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Yearly Archives: 2015

New Year revelers unfazed by attack worries _ in most places

New Year revelers unfazed by attack worries _ in most places

In Bangkok, police-flanked partygoers will ring in the new year at the site of a deadly bombing that took place just months ago. In Paris, residents recovering from their city’s own deadly attacks will enjoy scaled-back celebrations. And in Belgium’s capital, authorities anxious after thwarting what they say was a …

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Syrian family finds new home, new year’s hope in Germany

Syrian family finds new home, new year’s hope in Germany

ZWICKAU, Germany (AP) – After months of flight and fear, the Habashieh family of Syria is starting to build a new home in Europe’s heart and faces 2016 with an unfamiliar feeling enriching their lives. It’s called hope. Like so many who crossed continents this year in search of European …

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Belgium: New searches, detentions in holiday plot probe

Belgium: New searches, detentions in holiday plot probe

BRUSSELS (AP) – Belgians officials say six more people have been brought in for questioning and seven searches carried out in connection with a suspected plot to stage extremist attacks over the holidays. The Federal Prosecutor’s Office said Thursday the police searches were executed in the morning in various Brussels-area …

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Ballots counted after pivotal C. African Republic election

Ballots counted after pivotal C. African Republic election

BANGUI, Central African Republic (AP) – Votes are being counted after Central African Republic’s much-delayed national elections had voters come out en masse in hopes of peace and stability after years of violence. The National Electoral Authority said lines were moving until polling stations closed in Wednesday’s vote. No violence …

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Flooding shuts down major interstate near St. Louis

Flooding shuts down major interstate near St. Louis

ST. LOUIS (AP) – Officials closed a major interstate highway south of St. Louis on Thursday morning amid historic flooding that has already left at least 20 people dead. Interstate 55 near the town of Arnold was entirely closed early Thursday due to floodwaters from the Meramec River. The Missouri …

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Free Internet service for over 3 million Egyptians shut down

Free Internet service for over 3 million Egyptians shut down

BEIRUT (AP) – A program that had been giving free basic Internet services to over three million Egyptians was shut down on Wednesday, social media site Facebook said. In a statement to The Associated Press, Facebook said it hoped to “resolve this situation soon” so the program, which it had …

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Pinochet dictatorship pacts of silence unraveling in Chile

Pinochet dictatorship pacts of silence unraveling in Chile

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) – One former Chilean soldier said he shot 10 people in the head and then blew up their bodies with dynamite. Another said his platoon drenched two teens with gasoline and set them on fire. Both confessions made publicly this year have shocked Chileans with details of …

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Voters in Central African Republic hoping for stability

Voters in Central African Republic hoping for stability

BANGUI, Central African Republic (AP) – Thousands in Central African Republic’s capital voted Wednesday in national elections with hope that a new president will lead to greater stability after years of violence. Voters are choosing a president from a list of 30 candidates to replace transitional leader Catherine Samba-Panza, who …

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Belgium, Netherlands to exchange territory _ without a fight

Belgium, Netherlands to exchange territory _ without a fight

VISE, Belgium (AP) – Throughout history, borders have caused unfathomable bloodshed, ageless feuds and decades-old legal disputes, which makes plans for a friendly exchange of land between the Netherlands and Belgium all the more remarkable. The reason for such magnanimity? “Because it makes sense to do so,” says Marcel Neven, …

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For Ukraine’s rebel east, 2016 promises more tension

For Ukraine’s rebel east, 2016 promises more tension

DONETSK, Ukraine (AP) – The holiday market in the central square of Donetsk, the principal city of rebel-held eastern Ukraine, has all the trappings of a celebratory time – shiny ornaments, colorful toys and a cartoon-faced kiddie train on a meandering track. But the aura is more forced than festive, …

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