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Zuma Meets Miners at Site of Police Killings

Posted August 22nd, 2012 at 1:55 pm (UTC-5)
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South African President Jacob Zuma has assured miners his government will uncover the “truth” about the police killing of 34 striking mine workers. Mr. Zuma spoke to hundreds of striking miners at the Lonmin platinum mine in Marikana. Police opened fire on protesters demanding higher wages at the Marikana mine last week. At least 10 […]

Tags: , , , Posted in Africa

Father’s Age Linked to Autism Risk

Posted August 22nd, 2012 at 1:55 pm (UTC-5)
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The older a man is when he fathers a child, the more likely it is that he will pass on damaging mutations, such as those that lead to developmental problems like autism. While that had been suspected, scientists in Iceland have quantified the risk. They found that the average child born to a 20-year-old father […]

Tags: , , , Posted in Science

Greek PM Launches Bid to Secure Better Bailout Terms

Posted August 22nd, 2012 at 12:25 pm (UTC-5)
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Launching a diplomatic bid aimed at securing better economic-bailout terms, Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras has met with Eurogroup President Jean-Claude Juncker in Athens. Later this week, Mr. Samaras will meet in Berlin with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and in Paris with French President Francois Hollande. Before meeting Juncker, Mr. Samaras told the German newspaper […]

Tags: , , , Posted in Europe

48 Killed in Kenyan Land Dispute

Posted August 22nd, 2012 at 12:20 pm (UTC-5)
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Kenyan police are investigating a violent clash between two ethnic groups, in the eastern Tana River region, that left at least 48 people dead. Police and residents say at least 100 members of the Pokomo clan raided a village inhabited by members of the Orma group, late Tuesday. Investigators say some villagers were killed after […]

Tags: , , , Posted in Africa

US Troop Deaths Top 2,000 in Afghanistan

Posted August 22nd, 2012 at 12:20 pm (UTC-5)
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The number of U.S. military members killed in the war in Afghanistan has surpassed 2,000, with more than half of the deaths coming in the past 27 months. The increased casualty rate came as President Barack Obama poured thousands of extra troops into the country to intensify the U.S.-led NATO coalition’s battle against insurgents. Those […]

Tags: , , , Posted in South Asia

Russia Becomes 156th Member of WTO

Posted August 22nd, 2012 at 10:00 am (UTC-5)
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Russia became the 156th member of the World Trade Organization on Wednesday, following nearly two decades of negotiations. Russia was one of the world’s last major economies to join the Geneva-based institution, having previously expressed concerns about the potential influx of Western goods and services. As part of its membership, Russia has agreed to lower […]

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Ethiopia Prepares for New Prime Minister as Nation Mourns Meles

Posted August 22nd, 2012 at 9:15 am (UTC-5)
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Ethiopia’s parliament is preparing to hold an emergency session to swear in the successor to the late Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, who died on Monday. Parliament is set to meet Thursday to install the new prime minister, Hailemariam Desalegn, who has served as Mr. Meles’ deputy since 2010. Mr. Desalegn is to serve out the […]

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48 Killed in Ethnic Clashes in Kenya

Posted August 22nd, 2012 at 9:00 am (UTC-5)
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At least 48 people, including 11 children, have been killed in clashes between two ethnic groups in Kenya’s eastern Tana River region. Police said Wednesday the victims were either hacked to death or burned after fighting erupted between the Pokomo and Orma communities. There has been an ongoing dispute between the two groups over land […]

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Amnesty Urges Protection of Pakistani Girl Accused of Blasphemy

Posted August 22nd, 2012 at 8:45 am (UTC-5)
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Amnesty International is urging the Pakistani government to ensure the safety of a Christian girl accused of violating the country’s blasphemy laws after she allegedly desecrated a religious text. Police arrested Ramsha Masih last week after angry neighbors surrounded her house in Islamabad and accused her of burning pages inscribed with verses from the Koran. […]

Tags: , Posted in South Asia

Report: Thousands of Chinese Forcibly Institutionalized

Posted August 22nd, 2012 at 7:00 am (UTC-5)
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A new report says thousands of Chinese each year are committed to mental institutions against their will, often for punishment or political purposes. The Chinese Human Rights Defenders group says those locked up for alleged mental illnesses are frequently subjected to forced medication, violence, and other mistreatment such as electrical shocks. It says many have […]

Tags: , Posted in East Asia Pacific