Rains of one-time Hurricane Isaac are drenching the parched central U.S., even as residents of the Gulf Coast region cope with the vast flooding left in the storm’s wake. The National Hurricane Center said Friday that Isaac is now a tropical depression, moving north with diminished winds. But its toll was significant, with five deaths […]
Isaac Weakens, but Flooding Dangers Remain
Posted August 31st, 2012 at 11:05 am (UTC-5)
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Bernanke Argues For Stronger Economic Stimulus
Posted August 31st, 2012 at 10:55 am (UTC-5)
The head of the U.S. central bank argued for more efforts to stimulate the economy on Friday, but did not say when or how such action might be taken. U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said current unemployment rates are too high and economic growth is too slow. Recent comments from Federal Reserve officials show […]
Somali Presidential Vote Set for September 10
Posted August 31st, 2012 at 10:45 am (UTC-5)
The election for Somalia’s next president has been set for September 10. The vote by Somali lawmakers will be the next major step in a U.N.-backed plan to create a strong central government for the war-ravaged country. Some 60 people have indicated they will run for president, including the incumbent, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed. The […]
Strong Earthquake Near Philippines
Posted August 31st, 2012 at 10:35 am (UTC-5)
A strong earthquake has struck under the sea near the Philippines, prompting a tsunami warning for the region. The U.S. Geological Survey says Friday’s 7.6 magnitude quake was centered to the east of the Philippines, about 96 kilometers from the town of Sulangan. It initially said the quake had a magnitude of 7.9. Philippine officials […]
2 Children Beheaded in Afghanistan
Posted August 31st, 2012 at 10:15 am (UTC-5)
Officials say two children have been beheaded in separate incidents in Afghanistan. In the south, authorities say the Taliban beheaded a 12-year-old boy Thursday in Kandahar province because the child’s brother is a police officer. A Taliban spokesman has denied the allegation. A spokesman for Kandahar’s governor, Jawid Faisal, said Friday police found the boy’s […]
UN Aid Chief Urges More Support for Mali
Posted August 31st, 2012 at 10:05 am (UTC-5)
The United Nations’ humanitarian chief is calling for more aid to Mali, where a food crisis and conflict have impacted more than four million people. Valerie Amos spoke to reporters in Mali’s capital, Bamako, late Thursday at the end of a three-day trip to the West African country. She said almost 150,000 children in Mali […]
Strong Earthquake Near Philippines
Posted August 31st, 2012 at 9:55 am (UTC-5)
A magnitude 7.9 earthquake has struck under the sea near the Philippines, prompting a tsunami warning for the region. The U.S. Geological Survey says Friday’s undersea quake was centered to the east of the Philippines, about 140 kilometers from Samar province. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries. Officials issued tsunami warnings for […]
Romney Begins Post-Convention Presidential Campaign
Posted August 31st, 2012 at 8:45 am (UTC-5)
U.S. Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney begins his post-convention campaign Friday with rallies in states that will be key battlegrounds in the November election against President Barack Obama. Mr. Romney, along with his vice-presidential running mate Paul Ryan, will hold rallies in Florida, Virginia and Ohio. The Republican candidate accepted his party’s nomination Thursday night […]
Pakistani Court Extends Detention of Girl Accused of Blasphemy
Posted August 31st, 2012 at 8:20 am (UTC-5)
A Pakistani judge has extended the detention of a Christian girl accused of blasphemy, a charge punishable by death in Pakistan. Rimsha Masih appeared in an Islamabad court Friday, where a judge ordered her to be held for 14 more days. Lawyers say the previously unannounced hearing was standard procedure. Local television showed police escorting […]
Burma Releases Partial List of Names Trimmed from Blacklist
Posted August 31st, 2012 at 8:20 am (UTC-5)
Burma this week said it would remove more than 2,000 people from a controversial government blacklist long used by the country’s former military rulers to keep out critics, activists, and others deemed a threat. On Thursday, the government went a step further, releasing the names of over 1,000 people who had been trimmed from the […]
