Middle East

Faced with unusual protests about bad public services, Hamas has cracked down with widespread arrests in the Gaza Strip.

"This is not a victory announcement," the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces say, even as they celebrate a breakthrough in a battle in Syria's Euphrates River valley.

Turkey says the two unlikely allies — one a NATO member, the other a target of U.S. sanctions — have joined forces against the Kurdistan Worker's Party, or PKK.

Three weeks before elections, Israel's high court banned a far-right candidate. There was also violence between Israelis and Palestinians and unusual unrest in Gaza.

Three women's rights activists in Saudi Arabia received a prestigious award this week. But they can't receive it because they are on trial for their activism.

As ISIS loses territory and captives are rescued, broken Yazidi families hold out hope that their loved ones could still return.

The kingdom's leading human rights leader said demands to "internationalize" the probe would be "tantamount to the international community doubting the integrity of our judicial apparatus."

The FAA has grounded all Boeing 737 Max aircraft in the U.S. as investigators probe the cause of the crash in Ethiopia. Also, new information suggests the special counsel's investigation is done.

Children who've forgotten their native language and cultural identities and women repeatedly sold into slavery are among the Yazidis kidnapped by ISIS and now finding freedom.

The case of an 18-year-old refugee in Canada will embolden other Saudi women to follow suit, experts say. Saudi officials have launched a campaign to stop that from happening.

Defying international calls for the activists' release, a Saudi Arabian court began legal proceedings on Wednesday for Loujain Alhathloul and several other women.

Kim Anh Vo, 20, was charged Tuesday with conspiring to provide material support for the terrorist organization. Prosecutors say she recruited online members, including a minor.