United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will travel to Burma later this week to observe the country’s transition from military dictatorship to democracy. Mr. Ban said Tuesday he will visit Burma on the invitation of President Thein Sein. The U.N. chief said his visit comes at a “critical moment” as Burma — also known as Myanmar […]
Engineer Arrested in BP Oil Spill Case
Posted April 24th, 2012 at 5:50 pm (UTC-5)
The U.S. Justice Department says a former engineer for the oil giant BP has been arrested on charges of intentionally destroying evidence related to the massive 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill. Authorities said in a statement that 50-year-old Kurt Mix from Texas was arrested Tuesday and charged with two counts of obstruction of justice. […]
Annan Alarmed by Reports of Syrian Attacks in Areas Visited by Monitors
Posted April 24th, 2012 at 5:40 pm (UTC-5)
International envoy Kofi Annan has expressed “alarm” about media reports that Syrian security forces have launched attacks in civilian areas visited by U.N. soldiers trying to monitor a shaky truce in the government’s year-long conflict with rebels. U.N. diplomats say Mr. Annan made the comment Tuesday in a closed-door briefing to the Security Council via […]
Armenians Mark Anniversary of WW1-Era Mass Killings
Posted April 24th, 2012 at 5:40 pm (UTC-5)
Thousands of people have gathered in the Armenian capital, Yerevan, to remember the victims of mass killings of Armenians by the Ottoman Turks and push world governments to officially accept the term “genocide.” Crowds of people marched with candles and flowers up to a hilltop memorial Tuesday to commemorate the 97th anniversary of the World […]
Scientists: Africa Sits on Vast Reservoir of Water
Posted April 24th, 2012 at 5:35 pm (UTC-5)
A new study by a group of scientists shows that sub-Saharan Africa, which lacks access to reliable, safe water, sits on a huge reservoir of groundwater that could provide water for both drinking and agriculture. The scientists estimate that 300 million people in Africa do not have access to safe drinking water and that part […]
Romney Faces Little Challenge in 5 Republican Presidential Primaries
Posted April 24th, 2012 at 5:05 pm (UTC-5)
Mitt Romney will take another step toward capturing the Republican presidential nomination with expected wins in five primary elections Tuesday. Voters are casting ballots in Connecticut, Delaware, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. Former senator Rick Santorum dropped out of the race two weeks ago. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Congressman Ron Paul have […]
South Sudan: Next Days ‘Crucial’ to Avoid War with Sudan
Posted April 24th, 2012 at 4:50 pm (UTC-5)
South Sudan says the next few days will be “crucial” to avoid an all-out war with its northern neighbor, Sudan. During a visit Tuesday to China for talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao, South Sudanese President Salva Kiir said Sudan’s bombings of southern territory — after South Sudanese troops withdrew from an oil town at […]
Activist Describes Iran’s Harsh Prison Conditions
Posted April 24th, 2012 at 4:25 pm (UTC-5)
A Kurdish human rights activist serving a three-and-a-half-year jail sentence in Iran has provided a rare glimpse into what he says are harsh conditions inside the country’s detention facilities. Reza Sharifi Boukani was arrested in 2010 after publicly supporting the pro-democracy “Green Movement.” He was later sentenced on charges that include spreading “propaganda” against the […]
USDA Confirms Case of Mad Cow Disease in California
Posted April 24th, 2012 at 4:20 pm (UTC-5)
The U.S. Agriculture Department has confirmed a case of mad cow disease, the nation’s fourth, in a dairy cow from central California. Chief Veterinary Officer John Clifford said Tuesday that at no time was human health at risk. He said the affected cow was never meant to be slaughtered for meat and that milk does […]
Activists Describes Iran’s Harsh Prison Conditions
Posted April 24th, 2012 at 4:05 pm (UTC-5)
A Kurdish human rights activist serving a three-and-a-half-year jail sentence in Iran has provided a rare glimpse into what he says are harsh conditions inside the country’s detention facilities. Reza Sharifi Boukani was arrested in 2010 after publicly supporting the pro-democracy “Green Movement.” He was later sentenced on charges that include spreading “propaganda” against the […]
