Brazil leader rapped for stance on Cuba dissidents (AP)
AP - Brazil’s president came under withering criticism Wednesday at home and in Cuba for his deference to the island’s communist government over political prisoners and hunger strikes for human rights.
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US-Israel row highlights quandary over settlements (AP)
AP - An open diplomatic row during the visit of Vice President Joe Biden has shined a spotlight on the U.S. failure to rein in Israeli settlement ambitions and deepened Palestinian suspicions that the United States is too weak to broker a deal.
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German Catholics to investigate abuse charges (AP)
AP - Catholic authorities in Germany announced two major abuse investigations Wednesday — one into the renowned choir once led by Pope Benedict XVI’s brother and another into what everyone, including the pope, knew about the sexual and physical abuse of students.
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Swedish artist: cartoon murder plot ‘low-tech’ (AP)
AP - A Swedish artist who angered Muslims by drawing the Prophet Muhammad with the body of a dog said Wednesday he has no regrets and believes the suspects in an alleged plot to kill him were not professionals.
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Biden: Palestinians deserve ‘viable’ state (AP)
AP - Vice President Joe Biden’s displeasure over an Israeli plan to enlarge an east Jerusalem settlement was on display Wednesday as he warned against actions that “inflame tensions” and reassured his Palestinian hosts that they deserve a sustainable, independent state.
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