Anti-terror officials are questioning five men arrested early Wednesday morning after they broke into a landmark building in Texas. Police in the city of San Antonio say two of the men crawled through a window to get into the 120-year-old Bexar County Courthouse in the early morning hours. The third was arrested while waiting in […]
Five Foreigners Arrested for US Courthouse Break-In
Posted October 19th, 2011 at 10:45 am (UTC-5)
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IMF Predicts Economic Progress in Sub-Saharan Africa
Posted October 19th, 2011 at 10:45 am (UTC-5)
The International Monetary Fund says the rate of economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa is expected to rise slightly next year. In a regional outlook report released Wednesday, the IMF predicted the growth rate will rise from more than 5 percent this year to nearly 6 percent in 2012. The IMF said that overall, low-income countries […]
Expelled Afghan Female Lawmaker Ends Hunger Strike
Posted October 19th, 2011 at 10:40 am (UTC-5)
A female politician expelled from Afghanistan’s parliament for alleged vote fraud has ended her 18-day hunger strike. Simeen Barakzai resumed eating Wednesday on the urging of senior cleric and former President Hazrate Sebghatullah Mujadidi, who promised to take up her case. Barakzai was one of nine members of parliament removed from their seats in August […]
Kenya Says Forces Kill 73 al-Shabab Fighters
Posted October 19th, 2011 at 10:35 am (UTC-5)
The Kenyan army says it has killed dozens of al-Shabab militants since launching an incursion into Somalia several days ago. Army spokesman Emmanuel Chirchir told reporters Wednesday that 73 al-Shabab fighters have died in clashes with Kenyan forces. He said there have been no casualties on the Kenyan side. There is no independent confirmation of […]
US Pensions Set To Rise Slightly
Posted October 19th, 2011 at 9:55 am (UTC-5)
U.S. pensioners will get a modest increase in payments next year, when Social Security benefits are raised 3.6 percent to make up for inflation. Social Security is the government-funded pension program for the elderly. It is the first such increase since 2009, because the financial crisis kept inflation very low for a while. The Associated […]
Philippine Navy Apologizes to China After Boat Collision
Posted October 19th, 2011 at 9:50 am (UTC-5)
The Philippine navy has apologized to China after the Philippines says one of its warships accidentally hit a Chinese fishing boat in disputed waters in the South China Sea. Defense Department spokesman Zosimo Paredes said Wednesday the apology was sent to China’s embassy in Manila. Paredes said the Philippine ship was on patrol Tuesday near […]
Greek Police, Anti-Austerity Protesters Clash in Athens
Posted October 19th, 2011 at 9:50 am (UTC-5)
Demonstrators protesting Greece’s latest austerity measures clashed with riot police Wednesday in Athens, as tens of thousands of workers massed on Greek streets for a two-day general strike. The Athens protesters hurled rocks and fire bombs at police on Syntagma Square outside Parliament, with police responding with bursts of tear gas. Police estimated that about […]
UN Investigator to Present Report on Alleged Iranian Rights Abuses
Posted October 19th, 2011 at 9:40 am (UTC-5)
The United States is urging the international community to “redouble its condemnation” of Iran for alleged human rights abuses detailed in a report to be presented to the U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday. U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner says the report by U.N. special investigator Ahmed Shaheed shows Iran is continuing a “brutal repression” […]
France Begins Afghan Troops Withdrawal
Posted October 19th, 2011 at 9:15 am (UTC-5)
France is withdrawing 200 of its troops from Afghanistan Wednesday as part of a plan to pull out 1,000 troops by the end of next year. The French military had said in September that the company of soldiers would leave Afghanistan sometime this month. France has about 4,000 troops in Afghanistan, and President Nicolas Sarkozy […]
DRC’s President on Election: ‘I will not lose’
Posted October 19th, 2011 at 9:05 am (UTC-5)
Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila says he is certain he will win re-election in next month’s presidential poll. During a news conference in Kinshasa late Tuesday, Mr. Kabila promised to step down if he is defeated, but said “I know one thing for sure, I will not lose.” Earlier this week, a widely […]
