Japan, wary of outsiders, keeps doors closed to Syrian refugees

TOKYO — For Mohammed, the perils of staying in Damascus crystalized when a sniper’s bullet whizzed past his head while he and his cousins were… Continue reading

  • Dec 29, 2015
  • By ELAINE KURTENBACH and MARI YAMAGUCHI
  • Nation-World
In this Sept. 17 photo, the tallest clock tower in the world with the world's largest clock face atop the Abraj Al-Bait Towers, overshadows mountain slums in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The kingdom has announced on Monday, a projected budget deficit in 2016 of $87 billion, as lower oil prices cut into the government's main source of revenue.

Saudi Arabia posts $98B deficit, raises oil prices

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Saudi Arabia on Monday said this year’s budget deficit amounted to $98 billion as lower oil prices cut into the government’s… Continue reading

  • Dec 29, 2015
  • By ABDULLAH AL-SHIHRI and AYA BATRAWY
  • Nation-World
In this Sept. 17 photo, the tallest clock tower in the world with the world's largest clock face atop the Abraj Al-Bait Towers, overshadows mountain slums in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The kingdom has announced on Monday, a projected budget deficit in 2016 of $87 billion, as lower oil prices cut into the government's main source of revenue.
In this Dec. 3 photo, Cook County Sheriff's Detective Jason Moran poses for a portrait with his case files of unidentified victims of serial killer John Wayne Gacy in Maywood, Illinois. While working to identify these victims, Moran has cleared 11 cold cases across America that had nothing to do with Gacy.

Gacy probe clears 11 unrelated cold cases

CHICAGO — His task was to solve a cruel mystery decades after a serial killer’s death.Sgt. Jason Moran’s work began in a graveyard, his first… Continue reading

In this Dec. 3 photo, Cook County Sheriff's Detective Jason Moran poses for a portrait with his case files of unidentified victims of serial killer John Wayne Gacy in Maywood, Illinois. While working to identify these victims, Moran has cleared 11 cold cases across America that had nothing to do with Gacy.

Police & Fire for Friday, Dec. 25, 2015

This report contains information provided to the Empire from law enforcement agencies. This report includes arrest and citation information, not conviction information. Anyone listed in… Continue reading

Police & Fire for Thursday, Dec. 18, 2015

Conditions violation• At 7:46 p.m. Wednesday, the Juneau Police Department received information about a possible conditions violation in the 4400 block of Kanata Street.• At… Continue reading

Rams win in Seattle for 1st time since ’04

SEATTLE — After making a habit of giving Russell Wilson fits in St. Louis, the Rams ended a decade-long drought in the Pacific Northwest.For the… Continue reading

  • Dec 28, 2015
  • By TIM BOOTH

Panthers are no longer perfect

ATLANTA — Carolina’s bid for an undefeated season ended Sunday when Julio Jones’ dramatic 70-yard touchdown reception powered the Atlanta Falcons to a 20-13 victory… Continue reading

  • Dec 28, 2015

Manning angrily denies report he obtained PEDs

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Peyton Manning said a report by Al Jazeera set to air Sunday that suggests he obtained performance-enhancing drugs was “completely fabricated, complete… Continue reading

  • Dec 28, 2015
  • By ARNIE STAPLETON
In this Dec. 17 photo, a spruce root hat, weaved by Selina Peratrovich and painted by Nathan Jackson, sits in a box in the Tongass Historical Museum storage room in Ketchikan.

Baskets, bottle cover, hat sent to Ketchikan

KETCHIKAN — When Peter Corey, former curator of the Alaska State Museum and the Sheldon Jackson Museum, died Sept. 20 in Sitka, he left behind… Continue reading

In this Dec. 17 photo, a spruce root hat, weaved by Selina Peratrovich and painted by Nathan Jackson, sits in a box in the Tongass Historical Museum storage room in Ketchikan.

An Anchorage classroom

ANCHORAGE — We often hear that Anchorage has some of the most diverse schools in America. In fact, East, Bartlett and West are the three… Continue reading

In this Nov. 8, 2005 photo, Inuit hunter Karlin Itchoak coils the rope of a subsistence net after pulling in a beluga whale as the sun sets at Cape Nome near Nome. The environment is changing and the Inuit, who consider themselves a part of it, want measures taken to protect their culture.

Inuit link food supply to environment health

ANCHORAGE — Alaska Inuit hunter John Goodwin for decades has hunted oogruk, the bearded seal, a marine mammal prized for its meat, oil and hide.The… Continue reading

In this Nov. 8, 2005 photo, Inuit hunter Karlin Itchoak coils the rope of a subsistence net after pulling in a beluga whale as the sun sets at Cape Nome near Nome. The environment is changing and the Inuit, who consider themselves a part of it, want measures taken to protect their culture.

Around town for Monday, Dec. 28

Senior ceramics, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Juneau Senior Center. Details: Diane, 463-6176.Toddlertime, 10 a.m., Downtown Library; 11 a.m., Mendenhall Valley Library. Details: 586-5267.Life Ring meeting, 11… Continue reading

Members of the Army and rescue teams wade through floodwater in York city center after the River Ouse and the River Foss burst their banks on Sunday.

UK military helps combat flooding in cities

LONDON — British Prime Minister David Cameron sent hundreds more troops into northern England on Sunday to help exhausted residents and emergency workers fight back… Continue reading

Members of the Army and rescue teams wade through floodwater in York city center after the River Ouse and the River Foss burst their banks on Sunday.

Hitler’s ‘Mein Kampf’ returns to Germany

BERLIN — For 70 years since the Nazi defeat in World War II, copyright law has been used in Germany to prohibit the publication of… Continue reading

Iraqi security forces enter heavy damaged downtown Ramadi, 70 miles west of Baghdad, Iraq on Sunday.

IS puts up heavy fight to slow Iraqi troop advance on Ramadi

BAGHDAD — Islamic State fighters are putting up a tough fight in the militant-held city of Ramadi, slowing down the advance of Iraqi forces, a… Continue reading

Iraqi security forces enter heavy damaged downtown Ramadi, 70 miles west of Baghdad, Iraq on Sunday.

‘Force Awakens’ becomes fastest movie to $1 billion

LOS ANGELES (AP) — “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” has reached $1 billion at the box office, achieving the milestone with record-setting hyper speed.The Walt… Continue reading

Relatives of 2 killed by Chicago police question shootings

CHICAGO — Grieving relatives and friends of two people shot and killed by Chicago police said Sunday the slayings raised concerns about why officers “shoot… Continue reading

Lawsuits seek to abolish country’s bail bond system

SAN FRANCISCO — Crystal Patterson didn’t have the cash or assets to post $150,000 bail and get out of jail after her arrest for assault… Continue reading

At least 11 die from Texas tornadoes, 12 in Midwest flooding

GARLAND, Texas — At least 11 people died and dozens were injured in strong tornadoes that swept through the Dallas area and caused substantial damage… Continue reading

Washington State beats Miami 20-14 in a snowy Sun Bowl

EL PASO, Texas — Luke Falk threw two touchdown passes to lead Washington State to a 20-14 victory over Miami on Saturday in the snowy… Continue reading

  • Dec 27, 2015
  • By JOHN ERFORT