Hundreds of inmates flee after armed gangs storm Haiti’s main prison

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Hundreds of inmates have fled Haiti’s main prison after armed gangs stormed the facility overnight. At least three people were dead Sunday. The jailbreak marked a new low in Haiti’s downward spiral of violence and came as gangs assert greater control in the capital, Port-au-Prince, while embattled Prime Minister Ariel Henry is … Read more

Libya’s coast guard tried to prevent rescue of migrants in the Mediterranean, a German charity says

CAIRO — A German charity has accused the Libyan coast guard of threatening its crew members who were rescuing migrants in the Mediterranean Sea, causing at least one migrant to drown. The German charity SOS Humanity, which operates the rescue ship Humanity 1, said the Libyan coast guard used violence and fired live bullets into … Read more

Police in Haiti struggle against gangs storming prison in latest surge of violence

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Police in Haiti urgently appealed for help Saturday night as they struggled to hold back gangs trying to storm the country’s main prison in a major escalation of violence sweeping the troubled Caribbean nation. “They need help,” a union representing Haitian police said in a message posted on social media bearing an … Read more

Violence and rights abuses threaten South Sudan’s stability, a UN report warns

JUBA, South Sudan — Mass violence and gross human rights violations in South Sudan continue unabated ahead of landmark elections due to take place in December, a report by the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan has warned. Patterns of violence, violations and entrenched impunity continue to blight the lives of an extremely … Read more

Many of those killed or wounded in Gaza stampede for aid were shot by Israel’s army, EU arm says

RAFAH, Gaza Strip — Many of the Palestinians killed or wounded in the chaos as they tried to get bags of flour from an aid convoy were hit by Israeli army fire, the European Union’s diplomatic service said Saturday, urging an international investigation. Outrage is rising over the desperation of hundreds of thousands struggling to … Read more

Mexico is about to have its biggest election ever. Here’s what to know

MEXICO CITY — Campaigning formally starts Friday for Mexico’s biggest election in history. Voters will choose the president, along with the winners of 628 seats in Congress and tens of thousands of local positions. The country of 130 million people has often been marked by its “macho” culture. Now it is almost certain to elect … Read more

Gunfire paralyzes Haiti as powerful gang leader says he will try to detain police chief, ministers

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Heavy gunfire paralyzed Haiti’s capital Thursday, and at least four police officers were slain, as a powerful gang leader announced that he would try to capture the country’s police chief and government ministers. The move came during the absence of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who is in Kenya trying to finalize details … Read more

Family of Americans believed dead after yacht allegedly hijacked in Grenada describe scene of violence

The family of two Americans who may have been killed after prison escapees allegedly hijacked their yacht in Granada are clinging to hope the couple might be found alive. The pair have been identified by their sailing club as Kathy Brandel and Ralph Hendry, a couple from Virginia who were spending the winter cruising the … Read more

At least 15 Catholic worshippers killed in attack during a service in Burkina Faso

ABUJA, Nigeria — At least 15 Catholic worshippers were killed in a Burkina Faso village on Sunday when gunmen attacked a community as they gathered for prayers in the country’s conflict-hit northern region, church officials said. The violence in the village of Essakane was a “terrorist attack” that left 12 of the Catholic faithful dead … Read more

Caribbean leaders meet with Haiti’s prime minister. Foreign force deployment is on the agenda

GEORGETOWN, Guyana — Caribbean leaders met with embattled Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry on Sunday to talk about his country’s unrelenting gang violence, with one top official noting that his continued presence as head of government remains a main stumbling block to progress. Bahamian Foreign Minister Fred Mitchell told The Associated Press that opposition leaders … Read more