UNITED NATIONS – Afghanistan’s U.N. ambassador says a new offensive against the government and the Afghan people is compounded by an unprecedented convergence of Taliban insurgents, more than 7,000 foreign fighters and violent groups including the Islamic State. Zahir Tanin told the U.N. Security Council Monday that these groups not …
Read More »Pope says marital separation sometimes 'morally necessary' if violence, humiliation in family
VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis addressed damaging dynamics within families Wednesday, saying sometimes the separation of a husband and wife may be “inevitable” or “even morally necessary” to protect the “weaker spouse or small children.” Francis said some troubled spouses are able to overcome their problems and revive their marriages. …
Read More »Estonia summons Russian ambassador to protest airspace violation
STOCKHOLM – Estonian officials say a Russian military aircraft violated Estonian airspace over the Baltic Sea this week. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mari-Liis Valter says the ministry summoned the Russian ambassador Friday to formally protest the incursion. Valter says a Russian Antonov An-26 aircraft strayed from its reported flight plan Monday …
Read More »Seoul court denies US fund's request to stop Samsung merger, says deal is fair and legal
SEOUL, South Korea – A South Korean court has denied an American hedge fund’s request to stop Samsung from combining its two companies. Seoul Central District Court said Wednesday the proposed takeover of Samsung C&T by Cheil Industries is legal and fair. It says there is no evidence to conclude …
Read More »Analysts see UN sanctions against South Sudan generals not likely to help peace negotiations
JUBA, South Sudan – The U.N. sanctions imposed on South Sudanese generals are not likely to help the peace process, some analysts said Thursday. The Security Council on Wednesday imposed travel bans and asset freezes on six generals from both the government and rebel sides, including the commander of the …
Read More »Woman injured after bomb explodes at Canadian law firm in Winnipeg
WINNIPEG, Manitoba – A woman has been sent to a hospital with serious injuries after a bomb exploded at a law firm in Winnipeg. Police said Friday that they were called to the Petersen King law office mid-morning. Constable Eric Hofley says the woman triggered the explosive device inadvertently and …
Read More »Israeli army says top officer in 'mortal' danger when he killed teen; witness disputes account
RAMALLAH, West Bank – The Israeli military says a senior West Bank commander who killed a Palestinian stone-thrower last week opened fire because he felt “mortal” danger after stones hit his jeep’s windshield. The military said Monday that Col. Israel Shomer exhausted “all measures” before firing at 17-year-old Mohammed al-Kusbah, …
Read More »Police official: Taliban insurgents attack checkpoint in eastern province, wound 3 policemen
KABUL, Afghanistan – An Afghan police official says the Taliban have attacked a police checkpoint in the eastern Paktia province, wounding three policemen. Gen. Zelmai Oryakhail, the provincial police chief, says that a Taliban suicide car bomber first targeted the checkpoint on Wednesday evening, followed by other insurgents who opened …
Read More »Greece eyes tax hikes, spending cuts, pension reforms to clinch 53.5 billion euro bailout
BRUSSELS – Greece has submitted a 13-page set of proposals to its European creditors that is intended to act as a foundation to free up a new three-year, 53.5-billion euro bailout package to save the nation from bankruptcy. Here are the main points of the package that the Greek parliament …
Read More »Activists say at least 28 killed in Syrian army airstrikes on IS-held town in northern Syria
BEIRUT – Syrian activists say at least 28 people were killed in Syrian army airstrikes on a town controlled by the Islamic State group in northern Syria. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 19 civilians were among the dead in Saturday’s attack on the town of al-Bab, including …
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