The U.S. defense secretary says there could be peace talks with the Taliban within a year. Robert Gates said Saturday at a security conference in Singapore that the talks would be a result of NATO’s ground advances in Afghanistan that have put pressure on the insurgents. The defense secretary said if the international coalition can […]
Rights Groups: 63 Dead in Syrian Protests
Posted June 4th, 2011 at 3:05 am (UTC-5)
Syrian rights groups say security forces killed at least 63 people Friday as thousands of protesters took to the streets to demand the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad. In one of the bloodiest days in 11 weeks of protests, Reuters news agency reports human rights organization Sawasiah said Syrian forces killed 53 demonstrators in Hama. […]
Death Toll Rises in Europe’s E. Coli Outbreak
Posted June 4th, 2011 at 1:40 am (UTC-5)
The death toll in Europe from the outbreak of a virulent strain of E. coli bacteria rose to 19 Friday when another person in Germany succumbed to the infection. All of the deaths from the outbreak have been in Germany, except for one woman who died in Sweden after a visit to Germany. Health authorities […]
Amnesty International Challenge Rwandan Free Speech and Genocide Laws
Posted June 4th, 2011 at 1:10 am (UTC-5)
Amnesty International is calling on Rwanda to ease restrictions on free speech. The rights group says the months leading up to last year’s presidential election were marked by a clampdown on freedom of expression. Amnesty is calling on Rwanda to allow opposition politicians, journalists and human rights activists to express their views without fear for […]
NATO Sends Helicopters on Libyan Attacks for First Time
Posted June 4th, 2011 at 12:25 am (UTC-5)
NATO boosted its bombardment of Libya Saturday, for the first time sending attack helicopters on low-altitude missions against military installations loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi. NATO said British Apache helicopters destroyed a radar site and an armed checkpoint in their first deployment since British Prime Minister David Cameron approved their use a week ago. […]
Indian Yoga Guru Launches Anti-Corruption Fast
Posted June 4th, 2011 at 12:20 am (UTC-5)
India’s most famous yoga guru has begun a hunger strike in an effort to force the government to take action on the country’s deep corruption problems. Baba Ramdev, who hosts a daily yoga television show, began his fast Saturday in the capital, New Delhi, where hundreds of his devotees have gathered to support him. Senior […]
