A strong earthquake has hit southeastern Turkey near the border with Iran. There are initial reports of damages and casualties, but no firm figures. The U.S. Geological Survey says the magnitude 7.2 quake struck Sunday in Van province at a depth of 20 kilometers. Turkey’s Kandilli Observatory recorded the quake’s magnitude at 6.6. Turkey’s state-run […]
Pakistan Forces Indian Helicopter to Land
Posted October 23rd, 2011 at 9:00 am (UTC-5)
Pakistan says it has forced an Indian military helicopter to land for allegedly violating Pakistani airspace and has detained the four-member Indian crew. Pakistani authorities say the helicopter entered Pakistani airspace Sunday in the northern Skardu region, near Indian-administered Kashmir. Investigations are underway as to why the helicopter flew across the border. A Pakistani army […]
Large Turnout in Tunisia’s First Democratic Polls
Posted October 23rd, 2011 at 8:50 am (UTC-5)
Tunisia, whose revolution sparked the “Arab Spring” revolts across North Africa and the Middle East, is again making history, holding its first-ever democratic election. Tunisians are turning out in large numbers, and expressing excitement and pride at the chance to choose among multiple political parties for the first time since independence in 1956. More than […]
Earthquake Shakes Eastern Turkey
Posted October 23rd, 2011 at 7:50 am (UTC-5)
A strong earthquake has hit eastern Turkey. The U.S. Geological Survey says the magnitude 7.3 quake struck Sunday afternoon in Van province at a depth of 7.2 kilometers. Turkey’s state-run Anatolian news agency says several buildings collapsed and several aftershocks have been felt. Turkey’s Kandilli Observatory recorded the quake’s magnitude at 6.6 and 5 kilometers […]
3 Aid Workers Kidnapped in Algeria
Posted October 23rd, 2011 at 7:35 am (UTC-5)
European officials say two Spanish aid workers and an Italian have been kidnapped from a refugee camp in western Algeria. Diplomatic sources said Sunday the abductions happened in the Rabuni encampment in the Algerian province of Tindouf, an area inhabited by refugees from Western Sahara, a disputed Moroccan-controlled territory. Media reports say one of the […]
Pakistan Forces Indian Helicopter to Land
Posted October 23rd, 2011 at 6:55 am (UTC-5)
Pakistan says it has forced an Indian military helicopter to land for violating Pakistani airspace and has detained the four-member Indian crew. Pakistan authorities say the helicopter intruded into Pakistani territory Sunday in the northern Skardu region. Pakistan and India are archenemies and have fourth three major wars since they gained independence from Britain in […]
Flooding Devastates Thailand, Burma
Posted October 23rd, 2011 at 6:50 am (UTC-5)
Thailand battled to protect Bangkok Sunday from being swamped by flood water, while officials in neighboring Burma say floods there have killed at least 100 people. Authorities in Thailand’s capital shored up weak areas in the city’s defenses and attempted to protect infrastructure. The flooding is the worst to hit Thailand in decades, killing at […]
31 Dead in Indian Bridge Collapse
Posted October 23rd, 2011 at 6:20 am (UTC-5)
Authorities in northeastern India say a wooden bridge has collapsed, killing at least 31 people who fell into a swirling river. Rescuers say at least 50 people were injured. Officials say the people had gathered on the bridge Saturday to watch a cultural festival in Bijanbari in West Bengal state, about 30 kilometers from Darjeeling. […]
Immigration Tops Swiss Elections Agenda
Posted October 23rd, 2011 at 6:05 am (UTC-5)
Switzerland is voting Sunday in an election that could give the far-right Swiss People’s Party a 30 percent voice in parliament. The country has an unemployment rate of just 2.8 percent and healthy public finances, making it an “island of prosperity” in economically troubled Europe. However, opinion polls show that voters are concerned that immigration […]
Karzai: Afghanistan Would “Stand” with Pakistan
Posted October 23rd, 2011 at 5:45 am (UTC-5)
Afghanistan’s president says his country would support Pakistan if it were attacked by either the United States or India. Hamid Karzai said Saturday if Pakistan came under attack from the U.S., India or any other country that Afghanistan would “stand with Pakistan.” The Afghan president made the remarks Saturday in an interview aired on the […]
