WASHINGTON (AP) — Huw Groucutt passes rolling sand dunes as far as his eye can see when traveling to archaeological sites in the northern Arabian Peninsula. But the same desert regions were once intermittently lush and green, attracting early humans and large animals such as hippopotamuses migrating out of Africa to linger at ancient lakes, new evidence suggests.

Until a decade ago, the Arabian Peninsula was a blank spot on the map for scientists trying to reconstruct the story of early human evolution and movements out of Africa. Much more is known about early human settlements in the Levant region — modern-day Israel, Jordan, Lebanon and parts of Syria — where extensive archaeological research has been carried out for more than a century.

This undated photo provided by the Palaeodeserts Project in September 2021 shows the Jubbah Oasis in northern Saudi Arabia, where humans were repeatedly present during periods of increased rainfall over hundreds of thousands of years. Photo: Ceri Shipton/Palaeodeserts Project via AP/TT

“We noticed color patterns made by ancient lakes — sand dunes are kind of orange-colored, while ancient lakes are tinted white or gray,” said Huw Groucutt

Once green, prehistoric Arabia drew early humans from Africa

BEIRUT (AP) — Driving back to base after firing rockets toward Israeli positions from a border area last month, a group of Hezbollah fighters was accosted by angry villagers who smashed their vehicles’ windshields and held them up briefly.

It was a rare incident of defiance that suggested many in Lebanon would not tolerate provocations by the powerful group that risk triggering a new war with Israel.

 In this May 31, 2019 file photo, Hezbollah fighters march at a rally to mark Jerusalem day, in the southern Beirut suburb of Dahiyeh, Lebanon. As Lebanon sinks deeper into poverty and collapse, many Lebanese are more openly criticizing the Iran-backed Hezbollah, blaming it for its role in the devastating, multiple crises plaguing the country. This includes a dramatic currency crash and severe shortages in medicines and fuel that has paralyzed the country. Photo: Hassan Ammar/AP/TT

As Lebanon sinks deeper into poverty, many Lebanese are more openly criticizing Hezbollah.

Hezbollah hammered with criticism amid Lebanon’s crises

BEIJING (AP) — Hugely popular online games and celebrity culture in China are the latest targets in the ruling Communist Party’s campaign to encourage the public to fall in line with its vision for a powerful, more wholesome country.

The message? Play less, study and work more.

Fans watch the match of the 2020 League of Legends World Championship televised on a screen at a Tencent V-station in Shanghai, China, Oct. 31, 2020. Hugely popular online games and celebrity culture are the latest targets in the ruling Communist Party’s campaign to encourage China’s public to align their lives with its political and economic goals. Photo: Chinatopix via AP/TT

An official newspaper lambasted online games in early August as “spiritual opium.”

Analysis: China extends control with online gaming crackdown

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Several hundred migrants, including many children, headed north from near Mexico’s border with Guatemala on Saturday hoping to reach the U.S., but Mexican security forces dispersed the group several hours later.

About 300 Haitians, Cubans and Central Americans set out on foot from the town of Tapachula, and a few hundred more migrants joined in as the walk progressed.

Mexico’s President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, center, Defense Minister Luis Cresencio Sandoval, left, and Naval Commander, Jose Rafael Ojeda, ride in a military vehicle during a parade introducing the new army commander, in Mexico City, Friday, Aug. 13, 2021. On Friday Sandoval said  that the main goal of the deployment of the army, navy and National Guard is to “stop all migration.” Photo: Fernando Llano/AP/TT

Defense Secretary Luis Cresencio Sandoval said Friday that the main goal of the deployment is to “stop all migration.”