The U.S. Secret Service says it is aware of reports that there were other times agents allegedly paid for sexual services while traveling abroad to protect the president. In a statement Thursday, Secret Service spokesman Brian Leary said the recent investigation in Colombia “has generated several news stories that contain allegations by mostly unnamed sources.” […]
US Secret Service Facing More Allegations of Sexual Misconduct
Pakistani PM Convicted of Contempt But Spared Prison
The showdown between Pakistan’s highest court and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani is over, with the court convicting Mr. Gilani of contempt. The Supreme Court issued its verdict Thursday in Islamabad, ruling the prime minister openly defied the court’s order to reopen an old corruption case against President Asif Ali Zardari. But the high court […]
Man in Afghan Army Uniform Kills NATO Soldier
NATO said Thursday that a man wearing an Afghan National Army uniform killed a coalition service member. The incident late Wednesday in southern Afghanistan was the latest in a series of attacks on international troops by their Afghan counterparts. NATO did not give any other details but said the man who opened fire was killed […]
6 Dead in Nigerian Explosions
Officials say the bombing of a newspaper office in Nigeria’s capital has killed three people, while another blast near the same publication’s office in the northern city of Kaduna has killed at least three others. Officials say the first explosion Thursday went off at the Abuja office of This Day, one of Nigeria’s most prominent […]
Japan’s ‘Shadow Shogun’ Acquitted in Fund-Raising Scandal
One of Japan’s most influential politicians, Ichiro Ozawa, has been acquitted on charges of violating fund-raising laws, setting up a possible showdown inside the country’s ruling party. The Tokyo District Court on Thursday said there was no evidence that Ozawa knowingly falsified reports to hide his campaign’s 2004 involvement in a fund-raising scandal. Ozawa — […]
Maoist Rebels Release Indian Lawmaker
Maoist rebels in eastern India have freed a state lawmaker after holding him captive for more than a month. Jhina Hikaka, a member of the Orissa state assembly, was released from a remote jungle hideout on Thursday. He told reporters he was held in adverse conditions but treated well. The rebels said Hikaka had agreed […]
US Envoy: Pakistan “Communication Lines” Should be Reopened
A senior U.S. envoy says communication lines with Pakistan should be reopened, after relations between the two countries reached a new low late last year. Pakistan shut down the ground supply route to international troops in neighboring Afghanistan after a cross-border coalition attack mistakenly killed 24 Pakistani troops. U.S. Special Representative to Pakistan and Afghanistan […]
Rights Activists Say Taylor Conviction Sends Message
Human rights activists are hailing the conviction of former Liberian leader Charles Taylor, calling it a milestone for the international criminal justice system and the people of Sierra Leone. Both Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch said Taylor’s conviction sends a message that those in power can be brought to justice for grave crimes. Alan […]
US Jobless Claims Stay Near Three-Month High
First-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits held steady last week near a three-month high, a sign that new hiring in the world’s largest economy may have slowed. The government’s Labor Department said Thursday that 388,000 jobless workers made new claims for financial assistance, down only slightly from the week before. The number of new claims […]
Charles Taylor Convicted of War Crimes, Crimes Against Humanity
Former Liberian president Charles Taylor has been found guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity by a special tribunal in The Hague. The Special Court for Sierra Leone ruled Thursday that Taylor aided and abetted severe human rights abuses carried out by rebels during Sierra Leone’s civil war. Presiding Judge Richard Lussick said Taylor […]