Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has ordered the release of the country’s former army chief and opposition leader, Sarath Fonseka. President Rajapaksa signed the papers Saturday ordering Fonseka’s release. The papers will be sent to the justice ministry Monday. The terms of Fonseka’s release were not immediately clear. Fonseka is serving a 30-month prison sentence […]
Chinese Dissident Thanks US, China After Arriving in New York
Posted May 19th, 2012 at 8:55 pm (UTC-5)
Blind Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng has arrived in the United States, saying he is gratified that the Chinese government showed “restraint and calm” in dealing with his situation. Chen also thanked the United States for giving him refuge at the U.S. embassy in Beijing and for making it possible for him to leave China and […]
Obama, World Leaders End G8 Talks
Posted May 19th, 2012 at 7:45 pm (UTC-5)
“We agreed upon the importance of a strong and cohesive eurozone, and affirmed our interest in Greece staying in the eurozone while respecting its commitments. Of course, we also recognize the painful sacrifices that the Greek people are making at this difficult time, and I know that my European colleagues will carry forward these discussions […]
HRW Accuses Egypt’s Military of Torture
Posted May 19th, 2012 at 7:30 pm (UTC-5)
An international human rights group has accused Egypt’s military of beating and torturing protesters arrested during a huge rally near the Defense Ministry in Cairo earlier this month. The New York-based Human Rights Watch said Saturday soldiers fired tear gas and water cannon at thousands of demonstrators demanding an immediate end to military rule and […]
Chinese Activist Leaves for US
Posted May 19th, 2012 at 6:50 pm (UTC-5)
) United Airlines Flight 88, carrying Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng and his family, has landed in the United States at Newark airport near New York City. The blind activist departed Beijing earlier Saturday marking the end of a month-long diplomatic tussle between China and The United States, following Chen’s escape from house arrest. Chen, his […]
Sri Lanka Marks End of War Anniversary
Posted May 19th, 2012 at 6:40 pm (UTC-5)
Sri Lanka marked the third anniversary of the military victory over the Tamil Tiger rebels Saturday. Fighter jets flew over the capital, Colombo, while thousands of troops paraded in the streets flanked by tanks and other weaponry to celebrate the 2009 end to the 26-year civil war. In an address to the nation, Sri Lanka’s […]
Suicide Bomber Kills 9 in Eastern Syria
Posted May 19th, 2012 at 5:35 pm (UTC-5)
A suicide bomber detonated his explosives-laden car outside a Syrian state security compound in the eastern oasis town of Deir el Zour Saturday, killing nine people and wounding more than 100 others. No one has claimed responsibility for the suicide attack, but state television pinned the blame on terrorists, saying the car bomb was rigged […]
Historic Launch of Space Capsule Scrubbed
Posted May 19th, 2012 at 4:20 pm (UTC-5)
A technical problem has forced the company SpaceX to abort what would have been the first launch of a privately owned capsule to the International Space Station. The pre-dawn launch of the Dragon Capsule from Cape Canaveral, Florida was scrubbed half a second before it was to occur on Saturday. Initial plans are to try […]
Suicide Bomber Kills 13 in Eastern Afghanistan
Posted May 19th, 2012 at 3:55 pm (UTC-5)
Afghan authorities say a suicide bomber blew himself up at a police checkpoint in eastern Khost province Saturday, killing 13 people and wounding at least six others. Provincial officials said the attacker, wearing a suicide vest, was heading for a police checkpoint in the troubled district of Ali Sher, not far from the border with […]
G-8 Leaders Vow to Promote Economic Growth, Back Greece in Eurozone
Posted May 19th, 2012 at 3:15 pm (UTC-5)
Leaders of the G-8 highly industrialized countries say promoting growth and jobs is their “imperative” as they seek to reinvigorate their economies in the face of the European debt crisis. In a statement Saturday, the Group of Eight leaders also expressed their desire for Greece to remain in the eurozone and respect its commitments. The […]
