On 3rd anniversary, Beirut port blast probe blocked by intrigue and even the death toll is disputed | AP News

On 3rd anniversary, Beirut port blast probe blocked by intrigue and even the death toll is disputed | AP News

BEIRUT (AP) — Three years after Beirut’s massive port blast, attempts to prosecute those responsible are mired in political intrigue, the final death toll remains disputed and many Lebanese have less faith than ever in their disintegrating state institutions.As the country marks the anniversary Friday, relatives of some of those killed are still struggling to

Continue reading

A feud between a patriarch and a militia leader adds to the woes of Iraqi Christians | AP News

A feud between a patriarch and a militia leader adds to the woes of Iraqi Christians | AP News

IRBIL, Iraq (AP) — Iraqi Christians have struggled since the Nineveh plains, their historic homeland of rolling hills dotted with wheat and barley fields, were wrested back from Islamic State extremists six years ago.Although the threat from IS has receded, some towns are still mostly rubble. There are few inhabited homes or basic services, including

Continue reading

Okinawa warned of high winds and rain this weekend once Typhoon Khanun starts its U-turn east | AP News

Okinawa warned of high winds and rain this weekend once Typhoon Khanun starts its U-turn east | AP News

TOKYO (AP) — Residents of Japan’s southwestern islands were warned of high winds and rain through the weekend once a nearly stationary Typhoon Khanun starts moving back east later Friday.The forecast U-turn will bring Khanun across Okinawa and nearby islands that were already lashed by its winds and rain earlier this week.Khanun had sustained surface

Continue reading

Selection of Thailand’s new prime minister delayed again, to await court decision on election winner | AP News

Selection of Thailand’s new prime minister delayed again, to await court decision on election winner | AP News

BANGKOK (AP) — A parliamentary vote to select Thailand’s new prime minister expected on Friday was delayed again after a court put off a decision in a case involving the progressive party that won May’s election, adding to growing uncertainty about when a new government can take office.The Constitutional Court on Thursday said it needs

Continue reading

Haitians express skepticism over Kenya’s offer to UN to send police to confront gangs | AP News

Haitians express skepticism over Kenya’s offer to UN to send police to confront gangs | AP News

PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI (AP) — Haitians are expressing skepticism over an offer by Kenya to lead an international police force aimed at combatting the gang violence that has wracked the Caribbean nation.They say the sexual abuse and a devastating cholera outbreak that have accompanied foreign forces in past decades don’t inspire much trust. But Haitians also

Continue reading

Brazilian president’s former lawyer takes seat as Supreme Court justice | AP News

Brazilian president’s former lawyer takes seat as Supreme Court justice | AP News

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — The former personal lawyer of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva took a seat on the country’s Supreme Court on Thursday amid criticism that their relationship poses a conflict of interest.Lula appointed Cristiano Zanin in June, drawing accusations from the opposition that he is jeopardizing the impartiality of Brazil’s

Continue reading