A bomb blast near Shi’ite pilgrims traveling to Iraq’s holy city of Karbala killed at least two people on Saturday, while two others were killed in a Baghdad bombing. Iraqi officials say at least 15 people were wounded in the blast near Karbala, where thousands of Shi’ite pilgrims are gathering for a religious festival. Two […]
Vatican Excommunicates Bishop Ordained by China
The Vatican says it has excommunicated a bishop ordained this week in China without papal approval, heightening tensions between the Roman Catholic church and Beijing. The Holy See on Saturday condemned China’s state-sanctioned Catholic church for ordaining Joseph Huang Bingzhang despite its warnings that he would not be recognized because the Vatican already has a […]
Syrian Activists Explore Ways to Topple Government
Syrian opposition figures meeting in Turkey say they are exploring ways to topple President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Hundreds of dissidents gathered in Istanbul on Saturday, a day after Syrian security forces opened fire on anti-government protesters, killing at least 32 people. Conference leader Haitham al-Maleh told participants that Syria’s current “regime” could not rob them […]
France’s Fillon on Africa Tour, Boosting Ties
The French Prime Minister is in Ghana, the second stop in a West African tour designed to boost ties with the region. Francois Fillon traveled to Ghana late Friday from Ivory Coast, where he met with President Alassane Ouattara and Prime Minister Guillaume Soro. Speaking alongside Mr. Ouattara in Abidjan, Friday, Mr. Fillon pledged France […]
ISAF: Man in Afghan Army Uniform Kills Coalition Soldier
The international coalition fighting in Afghanistan says a man dressed in an Afghan army uniform has killed a NATO service member in the southern part of the country. The International Security Assistance Force said in a statement that it is investigating Saturday’s incident. It did not release the nationality of the victim. It is unclear […]
Clinton Concerned About Media Freedom in Turkey
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says she is concerned about media freedom in Turkey, after Turkish media groups reported that about 60 journalists have been jailed there. Clinton said Saturday in Istanbul a crackdown on journalists is not necessary and not in Turkey’s interest. She said the European Union candidate’s move seems “inconsistent” with […]
Rupert Murdoch Apologizes to Phone Hacking Victims
Media tycoon Rupert Murdoch has published an apology in the British press to the victims of the News of the World phone-hacking and police bribery scandal. A letter signed by Murdoch and published Saturday says he and his international media conglomerate News Corporation are sorry “for the serious wrongdoing that occurred” and the “hurt suffered” […]
Hundreds of Syrian Opposition Leaders Meet in Turkey
Hundreds of Syrian opposition figures are holding talks in Turkey Saturday to discuss plans to oust Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. About 350 Syrian dissidents gathered in Istanbul for the “National Salvation Conference.” Opposition members say a similar meeting planned in Damascus was canceled due to a bloody government crackdown on demonstrators the day before. Syrian […]
10 Mexican Police Killed in Ambush
Mexican officials say gunmen have killed at least 10 police officers and a civilian in an ambush in the the western state of Sinaloa. Authorities say Friday’s attack happened near the town of Guasave when the officers were returning from a political event . The French news agency says the officers belonged to a security […]
Syrian Opposition Leaders Meet in Turkey
Syrian opposition figures are holding talks in Turkey Saturday to discuss plans to oust Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Opposition members say a similar meeting planned in Damascus was canceled due to a bloody government crackdown on demonstrators the day before. Syrian security forces opened fire on protesters during some of the largest anti-government protests to […]