The African Union-backed government in Somalia has hailed the withdrawal of al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab militants from almost all their bases in the country’s famine-struck capital, Mogadishu. In a statement Saturday, Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali said it is a “tremendous step forward” towards a more stable Somalia. He said the al-Shabab retreat is the result of […]
Al-Shabab Militants Retreat from Somali Capital
Posted August 6th, 2011 at 4:20 pm (UTC-5)
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‘Anonymous’ Claims It Hacked US Law Agencies
Posted August 6th, 2011 at 3:15 pm (UTC-5)
The group called Anonymous claims that it has hacked into the websites of about 70 U.S. law enforcement agencies in retaliation for the arrests of some of its supporters in the U.S. and Britain. The group said Saturday it had stolen a “massive amount of confidential information” from the computer systems of the agencies, most […]
Syrian FM Promises Fair Elections
Posted August 6th, 2011 at 3:00 pm (UTC-5)
Syria’s foreign minister has indicated that general elections will be held by the end of the year, as anti-government protesters continue to press for President Bashar al-Assad’s ouster. Walid Moallem also said “free and fair elections” would lead to a people’s assembly that represents the Syrian population. He commented on Saturday, two days after President […]
Al-Shabab Militants Withdraw From Somali Capital
Posted August 6th, 2011 at 2:55 pm (UTC-5)
Somalia’s U.N.-backed federal government is hailing the news that al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab militants have begun pulling out of Mogadishu. In a statement Saturday, Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali said it is a “tremendous step forward” towards a more stable Somalia. He said the al-Shabab retreat was the result of military operations earlier in the week by […]
Libyan Rebels Claim Hold on Western Town
Posted August 6th, 2011 at 2:35 pm (UTC-5)
Libyan rebels say they have gained control of the strategic southwestern town of Bir al-Ghanam, following fierce clashes with pro-government forces. Opposition fighters said Saturday that they had managed to push back forces loyal to leader Moammar Gadhafi following a battle that left at least four rebel fighters dead. There was no immediate word from […]
Karzai: 31 US Special Forces Killed in Afghan Helicopter Crash
Posted August 6th, 2011 at 2:35 pm (UTC-5)
Afghan President Hamid Karzai says 31 members of U.S. special forces and seven members of an Afghan special unit have died in a helicopter crash in the eastern part of the country. Officials say the crash in Wardak Province represents the biggest death toll in a single incident for international forces in Afghanistan since the […]
Al-Shabab Militants Withdraw From Somali Capital
Posted August 6th, 2011 at 2:20 pm (UTC-5)
Somalia’s U.N.-backed federal government is hailing the news that al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab militants have begun pulling out of Mogadishu. In a statement Saturday, Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali said it is a “tremendous step forward” towards a more stable Somalia. He said the al-Shabab retreat was the result of military operations earlier in the week by […]
Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood Picks New Leaders
Posted August 6th, 2011 at 1:35 pm (UTC-5)
Egypt’s most organized political group has held its first open internal elections, a move that was not possible under former President Hosni Mubarak’s rule. The Muslim Brotherhood convened Saturday to pick replacements for three party executives who resigned. The voting took place ahead of parliamentary elections planned for later this year. The Muslim Brotherhood was […]
UN: ‘Alarming’ Measles Outbreak Among Drought-Stricken Somali Refugees
Posted August 6th, 2011 at 12:50 pm (UTC-5)
The United Nations and Ethiopia’s government are beginning a massive vaccination campaign against measles for Somali refugee children as fears rise about an outbreak effecting those already weakened by famine. The U.N. refugee agency chief in Ethiopia said in a statement Saturday he was “shaken” by the situation he saw during a visit this week […]
Obama: US ‘Must Do Better’ After Credit Downgrade
Posted August 6th, 2011 at 12:30 pm (UTC-5)
U.S. President Barack Obama says elected leaders “must do better” following an unprecedented downgrade of the country’s credit rating. A White House statement Saturday called the deal to reduce the country’s massive deficit while avoiding a default an important first step. But it called on lawmakers to put their partisan differences aside in order to […]
