Syrian state media announced Sunday the start of large-scale military drills along the country’s coast, as more civilians reportedly died in clashes between government and rebel forces. State television reported that the military is practicing how it would repel an attack by sea. Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights told the French news agency […]
Syria Launches Large-Scale Military Exercises
Karzai: Afghanistan on ‘Long Journey to Self-Reliance’
Afghan President Hamid Karzai says his country is embarking on a “long journey to self-reliance.” Speaking Sunday at a donors conference in Tokyo, Mr. Karzai said Afghanistan is facing “years of hard work” as international troops stationed in the South Asian nation initiate their exit. Donor nations Sunday pledged $16 billion in aid to the […]
International Donors Pledge $16 Billion to Afghanistan
International donors meeting in Tokyo have pledged $16 billion in development aid for Afghanistan over the next four years. The amount is in line with the $4 billion a year that Afghan President Hamid Karzai requested at Sunday’s conference. In his opening remarks, Mr. Karzai acknowledged that endemic corruption in Afghanistan has undermined previous aid […]
US, Pakistan Seek Improved Relations
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has expressed hope that Pakistan’s reopening of NATO supply routes into Afghanistan will lead to better relations with Washington. Clinton met Sunday in Tokyo with Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and told reporters that the two countries are putting past difficulties behind them to focus on the future […]
Putin Orders Investigation of Flood Response
Russian President Vladimir Putin inspected a flood-ravaged area in southern Russia Saturday and ordered an investigation into whether a slow response by local officials in Krasnodar could have contributed to the deaths of more than 144 people. State television showed Mr. Putin speaking with emergency ministry officials, who assured him the flood was not caused […]
Bombs Kill 14 Civilians in Southern Afghanistan
Afghan authorities say two roadside bombs have killed 14 civilians in the south of the country. Officials in Kandahar province said a minivan ran over one bomb in the Arghistan district. Soon after, civilians riding on a tractor arrived to help the wounded and struck a second bomb on the road. It is not known […]
US Hails Libyan Election
U.S. President Barack Obama has hailed Libya’s first free election in decades, calling it another milestone in the country’s transition to democracy. In a written statement late Saturday, Mr. Obama extended his congratulations to Libya on behalf of the American people. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, speaking in Tokyo, also congratulated Libyans Sunday. “After […]
US Hails Libyan Election
U.S. President Barack Obama has hailed Libya’s first free election in decades, calling it another milestone in the country’s transition to democracy. In a written statement late Saturday, Mr. Obama extended his congratulations to Libya on behalf of the American people. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, speaking in Tokyo, also congratulated Libyans Sunday. After […]
Sudan Military Pledges to Avenge Killings of Two Government Officials
Sudan’s military has vowed to defeat rebels it accuses of killing two regional government officials and six other people in an ambush Friday, calling the killings “a treacherous act.” Sudan’s official SUNA news agency says rebels killed the speaker of South Kordofan state’s legislative council, Ibrahim Balandiya, and the chief of its strategic planning council, […]
Millions of Americans Brace for Another Day of Scorching Temperatures
Millions of Americans are bracing themselves for another day of record-setting high temperatures Sunday in a heat wave blamed for at least 30 deaths in the central and eastern United States. In Washington Saturday, temperatures pushed past 40 degrees Celsius, as many outlying residents remained without power more than a week after deadly summer storms […]