Hezbollah hit by a wave of exploding pagers in Lebanon and Syria

BEIRUT (AP) — Hundreds of handheld pagers exploded near simultaneously in parts of Lebanon and Syria, killing at least nine people — including members of the militant group Hezbollah and a young girl. Officials in Lebanon say more than 2,700 were wounded on Tuesday, 200 critically. Hezbollah officials tell The Associated Press that the explosions affected a new brand of pagers used by the militant group. The explosions occurred in the suburbs of Beirut and in other areas that are Hezbollah strongholds. Hezbollah blamed the explosions on Israel. AP has reached out to the Israeli military, which declined to comment.

French man admits in court to drugging his wife so that he and dozens of men could rape her

AVIGNON, France (AP) — A 71-year-old French man has admitted in court that for nearly a decade, he repeatedly drugged his unwitting wife and invited dozens of men to rape her while she lay unconscious. In a trial that has gripped France and raised new awareness about sexual violence, Dominique Pélicot testified Tuesday that he also raped his wife Gisèle Pélicot, who has since divorced him, and that the 50 men standing trial alongside him understood exactly what they were doing. Gisèle Pélicot also spoke Tuesday, saying she feels completely betrayed. Although Dominique Pélicot previously confessed to investigators, his testimony will be crucial for the judges to decide the fate of his co-defendants, many of whom deny wrongdoing.

Militants launch a deadly attack on a military training camp in Mali’s capital

BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — Islamic militants have attacked a military training camp in Mali’s capital. Officials say that sparked a deadly gunbattle and the temporary closure of a nearby airport before troops were able to subdue the assailants. No details of casualties have been immediately released. The militants tried to infiltrate the Faladie gendarme school in Bamako, prompting a sweep by government troops. Army Chief of Staff Oumar Diarra says troops were able to neutralize the attackers, but gave no details. One security official has told The Associated Press that the attack caused the “loss of life” and material damage, and that at least 15 suspects were arrested.

Sea turtles make big comeback on sandy beaches at 2 military bases in Cyprus

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Officials say protected green and loggerhead turtles are making a big comeback on the beaches of two British military bases in Cyprus, with the number of nests surpassing last year’s record count by nearly 25%. Environmentalists said Tuesday there were 382 sea turtle nests recorded this year on all sandy beaches inside the bases — 100 more than last year’s count. Bases Environmental and Police Officer Alexia Perdiou said a decadeslong commitment by base authorities to safeguard nests is paying off, given that an average of only 30 turtle nests were discovered each year on bases beaches between 1994 and 2011.