BRUSSELS – The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations says peacekeeping missions in conflict areas around the world need contributions from European militaries “more than ever.” Speaking Monday in Brussels, Samantha Power said that European nations, which 20 years ago contributed more than 40 percent of U.N. peacekeepers around the …
Read More »Swedish industrialist Nobel's will establishing prestigious prizes displayed for first time
COPENHAGEN, Denmark – Swedish industrialist Alfred Nobel’s last will, which laid the foundation for the prestigious prizes bearing his name, has been put on public display for the first time. The handwritten document from 1895 is shown at the Nobel Museum in Stockholm as part of the “Legacy” exhibition that …
Read More »Asiana plane returns to Hong Kong after finding wrong passenger on board
SEOUL, South Korea – An Asiana Airlines plane has returned to Hong Kong after finding a wrong passenger was aboard the aircraft. Asiana officials say the plane was bound for Incheon, South Korea when it had left Hong Kong earlier Monday. The officials say the passenger was supposed to take …
Read More »Ukraine rebels warn they could abandon cease-fire amid anger over changes to self-rule law
KIEV, Ukraine – Separatist leaders in eastern Ukraine are threatening to abandon a cease-fire following changes to a law granting their regions self-rule. Alexander Zakharchenko and Igor Plotnitsky said Wednesday in a statement that legislation giving areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions special status has been weakened by the …
Read More »Reports: Dozens killed, wounded after attack on Syrian Kurds celebrating New Year in NE city
BEIRUT – Syria’s state media and an activist group say a twin bombing attack targeting Kurds celebrating their New Year has killed and wounded dozens of people. State TV said the two bombings targeted Kurds in the northeastern city of Hassakeh. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Friday’s …
Read More »AP Investigation: Men forced to work as slaves to catch seafood for global supply
BENJINA, Indonesia – The Burmese slaves sat on the floor and stared through the rusty bars of their locked cage, hidden on a tiny tropical island thousands of miles from home. Just a few yards away, other workers loaded cargo ships with slave-caught seafood that clouds the supply networks of …
Read More »Afghan officials: Roadside bombing kills policeman, wounds 3 in central province
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan – An Afghan official says that one policeman was killed and three were wounded when their vehicle hit a roadside bomb in central Uruzgan province. The province’s deputy police chief, Mohammad Aslam Kochia, says the bomb exploded when the police vehicle drove over it in Tarin Kot, the …
Read More »Qatar's top diplomat says claims it will expel Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal are 'just rumors'
DOHA, Qatar – Qatar’s top diplomat is denying an Israeli claim that the Gulf nation will expel a leader of the Hamas militant group. Qatari Foreign Minister Khalid bin Mohammed al-Attiyah dismissed as “just rumors” suggestions Hamas political bureau head Khaled Mashaal is leaving his country for Turkey. He was …
Read More »Ahead of annual gathering in Davos, World Economic Forum warns over conflicts between states
LONDON – Following a year that’s seen the conflict in Ukraine and the rise of the Islamic State, geopolitical issues are considered to be the biggest threat to global stability over the coming decade, according to experts polled by the World Economic Forum. In its 2015 Global Risks Report, published …
Read More »Widow of man killed in 7/7 terror attack jailed for stealing from her son's compensation fund
LONDON – The widow of a man killed in the 2005 terrorist attacks on the London transportation system has been jailed for stealing money from the compensation fund intended for her son. Louise Gray was sentenced Monday to two years and eight months in prison after stealing 43,000 pounds ($65,000) …
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