Brazil’s transportation minister has resigned in connection with a scandal over an alleged kickback scheme in his office. Alfredo Nascimento stepped down Wednesday, days after the allegations involving several members of his ministerial team surfaced in a magazine report. The magazine, Veja, reported recently that officials in Nascimento’s office were demanding kickbacks from builders to […]
Brazil’s Transportation Minister Resigns in Kickback Scandal
Posted July 6th, 2011 at 7:50 pm (UTC-5)
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US Sends High Level Delegation to South Sudan Ceremonies
Posted July 6th, 2011 at 7:05 pm (UTC-5)
The United States says it is sending a delegation of high-level officials to ceremonies marking the independence of South Sudan, including former secretary of state Colin Powell. The White House announced Wednesday that the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice, will lead the delegation. Those also attending the ceremonies include the U.S. envoy […]
Whitey Bulger Pleads Not Guilty
Posted July 6th, 2011 at 6:55 pm (UTC-5)
A gangster in U.S. custody after 16 years on the run has pleaded not guilty to charges he committed 19 murders. Observers said James “Whitey” Bulger spoke quietly but clearly as he entered his plea Wednesday in a federal court in Massachusetts, accompanied by his public defender. Relatives of the murder victims sat in the […]
VP Biden Welcomes Cooperation Between Kosovo and Serbia
Posted July 6th, 2011 at 6:55 pm (UTC-5)
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden is welcoming last week’s deal increasing cooperation between Serbia and Kosovo. The White House says Biden telephoned Kosovo’s new president, Atifete Jahjaga, Wednesday to stress what it called the United States’ “continuing, irreversible support for Kosovo’s independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty as a multi-ethnic democracy.” The vice president also encouraged […]
Pakistan ‘Seriously Concerned’ Over Cross-Border Attacks
Posted July 6th, 2011 at 6:35 pm (UTC-5)
Pakistani Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani telephoned Afghan President Hamid Karzai Wednesday to express “serious concern” regarding the activities of militants along the countries’ common border. In a statement, the prime minister’s office said Mr. Gilani told President Karzai the Pakistani army was exercising “utmost restraint,” despite repeated cross-border incursions by Afghan militants into Pakistan. […]
Protests Erupt in Egypt Over Police Trials
Posted July 6th, 2011 at 6:15 pm (UTC-5)
Hundreds of Egyptians carried out a violent protest Wednesday, after a court upheld a ruling to release at least 10 police officers accused of killing demonstrators during this year’s anti-government uprising. Protesters threw stones at the government security building in the city of Suez and attacked a courthouse. They also damaged police vehicles. There were […]
UN: Afghanistan at a Crossroad
Posted July 6th, 2011 at 6:10 pm (UTC-5)
The top United Nations envoy in Afghanistan, Staffan de Mistura, told the U.N. Security Council Wednesday the war-torn country is at a crossroad as it begins to take on responsibility for its own security. De Mistura said that Afghanistan’s transition must not be just about security, but must also be linked to social and economic […]
Somali Militants Change Tactics as Drought Worsens
Posted July 6th, 2011 at 6:00 pm (UTC-5)
One of the worst droughts to hit the Horn of Africa in years is causing an Islamist militant group to change its mind about international aid agencies. Al-Shabab says it will welcome all aid agencies, including non-Muslim ones, to provide food and other supplies to Somalis living in areas under its control. Spokesman Sheik Ali […]
Dalai Lama Celebrates 76th Birthday in US
Posted July 6th, 2011 at 5:55 pm (UTC-5)
((CLARIFIES TIME ELEMENT) The Dalai Lama has celebrated his 76th birthday in the United States at the start of an 11-day meditation ritual called the kalachakra. The Tibetan spiritual leader addressed a crowd of thousands in Washington, DC Wednesday, saying he was proud this year to put into practice his belief in the separation of […]
Appeals Court Orders Immediate End to Ban on Gays in Military
Posted July 6th, 2011 at 5:50 pm (UTC-5)
A U.S. federal appeals court has ordered the Obama administration to immediately lift the ban on gays serving in the military. A lower court judge ruled earlier this year that the ban is not constitutional, but decided to keep it in place while she reviews the issue. On Wednesday, the appeals court noted that both […]
