World News Roundup: Pope says Africans are 'special case' when it comes to LGBT blessings; France to push for EU law changes as farmers block Paris highways and more

Three U.S. servicemen were killed and at least 34 wounded in a drone attack by Iran-backed militants in northeastern Jordan near the Syrian border, U.S. Central Command said on Sunday, an escalation in the violence that has erupted beyond Gaza. Dissident Russian rock band faces deportation from Thailand Members of a dissident Russian rock band critical of the war in Ukraine are facing possible deportation home from Thailand after they were arrested in the resort island of Phuket for working without a permit, several officials told Reuters on Monday.

Following is a summary of current world news briefs.

Fifty-two killed in fighting in disputed region straddling Sudan and South Sudan

More than 50 people, including women and children, were killed in attacks along South Sudan's border with Sudan, a local official said on Monday, in the deadliest incident in a spate of attacks since 2021 related to a boundary dispute. Armed youth from South Sudan's Warrap State carried out the raids into the neighbouring Abyei region, said Bulis Koch, the information minister for Abyei.

'I think it's the fentanyl': Philippines' Marcos hits back at predecessor Duterte

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. struck back on Monday at his firebrand predecessor Rodrigo Duterte who called him a "drug addict", saying the former leader's fentanyl use could have affected his judgment. "I think it's the fentanyl," Marcos told reporters shortly before leaving for Vietnam in response to claims made by Duterte on Sunday while speaking at a rally in his hometown Davao against moves to amend the country's constitution.

Brazil spy probe reaches closer to ex-president Bolsonaro inner circle - sources

Carlos Bolsonaro, a son of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, was targeted by federal police raids on Monday in an investigation into suspected illegal spying on political foes during his father's term, two sources familiar with the matter said. Federal police, who are investigating accusations of illegal monitoring of citizens by the Brazilian Intelligence Agency (Abin) during Bolsonaro's 2019-22 administration, served search and seizure warrants against Carlos, according to the sources.

Israel charges back into Gaza City as U.S. considers response to killing of its troops

Israel launched an assault overnight on Gaza's main northern city weeks after pulling back from there, residents said, while Washington promised to respond to the first deadly strike on its forces in the Middle East since the Gaza war began. Three U.S. servicemen were killed and at least 34 wounded in a drone attack by Iran-backed militants in northeastern Jordan near the Syrian border, U.S. Central Command said on Sunday, an escalation in the violence that has erupted beyond Gaza.

Dissident Russian rock band faces deportation from Thailand

Members of a dissident Russian rock band critical of the war in Ukraine are facing possible deportation home from Thailand after they were arrested in the resort island of Phuket for working without a permit, several officials told Reuters on Monday. Human rights activists fear the self-exiled rock band Bi-2 would face harsh punishment if it was sent back to Moscow. The group is known for its condemnation of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with its lead singer Igor Bortnick labeled by Russian authorities as a "foreign agent" after he criticised President Vladimir Putin online.

Pope says Africans are 'special case' when it comes to LGBT blessings

Pope Francis said in an interview published on Monday that Africans were a "special case" in the opposition of bishops and many other people in the continent to homosexuality. But he said he was confident that, except for Africans, critics of his decision to allow blessings for same-sex couples would eventually understand it.

Two killed in strikes near Sayyeda Zeinab shrine in Syria - Iranian state media

Two people were killed and several others were injured on Monday in strikes near the Sayyeda Zeinab shrine complex on the outskirts of the Syrian capital Damascus, Iranian state media said. A source in Iran's regional alliance told Reuters the strike had hit a location used by Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Political pressure builds on Biden to strike Iran after US deaths

The killing of three U.S. troops and wounding of dozens more on Sunday by Iran-backed militants is piling political pressure on President Joe Biden to deal a blow directly against Iran, a move he's been reluctant to do out of fear of igniting a broader war. Biden's response options could range anywhere from targeting Iranian forces outside to even inside Iran, or opting for a more cautious retaliatory attack solely against the Iran-backed militants responsible, experts say.

North Korea tests submarine-launched cruise missiles, KCNA says

North Korea tested its new submarine-launched cruise missiles (SLCM) on Sunday, firing an upgraded missile for the second time in a week and accelerating its navy's nuclear armament, state media reported on Monday. Leader Kim Jong Un supervised the test of the missile, called "Pulhwasal-3-31," which is identical to the strategic cruise missiles that the North test-launched last week as part of upgrading its weapons system.

France to push for EU law changes as farmers block Paris highways

France said it would push to ease European Union environmental regulations on fallow farmland this week, as tractors blocked major highways out of Paris on Monday and nationwide farmers' protests intensified. The French government on Friday dropped plans to gradually reduce state subsidies on agricultural diesel and promised an easing of environmental regulations, but farmers' organisations said that was not enough and pledged to step up the pressure.

(With inputs from agencies.)