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Monthly Archives: December 2015

France hardens stance on dual-national terror convicts

France hardens stance on dual-national terror convicts

PARIS (AP) – France’s government hardened its position toward dual-national terrorism convicts Wednesday, saying they deserved to have their citizenship revoked as part of a series of constitutional changes upholding the state of emergency imposed after the Nov. 13 attacks. In a speech presenting the proposed changes to France’s constitution, …

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Thai junta says 99 percent of people are happy with its rule

Thai junta says 99 percent of people are happy with its rule

BANGKOK (AP) – It’s the kind of poll result you’d see in a North Korean election or Saddam Hussein’s Iraq: Thailand’s military-ruled government says 99 percent of the country’s people are happy with its performance since it took power in a coup last year. The junta has relentlessly pursued critics, …

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Upside-down weather pattern across US linked to El Nino

Upside-down weather pattern across US linked to El Nino

SEATTLE (AP) – Astrid Rau just baked 16 kinds of Christmas cookies, including a batch in the shape of snowflakes. But she’s nevertheless having trouble getting in the holiday spirit, thanks to forecasts that have the temperature in her hometown of Perkasie, Pennsylvania, hitting 72 degrees on Thursday. “I associate …

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Hello Kitty owner Sanrio says fan site security leak fixed

Hello Kitty owner Sanrio says fan site security leak fixed

HONG KONG (AP) – The Japanese company that owns the Hello Kitty brand said it has fixed a security leak in an online fan site for the character that compromised the personal information of 3.3 million users. Sanrio Co.’s digital arm said Tuesday that it “corrected” a security vulnerability on …

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IOM: Migrant arrivals into Europe

IOM: Migrant arrivals into Europe

GENEVA (AP) – More than 1 million migrants and refugees have crossed into Europe this year, the International Organization for Migration said Tuesday, passing a symbolic milestone amid the fallout of war, poverty and persecution in Africa and the Middle East. With just days left in 2015, the Geneva-based intergovernmental …

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British troops deploy to Afghan province amid Taliban battle

British troops deploy to Afghan province amid Taliban battle

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) – Fierce battles were underway Tuesday between Afghan forces and the Taliban in southern Helmand province where the insurgents have almost completely captured a strategic district as Britain deployed military advisers to the restive area. The development came a day after a Taliban suicide bomber killed six …

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Chinese lawyer gets suspended sentence in online speech case

Chinese lawyer gets suspended sentence in online speech case

BEIJING (AP) – After months behind bars, one of China’s most prominent human rights lawyers left a detention center Tuesday after receiving a suspended prison sentence in a case involving online comments critical of the ruling Communist Party. The court convicted Pu Zhiqiang on charges of disturbing public order and …

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In Israel, former ultra-Orthodox Jews demand basic education

In Israel, former ultra-Orthodox Jews demand basic education

BEERSHEBA, Israel (AP) – When Avihay Marciano completed his schooling, he didn’t know how to use a computer or speak English and had only elementary math skills. Now, Marciano and 50 others who left the insular ultra-Orthodox community are suing the state, claiming they were denied a basic education and …

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Toshiba to cut jobs in consumer electronics amid record loss

Toshiba to cut jobs in consumer electronics amid record loss

TOKYO (AP) – Toshiba plans to cut 7,800 jobs, mostly in its consumer-electronics business, as it reorganizes in the face of projected record losses for the current fiscal year. The Japanese conglomerate has been struggling with the aftermath of a major accounting scandal, compounded by troubles in nuclear energy and …

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