Amnesty International is urging authorities in India’s Chhattisgarh state to immediately comply with a Supreme Court decision to disband and disarm anti-Maoist militias. The rights group said Thursday the court’s ruling this week banning government-backed civil militias in the eastern state is a landmark step in protecting indigenous and other local communities from ongoing human […]
Amnesty Backs Ban on Anti-Maoist Militias in Indian State
Obama Cites Progress on Debt Talks, But No Deal
U.S. President Barack Obama and key lawmakers have failed to bridge deep divides over how to slash the nation’s debt and avoid a possible default. Mr. Obama told reporters at the White House Thursday a meeting with Congressional leaders was “very constructive” but that the sides had yet to reach an agreement to raise the […]
Former Nepalese King Criticizes Lack of Progress on Constitution
Nepal’s former king has chided the country’s lawmakers for failing to come up with a constitution and stable government in the years since the monarchy was abolished. Gyanendra Shah told reporters Thursday that he does not understand why there has not been more progress since he gave up his crown in a peaceful transition in […]
Tabloid Behind Phone-Hacking Scandal to Shut Down
The News International company says it is shutting down the British tabloid newspaper News of the World, following a widespread phone-hacking scandal in which victims range from celebrities to murder victims. Thursday’s announcement came from James Murdoch, who heads the newspaper’s European operations. He said the 168-year-old newspaper will publish its final edition on Sunday. […]
Ivory Coast Names Former Rebel Chief as Army Leader
The Ivory Coast government has named a former rebel leader as head of the country’s armed forces. The defense ministry named General Soumaila Bakayoko to the post in a statement Thursday. Bakayoko led the rebel forces that helped bring President Alassane Ouattara to power in April. He will replace General Philippe Mangou, who led the […]
At Least 39 Killed in Pakistani City of Karachi
Police say at least 39 people have been killed in political and ethnic violence in Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi in the last three days. Gunmen opened fire on buses Thursday in the latest unrest. Police blame clashes between rival political groups in Sindh province, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the Awami National […]
US Stocks Push Higher at Midday
The major U.S. stock indexes posted gains in midday trading Thursday after reports from the government and a private payroll company indicated improvements in the country’s job market. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up seven-tenths of a percent. The S&P 500 index advanced nine-tenths of a percent. And the NASDAQ gained 1.3 percent. European […]
Groups Call for Tajikistan to Release Jailed Reporter
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe is calling on Tajikistan to release jailed BBC reporter Urunboi Usmonov. The 59-year-old Usmonov was detained June 13 on charges of belonging to a banned extremist organization, the radical Islamic movement Hizb-ut-Tahrir. But an OSCE statement says it believes Usmonov’s arrest is an attempt to quash reporting […]
12 Soldiers Dead in Southern Yemen Violence
Two attacks in southern Yemen have left 12 soldiers dead. Officials say suspected al-Qaida militants fired on a vehicle near the city of Lawdar, late Wednesday, killing 10 soldiers. Elsewhere, Yemeni officials say two soldiers were killed and several civilians wounded in the city of Taiz, where tribesmen have been fighting forces loyal to President […]
Canada Set to End Combat Mission in Afghanistan
Canada is set to end its combat mission in Afghanistan after nine years of fighting as part of the U.S.-led NATO coalition. Hundreds of troops will carry out a training mission in the capital, Kabul, until 2014, but combat operations end Thursday in accordance with a deadline set by Canada’s parliament three years ago. Canada […]