MOSCOW – A senior Russian intelligence official has warned of the potential influence of the Islamic State group inside Russia. Gen. Sergei Smirnov, deputy chief of the FSB intelligence agency, was quoted by Russian wires on Friday as saying that the group is “beginning to infiltrate” terrorist organizations focused on …
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WELLINGTON, New Zealand – Australia’s government says it has completed preparations to send about 300 additional troops to Iraq and will deploy them over the coming weeks. The troops will work alongside about 100 New Zealand troops at the Taji base north of Baghdad. Australia’s government says the combined force …
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ATHENS, Greece – Seismologists in Greece say a magnitude 6.1 earthquake has struck near the island of Crete, but there were no immediate reports of injuries or serious damage. The Athens Geodynamic Institute said the undersea quake occurred at 9:07 p.m. (1807GMT) on Thursday. The institute’s seismologist Efthymios Lekkas said …
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FRANKFURT, Germany – Swiss bank Credit Suisse Group AG says net profit rose 23 percent to 1.054 billion Swiss francs ($1.13 billion) in the first quarter compared with a year ago. CEO Brady Dougan said Tuesday that earnings were boosted by stronger results at the bank’s wealth management division and …
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LONDON – BP says first-quarter profit fell 26 percent in the wake of the sharp drop in oil prices. The company says Tuesday that net income for the quarter was $2.6 billion, compared with $3.5 billion in the same period last year. BP says the company is “rebalancing” its business …
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VIENNA – The city of Vienna has decided to honor Nelson Mandela by naming a square after him. A city statement issued Thursday says the move recognizes Mandela’s role as an “international example for civil courage and the fight for democracy.” The “Nelson Mandela Square” will be located in a …
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NAIROBI, Kenya – Secretary of State John Kerry will visit Riyadh for discussions with Saudi government leaders on Wednesday and Thursday. The U.S. is pushing for a “humanitarian pause” in the fighting in Yemen that would allow much-needed food, fuel and humanitarian supplies to be delivered to the country and …
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KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan officials say gunmen killed at least two people and kidnapped others in an assault on a cricket match in a rural area near the Pakistan border. Gen. Zelmai Oryakhail, the police chief of Paktia province, said Saturday that gunmen opened fire on the match Thursday, killing …
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UNITED NATIONS – UNITED NATIONS — The U.N. Security Council is calling on Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to convene peace talks on Yemen. A council statement Tuesday night also welcomed the start of a five-day pause in the fighting to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid, but it warned that “all …
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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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