JERUSALEM (AP) — With survivors dying in growing numbers and their live testimonies soon to be a thing of the past, Holocaust commemoration efforts are increasingly focused around preserving the belongings that contain their stories. This week Israel’s Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial held a first of its kind workshop devoted to the physical and digital preservation of documents. Over three … Read More
JERUSALEM (AP) — When Israel completes its damage assessment from its latest war with Hamas, it may conclude that one of the biggest casualties was its all-important relationship with the United States. A recent American decision to hold back on the delivery of advanced Hellfire missiles offered dramatic manifestation of a relationship that appears to be deteriorating in large part … Read More
JERUSALEM (AP) — An Israeli military tactic that allows overwhelming fire to stop the capture of soldiers — even at the risk of killing them — is facing criticism after its use in the Gaza war killed some 100 Palestinians. The military used the “Hannibal Procedure” after soldiers feared militants had captured an officer, unleashing heavy shelling on the southern … Read More
NAHAL OZ, Israel (AP) — With a cease-fire taking hold, residents of southern Israel slowly began trickling back Wednesday to hometowns that largely emptied out during a monthlong war against Hamas militants in the neighboring Gaza Strip. But even with the military giving them the go-ahead to resume normal life many say they aren’t ready to come home — and … Read More
TIRA, Israel (AP) — Facing the threat of rocket fire along with the rest of Israel, residents in this central Israeli Arab town have found themselves caught in the middle between Jewish neighbors and their fellow Palestinians who are dying in growing numbers in the Gaza Strip. The people of Tira, a town of some 25,000 people known for their … Read More
NIR AM, Israel (AP) — With deadly fighting raging next door in the Gaza Strip, southern Israeli towns along the border have turned into mini army bases as most residents have fled. Those left behind say they are long inured to near-daily salvos of rocket fire from Gaza but newly discovered tunnels that have been dug by Islamic militants nearby … Read More
HOD HASHARON, Israel (AP) — A morning siren in this middle-class Israeli town sent some fleeing inside for shelter — but others ran outside, curious to catch a glimpse of the incoming rocket being shot down from the sky. Thanks to Israel’s “Iron Dome” defense system, Israelis seem to fear less for their lives than for their lifestyles as they … Read More
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel says its punishing air assault on Hamas militants, their property and their weaponry has delivered a devastating blow to the Islamic militant group. Yet rocket fire at Israel has continued almost unabated. The military says that due to years of generous Iranian shipments, thousands of rockets remain in Gaza, and there is no quick … Read More
HADERA, Israel (AP) — Residents of this city in northern Israel have long known they were within range of rockets from Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon. After being struck by a missile from Gaza, however, there is a new reality: They can be hit from both directions. The landing of rockets in Hadera, more than 100 kilometers (60 miles) north of … Read More
Throughout the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Associated Press reporters filed dispatches about happenings in and around and country. Here is a collection of mine from my three-and-a-half week assignment in the Sao Paulo region: July 4 – UPLIFTING SWISS FANS ABOARD SWISS AIR FLIGHT LX093 (AP) _ Disheartened Swiss fans returning to Zurich after their country’s 1-0 World Cup … Read More
SAO PAULO (AP) — Ottmar Hitzfeld boldly promised his Switzerland squad would slow down Lionel Messi, and he nearly kept his word. For 118 minutes in the second round of the World Cup, the feisty Swiss squad frustrated the Argentine superstar. But with a penalty shootout looming, Messi broke free and set up the winner for Angel Di Maria, giving … Read More
SAO PAULO (AP) — Landon Donovan is still playing a role for the U.S. World Cup team: supporting defender Omar Gonzalez, his Los Angeles Galaxy teammate. After injuring his left knee during a Major League Soccer game May 3, Gonzalez was supplanted in the U.S. starting lineup by center backs Geoff Cameron and Matt Besler. Gonzalez sat out the Americans’ … Read More
SAO PAULO (AP) — With South Korea’s 1-0 loss to Belgium Thursday, the last Asian team bowed out of the World Cup — leaving the continent without any representatives in the knockout stages. The result caps a dismal campaign for South Korea, Japan, Australia and Iran, the continent’s four representatives in Brazil. The stats columns certainly didn’t provide encouraging reading: … Read More
SAO PAULO (AP) — Without star midfielder Arturo Vidal, Chile looked nothing like the powerhouse that knocked defending champion Spain out of the World Cup. One of the most attacking and attractive teams at the tournament thus far, Chile started out with its trademark style but faded quickly as the Dutch established their dominance and earned a 2-0 victory Monday. … Read More
SAO PAULO (AP) — Even after taking a hard blow to the head that left him motionless on the pitch, Uruguay midfielder Alvaro Pereira insisted on staying in the game Thursday for his team’s World Cup game against England. Pereira collided with England’s Raheem Sterling in the 61st minute of Uruguay’s 2-1 victory Thursday. As he slid for a ball … Read More