Human rights activists say Syrian forces have killed at least 13 people during anti-government protests around the country Friday, as the government faces new accusations that it may be guilty of “crimes against humanity.” The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says most of Friday’s casualties occurred in the Homs region. Security forces have launched a […]
At Least 13 Killed in Syrian Protest Violence
Italian Senate Approves Financial Reforms
The Italian Senate has approved new austerity measures, the first step to ease the country’s financial crisis and open the path for the expected resignation of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. The upper house of the Italian Parliament approved the financial reforms Friday, with the lower Chamber of Deputies expected to give its assent on Saturday. […]
US Honoring Military Personnel on Veterans Day
U.S. President Barack Obama is leading the nation Friday in honoring those who have served in the armed forces. To mark the Veterans Day holiday, President Obama will participate in a wreath-laying ceremony and deliver remarks at Arlington National Cemetery, just outside Washington. Later, he travels to the southern California city of San Diego, where […]
Italian Senate Approves Financial Reforms
The upper house of the Italian Parliament has approved austerity measures and other reforms designed to help the country out of a financial crisis. If the reforms passed by the Senate are also approved by the lower house of Parliament on Saturday, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has said he will resign and clear the way […]
Groups Urge Arab League to Suspend Syria
Opponents of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad held protests around the country Friday, as opposition leaders urged the demonstrators to call for a suspension of Syria’s Arab League membership. The 22-member league will hold an emergency meeting in Cairo on Saturday to discuss Syria’s unrest. That meeting of comes on the heels of an apparent breakdown […]
UN: Conditions Improving in Horn of Africa
The United Nations says drought and famine conditions are easing across the Horn of Africa, though it warns the regional crisis is not over. The U.N. humanitarian affairs office says ongoing rains have improved water supplies in most parts of the Horn, and notes that natural vegetation has “vastly” increased across the drought-stricken parts of […]
Ukraine Charges Jailed Ex-Prime Minister Tymoshenko with Tax Evasion
Ukraine has charged former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko with embezzlement, theft and tax evasion, in the latest round of legal assaults against the jailed opposition leader. Ukraine’s State Tax Administration said Friday that Tymoshenko failed to pay nearly $6 million in taxes when she headed a Ukrainian energy company in the 1990s. It also said […]
Groups Urge Arab League to Suspend Syria
Opponents of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad held protests around the country Friday, as opposition leaders urged the demonstrators to call for a suspension of Syria’s Arab League membership. The 22-member league will hold an emergency meeting in Cairo on Saturday to discuss Syria’s unrest. That meeting of comes on the heels of an apparent breakdown […]
Report: Sudan Upgrades Air Bases Near South Sudan
A watchdog group says Sudan is expanding its capacity to conduct air strikes along the border with neighboring South Sudan. The Satellite Sentinel Project says images from space show Sudan upgrading airbases it recently captured from rebels in Blue Nile state, which borders South Sudan. It says the upgrades include newly-improved airstrips and new helicopter […]
Obama Embarks on Asia-Pacific Economic Mission
U.S. President Barack Obama is leaving Washington Friday on a nine-day trip to the Asia-Pacific region focused on boosting Washington’s ties with the growing economic power. Mr. Obama will spend the first leg of his journey hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic forum in his birthplace of Honolulu, Hawaii. On the president’s agenda is discussion of a […]