Leaders of Pakistan’s rival political parties are meeting Thursday to discuss recent U.S. accusations of a link between Pakistan’s government and an al-Qaida-linked militant group. The talks come as U.S. Secretary of States Hillary Clinton said the U.S. is conducting a final review on whether to designate the Haqqani network a terrorist organization. Pakistan Prime […]
Pakistan Parties Discuss US Pressure on Haqqanis
Posted September 29th, 2011 at 9:50 am (UTC-5)
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China Launches Spacecraft, Eyes Space Station
Posted September 29th, 2011 at 9:41 am (UTC-5)
China has launched an unmanned spacecraft, in what is described as Beijing’s first step toward building its own space station. The 8.5 ton module — known as Tiangong-1, or “Heavenly Palace” — lifted off from a site in China’s northwestern Gobi desert late Thursday night local time. The craft was propelled by a Long March […]
At Least Two Dead in Escalating Clashes in Yemen’s Capital
Posted September 29th, 2011 at 9:40 am (UTC-5)
At least two people have been killed in the Yemeni capital, Sana’a, where fierce clashes have erupted between forces loyal to President Ali Abdullah Saleh and armed tribesmen who have sided with the opposition. Witnesses reported explosions and heavy gunfire early Thursday in several areas of the city, with government troops battling followers of tribal […]
Syria Accuses US of Inciting Violence
Posted September 29th, 2011 at 9:39 am (UTC-5)
Syria increased its criticism of the United States, accusing Washington Thursday of inciting violence against security forces after government loyalists hurled tomatoes and stones at a U.S. envoy. A state media report says a Foreign Ministry official accused the United States of encouraging “armed terrorist groups” to carry out attacks against Syrian troops. The SANA […]
Knox Lawyers Begin Closing Arguments in Appeal
Posted September 29th, 2011 at 9:36 am (UTC-5)
A defense lawyer for American student Amanda Knox has begun closing arguments in her appeal of a murder conviction for the death of her roommate in Italy. Attorney Carlo Dalla Vedova told the Perugia court Thursday that Knox has been “crucified” in the court of public opinion after prosecutors called her a “witch” and a […]
Saudi Men Vote in Local Elections
Posted September 29th, 2011 at 9:19 am (UTC-5)
Saudi Arabian men are voting Thursday in the country’s second-ever nationwide election. Voters trickled into the polls to cast ballots for local council spots. More than 5,000 male candidates are running for 1,056 seats in nearly 300 local councils nationwide. The elections will fill half the seats on local government councils. The other half is […]
US Economy Grew Slightly Faster in Second Quarter
Posted September 29th, 2011 at 9:10 am (UTC-5)
The U.S. government says the sluggish economy grew a bit faster than first estimated in the second quarter of the year, but still not fast enough to reduce the country’s high unemployment rate. The government said Thursday that the nation’s economic output advanced 1.3 percent in the April-to-June period, up from the previous estimate of […]
Amnesty International Calls on Lithuania to Reopen Investigation Into Rendition Flight
Posted September 29th, 2011 at 8:53 am (UTC-5)
The human rights group Amnesty International has called on Lithuania to reopen an investigation into secret Central Intelligence Agency prisons in the country based on what they say is new evidence of a rendition flight. At a press conference in Vilnius Thursday, Amnesty International analyst Julie Hall says a February 2005 flight that allegedly carried […]
Uniformed Gunmen Open Fire on Cameroon Bridge
Posted September 29th, 2011 at 8:45 am (UTC-5)
Officials and witnesses in Cameroon say gunmen dressed in military uniform and carrying signs opposing Cameroon’s longtime president opened fire on a major bridge in the commercial city, Douala. Witnesses say the gunmen blockaded the heavily-traveled Wouri Bridge and exchanged gunfire with security forces for hours early Thursday. It was not immediately clear how many […]
Kazakhstan Parliament Passes Tough Religious Legislation
Posted September 29th, 2011 at 8:27 am (UTC-5)
The upper house of Kazakhstan’s parliament has approved tough new legislation on religious activity. Supporters of the measure say it will help combat the growing threat of religious extremism, while opponents call it a blow to religious freedom. The measure is expected to quickly be signed into law by President Nursultan Nazarbayev, who proposed the […]
