Activists say at least three people were killed by Syrian forces as tens of thousands took to the streets nationwide in protest of a continuing crackdown by the regime of President Bashar al-Assad. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says the three died a military incursion early Friday in the Jabal al-Zawiya region near the […]
Syrians Take to Streets as Clinton Warns Assad Regime
Posted July 1st, 2011 at 8:55 am (UTC-5)
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Crack Cocaine Offenders Eligible for Early Release
Posted July 1st, 2011 at 8:20 am (UTC-5)
As many as 12,000 people jailed in U.S. federal prisons can seek a reduction in their sentences for crimes related to crack cocaine possession. A law passed by Congress last year ended the lengthy prison terms tied to possession of the crystallized form of cocaine, which were much harsher than sentences for powdered cocaine possession. […]
US Justice Department to Investigate Deaths of CIA Detainees
Posted July 1st, 2011 at 7:00 am (UTC-5)
The U.S. Justice Department says it will open a full criminal investigation into the deaths of two suspected terrorists while they were in CIA custody. The investigations were announced Thursday in a statement issued by Attorney General Eric Holder. News outlets have identified the two detainees as Gul Rahman, who died in 2002 at a […]
European Markets Higher at Midday
Posted July 1st, 2011 at 7:00 am (UTC-5)
European stock markets were higher in midday trading Friday. London’s Financial Times 100 index was up four-tenths of a percent , to 5,968. The CAC-40 in Paris was up slightly , to 3,986. And the DAX in Frankfurt was also up slightly , at 7,388. The S&P futures contract was up one point, indicating a […]
Asian Markets Close Mostly Higher
Posted July 1st, 2011 at 6:35 am (UTC-5)
Asian stock markets closed mostly higher Friday. Tokyo’s Nikkei index gained half a percent , to close at 9,868. Hong Kong markets were closed for a holiday . Elsewhere, share prices were higher in Taipei, Seoul, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Wellington and Manila. Markets closed lower in Shanghai, Sydney and Mumbai. Bangkok markets were closed […]
Reports: Sexual Assault Case Against Strauss-Kahn on Shaky Ground
Posted July 1st, 2011 at 6:30 am (UTC-5)
Former International Monetary Fund director Dominique Strauss-Kahn will appear before a New York judge Friday as the sexual assault case against him is reportedly in serious trouble due to credibility issues with his accuser. The veteran French politician was arrested and charged in May for attacking a 32-year-old maid who came to clean his suite […]
UN Urges Lebanon to Cooperate with Hariri Murder Investigation
Posted July 1st, 2011 at 6:05 am (UTC-5)
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says he expects Lebanon to cooperate with a U.N.-backed tribunal investigating the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. The tribunal has issued indictments and arrest warrants for four suspects in the case. Mr. Ban called on all states to support the work of the joint international and Lebanese […]
Australia’s Rudd Arrives in Burma
Posted July 1st, 2011 at 6:05 am (UTC-5)
Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd has arrived in Burma, but it is uncertain whether he will meet pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Burma’s military-backed government told the Nobel peace laureate this week to stop all political activities, which may include meeting foreign diplomats. Rudd’s office said last week that he is scheduled to meet […]
Missionary News Service Says Burma is Ethnic Cleansing
Posted July 1st, 2011 at 5:50 am (UTC-5)
The Catholic missionary news service Fides said Thursday that Burma is carrying out ethnic cleansing against the mainly Christian Kachin ethnic minority near the border with China. Citing a local Catholic priest, Fides said in a news release that fighting had forced 20,000 people so far to leave their homes and the number is increasing […]
NBA Imposes Player Lockout, Putting 2011-12 Season in Jeopardy
Posted July 1st, 2011 at 5:40 am (UTC-5)
The National Basketball League has formally locked out its players after they failed to reach an agreement with the owners on a new collective bargaining agreement. The lockout took effect early Friday morning when the previous labor deal expired. NBA owners announced the lockout hours earlier on Thursday, after a three-hour bargaining session in New […]
