ISLAMABAD – Officials say Pakistani and Indian border guards have traded gunfire and mortar shells along their disputed border in the Himalayan region of Kashmir, killing two Pakistanis and an Indian villager. Pakistan’s military said six civilians also were wounded due to Tuesday’s “unprovoked” firing by Indian troops in the …
Read More »Money-laundering trial against Bank of China and 297 others in Italy scheduled for March
FLORENCE, Italy – Italy is moving ahead with its money-laundering case against the Bank of China. Florence’s deputy public prosecutor Giulio Monferini, who is in charge of the case, says the trial of the bank’s Milan branch and 297 others, mostly Chinese living in Italy, is scheduled to begin in …
Read More »German federal prosecutor's office drops treason investigation against 2 journalists
BERLIN – German federal prosecutors have dropped a much-criticized treason investigation of two journalists over their reports on secret plans to expand online surveillance in Germany. Website Netzpolitik.org was notified of the investigation of its founder and another journalist in late July. Justice Minister Heiko Maas questioned federal prosecutors’ decision …
Read More »Iran gives UN agency documents linked to probe of alleged work on nuclear weapons
VIENNA – Iran has given the U.N. nuclear agency documents linked to the agency’s probe of allegations that Tehran tried to develop atomic arms. The U.N.’s International Atomic Energy Agency says Iran also provided an explanation of what the documents mean. The agency gave no details. But any Iranian explanation …
Read More »Portugal to have 21 parties in Oct. 4 general election; 3 main parties dominate
LISBON, Portugal – Portugal’s National Election Commission says 21 parties, some in coalitions, will field candidates in a general election on Oct. 4. The commission said late Wednesday that only 14 parties will run in all 22 electoral districts. The Social Democratic Party and the Popular Party — which formed …
Read More »Extremists reportedly attack remote villages in northeastern Nigeria, killing 28
BAUCHI, Nigeria – Members of a civilian defense group say Boko Haram extremists have killed up to 28 people during attacks on remote farming and fishing villages in northeast Nigeria. A total of 24 people were killed in an attack Tuesday night in Marfunudi, according to village resident Abubakar Jojo. …
Read More »UN calls for end to fighting in South Sudan and threatens sanctions if peace deal isn't kept
UNITED NATIONS – Diplomats say the United Nations Security Council is discussing imposing sanctions on two more South Sudanese individuals for continuing to fuel the conflict in the world’s newest nation. The council called for an immediate end to fighting in a statement after a closed-door meeting Friday and again …
Read More »With money at stake, Zimbabwe cools off on extraditing US hunter who killed Cecil the lion
HARARE, Zimbabwe – Amid fears that extraditing an American bow hunter for killing Ceil the lion could hurt Zimbabwe’s hunting business, authorities seem to have cooled off on pursuing the case against Walter Palmer. It has been a month since Environment, Water and Climate Minister Oppah Muchinguri announced that the …
Read More »Strong earthquake jolts Tokyo, but no risk of tsunami, no injuries reported
TOKYO – A strong earthquake has rattled the Tokyo area, knocking pictures and books from shelves, but it was not expected to cause any tsunami or major damage. The Japan Meteorological Agency says the magnitude 5.3 quake, which struck just before 6 a.m. local time Saturday, was centered 70 kilometers …
Read More »Taiwan's energy dependence is 'Achilles heel' amid immense threat by China
Voters in Taiwan are headed to the polls Saturday to decide whether Taipei should reignite its nuclear power capabilities as the island faces immense energy vulnerabilities amid growing concern over threats posed by China. In May, Taiwan shut down the Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant — its last remaining nuclear plant …
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