TORONTO – Canadian special forces in northern Iraq have engaged in two more firefights against Islamic State group militants. Earlier this month in what was the first ground firefight between Western troops and the Islamic State group, Canadian soldiers engaged in a gun battle with militants after coming under a …
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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Qatar Airways says it is buying a nearly 10 percent stake in International Consolidated Airlines Group, the parent company of British Airways and Spain’s Iberia. The government-backed Gulf carrier said on Friday that the decision to buy 9.99 percent of the company, known as IAG, …
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DAMASCUS, Syria – A Palestinian official and an activist say local fighters in a Palestinian refugee camp in Damascus have advanced in clashes with Islamic State militants. Damascus-based Palestinian official Khaled Abdul-Majid said Wednesday that Palestinian factions have forced the IS fighters to retreat from some positions in Yarmouk camp. …
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BEIJING – The top anti-graft body of China’s Communist Party says more than 100,000 officials have been reprimanded since late 2012 for violating policies mandating more austere working practices. The party’s Central Commission for Discipline Inspection said in its monthly report Monday that 5,340 officials were reprimanded in December 2014, …
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UNITED NATIONS – The U.N. General Assembly is calling for urgent assistance to help Nepal earthquake survivors and to rebuild the impoverished Himalayan nation so it can better survive future disasters. A resolution approved by the 193-member world body by consensus Friday urges the international community to support the U.N. …
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DERA ISLAMIL KHAN, Pakistan – Pakistani intelligence officials say two missiles fired from a U.S. drone hit a compound in a troubled Pakistani tribal region near the Afghan border, killing three militants. The two officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief reporters, said …
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The European Union said Monday that it has imposed fresh sanctions on Russia over its war against Ukraine, targeting the lucrative diamonds industry, more than 140 officials and organizations, and closing loopholes that Moscow has used to bypass previous punitive measures. It’s the 12th round of sanctions and restrictions that …
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A Russian politician calling for peace in Ukraine on Wednesday lost her appeal against election officials’ refusal to accept her nomination for the country’s presidential race that President Vladimir Putin is all but certain to win. Former regional legislator Yekaterina Duntsova has promoted her vision of a “humane” Russia “that’s …
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Michigan started and ended the regular season without the services of their head coach. On Monday, Jim Harbaugh was on the sidelines as the Wolverines defeated Alabama 27-20 for the right to play for the national title on January 8th. Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates with …
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VIENNA – Austria has stopped processing new asylum requests while continuing to deport refugees. State-run broadcaster ORF cites an Interior Ministry document that it says was issued Friday to civil servants dealing with asylum requests telling them not to accept new cases. ORF says the document instructs relevant departments to …
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