SAN ANTONIO SECORTEZ, Guatemala — Jakelin Amei Rosmery Caal Maquin received her first pair of shoes several weeks ago, when her father said they would set out together for the United States, thousands of miles from this small indigenous community in Guatemala where she spent her days plodding through mud and surrounded by coconut trees.

The 7-year-old was excited about the possibility of a new life in another country, relatives said Saturday. Maybe she would get her first toy, or learn to read and write.

Instead she died Dec. 8 in a Texas hospital two days after being taken into custody by U.S. Border Patrol agents in a remote stretch of New Mexico desert.

The death has drawn attention to the perilous routes that Central American migrants traverse to reach the U.S., where some plan to apply for asylum, and to the way migrants are treated once in custody. Jakelin’s family says her father paid a human smuggler to sneak them across the border.

The girl and her father, Nery Gilberto Caal Cuz, 29, were arrested with other migrants at about 9:15 p.m. Dec. 6 near the Antelope Wells border crossing.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection said the girl appeared healthy and showed no signs of distress. Authorities said her father spoke in Spanish to border agents and signed a form indicating she was in good health. Lawyers for the family said she did not suffer from a lack of food or water before being picked up, as U.S. authorities have said.

Jakelin’s death drew questions from members of Congress and others about whether more could have been done.

Russia accuses U.S. of ignoring outreach on nuke disagreement

MOSCOW — Russia wants to sit down with Pentagon officials for “open and specific” talks on alleged violations of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces treaty, the Russian Defense Ministry said Saturday.

The U.S. claims Russia is violating the INF treaty, and on Dec. 4 issued an ultimatum that Moscow come into compliance with the accord in 60 days, or else Washington will withdraw. Russia denies it’s in breach of the treaty.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu sent his counterpart, U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, a proposal for launching talks three days ago, according to a statement.

But Russia says it hasn’t received any official reply from the Pentagon, which spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said proves that the U.S. is unwilling to maintain dialogue with Moscow on security issues.

Thousands brave snow to rally against Serbian leader Vucic

BELGRADE, Serbia — Braving snow and cold weather, thousands rallied Saturday in Serbia’s capital to express discontent with the autocratic rule of President Aleksandar Vucic and his government.

The whistle-blowing crowds marched through central Belgrade, some carrying umbrellas against the falling snow. Some people also wore yellow vests that have become a symbol of resistance for protesters in France. The protesters stopped by the presidency building, urging Vucic to resign.

Thousands also rallied a week ago.

Vucic is a former extreme nationalist who now says he wants Serbia to reform and join the European Union. But critics say Vucic has restricted democratic and media freedoms in the Balkan country, which he has denied.

Ukraine Orthodox leaders

OK break with Russian church

KIEV, Ukraine — Ukrainian Orthodox leaders on Saturday approved the creation of a unified church independent of the Moscow Patriarchate and elected a leader to head the new church — a move that could raise tensions with neighboring Russia.

The vote, held at a synod in Kiev’s St. Sophia Cathedral, is the latest in a series of confrontations between Ukraine and authorities in Russia, including President Vladimir Putin’s government. Ahead of the vote, the Russian Orthodox Church called on the United Nations, the leaders of Germany and France, the pope and other spiritual leaders to protect Orthodox believers in Ukraine.

The leader of the new Ukrainian Orthodox Church will be Metropolitan Epiphanius, 39, a bishop from the Kiev Patriarchate.

Australia recognizes Jerusalem as Israeli capital

SYDNEY — Australia has decided to formally recognize west Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, but won’t move its embassy until there’s a peace settlement between Israel and the Palestinians, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced.

Morrison said in a speech Saturday that Australia would recognize east Jerusalem as the Palestinian capital only after a settlement has been reached on a two-state solution. The Australian Embassy won’t be moved from Tel Aviv until such a time, he said.

While the embassy move is delayed, Morrison said his government would establish a defense and trade office in Jerusalem and would also start looking for an appropriate site for the embassy.

Australia becomes the third country to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, following the U.S. and Guatemala.

Genoa mayor says bridge

to be built by Christmas ’19

ROME — Genoa’s mayor is promising that his city will have a new bridge by Christmas 2019 to replace the one that collapsed in the summer, killing 43 people.

Mayor Marco Bucci on Saturday inaugurated a site that will demolish the pillars and parts of the span that remained standing when much of the Morandi Bridge’s roadbed gave way on Aug. 14, sending dozens of vehicles plunging into a dry riverbed.

Bucci said demolition will begin after a final approval expected in the coming days from Italian prosecutors investigating the collapse. Poor maintenance or engineering flaws have been cited as possible causes.

The mayor said demolition should finish by March 31. He declined to say which construction company will build the major highway bridge.

In Sri Lanka: Disputed prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned Saturday, saying he wanted to end an impasse over his appointment and allow President Maithripala Sirisena to form a new government. Sirisena ousted Ranil Wickremesinghe in October, but Parliament rejected Rajapaksa’s appointment.

In Russia: An off-duty police lieutenant has been hospitalized after a World War II-era land mine exploded on the side of a highway, Moscow police said. The RIA Novosti news agency reported Saturday that the officer was injured after picking up an undetonated explosive device, resulting in injuries to his hands and face.