Germany bans group accused of Iran links and Hezbollah support, carries out raids

Germany bans group accused of Iran links and Hezbollah support, carries out raids

BERLIN (AP) — The German government on Wednesday banned a Hamburg-based organization accused of promoting the Iranian leadership’s ideology and supporting Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group, as police raided 53 properties around the country. The ban on the Islamic Center Hamburg, or IZH, and its various suborganizations elsewhere in Germany followed searches in November. Interior Minister

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Japan protests against Russia’s entry ban on 13 mostly business leaders over sanctions

Japan protests against Russia’s entry ban on 13 mostly business leaders over sanctions

TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s government said Wednesday it has protested against Russia’s announcement that it is permanently banning 13 Japanese citizens, mostly business leaders of prominent companies including Toyota Motor Corp., in retaliation for Tokyo’s sanctions over the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said the ban “limits Japanese companies’ legitimate activities

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Under President Milei, the worst economic crisis in decades puts Argentine ingenuity to the test

Under President Milei, the worst economic crisis in decades puts Argentine ingenuity to the test

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — In the crush of anti-government protests paralyzing downtown Buenos Aires in the last months, some Argentines saw a traffic-induced headache. Others saw a reaction to President Javier Milei’s brutal austerity measures. Alejandra, a street vendor, saw people with nowhere to urinate. Plazas provided no privacy and cafes insisted on pricey

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Netanyahu looks to boost US support in speech to Congress, but faces protests and lawmaker boycotts

Netanyahu looks to boost US support in speech to Congress, but faces protests and lawmaker boycotts

WASHINGTON (AP) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks before Congress Wednesday in hopes of bolstering U.S. support for continuing Israel’s fight against Hamas and other adversaries, even as the Biden administration is urging him to focus on closing a deal ending the devastating nine-month war in Gaza . Netanyahu is assured a warm welcome from

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New Zealand finds that state and religious institutions failed to prevent or stop decades of abuse

New Zealand finds that state and religious institutions failed to prevent or stop decades of abuse

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand’s wide-ranging independent inquiry into the abuse of children and vulnerable adults in care over the span of five decades released a blistering final report Wednesday that the country’s state agencies and churches failed to prevent, stop or admit the abuse of those they were supposed to look after

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