European Union leaders are meeting in Brussels for a summit on a proposed budget that has divided the 27-nation bloc already facing economic crisis. In a battle pitting wealthy member states against those seeking a bigger aid budget, British Prime Minister David Cameron has threatened to use his veto unless spending levels are frozen. The […]
Egypt’s President Grants Himself Sweeping Powers
Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi has caused controversy by putting himself above oversight and protecting Islamist lawmakers who support him. President Morsi Thursday declared that his decisions cannot be appealed by the courts or any other authority, citing a need to “protect the revolution.” The decree announced by his spokesman also bars Egypt’s judiciary from dissolving […]
Gaza and Israel Calm as Cease-fire Holds
A cease-fire that halted eight days of deadly fighting between Israel and Hamas held firm on Thursday as thousands of flag-waving Gaza residents poured into the streets, while in Israel the mood was more subdued. Following a night of quiet skies after an Egyptian-brokered truce went into effect late Wednesday, Gaza’s Hamas prime minister hailed […]
Gaza and Israel Calm as Cease-fire Holds
A cease-fire that halted eight days of deadly fighting between Israel and Hamas held firm Thursday as thousands of flag-waving Gaza residents poured into the streets, while in Israel the mood was more subdued. Following a night of quiet skies after an Egyptian-brokered truce deal came into effect, Gaza’s Hamas prime minister hailed the territory’s […]
Egypt’s Morsi Grants Himself Sweeping Powers
Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi has issued a decree granting himself far-reaching powers and ordering retrials of former officials who tried to violently suppress last year’s popular revolution against longtime president Hosni Mubarak. In a statement read on state television by his spokesman Thursday, Mr. Morsi declared that his decisions cannot be appealed by the courts […]
Americans Mark Thanksgiving Holiday
Americans are marking the annual Thanksgiving holiday Thursday. The holiday is engrained in American life as a day for family gatherings with sumptuous turkey feasts, accompanied by a wide array of side dishes and pies. By one estimate, more than 43 million people are expected to travel 80 kilometers or more to attend holiday gatherings […]
Nigerian Tops Africa’s Richest List
Forbes magazine has named Africa’s richest man — a Nigerian tycoon who made his fortune in sugar, flour, and cement. This is the second year in a row that Aliko Dangote has topped the list of Africa’s 40 richest people, with a reported net worth of $12 billion. Forbes says most of Dangote’s wealth comes […]
Former Ivory Coast First Lady Indicted by ICC
The International Criminal Court has unsealed an indictment against Simone Gbagbo, wife of former Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo, for crimes against humanity. The court made the indictment and arrest warrant for Mrs. Gbagbo public on Thursday. The charges against the former first lady include “murder, rape, other forms of sexual violence, other inhumane acts, […]
Russia Opposes NATO Patriots on Turkey’s Syria Border
Russia has warned against NATO’s possible deployment of Patriot missiles near Turkey’s border with Syria. Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said Thursday that Turkey’s request for deployment to the Western military alliance “would not foster stability in the region.” NATO ambassadors met Wednesday to consider Turkey’s request, which followed weeks of talks between Ankara and […]
Sudan Arrests Suspected Coup Plotters
Authorities in Sudan say they have arrested the country’s former intelligence chief, among others, for an alleged plot to destabilize national security. Sudan’s information minister announced the arrests Thursday, saying former intelligence minister Salah Gosh is among the accused. He said Gosh is among a number of military and intelligence officers suspected of involvement in […]