Egyptian activists are gearing up for a mass rally in Cairo’s Tahrir Square on Friday to protest against what they say is a slow pace of government reforms and justice for the victims of a crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrations earlier this year. The rally follows several legal decisions that have angered some Egyptians. On Monday, […]
Greece Intercepts Pro-Palestinian Activist Boat
Posted July 7th, 2011 at 10:55 am (UTC-5)
The Greek coast guard has intercepted the only boat of a planned flotilla of pro-Palestinian activists that had eluded detection. Greek officials stopped the Dignite / al Karama on Thursday as it was refueling near the island of Crete and towed it to a nearby port. The small French boat was carrying about 10 activists. […]
US Lawmakers Back Belarus Protesters
Posted July 7th, 2011 at 10:45 am (UTC-5)
The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a bill to support democracy and human rights in Belarus, where police have arrested hundreds of people demonstrating against authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko. The Belarus Democracy and Human Rights Act of 2011 calls for the release of all political prisoners in Belarus, including those detained in the crackdown […]
NATO Airstrike Kills 13 Civilians in Afghanistan
Posted July 7th, 2011 at 10:45 am (UTC-5)
Afghan officials say a NATO airstrike killed at least 13 civilians in the eastern province of Khost this week. NATO acknowledged Thursday that an airstrike that killed four Taliban-linked Haqqani militants also killed civilians. A spokesman said the coalition had not realized the Haqqani militants were mingling with family members, including women and children, at […]
European Parliament Criticizes Russia for Election Rules
Posted July 7th, 2011 at 10:40 am (UTC-5)
The European Parliament is calling on Russia to guarantee free elections and register opposition parties. A Parliament resolution passed Thursday in Strasbourg said difficulties faced by political parties effectively constrain political competition in Russia. The parliament said it deplores the decision to reject the registration of the People’s Freedom Party for December’s State Duma elections. […]
At Least 38 Killed in Pakistani City of Karachi
Posted July 7th, 2011 at 10:30 am (UTC-5)
Police say more than 38 people have been killed in political and ethnic violence in Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi in the last three days. Authorities say at least 10 of the killings look place late Wednesday. Police blame clashes between rival political groups in Sindh province, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the […]
Children Unharmed as Hostage Standoff Ends in Malaysia
Posted July 7th, 2011 at 10:25 am (UTC-5)
Malaysian police have freed 30 pre-school children and their four teachers hours after they were taken hostage Thursday by a hammer and machete-wielding man in southern Jolor state. Police fired tear gas and stormed the building after several hours of negotiations had failed. The standoff ended when a police sniper shot and wounded the suspect. […]
At Least 38 Killed in Pakistani City of Karachi
Posted July 7th, 2011 at 10:15 am (UTC-5)
Police say more than 38 people have been killed in political and ethnic violence in Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi in the last three days. Authorities say at least 10 of the killings look place late Wednesday. Police blame clashes between rival political groups in Sindh province, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the […]
US Stocks Bounce Higher at Open
Posted July 7th, 2011 at 10:00 am (UTC-5)
The major U.S. stock indexes moved higher in Thursday’s early trading following a government report showing fewer Americans are applying for unemployment insurance. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained nearly half a percent. The S&P 500 index advanced three-quarters of a percent. And the NASDAQ rose eight-tenths of a percent. European stock prices were also […]
US Jobless Claims Down Slightly
Posted July 7th, 2011 at 9:50 am (UTC-5)
Fewer Americans submitted first-time applications for unemployment insurance last week though millions continue to rely on the U.S. government for help. Thursday’s report from the U.S. Labor Department said there were 418,000 first-time claims last week, a decrease of 14,000 from the week before. The number of out of work Americans continuing to get government […]
