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U.N. Expert Says Saudi Must Make Khashoggi Trials Public

A U.N. human rights expert said Thursday that Saudi Arabia needed to hold public trials for those accused of murdering journalist Jamal Khashoggi in order for the process to be credible.

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40 Children Killed in Year of Gaza Border Protests

Around 40 children have been killed and many injured in one year of demonstrations along the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, the U.N. said Thursday, calling for an "urgent de-escalation."

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Netanyahu Says Prepared for 'Comprehensive' Gaza Operation

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday Israel is prepared for a widespread military campaign in Gaza as tensions simmered following the latest flare-up -- but only after all other options were exhausted.

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Merkel Govt. Split on Saudi Arms Exports as Deadline Looms

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's coalition government was Thursday struggling to overcome divisions on whether to extend or scrap a weapons export embargo against Saudi Arabia.

Berlin last October reacted to the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul by declaring a freeze on weapons sales to Saudi Arabia and other countries involved in the Yemen war.

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General Gaid Salah: Key Figure of Power in Algeria

Army chief Ahmed Gaid Salah, who has called for President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's departure, has until now been a faithful supporter of the leader who made him one of Algeria's most powerful men.

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Saudi Arabia Releases Three Detained Women Activists

Saudi Arabia on Thursday released three out of 11 women detained last year in a sweeping crackdown on activists, a close relative and London-based rights group ALQST said.

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U.S. Wants UN Peacekeeping Force to Stay in the Golan

The United States said Wednesday a UN peacekeeping mission deployed in the Golan Heights should remain in place despite its decision to recognize Israel's annexation of the strategic plateau.

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As Anniversary Looms, Gaza Protests Bring Bloodshed but Scarce Gains

Palestinians in Gaza will on Saturday mark a year since mass protests and deadly clashes began along the Israeli border, with a demonstration expected to draw thousands and bring tensions to boiling point.

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Israel Strike Kills 7 Iranian, Iran-Backed Fighters in Syria

A Syrian war monitoring group says an Israeli airstrike the night before killed seven Iranian and Iranian-backed fighters in northern Syria.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Thursday that the airstrike targeted an Iranian weapons depot and also wounded several other fighters.

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Amnesty Condemns Syria Regime Strikes on Idlib School, Hospitals

Amnesty International accused Syria's government and its Russian allies Thursday of striking medical facilities and a school in rebel-held Idlib province with air and artillery strikes over the past month.

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