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Monthly Archives: January 2016

Turkey says 33 migrants drown, toll could rise

Turkey says 33 migrants drown, toll could rise

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) – The Latest on Europe’s migrant crisis (all times local): 11:55 a.m. A Turkish government official says rescue workers are trying to reach a submerged migrant-packed boat that sank Saturday shortly after it departed for Greece – but he expects the death toll of 33 to rise. …

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Israel’s liberal artists decry attempts to limit expression

Israel’s liberal artists decry attempts to limit expression

JERUSALEM (AP) – Israel’s cultural class is increasingly alarmed by what many see as a tightening noose on freedom of expression, as a hard-line government minister seeks to cut off funding for artists who are critical of the state and activists accuse them of outright treason. The clash highlights a …

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Monks delivered via Amazon as role of Japanese temples fade

Monks delivered via Amazon as role of Japanese temples fade

YACHIYO, Japan (AP) – In Japan, where communal ties to local Buddhist temples are fading, families have in recent years been able to go online to find a Buddhist monk to perform funerals and other rituals. But when Amazon Japan allowed a provider to offer “Obo-san bin,” or “Mr. Monk …

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Malaysia prosecutor, fund will help in Swiss graft probe

Malaysia prosecutor, fund will help in Swiss graft probe

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) – Malaysia’s top prosecutor said Saturday he will cooperate with Swiss authorities, whose investigation into an indebted Malaysian state investment fund indicated that $4 billion may have been misappropriated from Malaysian state-owned companies. Switzerland’s top prosecutor said he sought Malaysia’s help after the investigation into 1MDB …

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In latest fad, Thais treat ‘child angel’ dolls like progeny

In latest fad, Thais treat ‘child angel’ dolls like progeny

BANGKOK (AP) – Mix one part superstition, two parts fashion, a dab of celebrity idolatry and a heap of media frenzy, and what do you get? “Child angel” dolls, the latest craze in Thailand. The dolls occupy a niche somewhere between Buddhist amulets, beloved by gamblers, gangsters and policemen for …

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Facebook announces stricter policy on firearms sales

Facebook announces stricter policy on firearms sales

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – Facebook says it’s cracking down on online gun sales, announcing Friday a new policy barring private individuals from advertising or selling firearms on the world’s largest social network. The new policy applies also to Facebook’s photo-sharing service Instagram. It comes after gun control groups have long …

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Life at Zika epicenter a struggle for afflicted family

Life at Zika epicenter a struggle for afflicted family

RECIFE, Brazil (AP) – Around the fifth month of her pregnancy, Daniele Ferreira dos Santos fell ill with a high fever and angry red splotches on her skin. She soon recovered. But weeks later, when she went to the hospital for a prenatal exam, the news was horrific: The baby …

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Analysis: US faces resistance for tough sanctions on NKorea

Analysis: US faces resistance for tough sanctions on NKorea

TOKYO (AP) – As North Korea awaits the United Nations’ response to its purported first H-bomb test, Washington is believed to be floating measures that could cause it some serious problems. They range from a ban on selling the North oil or buying its minerals to excluding banks doing business …

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UN official: Iran, Israel could ratify nuke test ban treaty

UN official: Iran, Israel could ratify nuke test ban treaty

VIENNA (AP) – The head of the U.N. nuclear test ban treaty organization says arch-enemies Iran and Israel are “the closest” of the eight holdout nations to ratifying the treaty and assuring the world they will never conduct a nuclear test explosion. Lassina Zerbo said this week that having Iran …

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In Mideast wars, hunger grips millions across the region

In Mideast wars, hunger grips millions across the region

BEIRUT (AP) – In a Middle East torn apart by war and conflict, fighters are increasingly using food as a weapon of war. Millions of people across countries like Syria, Yemen and Iraq are gripped by hunger, struggling to survive with little help from the outside world. Children suffer from …

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