Feb 04 El Salvador votes in elections with self-described ‘world’s coolest dictator’ likely to win By Megan Janetsky, Marcos Aleman, Associated Press Salvadorans are voting Sunday in presidential and legislative elections that experts say are largely about the tradeoff between security and democracy. With soaring approval ratings and virtually no competition, Nayib Bukele is almost certainly headed for a second term as president. Continue reading
Feb 04 Far-right Israeli minister’s criticism of Biden and support for Trump draws local backlash By Melanie Lidman, Associated Press Criticism of President Biden by a far-right minister in Israel's government who said Trump would allow more freedom to fight Hamas sparked outrage there on Sunday, highlighting the sensitivity of relations as Washington provides key support for the offensive against the… Continue reading
Feb 04 After U.S. and UK strikes in Yemen, Iran warns against targeting suspected spy ships By Jon Gambrell, Lolita C. Baldor, Tara Copp, Associated Press Iran issued a warning Sunday to the U.S. over potentially targeting two cargo ships in the Mideast long suspected of serving as forwarding operating bases for Iranian commandos, after the U.S. and the United Kingdom launched a massive airstrike campaign against… Continue reading
Feb 03 As war in Gaza hits 4 months, Israel issues its most detailed warning yet to Hezbollah By Najib Jobain, Samy Magdy, Associated Press Israel’s military on Saturday issued its most detailed warning yet to Hezbollah in neighboring Lebanon that it would be “ready to attack immediately” if provoked, as it recounted its actions along the northern border during four months of war in Gaza. Continue reading
Feb 03 Forest fires in Chile kill at least 46, burn around densely populated central areas By Patricia Luna, Associated Press Intense forest fires burning around a densely populated area of central Chile have caused at least 46 deaths, Chile's president said Saturday evening, and officials said at least 1,100 homes had been destroyed. Continue reading
Feb 03 Watch 5:27 What the U.S. hopes to achieve with airstrikes against Iran-backed militias By John Yang, Harry Zahn The U.S. is responding to last weekend’s drone strike in Jordan that killed three U.S. troops with airstrikes against Iran-backed militias in the Middle East. Pentagon officials say it took just 30 minutes for B-1 bombers and other U.S. aircraft… Continue watching
Feb 03 Watch 2:25 News Wrap: Democratic primary race begins in South Carolina In our news wrap Saturday, South Carolina holds its Democratic presidential primary, Senate negotiators are closing in on a border deal, at least 19 people have died in forest fires in Chile, former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and his… Continue watching
Feb 03 U.S. and UK hit Yemen’s Houthis with new strikes in retaliation for Iran-backed attacks By Associated Press The United States and Britain struck 36 Houthi targets in Yemen on Saturday in a second wave of assaults meant to further disable Iran-backed groups that have relentlessly attacked American and international interests in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war. Continue reading
Feb 03 What to know about the U.S. airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against Iran-backed fighters By Bassem Mroue, Associated Press The U.S. military has launched strikes on dozens of sites manned by Iran-backed fighters in western Iraq and eastern Syria in retaliation for a drone strike in Jordan in late January that killed three U.S. service members and wounded dozens. Continue reading
Feb 03 Senegal’s president postpones national election over candidate eligibility controversies By Babacar Dione, Associated Press Senegalese President Macky Sall on Saturday postponed presidential elections scheduled for Feb. 25, citing controversies over the disqualification of some candidates and allegations of corruption in election-related cases. Continue reading