PARIS – Three Al-Jazeera journalists have been arrested for illegally flying a drone in Paris Wednesday, after unidentified drones flew over the Eiffel Tower and key Paris landmarks for a second night running. It’s further baffled French authorities who are investigating a spate of unidentified flying objects in the Paris …
Read More »Icelandic volcano eruption officially declared over; threat to aviation reduced
REYKJAVIK, Iceland – Iceland officials say the eruption of the Bardarbunga volcano that began in August has come to an end. Officials said Saturday the area will be closely monitored for any changes that might pose a threat to the population. The announcement came after several weeks in which the …
Read More »Anti-Islam and anti-racism protesters clash in 16 rallies in Australian cities and towns
MELBOURNE, Australia – Thousands of anti-Islam and anti-racism protesters have clashed in rallies around Australia. The most violent was in Melbourne, Australia’s second-largest city, where police struggled on Saturday to separate opposing demonstrators. Ambulance Victoria spokesman Paul Bentley says the Victoria state ambulance service treated four people, three for minor …
Read More »Iran judiciary spokesman: Court to hear detained Washington Post journalist's case 'on turn'
TEHRAN, Iran – A senior official in Iran’s judiciary says a court will hear the case of a detained Washington Post correspondent when it’s his turn. Gholamhossein Esmaeili, the head of Tehran’s justice administration, is quoted by the official IRNA news agency as saying Wednesday: “Jason Rezaian’s case will be …
Read More »French authorities: Attacker with knife injures soldier patrolling Paris airport
PARIS – French authorities say a soldier patrolling Paris’ Orly Airport has been injured by a man wielding a knife. A joint statement by Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said the soldier, a sergeant in France’s anti-terror Vigipirate mission, was slightly injured in the attack …
Read More »UN envoy to start talks in May to try to relaunch negotiations aimed at ending Syrian conflict
UNITED NATIONS – The United Nations says the special envoy to Syria will start in-depth consultations with Syrian, regional and international parties in May to try to relaunch political negotiations aimed at ending the Syrian conflict, which is now in its fifth year. In late March, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon ordered …
Read More »Bahrain criticizes Amnesty International report documenting rights abuses, cites shortcomings
MANAMA, Bahrain – Bahrain is criticizing an Amnesty International report alleging that government reforms have failed to end serious violations of human rights in the Gulf country. The government said in a statement released late Thursday that the report had “significant shortcomings” and did not reflect important clarifications provided by …
Read More »Mayor of Puerto Rico's capital bans use of horse-drawn carriages
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – The mayor of Puerto Rico’s capital is banning horse-drawn carriages in San Juan following allegations of animal abuse. Carmen Yulin says tourists and locals have complained about the horses’ condition and treatment. The executive order signed Sunday comes a few days after people posted pictures …
Read More »Romania: court sentences senior judge to 10 years, 8 months for bribes in exchange for rulings
BUCHAREST, Romania – A Romanian court has sentenced a senior judge to 10 years and eight months in prison for demanding money from defendants in exchange for favorable verdicts. Stan Mustata was convicted on six counts of taking bribes, influence peddling and abusing privileged information between October 2013 and April …
Read More »Bomb damages Londonderry probation office at night; leaders brand IRA die-hards reckless
LONDONDERRY, Northern Ireland – Northern Ireland police say a small bomb has detonated outside a probation office on a residential street in Londonderry, injuring nobody, and the city’s leaders have accused IRA die-hards of recklessly endangering the lives of families living nearby. The blast at Crawford Square damaged the unoccupied …
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