Mali’s deposed leader Amadou Toumani Touré finally broke his silence Wednesday, reassuring the public that he is not in detention. In phone calls with reporters from an undisclosed location, Touré said he is in Mali and is free. He told the French news agency that he is in the capital, Bamako. He said it is […]
US Judge Postpones Ruling on Strauss-Kahn Case
Posted March 28th, 2012 at 7:25 pm (UTC-5)
A U.S. judge has postponed a ruling on whether to dismiss a hotel maid’s civil lawsuit against French politician Dominique Strauss-Kahn. Bronx state Supreme Court Justice Douglas McKeon heard arguments Wednesday in Nafisatou Diallo’s suit. He said he would not rule immediately in the case. Diallo says Strauss-Kahn tried to rape her in his Manhattan […]
Pope Condemns US Trade Embargo on Cuba
Posted March 28th, 2012 at 7:25 pm (UTC-5)
Pope Benedict has condemned the 50-year-old U.S. trade embargo on Cuba, saying such measures “unfairly burden” the Cuban people. The pontiff made his remarks as he wrapped up a three-day trip to Cuba, his first papal visit to the communist-run island. Earlier Wednesday, Pope Benedict met with Cuba’s former leader Fidel Castro. He also also […]
Syrian Troops Assault Rebels, Arabs Begin Diplomatic Push
Posted March 28th, 2012 at 7:15 pm (UTC-5)
Syrian rights activists say government forces have assaulted several rebel strongholds, triggering battles that killed 40 people as Arab nations began a new diplomatic effort to end Syria’s year-long conflict. Activists said Wednesday that government troops battled opposition forces in the towns of Rastan in central Syria and Daraa in the south. The New York […]
AU, UN Announce Reduction in Darfur Mission, Condemn Border Violence
Posted March 28th, 2012 at 7:15 pm (UTC-5)
The United Nations and the African Union are considering reducing the size of their joint peacekeeping mission in Darfur, citing improving conditions even as violence flares along the Sudan/South Sudan border. Officials at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa said Wednesday that the size of the cutback has not been decided yet, but it […]
Ichiro Sparks Mariners Win in Japan for MLB Opener
Posted March 28th, 2012 at 6:20 pm (UTC-5)
Japanese baseball legend Ichiro Suzuki had four hits and drove in a run, leading the Seattle Mariners to a 3-1 win over the Oakland Athletics in the opener of U.S. Major League Baseball’s 2012 season in Tokyo Wednesday. Suzuki finished 4 for 5 batting third for the first time after playing lead-off nearly all his […]
India Army Chief: Country’s Defense Capabilities Weakened
Posted March 28th, 2012 at 5:40 pm (UTC-5)
The head of India’s army says the country’s defense capabilities are weakened by obsolete equipment and a shortage of weapons. In a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, leaked to the Indian media, Army chief V.K. Singh called the state of India’s fighting forces “alarming.” The letter, dated March 12, says India’s tank fleet is […]
Pope Benedict Meets Fidel Castro in Cuba
Posted March 28th, 2012 at 4:30 pm (UTC-5)
Pope Benedict has met with Cuba’s former leader and revolutionary icon Fidel Castro, shortly the pontiff called for greater religious freedom on the island. A Vatican spokesman said the meeting Wednesday occurred after the pope’s outdoor mass in Havana’s Revolution Plaza. The mass capped his first papal visit to Cuba. On Wednesday morning, tens of […]
Judge to Rule Later On Civil Suit Against Strauss-Kahn
Posted March 28th, 2012 at 4:25 pm (UTC-5)
A U.S. judge has postponed a ruling on whether to dismiss a hotel maid’s civil lawsuit against French politician Dominique Strauss-Kahn. Bronx state Supreme Court Justice Douglas McKeon heard arguments Wednesday in Nafisatou Diallo’s suit. He said he would not rule immediately in the case. Diallo says Strauss-Kahn tried to rape her in his Manhattan […]
BRICS Leaders Gather in India for Annual Summit
Posted March 28th, 2012 at 4:20 pm (UTC-5)
Leaders from the world’s five largest emerging economies — grouped in the so-called BRICS — are gathering in the Indian capital, New Delhi, for the 4th annual summit Thursday that is expected to cover topics ranging from global security to increased financial cooperation. Although the BRICS members, consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South […]
