Women's rights are back in focus as Iran's national soccer team prepares for the World Cup. They were never that far away.

Anti-government protests have engulfed the Islamic Republic following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who had been detained for allegedly wearing a mandatory headscarf too loosely.

Lebanon was in pole position to reach the Rugby League World Cup quarterfinals again after beating Ireland 32-14 on Sunday.

Lebanon and Ireland have a win and a loss, but the Cedars finish Group C play next weekend as a heavy favorite to beat tournament debutant Jamaica, while Ireland must topple unbeaten New Zealand on Friday to have a chance.

Only one host nation has failed to advance past the group stage of the World Cup, and Qatar will be trying to avoid becoming the second.

Resource-rich Qatar has been criticized for spending its way into football legitimacy — pumping billions into stadium and infrastructure projects despite human rights complaints, and supporting an academy that attracts young players from around the world.

In nearly every corner of the globe, people are spending more on food and fuel, rent and transportation.

But inflation isn't affecting people equally. For migrants with relatives relying on money they send back, higher prices are pinching families twice: at home and abroad.

The head of the World Health Organization's Eastern Mediterranean region told staff in an internal email that he is "very disturbed" by allegations reported by the Associated Press last week that the U.N. health agency's Syria director misspent millions, abused staff and violated the organization's own COVID-19 protocols as the pandemic swept across the war-torn country.

In a message sent to all staff in the Middle East on Friday, Dr. Ahmed Salim Al-Mandhari said "the allegations negatively impact the people of Syria, whom we strive to serve."

This year's United Nations climate summit is brought to you by Coke.

Soft drink giant Coca-Cola Co.'s sponsorship of the flagship U.N. climate conference, known as COP27, sparked an online backlash and highlighted broader concerns about corporate lobbying and influence.

Observers of Britain's governing structure can be forgiven for scratching their heads in recent weeks as they watch the country reel through a succession of prime ministers without holding an election. While the opposition Labour Party is demanding an election, the governing conservatives are pushing on with choosing another prime minister from within their own ranks, which they have the right to do because of the way Britain's parliamentary democracy works.

BRITONS NEVER ACTUALLY VOTE FOR THEIR PRIME MINISTER

Former Treasury chief Rishi Sunak is strong favorite to become Britain's next prime minister within days — or even hours — after former leader Boris Johnson dropped out of the Conservative Party leadership contest.

After the resignation of Liz Truss last week, the governing party is choosing Britain's third prime minister this year at a time of political turmoil and severe economic challenges.

Pope Francis on Monday met at the Vatican with French President Emmanuel Macron, with the war in Ukraine looming large in both leaders' concerns.

The nearly hour-long private audience was Francis' third with Macron since becoming pontiff.

North and South Korea exchanged warning shots Monday along their disputed western sea boundary — a scene of past bloodshed and naval battles — in a development that raises worry of possible clashes after North Korea's recent barrage of weapons tests.

South Korea's navy broadcast warnings and fired warning shots to repel a North Korean merchant ship that violated the sea boundary at 3:42 a.m., the Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.