JUBA, South Sudan – South Sudan’s warring factions say violent clashes are continuing before a cease-fire is to come into effect on Sunday. Joe Contreras, spokesman for the U.N. mission in South Sudan, confirmed there was an exchange of fire Friday night. The government on Saturday accused rebel forces of …

Good and evil. We all know the difference, don’t we? Aren’t we born with an inherent knowledge of what is right and wrong? Speaking from a spiritual perspective, the terms goodand Godseem synonymous these days. We believe what’s generally accepted as good must be in line with God’s will. Generosity, …

COPENHAGEN, Denmark – In a move to further tighten immigration laws, Denmark’s integration minister said Wednesday she wants to review thousands of applications for naturalization from people who had been exempted from the mandatory Danish language test because of war-related traumas. Integration Minister Inger Stoejberg, an immigration hardliner with the …

ROME – Venice’s gondoliers, famed for their striped, boat-neck shirts and rowing prowess, are getting an updated look. A new logo, featuring Venetian symbols like the Lion of St. Mark, will now adorn the striped shirts thanks to a deal announced Thursday between the gondoliers’ association and Venetian clothier Emilio …

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – A University of Michigan computer science junior has moved into a 170-square-foot home he built himself. Christopher Cerk, 21, loaded the tiny house on a trailer and hauled it with him for the start of fall classes, The Ann Arbor News reported (http://bit.ly/1NUz3s0 ) Saturday. Cerk …

GENEVA – The U.N. human rights office says at least 105 civilians were killed in violence-marred Ukraine between mid-May and mid-August, more than double the number of the previous three months in part because of shelling of residential areas. The office of U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Raad …

LOS ANGELES – Marine rescuers have again lost a blue whale last seen dragging fishing line off Mexico’s Pacific coast — and the buoy they fastened to the line can’t track its movements. Rescuers couldn’t free the 80-foot whale first spotted Friday off Los Angeles. With darkness falling, they attached …

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Authorities say seven people are being treated for burns after some sort of explosion at the Taser International plant in north Scottsdale. Scottsdale Fire Department officials say one man was transported from the scene in critical condition Thursday while six others were hospitalized in stable condition. It …

OKLAHOMA CITY – Russell Westbrook is picking up where Kevin Durant left off. Durant hasn’t shown the same consistent excellence in the postseason that earned the Thunder star the MVP award after the NBA regular season. Westbrook has picked up the slack, making a case for being Oklahoma City’s best …

BARCELONA, Spain – Mercedes may have taken home all the glory from the Spanish Grand Prix, but Sebastian Vettel’s driving display went a long way toward repairing the four-time champion’s reputation after his struggles this season. Problems with his car’s wiring and transmission plagued Vettel through practice and qualifying in …