-19 testing. The institute said the case was detected Friday from

By JENNIFER McDERMOTT Associated Press PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said Thursday that the administration’s goal for offshore wind and the projects being developed now represent a “gust of job growth throughout the country.” Granholm visited a new offshore wind manufacturing hub in Providence to talk about the Biden administration’s plan

BRUSSELS (AP) — Hundreds of people have marched through central Brussels to protest tightened COVID-19 restrictions imposed by the Belgian government to counter the latest spike in coronavirus cases. Marchers came to protest the measures that were announced Friday, the third week in a row that the government has tightened the rules as the latest

By SAMY MAGDY Associated Press CAIRO (AP) — Officials say the Saudi-led coalition fighting Iran-backed rebels in Yemen has accelerated its airstrikes on the capital and elsewhere in the conflict-stricken country. Meanwhile, government forces advanced in the west coast and the key province of Marib. The coalition said it hit military facilities in rebel-held Sanaa

By ASHRAF KHALIL Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — As the Supreme Court weighs the future of the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, a resurgent anti-abortion movement plans to press its advantage in state-by-state battles while abortion-rights supporters prepare to play defense. Both sides seem to be operating on the assumption that a court reshaped by

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Coal mining authorities say that one miner is missing and one has been rescued with injuries after an earth tremor and a cave-in at a mine in southern Poland. Spokesman for Poland’s Mining Group said Sunday that the search continues for the missing miner at the Bielszowice mine, in the town

By TIA GOLDENBERG Associated Press TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel’s prime minister has urged world powers to take a hard line against Iran in negotiations to curb the country’s nuclear program. Naftali Bennett’s remarks Sunday come as his top defense and intelligence officials headed to Washington amid the flailing talks. Israel has been watching

BERLIN (AP) — Authorities say three skiers have been killed and two injured in an avalanche in central Austria. The victims included a rising young motorbike racer. They were part of a group of 11 skiers, eight of whom were hit by a roughly 200-meter (655-foot) wide slab of snow as they ascended a slope

By NICOLE WINFIELD, TRISHA THOMAS and DEREK GATOPOULOS Associated Press LESBOS, Greece (AP) — Pope Francis has offered comfort to migrants at a refugee camp on the Greek island of Lesbos. He blasted what he said is the indifference and self-interest shown by Europe “that condemns to death those on the fringes.” Francis visited the

By GRANT PECK Associated Press BANGKOK (AP) — Witnesses say an army vehicle plowed into a peaceful march by anti-government protesters in military-ruled Myanmar’s biggest city, reportedly killing at least three people. Sunday’s march was one of at least three held in Yangon, and similar rallies were reported in other parts of the country a

BERLIN (AP) — Germany’s incoming transport minister is advising people against traveling over Christmas as the country tries to stem a wave of coronavirus infections. Federal and state leaders on Thursday announced tough new restrictions that largely target unvaccinated people, preventing them from entering nonessential stores, restaurants, sports and cultural venues. In a longer-term move,