TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras – Officials said Thursday they are investigating allegations that millions of dollars embezzled from Honduras’ social security institute might have been used to finance the governing National Party. The Public Ministry said in a statement that authorities were studying checks from supplier companies to the agency’s director and …
Read More »Report: At least 2 injured in simultaneous explosions in pro-Kurdish party offices in Turkey
ANKARA, Turkey – A news agency says at least two people have been injured in two simultaneous explosions in buildings housing the local headquarters of a pro-Kurdish political party. The Dogan news agency says the explosions occurred Monday at People’s Democratic Party, or HDP, branches in the southern cities of …
Read More »Ukraine's parliament tears up military cooperation agreement with Russia
KIEV, Ukraine – Ukraine’s parliament has voted to suspend military cooperation with Russia in a long-anticipated move signaling a further break in relations between the once-close partners. The five cooperation agreements scrapped Thursday by the Verkhovna Rada include one giving the Russian military transit rights to reach Moldova, whose territory …
Read More »Vatican bank profits soar as it recovers from trading loss and continues Francis' reform
VATICAN CITY – The Vatican bank said Monday its profit soared by more than 20 times last year as it recovered from a trading loss and continued its reform process away from its scandal-marred past. The bank, officially called the Institute for Religious Works, said it earned 69.3 million euros …
Read More »Dutch police detain motorcycle gang members in coordinated raids in 3 countries
THE HAGUE, Netherlands – Dutch police say they have detained 19 people, most of them members of the Bandidos motorcycle gang, in coordinated raids that spread into neighboring Belgium and Germany. The cross-border operation early Wednesday involved riot police, specialist arrest squads and a police helicopter. They targeted 30 locations …
Read More »Turkish paper probed over images of alleged Syria-bound spy agency convoys carrying ammunition
ANKARA, Turkey – The Istanbul prosecutor’s office has launched an investigation of newspaper editor following the publication of images of truckloads of ammunition, which the paper says proved that a convoy which was stopped on its way to Syria on a Turkish intelligence mission was carrying arms to rebels. The …
Read More »German minister changes restrictions on old-fashioned elevators after new rule draws mockery
BERLIN – Germany’s labor minister is backtracking from a new rule stipulating that old-fashioned jump-on, jump-off elevators can only be used by trained personnel, a restriction that was met with media mockery. The rule came into effect on Monday, effectively barring visitors from riding the so-called paternoster elevators that survive …
Read More »Zambian mine disaster survivor found a week later, rescue efforts continue for dozens still missing
Emergency responders rescued a man from the scene of a mine disaster in Zambia more than a week after being buried. The survivor, a 49-year-old, was saved Tuesday night at the scene of the landslide in Chingola, Zambia, by the country’s Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit. He was transported to …
Read More »Yemen's Houthis vow US-UK joint airstrikes will 'not go unanswered or unpunished'
Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels are warning Friday that a series of joint airstrikes carried out against them by the U.S. and British militaries will “not go unanswered or unpunished.” Houthis’ military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree issued the threat in a recording while the rebel group’s deputy foreign minister Hussein …
Read More »Romanian parliament panel votes not to allow probe of PM, suspected of money laundering
BUCHAREST, Romania – Roman’s prime minister is boasting that he enjoys broad popular support as he faces a vote which could lift his immunity protection from a corruption probe. Victor Ponta on Monday warned his opponents not to stage street protests. He said: “I understand they will bring 1,000 people. …
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