Officials in Armenia say at least 144 people were injured Friday when gas-filled balloons exploded at an election campaign concert in the Armenian capital Yerevan. Most of the people suffered burns when many promotional balloons burst into flames at a concert staged by the ruling Republican Party of Armenia in Yerevan’s central Republic Square. Health […]
1 Dead, Hundreds Wounded, Dozens Arrested in Egypt Clashes
Posted May 4th, 2012 at 5:40 pm (UTC-5)
The election will be the first since a popular uprising ousted longtime autocratic leader Hosni Mubarak more than a year ago. The military council that took over from Mr. Mubarak has promised a democratic transition and transfer of power to an elected president by July 1. But Egypt’s generals have faced strong domestic criticism for […]
2 British Soldiers Killed in Afghanistan
Posted May 4th, 2012 at 3:45 pm (UTC-5)
Britain’s Defense Ministry says two British soldiers have been killed in a mortar attack on their base in southern Afghanistan. The unidentified soldiers were killed Friday while serving with the Royal Logistic Corps in the northern part of Nahr-e-Saraj district in Helmand province. The deaths brings to 412 the number of British forces who have […]
Adam Yauch of The Beastie Boys Dies at 47
Posted May 4th, 2012 at 3:40 pm (UTC-5)
Adam Yauch, a founding member of the pioneering Beastie Boys hip hop group, died Friday at the age of 47 of cancer. Yauch, who also was known as MCA, helped start the group in 1979 when it was a hardcore punk bank. But as its music evolved, the Beastie Boys produced some of hip-hop’s celebrated […]
France’s Sarkozy Set for Defeat by Socialist
Posted May 4th, 2012 at 3:30 pm (UTC-5)
France holds its presidential runoff election Sunday, with Socialist challenger Francois Hollande expected to defeat incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy. The latest opinion polls show President Sarkozy narrowing the gap behind his Socialist rival, but Hollande is still expected to emerge victorious. In office five years, President Sarkozy has faced criticism for his handling of the economy, […]
Nigeria Blames Boko Haram for Deadly Jailbreak
Posted May 4th, 2012 at 3:15 pm (UTC-5)
Nigerian officials are blaming the radical Boko Haram Islamist group for a deadly jailbreak in the country’s northeast. Authorities in Borno state say gunmen stormed the prison and killed two guards early Friday, allowing an unknown number of prisoners to escape. Police spokesman Samuel Tizhe said 23 prisoners have since been recaptured. Boko Haram radicals […]
US: Beastie Boys Rapper Yauch Dies
Posted May 4th, 2012 at 2:40 pm (UTC-5)
Adam Yauch, a founding member of the pioneering Beastie Boys hip hop group, died Friday at the age of 47. Yauch, who also was known as MCA, helped start the group in 1979 when it was a hardcore punk bank. But as its music evolved, the Beastie Boys produced some of hip-hop’s celebrated albums, including […]
Group Blasts Kenyan Forces for Rampant Rights Abuse
Posted May 4th, 2012 at 2:15 pm (UTC-5)
A prominent human rights group is demanding Kenya hold its security forces to account for rampant abuses against refugees. Human Rights Watch accused Kenyan forces of targeting ethnic Somalis and Kenyans in Kenya’s North Eastern province during a six-month period starting last November. The group’s report, issued Friday, said the abuses were part of a […]
Greek Election Could Create New Instability
Posted May 4th, 2012 at 2:15 pm (UTC-5)
Greeks head to the polls Sunday in the first general election since the start of the country’s debt crisis — a highly-uncertain vote that could bring new political instability. Angered by economic difficulties, voters are expected to punish the country’s two main parties: the socialist PASOK party and the conservative New Democracy party. Many Greeks […]
US-China Standoff over Dissident Appears Near
Posted May 4th, 2012 at 2:05 pm (UTC-5)
China says dissident Chen Guangcheng may apply to study abroad, amid indications of a breakthrough in the diplomatic dispute that began when he escaped house arrest and fled to the U.S. embassy. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told reporters in Beijing Friday that she sees progress in the Chen case, and is “encouraged” by the […]
