Reviving after 2006 destruction, Hezbollah’s Beirut stronghold a symbol of Shiite strength

BEIRUT — The sprawling Shiite suburb of south Beirut has made a comeback after the destruction wreaked by Israel during 2006 fighting, a symbol of the community’s resilience at a time when its political patron, Hezbollah, is seeking a greater voice in Lebanon’s government.

Uruguay Court rules amnesty unconstitional in dirty war murder; citizens to vote on law Sunday

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay — Uruguay’s Supreme Court on Monday declared unconstitutional a law that has provided amnesty to military officials accused of murders, disappearances and other human rights violations during the country’s dictatorship.

Pakistan claims it kills more Taliban in South Waziristan as Kerry, Petraeus visit

DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Pakistan — Pakistani soldiers killed at least eight advancing Taliban fighters as they waged a major offensive against militants along the Afghan border Monday, intelligence officials said, while a top U.S. senator and general met with officials in the nuclear-armed nation.

Both sides claim success in Pakistan army offensive; Taliban vow fight to ‘last drop of blood’

DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Pakistan — Pakistani troops and the Taliban fought fierce battles in a militant sanctuary near the Afghan border, with both sides claiming early victories in an army campaign that could shape the future of the country’s battle against extremism.

Answers to some questions raised over Pakistan’s army offensive in South Waziristan

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan on Saturday launched its most important offensive against Islamist militants in the Afghan border area since 2001. With the insurgents putting up stiff resistance in one of al-Qaida’s top sanctuaries, here are some answers to questions about the operation.

Pakistani soldiers launch much-awaited offensive in al-Qaida, Taliban stronghold

DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Pakistan — More than 30,000 Pakistani soldiers launched a ground offensive against al-Qaida and the Taliban’s main stronghold along the Afghan border Saturday, officials said, in the country’s toughest test yet against a strengthening insurgency.

Intelligence officials say ground offensive has begun in Pakistan’s South Waziristan region

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan launched a much-awaited ground offensive in the al-Qaida and Taliban stronghold of South Waziristan early Saturday, officials told The Associated Press, the toughest test yet in the nuclear-armed U.S. ally’s struggle against militants aiming to topple the state.

Pakistan, rocked by bombings, sets its sights on militant sanctuary along Afghan border

ISLAMABAD — The Pakistani military is setting its sights on the Taliban’s remote sanctuary after nearly two weeks of big bombings across the country, as hundreds flee the Afghan border region each day before what promises to be the army’s riskiest offensive yet.

Militants storm 3 law enforcement compounds in Pakistan, showing force ahead of offensive

LAHORE, Pakistan — Islamist militants launched coordinated assaults on three police compounds in Pakistan’s second largest city Thursday, the latest in a wave of attacks by insurgents bringing the war to the country’s heartland ahead of an expected offensive against their Afghan border sanctuary.

Gunmen lay siege to 3 security sites in east Pakistan, while bombs hit NW; 39 dead

LAHORE, Pakistan — Teams of gunmen launched coordinated attacks on three law enforcement facilities in Pakistan’s second-largest city of Lahore, and car bombs exploded in two cities near the Afghan border Thursday, killing 39 people in an escalating wave of anti-government violence.

Police say large explosion heard in northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar

PESHAWAR, Pakistan — Pakistani police say a large explosion has been heard in the northwestern city of Peshawar.

Gunmen lay siege to 3 security sites in east Pakistan, while bomber hits NW; 38 dead

LAHORE, Pakistan — Teams of gunmen attacked three law enforcement facilities across the eastern city of Lahore on Thursday, paralyzing Pakistan’s cultural capital, while a car bomb devastated a northwest police station, killing a total of 38 people in an escalating wave of terror in this nuclear-armed U.S. ally.

Gunmen lay siege to 3 security sites in east Pakistan, while bomber hits NW; 37 dead

LAHORE, Pakistan — Teams of gunmen attacked three security sites Thursday in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore while a suicide bomber hit a northwestern town, killing a total of 37 people. The strikes were part of an escalating wave of terror aimed at scuttling a planned offensive into the militant heartland on the Afghan border.

Pakistan police official says assault on Lahore commando center has ended

LAHORE, Pakistan — A top Pakistani security official says the militant attack on a police commando training facility on the outskirts of the eastern city of Lahore has ended.

Gunmen lay siege to 3 security sites in east Pakistan, while bomber hits NW; 31 dead

LAHORE, Pakistan — Teams of gunmen attacked three security sites Thursday in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore while a suicide bomber hit a northwestern town, killing a total of 31 people. The strikes were part of an escalating a wave of terror aimed at scuttling a planned offensive into the militant heartland on the Afghan border.

Pakistan army official says 5 attackers killed at Lahore commando center, hostages taken

LAHORE, Pakistan — A top Pakistani security official says at least five gunmen were killed in an attack on a police commando training facility outside the eastern city of Lahore.

Gunmen lay siege to 3 security sites in east Pakistan, while bomber hits NW; 26 dead

LAHORE, Pakistan — Teams of gunmen attacked three security sites Thursday in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore while a suicide bomber hit a northwestern town, killing a total of 26 people in an escalating a wave of terror aimed at scuttling a planned offensive into the militants’ heartland on the Afghan border.

Philippine military suspects Irish priest kidnapped for ransom

MANILA, Philippines — An ailing 79-year-old Irish missionary dragged away at gunpoint from his southern Philippine residence was probably in the hands of Muslim militants looking for ransom, officials said Monday.

Police, troops search for Irish missionary kidnapped in southern Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine troops and police searched Monday for a 78-year-old Irish missionary after heavily armed men abducted him from the garden of his residence in the country’s volatile south.

Armed men kidnap Irish priest from convent in southern Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — Heavily armed men barged into a Catholic convent and kidnapped a 78-year old Irish priest late Sunday in the volatile southern Philippines before spiriting him away in a motor boat, an official said.

Pakistan says it will launch risky offensive against militants after 49 killed in market bomb

PESHAWAR, Pakistan — Pakistan vowed to launch a new offensive against militant strongholds along the Afghan border after a suicide bomber blew up a car near a crowded outdoor market on Friday, killing 49 people in the bloodiest attack to hit the country in six months.

Netanyahu warns Lebanon that Israel won’t hold back when attacked

JERUSALEM — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Lebanon on Sunday that Israel “will not hold back” when attacked and holds the Lebanese government responsible for any assault on his country.