BERLIN – Germany’s top security official has met with Jewish leaders, reassuring them their safety is a top priority. Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said Tuesday that even though the threat level for the Jewish community in Germany remains high, authorities are doing everything to provide the utmost protection. His …
Read More »Poland to help train Ukrainian military instructors within a NATO program
WARSAW, Poland – Poland’s defense minister says Poland will help train Ukrainian military instructors in Ukraine, in a NATO response to Kiev’s request for military assistance. Defense Minister Tomasz Siemoniak said Polish military instructors will train their Ukrainian counterparts in bases near the Ukrainian cities of Lviv and Kiev. The …
Read More »UN rights chief: retreating Boko Haram fighters murdered women and girls they held as 'wives'
BERLIN – The U.N.’s human rights chief says his office has received reports that Boko Haram fighters fleeing advancing military forces murdered women and girls they had taken as “wives,” along with other captives. Zeid Raad al-Hussein told a special session of the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva Wednesday …
Read More »Palestinian President rejects Israeli tax transfer after utility debts deducted
JERUSALEM – Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has rejected an Israeli transfer of millions of dollars in tax revenue. Abbas said he ordered the money returned Sunday because “they deducted one third” to pay for the utility bills it owes Israel. Palestinians are believed to owe millions of dollars for use …
Read More »Swiss man arrested at Zurich airport, suspected of seeking to join Islamic extremist group
BERLIN – Swiss authorities say they have arrested a 24-year-old man who is suspected of seeking to join an Islamic extremist group in Syria or Iraq. Federal prosecutors say the unidentified man was arrested at Zurich airport Tuesday afternoon as he attempted to board a plane to Istanbul, Turkey. Prosecutors …
Read More »As reconstruction stalls, aid groups say world must alter Gaza approach and lift blockade
JERUSALEM – A coalition of international aid groups says the world must change its approach to war-ravaged Gaza, including by demanding a lifting of the blockade of the Hamas-ruled territory. The Association of International Development Agencies (AIDA) said Monday that reconstruction of thousands of homes and businesses destroyed in last …
Read More »Pope offers condolences for Cardinal George's death, grateful for his service to church
VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis has expressed sadness for the death of Cardinal Francis George, the retired Chicago archbishop. In a condolence telegram Saturday sent to current Chicago Archbishop Blase Cupich, the pontiff offered “heartfelt condolences” to the prelate, clergy and other faithful of the third-largest U.S. archdiocese with 2.2 …
Read More »Dutch anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders to migrants: 'You will not make the Netherlands home'
THE HAGUE, Netherlands – Dutch anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders is copying part of Australia’s approach to stopping boat migrants by making a video telling would-be asylum seekers considering making the treacherous boat crossing from North Africa to Europe: “You will not make the Netherlands home.” The video, posted on Wilders’ …
Read More »Turkish Airlines plane makes emergency landing after engine fire; passengers evacuated
ANKARA, Turkey – Turkey’s state-run television says a Turkish Airlines plane bound for Milan made an emergency landing at Istanbul after one its engines caught fire. All passengers were safely evacuated. TRT television on Saturday showed the plane landing at Ataturk Airport, leaving a trail of sparks and smoke behind …
Read More »Death toll from Nepal quake-triggered Everest avalanche rises to 19; most victims identified
KATHMANDU, Nepal – Mountaineering officials say the death toll from an avalanche on Mount Everest triggered by last weekend’s massive earthquake in Nepal has risen to 19, including two climbers from the United States and one each from China, Australia and Japan. The Nepal Mountaineering Association said Wednesday the 14 …
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