JERUSALEM – Israeli officials have given permission to 100 Palestinian doctors to drive to jobs at Israeli hospitals — the first time Palestinian motorists have been permitted to enter the country in 15 years. Cogat, the Israeli security branch responsible for Palestinian civilian affairs, says its commander, Maj. Gen. Yoav …
Read More »Nigerian militants Boko Haram attack 2 Cameroon villages, killing 12 people
YAOUNDE, Cameroon – A Cameroon military official says Boko Haram militants have killed at least 12 people in attacks on two Cameroonian villages on the northern border with Nigeria. Col. Jacob Kodji told The Associated Press on Friday that the Islamic extremists entered the villages of Bia and Diana late …
Read More »Germany index of investor sentiment falls on global trade concerns but domestic outlook strong
FRANKFURT, Germany – German investor optimism unexpectedly fell in April after five months of increases due to fears about the global economy. The ZEW research institute’s index eased to 53.3 points from 54.8 points in March. Analysts had expected 55.3 Germany’s economy is heavily dependent on exporting cars and industrial …
Read More »Rumors prompt Chinese official to deny 'exodus' of bureaucrats amid anti-graft drive
BEIJING – A Chinese official has publicly denied rumors of an “exodus” of bureaucrats from civil service following reports of widespread unhappiness over poor working conditions and an anti-corruption drive. Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security spokesman Li Zhong told reporters Friday that some resignations were to be expected. …
Read More »Swedish top court allows Assange to appeal detention order
HELSINKI – Sweden’s highest court decided Tuesday to allow Julian Assange to appeal a detention order against the WikiLeaks founder over allegations of sex crimes. The Swedish Supreme Court said it has “granted leave to appeal the issue of detention.” It gave no reason for the decision. The move follows …
Read More »South Korea plans to allow more journalists to visit North Korea
SEOUL, South Korea – South Korea says it will push to allow more journalists to travel to North Korea to cover civilian exchange programs between the rival countries. Seoul’s Unification Ministry announced Friday it would actively support sports, culture and academic exchange programs with North Korea as a way to …
Read More »Egypt's deposed longtime autocrat Hosni Mubarak turns 87, waves to supporters from hospital
CAIRO – Egypt’s deposed longtime autocrat Hosni Mubarak has celebrated his 87th birthday by waving to some 100 supporters gathered outside of a military hospital where he is being held in Cairo. The crowd gathered Monday held up photos of Mubarak and praised him with slogans of support, days before …
Read More »Canada's Conservatives worried in the wake of conservative drubbing in Alberta election
TORONTO – A meeting of Canada’s federal Conservative party was described as being like a “morgue” a day after Alberta, Canada’s most conservative province, elected a left-of-center provincial government, ending a 44-year-old conservative party dynasty. Voters in the western oil-rich province chose a New Democratic Party government. The stunning result …
Read More »Typhoon closes in on northern Philippines, heavy rains expected
MANILA, Philippines – Forecasters say a strong typhoon is headed to the northern Philippines, forcing the evacuation of hundreds of people living on the slopes of a rumbling volcano. Typhoon Noul is packing sustained winds of 160 kilometers (100 miles) per hour and gusts of up to 195 kph (122 …
Read More »Turkey: 6 migrant children, 1 woman freeze to death during crossing from Iran
ANKARA, Turkey – Turkey’s state-run news agency says six children and a woman have frozen to death while trying to cross illegally into Turkey from Iran. Anadolu Agency says 13 other migrants were hospitalized, five of them in life-threatening condition. Anadolu says they were part of a group of 33 …
Read More »