Afghans who fled Taliban rule urge Trump to lift refugee program suspension

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Afghans who fled after the Taliban seized power have appealed to President Donald Trump to exempt them from an order suspending the relocation of refugees to the United States, some saying they risked their lives to support U.S. troops. An estimated 15,000 Afghans are waiting in Pakistan to be approved for resettlement in the U.S. via an American government program. It was set up to help Afghans at risk under the Taliban because of their work with the U.S. government, media, aid agencies and rights groups. Trump’s administration announced the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program would be suspended from Jan. 27 for at least three months.

A 2,000-year-old statue is found abandoned in a garbage bag in Greece

THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP) — Police in Greece say a marble statue of a woman believed to be more than 2,000 years old has been found abandoned in a garbage bag and handed to archaeologists. A resident found the headless statue near a trash bin and handed it over to authorities near the northern city of Thessaloniki. Archaeologists confirmed its historical significance, and it was confiscated for preservation. Accidental discoveries of ancient artifacts are relatively common in Greece during construction and public works. Thessaloniki recent showcased a trove of antiquities discovered during construction of a subway system.

Murdoch’s UK tabloids apologize to Prince Harry

LONDON (AP) — Prince Harry claimed a monumental victory Wednesday as Rupert Murdoch’s U.K. tabloids made an unprecedented apology for intruding in his life over decades and agreed to pay substantial damages to settle his privacy invasion lawsuit. Harry’s lawyer David Sherborne read a statement in court Wednesday saying News Group offers a “full and unequivocal apology” for years of unlawful intrusion. It was the first time News Group Newspapers has acknowledged wrongdoing at The Sun, a paper once known for featuring topless women on Page 3. The statement even went beyond the scope of the lawsuit to acknowledge intruding on the life of his mother, the late Princess Diana.

Rio’s thirsty zoo animals get icy treats to cool down in Brazil’s stifling summer heat

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — A Rio de Janeiro zoo is giving ice pops to a bear, a jaguar, wolves and monkeys for some welcome relief from Brazil’s stifling summer heat. The ice pops are part of the animals’ well-being program to provide thermal comfort. Some of the animals also have access to water tanks or air-conditioning to cool down. Temperatures have shot to over 104 degrees Fahrenheit in recent days. Biologist Letícia Feitosa says the favorite flavor of carnivores is blood, while herbivores get fruit or vegetable flavored frozen snacks.