NEW YORK (AP) - U.S. stocks closed out their worst week since the Iran war began and their fifth losing week in a row. The S&P 500 fell 1.6% and is now 8.7% below the all-time high it reached in January. The Dow Jones dropped 1.7%, and the Nasdaq composite sank 2.1%. Crude oil prices rose again with no clear end in sight for the conflict.

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) – Zimbabwe on Wednesday said that 15 of its citizens have been killed after being recruited into the war between Russia and Ukraine, as authorities warn of fraudulent schemes to lure recruits from several other African countries into the four-year-old conflict.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un observed a test of an upgraded solid-fuel engine for weapons capable of reaching the U.S. mainland, and called it a significant development boosting his country’s strategic military arsenal, state media reported Sunday.

JOHANNESBURG (AP) – South Africa’s top police officer was served with a warrant Wednesday and is facing charges in relation to a widening corruption scandal that saw 12 other senior officers arrested by anti-graft investigators.

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) – Pakistan announced Sunday that it will soon host talks between the U.S. and Iran, though there was no immediate word from the U.S. or Iran, and it was unclear whether the talks would be direct or indirect.

ISINYA, Kenya (AP) – Kenya’s flower industry has reported weekly losses of up to $1.4 million since the Iran war began, with growers attributing the losses to a decline in demand and shipping disruptions. The Kenya Flower Council, said Tuesday the ongoing conflict has resulted in over $4.2 million in losses over the last three weeks.

Excerpts from recent editorials in the United States and abroad:

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) – Armed militants ambushed Nigerian security forces who were responding to a distress call in the northwestern state of Kebbi, fatally shooting nine soldiers, a police officer and one resident, authorities said Wednesday.