Leaders of the U.S. Democratic Party are calling on Representative Anthony Weiner to resign as he faces an online sex scandal. The House Democratic leader, Representative Nancy Pelosi of California, said Saturday Weiner “needs help” and he should get some “without the pressures of being a member of Congress.” National party chairman, Representative Debbie Wasserman […]
Raging US Wildfire Spreads into Second State
A raging wildfire in Arizona that has forced nearly 10,000 people from their homes has now spread across the border into New Mexico. Firefighters have made some progress against the blaze, with six percent of it contained, an improvement since early Thursday when the fire was “zero percent” contained. Crews were bracing for strong winds […]
SYRIA 2nd UPD CN RDY MIDEAST
Loud blasts from apparent NATO airstrikes have rocked the Libyan capital, while fierce fighting has erupted between government forces and rebels near a western oil port. Western news reports say several loud explosions shook Tripoli late Saturday after what had been a mostly quiet day in the capital. Meanwhile, witnesses say clashes have erupted between […]
Israeli Defense Minister Heads to China
Israel’s defense minister is headed to China for talks with senior Chinese officials. A statement from Ehud Barak’s office said the minister would leave for China late Saturday. It said Mr. Barak would meet with his Chinese counterpart, Liang Guanglie, as well as with other top officials. Mr. Barak’s office says the trip is the […]
Al-Qaida’s Leader in East Africa Killed in Somalia
Somali authorities say the man believed to be al-Qaida’s leader in East Africa is dead, killed during a confrontation with police. Fazul Abdullah Mohammed was believed to have played a key role in the deadly bombing attacks in 1998 that caused mass casualties and severely damaged U.S. embassies in Nairobi and Dar-es-Salaam. The United States […]
Syrian Forces Close in on City, Residents Flee
Syrian security forces backed by tanks increased their efforts to control a northern city near Turkey’s border, as the number of Syrians who have fled into Turkey swelled to more than 4,300. Turkish officials say they expect the influx of refugees to continue. Most of the Syrians are from Jisr al-Shughour. Witnesses and activists say […]
Bahrainis Call for Political Reforms
Thousands of Bahrainis turned out for a rally for political reforms on Saturday, following the government’s decision to lift state-of-emergency rules barring such gatherings. Witnesses say helicopters passed overhead as the demonstrators rallied in a mostly Shi’ite area near the capital, Manama. However, security forces did not intervene. The government lifted martial law in Bahrain […]
Clinton: No US Military Intervention for Syria
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is weighing in on NATO and the uprisings in Syria and Libya as she tours Africa. Secretary Clinton Saturday said Syria is engaging in “horrific, revolting” attacks against its people to repress the uprising there. But in a television interview, Clinton said the U.S. was not planning to intervene […]
Adrian Downgraded to Tropical Storm
U.S. weather forecasters say the first hurricane of the 2011 season has been downgraded to a tropical storm. The National Weather Service says Adrian, off Mexico’s Pacific coast, is weakening quickly. It said the storm’s winds had dropped Saturday morning to 110 kilometers per hour. The weather service said it anticipated Adrian to weaken below […]
Deportations Underway in Pan-Asian Swindling Ring
Some of the nearly 600 suspected scam artists arrested in the crackdown on a massive Asian Internet swindling ring are headed to their home countries. Officials from nations that participated in the raids said deportations began Saturday. Taiwanese police announced the arrests Friday, saying suspects had been detained in Taiwan as well as in Cambodia, […]