VATICAN CITY – A Holocaust-denying Catholic bishop who made headlines in 2009 when Pope Benedict XVI rehabilitated him and members of his breakaway traditionalist society is heading for new trouble with the Vatican. Bishop Richard Williamson is planning to consecrate a new bishop Thursday in Brazil without Pope Francis’ consent …
Read More »
KABUL, Afghanistan – An official says gunmen in eastern Afghanistan have opened fire on highway, killing at least 13 people in passing vehicles. Attahullah Khogyani, a spokesman for the provincial governor of Wardak province, said Tuesday that the gunmen shot at three vehicles, including a bus from Kabul to heading …
Read More »
PRAGUE – The Czech government says two Czech tourists who were abducted by gunmen two years ago as they were traveling on a bus through southwestern Pakistan have been released. Government spokesman Martin Ayer says the two women arrived in the Czech Republic Saturday morning. Ayer says a Turkish humanitarian …
Read More »
ROME – Italy has beefed up security at “sensitive targets” after the attack on the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo, citing the presence of the Vatican and Italy’s participation in anti-terrorism coalitions. Interior Minister Angelino Alfano said Wednesday there were no concrete threats about any possible attacks here, according to …
Read More »
BEIRUT – Lebanese forces transferred detainees Monday from a notorious jail block where militant Islamists were being held after an investigation suggested that a recent suicide bombing was directed from the facility, the interior minister said. The clearing of Block B of the Roumieh prison came after years of warnings …
Read More »
TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras – U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday began a two-day fact-finding mission in Honduras on efforts to reduce violence in the world’s deadliest country. Honduran Communications Minister Hilda Hernandez said Ban will learn details of the Alliance for Prosperity Plan, which was launched in November by Honduras, Guatemala …
Read More »
VIENNA – Austrian police say they have arrested a suspected gang leader who Russian authorities suspect was involved in the killing of at least six people. Police said Monday the 44-year old was arrested in Vienna on the weekend and is awaiting extradition to Russia. Russia’s RIA Novosti news agency …
Read More »
CANBERRA, Australia – Although there have been no signs yet of the Malaysian airliner that remains missing far off the Australian coast, authorities are inviting expressions of interest from salvage operators in case it is found. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau, which is coordinating the 10-month-old search, said Thursday that …
Read More »
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines has urged fellow Southeast Asian nations to jointly demand that China stop its land reclamation in contested South China Sea reefs. Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said the credibility of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations could be undermined if it does not respond to …
Read More »
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Bahrain’s national airline says it plans to resume flights to Baghdad nearly two weeks after it and other carriers suspended operations after a passenger plane came under fire on landing in the Iraqi capital. Gulf Air said on Thursday it would resume flights to Baghdad …
Read More »