RIO DE JANEIRO – Brazil’s Supreme Court has unanimously struck down a sweeping 2003 law that empowered the subjects of unauthorized biographies to quash works they disapproved of. Under the wide-ranging and controversial law, Brazilians were able to block publication of or have removed from store shelves any book about …
Read More »Boko Haram extremists burn 6 Nigerian villages, kill 37
BAUCHI, Nigeria – Boko Haram extremists have burned down six northeast Nigerian villages and killed 37 people near the insurgents’ Sambisa Forest stronghold, a survivor said Friday. Ahmed Ajimi, a fighter in the anti-Boko Haram Nigerian Vigilante Group, said many victims of Wednesday night’s attacks were farmers who had recently …
Read More »Romanian magistrates' body rejects proposals that would make it harder to probe corruption
BUCHAREST, Moldova – Romania’s top magistrates’ body has rejected proposals to change the law to make it harder to arrest lawmakers and decriminalize conflict of interest. The Superior Magistrates’ Council ruled Monday against the 22 proposals. The ruling is not binding, but Justice Minister Robert Cazanciuc said he would recommend …
Read More »Toyota's PR chief arrested on suspicion of importing illegal pain medicine into Japan
TOKYO – Police say they have arrested Julie Hamp, Toyota Motor Corp.’s new head of public relations, on suspicion of importing an illegal pain medicine into Japan. Hamp, an American, was appointed in April as Toyota’s first female senior executive. Police said the painkiller oxycodone, which is illegal in Japan, …
Read More »Afghanistan: New offensive compounded by Taliban, foreign fighters and Islamic State group
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 …
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