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Mutinous soldiers are claiming that they have seized power in Gabon and have put the president under house arrest, hours after he was declared the winner in an election extending his family’s 55-year rule in the oil-rich Central African nation LIBREVILLE, Gabon -- Mutinous soldiers claimed to have seized power in Gabon on Wednesday and put the president under house arrest, hours after he was declared the winner in an election extending his family’s 55-year rule in the oil-rich Central African nation. In a video apparently from detention in his residence, President Ali Bongo Ondimba called on people to “make noise” to support him. But the crowds who took to the streets of the capital instead celebrated the coup attempt against a dynasty accused of getting rich on the country’s resource wealth while many of its citizens struggle. “Thank you, army. Finally, we’ve been waiting a long time for this moment,” said Yollande Okomo, standing near soldiers from Gabon’s elite republican guard, one...

Authorities say criminal groups in Ecuador used explosives to damage a bridge in Ecuador after prison inmates took dozens of law enforcement officers hostage less than two days earlier QUITO, Ecuador -- Criminal groups in Ecuador used explosives to damage a bridge in Ecuador on Friday, authorities said, demonstrating their grip on a South American country where prison inmates took dozens of law enforcement officers hostage less than two days earlier. Government officials described the violent acts as the response of criminal groups with a significant prison presence to inmate relocations, weapon seizures and other steps authorities took to try to regain control of several large correctional facilities. Four car bombs and three explosive devices went off across the country in less than 48 hours. The latest explosion with dynamite happened early Friday on a bridge linking two cities in the coastal province of El Oro, National Police commander Luis García told The Associated Press. Hours...

The head of the Organization of American States' election observation mission to Guatemala has told the regional body that actions taken by Guatemala’s justice system against the Seed Movement party of President-elect Bernardo Arévalo appear to be aime... GUATEMALA CITY -- The head of the Organization of American States' election observation mission said Friday that the actions taken by Guatemala’s justice system against the Seed Movement party of President-elect Bernardo Arévalo appear to be aimed at preventing him from taking power. Arévalo echoed that concern at his own news conference Friday in which he called on Guatemalans to resist what he characterized as an attempt to overthrow his government before it takes office. The president-elect also received a call from U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris congratulating him on his victory and pledging to work closely with his government, as the Biden administration works to make the transition to Arévalo appear inevitable. Eladi...

North Korea says it has christened a purported nuclear attack submarine it has been developing for years, a step leader Kim Jong Un described as crucial in his efforts to build a nuclear-armed navy to counter the United States and its Asian allies SEOUL, South Korea -- North Korea said Friday it has christened a purported nuclear attack submarine it has been developing for years, a step leader Kim Jong Un described as crucial in his efforts to build a nuclear-armed navy to counter the United States and its Asian allies. The North’s official Korean Central News Agency said the vessel – named “Hero Kim Kun Ok” – is designed to launch tactical nuclear weapons from underwater but did not specify the number of missiles it could carry and fire. South Korean officials were skeptical that the submarine would work as North Korea described and said it likely wasn't ready for operational duty. Still, the vessel’s development underscored how the North continues to potentially extend the range ...

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s parliamentary coalition has given initial approval to a contentious bill to limit the Supreme Court’s oversight powers JERUSALEM -- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's parliament ary coalition gave initial approval early Tuesday to a contentious bill to limit the Supreme Court's oversight power s, pressing forward with a judicial overhaul plan that has polarized Israel. The legislation is one of several bills proposed by Netanyahu's ultranationalist and ultra-Orthodox allies. The plan has provoked months of sustained protests by opponents who say it is pushing the country toward authoritarian rule. Mass protests were expected later Tuesday in response to the vote. Lawmakers held the first of three readings of a bill that would curb the high court's ability to scrutinize the “reasonability” of decisions made by elected officials. That standard was implemented by the Supreme Court earlier this year to strike down the appoi...

Sweden’s SAPO domestic security agency has warned that it expects Russia to increase activities threatening Swedish security in fields including telecoms and the power network STOCKHOLM -- Sweden’s SAPO domestic security agency warned Tuesday that it expects Russia to increase activities threatening Swedish security in fields including telecoms and the power network. SAPO head Charlotte von Essen said Russia’s actions were “unpredictable,” but stressed that “we can expect that Russian security- threat ening activities against Sweden will increase.” The sectors “where there is reason to be particularly vigilant to counter espionage and sabotage” are telecommunications, electricity supply and the transport of “critical material,” von Essen said. She didn’t elaborate on what she meant by the latter. “From the Russian side, there is an interest in disturbing these areas,” von Essen added. “These are sectors where attacks against Sweden could cause damage to the rest of Europe as well.” She...

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has presented unspecified goals to further bolster his military power next year at a meeting of the nation's political officials SEOUL, South Korea -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un presented unspecified goals to further bolster his military power next year at a meeting of top political officials, state media reported Wednesday, in an indication he'll continue his provocative run of weapons displays. Kim’s statement came as animosities with rival South Korea rose sharply this week as the South accused the North of flying drones across the rivals’ border for the first time in five years. This year, North Korea already performed a record number of missile tests in what experts call an attempt to modernize its arsenal and increase its leverage in future dealings with the United States. During the Tuesday session at the ongoing plenary meeting of the ruling Workers’ Party, Kim analyzed new security challenges in international Politics and ...

Britain’s opposition Labour Party says it will replace Parliament’s unelected upper house with an elected chamber if it wins government LONDON -- Britain’s opposition Labour Party on Monday pledged to scrap Parliament’s unelected upper house if it wins government as part of a raft if policies intended to stake out Labour's ground for the next election. The left-of-center party has been out of power since 2010, but has a big lead in opinion polls after months of scandal and economic turmoil for the governing Conservatives. Labour is seeking to cement its place as a government-in-waiting with a raft of policy proposals it says will transfer decision-making power from the central government in London to cities and regions around the U.K. Labour leader Keir Starmer said the current House of Lords is “indefensible” and he would replace it with an elected chamber it as soon as possible after taking office. The next national election must be held by 2024. The House of Lords review...

Russian shelling has cut off power in much of the recently liberated Ukrainian city of Kherson just days after it was restored KHERSON, Ukraine -- Russian shelling cut off power in much of the recently liberated Ukrainian city of Kherson on Thursday, just days after it was restored amid Moscow's ongoing drive to destroy key civilian infrastructure as freezing weather sets in. In Kyiv, Mayor Vitali Klitschko warned the capital's millions of residents that they should stock up on water and preserved food to see them through a winter that could prove miserable if more energy infrastructure is damaged. He also urged people to consider leaving the city to stay with friends or family elsewhere, if possible. “Trying months lie ahead. The enemy still possesses substantial resources,” Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said. He added, however, that "signs are accumulating that (Russia) needs a pause at all costs.” Ukraine has faced a blistering onslaugh...