Mali’s interim president arrived in Bamako to take office after military coup leaders agreed to hand power to a civilian government in a deal with neighboring countries announced Saturday. Former speaker of parliament Dioncounda Traore will serve as president with a transitional government until elections are held. He flew into Mali Saturday from a temporary […]
135 People Feared Dead in Pakistani Avalanche
Posted April 7th, 2012 at 7:45 pm (UTC-5)
Up to 135 people, mostly Pakistani soldiers, are feared dead after a massive avalanche engulfed a high-altitude military complex in mountainous Kashmir near the Indian border early Saturday. In a statement late Saturday, Pakistan’s military said up to 135 people — 124 army soldiers and 11 civilians — were buried under the wall of snow […]
Malawi’s New President Calls for Peace, Unity
Posted April 7th, 2012 at 6:20 pm (UTC-5)
Malawi’s new president, Joyce Banda, has called for peace and unity as the nation mourns for her predecessor Bingu wa Mutharika, who died suddenly on Thursday. Ms. Banda spoke on Saturday after being sworn in in the capital, Lilongwe, as Malawi’s first female president. “I call upon all Malawians to remain calm and to keep […]
More than 100 Dead in Syria Ahead of Peace Deadline
Posted April 7th, 2012 at 4:50 pm (UTC-5)
At least 100 people were reported killed across Syria Saturday, as government forces pounded opposition strongholds three days ahead of a deadline to halt all military action. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a group that tracks the violence in Syria, said about two-thirds of those who died were civilians and that many of the […]
Banda Sworn In as Malawi’s President
Posted April 7th, 2012 at 4:50 pm (UTC-5)
Malawi’s vice president, Joyce Banda, was sworn in as president Saturday in the capital, Lilongwe, following confirmation that President Bingu wa Mutharika died suddenly on Thursday. Ms. Banda, who is Malawi’s first female president, was expelled from the ruling party in 2010. But she kept the vice presidency and now ascends to the presidency by […]
Rescuers Dig for 124 Missing in Pakistani Avalanche
Posted April 7th, 2012 at 4:45 pm (UTC-5)
Rescuers in Pakistan are racing against time searching for at least 124 people missing since a massive avalanche engulfed a high-altitude military base near the Indian border early Saturday. Pakistan’s military said the wall of snow hit the Siachen Glacier region in northern Kashmir, known as the world’s highest battlefield. Both Pakistan and India have […]
Banda Sworn In as Malawi’s President
Posted April 7th, 2012 at 3:40 pm (UTC-5)
Malawi’s vice president, Joyce Banda, was sworn in as president Saturday in the capital, Lilongwe, following confirmation that President Bingu wa Mutharika died suddenly on Thursday. Ms. Banda, who is Malawi’s first female president, was expelled from the ruling party in 2010. But she kept the vice presidency and now ascends to the presidency by […]
China, Japan, S. Korea Meet On N. Korean Launch
Posted April 7th, 2012 at 3:00 pm (UTC-5)
China, Japan and South Korea continue to urge North Korea to cancel its plan to launch a rocket possibly as early as next week. Foreign ministers of the three Asian countries met Saturday in China’s port city of Ningbo in the eastern Zheijang province to discuss North Korea’s plan and other regional issues. Japanese Foreign […]
Gunmen Close Yemen Airport After Military Chief Fired
Posted April 7th, 2012 at 1:55 pm (UTC-5)
Loyalists to a Yemeni military chief who was fired by President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi forced officials to close the main airport on Saturday, after the loyalists threatened to shoot down planes. Officials say air force officers and other gunmen surrounded the Sana’a airport and shut down flights after the president sacked Air Force chief […]
Syrian Violence Escalates Ahead of Peace Deadline
Posted April 7th, 2012 at 1:15 pm (UTC-5)
Syrian forces have been pounding opposition strongholds ahead of an agreed Tuesday deadline for a halt to all military action. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a group that tracks the violence in Syria, reports more than 100 people were killed on Saturday. The rights group said about two-thirds of those who died were civilians, […]
