Lebanese authorities are hunting for five prisoners who escaped from the country’s main prison Saturday. Most of the fugitives are members of a radical group said to be inspired by the al-Qaida terror network. The five men used bedsheets to scale down the prison walls. They then mingled with visiting relatives before walking out of […]
Lebanon Searching for 5 Escaped Militants
Posted August 13th, 2011 at 5:20 pm (UTC-5)
Leave a comment
Czech Anti-Communist Activist Masin Dies at 81
Posted August 13th, 2011 at 4:50 pm (UTC-5)
Ctirad Masin, a Czech anti-communist fighter who shot his way to freedom in a daring escape in 1953, died Saturday in a war veteran’s residence in the U.S. midwestern city of Cleveland, Ohio. He was 81. Masin, his brother Josef and another man, Milan Paumer, were part of the Masin brothers resistance cell established after […]
Dalai Lama Begins 3-Day Visit to France
Posted August 13th, 2011 at 4:15 pm (UTC-5)
Tibet’s spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, began a three-day visit to France Saturday to attend a two-day conference on meditation and the art of happiness. Thousands of Buddhist followers from France and other countries poured into the Zenith theater in the southwestern city of Toulouse to listen to his teachings. On Monday, the 76-year-old Dalai […]
Mass Economic Protests Continue in Israel
Posted August 13th, 2011 at 3:45 pm (UTC-5)
Tens of thousands of Israelis have taken to the streets to demand further reforms of the Israeli economic system. Protesters marched in Tel Aviv, and Haifa in the north and Beersheba in the south. The demonstrations began last month when social activists set up a tent camp on an upscale Tel Aviv street to highlight […]
Berlusconi: Italy’s Austerity Plan Gains Approval
Posted August 13th, 2011 at 3:25 pm (UTC-5)
Italy’s prime minister says his government’s latest plan to slash spending and raise taxes is winning approval from other top European officials. Silvio Berlusconi told Italian news agencies Saturday he has spoken with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet, and that both said they appreciated the Italian plan. Mr. Berlusconi’s […]
Israel Criticizes Palestinian Plan to Advance UN Statehood Bid
Posted August 13th, 2011 at 2:45 pm (UTC-5)
Israel is calling a Palestinian decision to seek statehood recognition at the United Nations “expected but regrettable.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office released a statement on Saturday that says Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has “apparently decided to avoid direct negotiations” with Israel. Earlier Saturday, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki said Mr. Abbas would submit the […]
American Development Worker Kidnapped in Pakistan
Posted August 13th, 2011 at 2:30 pm (UTC-5)
Pakistani police say at least eight armed men kidnapped a U.S. citizen from his residence in the eastern city of Lahore early Saturday. The U.S. Embassy has identified the American as Warren Weinstein, a man in his 60s serving as the director in Pakistan of a U.S.-based development consulting company, J.E. Austin Associates. Police said […]
Cuba’s Castro Spends 85th Birthday in Private
Posted August 13th, 2011 at 2:10 pm (UTC-5)
Ailing former Cuban President Fidel Castro spent his 85th birthday in private Saturday, while artists, the media and youths continued several days of celebrations honoring the revolutionary icon. One national newspaper, Granma, said in a headline that “Cuba and Latin America sing the praises of Fidel.” Since Tuesday, concerts, art exhibits and other events have […]
Libyan Forces, Rebels, Clash in Two Regions
Posted August 13th, 2011 at 2:05 pm (UTC-5)
Fierce clashes have erupted on two fronts between forces loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi and rebels who have been trying to advance toward Tripoli. Rebels initially said on Saturday that they had seized the town of Gharyan, which is located about 100 kilometers from the capital. Later in the day, the Associated Press quoted […]
UN Humanitarian Chief Meets Famine Victims in Somalia
Posted August 13th, 2011 at 1:35 pm (UTC-5)
The United Nations humanitarian chief has visited Somalia’s capital where tens of thousands of people are in desperate need of food and medical assistance. Valerie Amos visited a hospital Saturday during her tour of Mogadishu and met with people who have fled their homes in southern Somalia in hopes of escaping the famine. Amos said […]
