The United States has unsealed indictments against 72 people allegedly involved in an international child pornography network that encouraged sexual abuse of children. U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced the indictments Wednesday. Holder said the announcement is a strong message that people who attempt to exploit children will be […]
US Indicts 72 Allegedly Involved in Child Pornography Ring
German Court Blocks Air Traffic Controllers’ Strike
A Frankfurt court has issued an injunction blocking Germany’s air traffic controllers from holding a six-hour strike on Thursday. The labor court handed down its decision Wednesday, but the air traffic controllers’ union can appeal the ruling to a higher court. The strike, which was announced Tuesday, was scheduled to take place Thursday between 6 […]
Syrian Tanks Push into Hama as UN Nears Condemnation Statement
Syrian tanks pushed into the city of Hama on Wednesday as part of the government’s widening crackdown on dissent. The offensive came as the United Nations moved closer to an agreement on a statement condemning violence in the country. Activists and witnesses say loud explosions rocked the city as tanks moved into a central square […]
Families Warm to France’s First Smoke-Free Beach
A small town on the French Mediterranean coast has banned smoking, becoming the first non-smoking beach in France. The project was introduced by the deputy mayor of the town of La Ciotat, Noel Collura, and went into effect earlier this year. Collura says he followed the example set by New York City, which earlier this […]
Key Party Quits Cyprus Coalition Government
The junior partner in Cyprus’ two-party coalition has quit President Demetris Christofias’ government over disagreements about economic and political reforms. The decision by the centrist Democratic Party leaves Mr. Christofias’ communists with just 19 deputies in the 56-member House of Representatives. It also weakens his position in reunification talks between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot […]
US Transportation Chief Calls for Congress to Resolve FAA Funding Dispute
The U.S. transportation chief is calling on Congress to return from its summer recess and end a partial shutdown of the agency that oversees the nation’s airlines and air safety. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said Wednesday that the 12-day-old shutdown because of a dispute over funding for the Federal Aviation Administration has halted $11 billion […]
Italy, Spain Face Soaring Borrowing Rates
Borrowing rates in Italy touched a new euro-era high Wednesday, raising concerns the continent’s third-largest economy could be on the verge of a Greek-style financial crisis. In a volatile day of trading, Italy saw its 10-year borrowing rates soar above 6 percent. In a speech to parliament, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said Italy has a […]
Helicopter Carry 10 People Missing in Indonesia
Indonesian authorities say a helicopter carrying 10 people in eastern Indonesia disappeared from radar screens shortly after takeoff Wednesday. Officials say search and rescue operations were launched immediately from the North Sulawesi provincial capital, Manado. Local residents are quoted as saying the weather was bad when the helicopter disappeared, and witnesses said they heard an […]
Famine Declared in 3 New Parts of Somalia
The United Nations says famine has spread to three new parts of southern Somalia, including areas in the capital, Mogadishu. A statement Wednesday said famine conditions are present in two districts of the Middle Shabelle region, the Afgoye corridor displaced persons settlement, and in the Mogadishu displaced persons community. The statement says rates of acute […]
Protesters Block Traffic Across Israel After Controversial Housing Vote
Activists in Israel’s social protest movement are reacting with anger after parliament passed a controversial bill Wednesday that opens the way for national committees that would approve future housing projects. Demonstrators blocked intersections in cities across Israel after the vote, from the commercial capital of Tel Aviv to Be’er Sheva in the south and Kiryat […]