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. …
Read More »Daily Archives: January 30, 2016
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 …
Read More »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 …
Read More »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 …
Read More »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 …
Read More »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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