The U.S. Senate has confirmed the nation’s first openly gay male federal judge. By a vote of 80-13, lawmakers confirmed Paul Oetken to fill a judiciary vacancy in the state of New York. Oetken was first nominated to the post in January by President Barack Obama. New York Senator Charles Schumer, who recommended Oetken to […]
First Openly Homosexual Man Confirmed as US Federal Judge
Posted July 19th, 2011 at 12:35 am (UTC-5)
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Norway Calls Palestinian Statehood Bid ‘Legitimate’
Posted July 19th, 2011 at 12:35 am (UTC-5)
Norway has called Palestinian plans to seek statehood at the United Nations “legitimate,” but said negotiations with Israel must continue. Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said Monday his government will “carefully consider” the Palestinian proposal, and would decide how to vote after seeing the full text. He spoke after meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud […]
Libyan Rebels Battle for Eastern Oil Port
Posted July 18th, 2011 at 10:05 pm (UTC-5)
Libyan opposition forces say they have broken through government lines in the eastern oil port of Brega after days of fighting with troops loyal to leader Moammar Gadhafi. Rebel commanders Monday said they have routed most of Mr. Gadhafi’s troops, but that the city’s streets are strewn with landmines, making it hard to secure full […]
Murdochs to Face British Parliament
Posted July 18th, 2011 at 10:05 pm (UTC-5)
Media mogul Rupert Murdoch, his son James, and former News of the World editor Rebekah Brooks face questions from British Parliament Tuesday in a growing phone hacking scandal. British Prime Minister David Cameron cut short a trip to Africa to attend the emergency session of Parliament and contain the crisis. News of the World reporters […]
Atlantis Crew Wrapping Up Final Shuttle Mission
Posted July 18th, 2011 at 9:25 pm (UTC-5)
A chapter in U.S. history closes Tuesday when the Space Shuttle Atlantis departs from the space station and heads home, winding up the space shuttle program. Atlantis’ astronauts bid an emotional farewell to the space station crew, exchanging tears and hugs before closing the hatch between the two orbiters for the last time. As going […]
Egypt Postpones New Cabinet Swearing-In
Posted July 18th, 2011 at 9:05 pm (UTC-5)
Egypt’s interim military government has postponed the swearing-in of a newly reshuffled Cabinet, as protesters vow to continue their 10-day protest in Cairo’s main square. Youth leaders on Monday dismissed the shake-up, pointing out that the real power lies with the military council that assumed power after President Hosni Mubarak’s ouster five months ago. Prime […]
EU: Tighter Border Controls in Denmark May be Unjustified
Posted July 18th, 2011 at 8:40 pm (UTC-5)
A European Union team says Denmark has failed to justify tighter security along its borders with Germany and Sweden, and may be impeding free movement across the EU. Danish authorities imposed the new border controls in May, intending to crack down on smuggling, illegal immigration and human trafficking. A team of European Commission experts said […]
Argentina Studies Iran Offer on Bombing Anniversary
Posted July 18th, 2011 at 8:20 pm (UTC-5)
Argentina says it will study an offer by Iran to cooperate with the investigation into a 1994 bombing that leveled a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, killing 85 people. Foreign Minister Hector Timerman made the remark Monday on the 17th anniversary of the country’s worst terrorist attack. He was quoted as saying Iran is […]
Taiwan Customs Chief Resigns In Graft Scandal
Posted July 18th, 2011 at 8:00 pm (UTC-5)
Taiwan’s customs chief has resigned amid mounting criticism in the wake of a smuggling scandal involving government officials. Wu Ai-kuo resigned from his position Monday. Taiwan has been shaken by the arrest of Wu’s deputy Lu Tsai-yi and several other civil servants on suspicion of taking bribes from businessmen and smugglers in return for turning […]
Clinton in India for Economic, Security Talks
Posted July 18th, 2011 at 8:00 pm (UTC-5)
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in India late Monday for two days of talks aimed at strengthening political and economic relations with the South Asian country. Clinton’s visit is part of an ongoing U.S.-India strategic dialogue that began last year with talks in Washington. The secretary of state will spend Tuesday in discussions […]
