U.N.-Arab League special envoy for Syria Kofi Annan has warned against further militarization of the country’s unrest, saying it would make the situation “worse.” Speaking on a visit to Cairo Thursday, Annan said the use of external force to resolve the Syrian crisis would be a “miscalculation” that could have an impact on the wider […]
Annan Opposes Further Militarization in Syria
Pakistan Charges Bin Laden’s Wives With Illegal Entry
Pakistani authorities have charged Osama bin Laden’s three widows with illegally entering and living in the country. Pakistan’s Interior Minister Rehman Malik announced Thursday the charges were filed against the women earlier this week. It is not clear when a trial will start. Legal experts say if the women are found guilty, they could be […]
OSCE Condemns Attack on Montenegro Journalist
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe is condemning the recent attack on a journalist in Montenegro. Olivera Lakic, a journalist with the daily newspaper Vijesti was beaten by unknown assailants outside of her home late Wednesday, leaving her hospitalized with a concussion. In a statement Thursday, OSCE representative Dunja Mijatovic said the attack […]
Kenya Fires 25,000 Health Care Workers
The Kenyan government has fired 25,000 public health care workers who went on strike last week for better pay. Government spokesman Alfred Mutua announced the firings Thursday, saying the workers have been “deleted from payroll,” and will soon receive letters of dismissal. Mutua then invited qualified health professionals to apply for the open positions beginning […]
Continental Airlines Begins Appeal in Concorde Jet Crash
Officials from U.S.-based Continental Airlines are in a French court to appeal a manslaughter conviction for the deadly crash of a Concorde supersonic jet in 2000. The trial, which began Thursday outside of Versailles, will re-examine evidence of the crash, as well as take into account the safety record of the plane. In 2010, a […]
US-Korean Food Aid Talks End With Progress, No Deal
A top U.S. envoy says ongoing talks with North Korea on deliveries of 240,000 metric tons of emergency American food aid are making progress, but says details remain to be settled. U.S. negotiator Robert King spoke Thursday in Beijing, where negotiations opened earlier this week. “We’re able to discuss the modalities of providing humanitarian nutrition […]
Republic of Congo to Hold Mass Funeral For Blast Victims
The Republic of Congo will hold a mass funeral for about 200 people killed during a series of blasts at an arms depot in the capital, Brazzaville. Government officials say the funeral will take place on Sunday, exactly one week after powerful explosions rocked the capital, destroying businesses, churches and homes. Government officials believe an […]
World Urged to Focus on Plight of Rural Women
Countries around the world are marking International Women’s Day, celebrating the gains made by women in business, politics and education. But United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says those gains are not enough. In a statement Thursday, the U.N. chief warned the world still has “a long way to go” before women and girls universally enjoy […]
Greece Nears Debt Write-Off Goal
Greece is nearing its goal of getting the country’s private lenders to eliminate $142 billion of the country’s debt to help it avoid a default on its financial obligations later this month. European leaders and financial analysts predicted the Athens government would be successful in winning pledges from its creditors ahead of a deadline Thursday […]
Group Behind Twitter Campaign on LRA Draws Criticism
A group trying to raise awareness about the rebel Lord’s Resistance Army in Africa is drawing criticism, with some questioning its purpose and tactics. U.S.-based Invisible Children launched a campaign on Twitter this week to bring attention to a new film on the LRA and its leader Joseph Kony, who is wanted for war crimes. […]