Roadside bombs in Afghanistan have ripped through a van carrying women and children and have blown up farmers and a donkey, part of a new string of attacks on civilians that has outraged the government in Kabul. The deadliest blast took place Saturday in the Shamulzayi district of Zabul province, when a bomb tore through […]
Bombs Blast Women, Children and Farmers in Afghanistan
Greece Arrests Flotilla Boat Captain Bound for Gaza
Greek authorities have arrested the captain of a boat that was part of a flotilla bound for the Gaza Strip to deliver humanitarian aid. The 60-year-old captain – whose name has not been released – was in police custody Saturday for leaving port without permission. The Greek government has forbidden ships docked in its ports […]
Chavez Leading Venezuela from Cuba Following Cancer Surgery
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is meeting with several of his government ministers Saturday in Cuba, where he is recovering from surgery to remove a cancerous tumor. News reports say President Chavez planned to discuss government projects with the leaders. Venezuela’s energy minister was among the cabinet members expected to be present for the talks. The […]
Czech Republic’s Petra Kvitova Wins Wimbledon Women’s Title
The Czech Republic’s Petra Kvitova stunned the tennis world Saturday, defeating favored Russian Maria Sharapova to win the Wimbledon women’s title. Kvitova, a tall lefthander playing in her first Grand Slam singles final, dominated the match Saturday at the All England Club in London, winning in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4. Some tennis analysts had expected […]
Outspoken Former Nigerian Minister Detained
Nigerian police have arrested a former government minister who is accused of corruption and who has been an outspoken critic of the current administration. The State Security Service, or the SSS, detained Malam Nasir El-Rufai Saturday morning at Abuja airport as he returned from a private trip to London. No reason was given for the […]
Vatican Says It Is Profitable Again
The Vatican says it was profitable in 2010, after three years of being financially in the red. The Vatican said Saturday that it made a profit of more than $14 million last year on revenue of about $356 million. That contrasts with a loss of nearly $6 million in 2009 and losses in 2007 and […]
Thai Carbomb Attack on Eve of Elections
A car bomb has exploded in southern Thailand as the country prepares for elections on Sunday. A bomb squad officer was inspecting the car at the time in Narathiwat province. He was thrown to the ground, but was able to get up and move away from the blast scene. Violent incidents are common in much […]
Bahrain Opens Reconciliation Talks With Opposition
Talks between Bahrain’s Sunni rulers and opposition leaders started Saturday following pro-democracy demonstrations by majority Shi’ites and the government’s resulting crackdown against protesters earlier this year. Saturday’s talks were mostly ceremonial, and some members of the opposition voiced skepticism about whether the national dialogue decreed by King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa will accomplish anything. The […]
US Sudan Envoy to Attempt to Broker Peaceful Independence for South Sudan
The U.S. envoy to Sudan is on his way to the country for talks aimed at ending hostilities between forces from northern and southern Sudan as the south prepares to declare independence next week. A State Department statement Saturday says Princeton Lyman will attend South Sudan’s independence ceremony on July 9 in the new capital, […]
Denmark Set to Impose New Border Checkpoints
Denmark is preparing to re-establish permanent customs checkpoints despite complaints from European officials that they would violate the continent’s visa-free travel rules. The Danish parliament approved the tougher border controls on Friday. Officials said an extra 50 customs officers will be posted Tuesday at Denmark’s borders with Sweden and Germany. Danish lawmakers said they are […]