Belgian King Albert says the country’s lengthy political stalemate could permanently damage its residents and hurt the cause of European integration. The monarch said Wednesday he had hoped that a new government could be sworn in Thursday, Belgium’s National Day. But King Albert said that “unfortunately” that would not happen as lawmakers from the Dutch-speaking […]
Belgian King Says Extended Political Stalemate Hurts Country’s Well-being
Posted July 20th, 2011 at 3:20 pm (UTC-5)
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Hurricane Dora Strengthens Off Mexico’s Pacific Coast
Posted July 20th, 2011 at 3:05 pm (UTC-5)
U.S. weather forecasters say Hurricane Dora has strengthened off Mexico’s Pacific coast and could become a major hurricane within hours. The National Hurricane Center in Miami Wednesday classified Dora as a Category 2 storm on the five-point Saffir-Simpson scale of hurricane intensity. Forecasters say Dora currently has winds of 165 kilometers per hour and is […]
Bangladesh Factory Closed Over Protest
Posted July 20th, 2011 at 2:25 pm (UTC-5)
A knitwear factory in Bangladesh that is connected to the Nobel Prize-winning founder of Grameen Bank has been shut down indefinitely because of violent worker protests. Local police chief Sirajul Islam told reporters Wednesday that the doors of Grameen Knitwear were shut after workers vandalized the building on Tuesday, demanding better wages. The factory, located […]
Deadly Clashes in Libya’s Brega; Talks in France, Russia
Posted July 20th, 2011 at 2:20 pm (UTC-5)
The death toll mounted Wednesday from clashes in Libya’s strategic oil port of Brega, while Libya’s government and opposition leaders held separate talks overseas. Libyan medical officials say at least 18 rebel fighters have been killed and 80 wounded since Tuesday in fighting with government forces. Opposition fighters have gained control of much of eastern […]
Afghan Forces Take Security Control Despite Deadly Attacks
Posted July 20th, 2011 at 2:20 pm (UTC-5)
Afghan insurgents launched deadly attacks in key cities Wednesday, even as the coalition continued to transfer security control to Afghan forces. Afghan officials said a gunbattle between local forces and insurgents killed three police officers, including the district chief, and two militants in Kandahar city Wednesday. Separately, a bomb planted on a bicycle killed at […]
Obama Optimistic ‘Grand Bargain’ on Debt Can Be Done
Posted July 20th, 2011 at 2:10 pm (UTC-5)
U.S. President Barack Obama is not giving up hope for a “grand bargain” to raise the country’s borrowing limit while also slashing the nation’s debt. White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters Tuesday there was still time for Republican and Democrats to reach an agreement, saying it “just requires a willingness to be reasonable.” The […]
Somalis Plead Not Guilty to Killing Americans in Pirate Attack
Posted July 20th, 2011 at 2:05 pm (UTC-5)
Three accused Somali pirates have pleaded not guilty to charges they killed four Americans in February after hijacking their yacht off the coast of Africa. The men entered their pleas Wednesday in a U.S. federal court in Virginia. They denied all 26 counts related to the murder and kidnapping of the Americans. Most of the […]
Cuban Supreme Court to Hear Appeal of Jailed American
Posted July 20th, 2011 at 2:05 pm (UTC-5)
Cuba’s Supreme Court is set to hear an appeal Friday of a U.S. contractor sentenced to 15 years in prison for crimes against the communist state. Alan Gross was arrested in December 2009 for bringing communications equipment into Cuba. A lawyer for Gross, Peter Kahn, says the hearing will afford the convicted contractor another opportunity […]
Former British Lawmaker Loses Appeal of Expense Account Fraud Conviction
Posted July 20th, 2011 at 1:45 pm (UTC-5)
A jailed former member of Britain’s House of Lords has lost an appeal of his conviction for expense account fraud. The Court of Appeal Wednesday rejected the bid by Lord Hanningfield, a former Tory peer and leader of the Essex County Council, to overturn his conviction. The court ruled his trial had been conducted properly. […]
UN Declares Famine in Parts of Somalia
Posted July 20th, 2011 at 1:25 pm (UTC-5)
The United Nations has declared a famine in two parts of southern Somalia, as the Horn of Africa suffers its worst drought in decades. The world body on Wednesday said a famine exists in the Bakool and Lower Shabelle regions, and U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon warned it could spread if immediate action is not taken […]
