NEW YORK (AP) - The U.S. stock market wobbled to an uneven close as uncertainty continues about how long the war with Iran will last. The S&P yo-yoed throughout much of the day before ending 0.4% lower. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.2%, while the Nasdaq composite fell 0.8%. Smaller stocks bucked the downward trend and rose.

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) – Morocco being awarded the Africa Cup of Nations title after governing body judges overturned Senegal’s victory two months after the chaotic final stunned soccer fans worldwide.

BANGKOK (AP) – Asian countries are turning to coal as the Iran war disrupts oil and gas shipments. The continent is exposed because it relies on imported fuel, much of it passing through the Strait of Hormuz – a chokepoint for about a fifth of global oil and natural gas trade. LNG is a natural gas cooled to liquid form for easy storage and transport.

ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar (AP) – Anyone applying to become a minister in Madagascar’s new government will be subjected to lie detector tests to root out those who are corrupt, the country’s military leader said Thursday.

Pakistan’s prime minister says his country is ready to “facilitate meaningful and conclusive talks” to end the Iran war. Pakistan is one of the countries pushing diplomatically for talks between Iran and the United States after President Donald Trump said Monday there were ongoing negotiations between Washington and Tehran.

GOMA, Congo (AP) – Congolese and Rwandan officials met in the United States and agreed on coordinated steps to de-escalate tensions in eastern Congo, where government troops are fighting rebels backed by neighboring Rwanda, according to a joint statement.

Excerpts from recent editorials in the United States and abroad:

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (AP) – Nigerian soldiers backed by air support repelled an attack Wednesday by suspected Islamic militants on a military base in northeastern Nigeria, killing at least 80 of the assailants, the army said.