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TORONTO | ‘Brave new Canadian:’ Runaway Saudi woman reaches new home

TORONTO  —Jan 12, 2019—Tired but smiling, an 18-year-old Saudi runaway who said she feared death if deported back home arrived Saturday in Canada, which had offered her asylum in a case that attracted global attention after she mounted a social media campaign. “This is Rahaf Alqunun, a very brave new Canadian,” Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland … Continue reading TORONTO | ‘Brave new Canadian:’ Runaway Saudi woman reaches new home →

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KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia | Malaysia’s king abdicates in unexpected and rare move

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia— Jan 06, 2019— Malaysian King Sultan Muhammad V has abdicated after just two years on the throne. The palace said in a statement Sunday that the 49-year-old Sultan Muhammad V had resigned with immediate effect, cutting short his five-year term. No reason was given in the statement. It’s the first abdication in … Continue reading KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia | Malaysia’s king abdicates in unexpected and rare move →

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ISTANBUL | Independent Ukrainian Orthodox Church formalized in Istanbul

ISTANBUL — Jan 05, 2019—The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople has signed a decree of independence for the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. Patriarch Bartholomew I signed the “Tomos” in Istanbul Saturday, formalizing the Ukrainian church’s independence from the Russian Orthodox Church to which it has been tied to since 1686. The move is forcing Ukrainian clerics … Continue reading ISTANBUL | Independent Ukrainian Orthodox Church formalized in Istanbul →

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BEIJING | China’s leader urges action on unification with Taiwan

BEIJING — Jan 02, 2019—Chinese President Xi Jinping, declaring that independence is not an option for Taiwan, urged both sides to reach an early consensus on unification and not leave the issue for future generations. No one or no party can stop the trend toward unification, the Chinese leader said Wednesday in a policy speech … Continue reading BEIJING | China’s leader urges action on unification with Taiwan →

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KINSHASA, Congo | Congo cuts internet after presidential poll beset by delays

KINSHASA, Congo— As votes were counted Monday in Congo’s long-delayed presidential election, the internet was cut across the vast Central African country, apparently an effort by the government to prevent social media speculation about the results after a day of voting marked by numerous delays and problems. The country’s two major observer groups deplored the … Continue reading KINSHASA, Congo | Congo cuts internet after presidential poll beset by delays →

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BRUSSELS | Kosovo betrayed by EU on visa-free travel, premier says

BRUSSELS — Kosovo’s prime minister says the country feels betrayed by the European Union, which it is aspiring to join one day, because of the bloc’s delays on enacting visa-free travel for its citizens. Ramush Haradinaj’s comments came in a speech he made in Brussels on Monday at a meeting with senior EU officials. Kosovo … Continue reading BRUSSELS | Kosovo betrayed by EU on visa-free travel, premier says →

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SANT JOAN DE VILATORRADA, Spain | AP Interview: Catalans on hunger strike speak before trial

SANT JOAN DE VILATORRADA, Spain  — Jailed Catalan separatist politicians on hunger strike for the past two weeks say their upcoming trial will be a platform to foster their cause for independence. In rare interviews in a prison north of Barcelona, Jordi Sanchez and Jordi Turull, who has been in a medical ward since Friday, … Continue reading SANT JOAN DE VILATORRADA, Spain | AP Interview: Catalans on hunger strike speak before trial →