Libyan rebels say they have seized control of the western town of Zlitan, following intense battles with forces loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi. Rebels said Friday that they pushed into the center of the town, which is about 150 kilometers from Tripoli. The claim could not be independently verified. They also said at least […]
Democracy Leader Meets Burma President
Posted August 19th, 2011 at 1:10 pm (UTC-5)
A Burmese government official says democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi met Friday with President Thein Sein in the administrative capital Naypyidaw. State-run television showed video of the first meeting between the Nobel peace laureate and Burma’s first civilian president, describing the meeting as friendly. It said the two discussed the possibility of cooperation. Separately, […]
Turkey to Reopen Embassy in Famine-Hit Somalia
Posted August 19th, 2011 at 11:55 am (UTC-5)
Turkey’s prime minister says his country will reopen its embassy in Somalia and provide critical help to the famine-hit country. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited refugee camps and a hospital in the capital, Mogadishu, during a one-day trip on Friday. During a news conference, Mr. Erdogan also promised Turkey would construct a road from […]
Indian Anti-Corruption Activist Promises ‘Revolution’
Posted August 19th, 2011 at 10:05 am (UTC-5)
Indian activist Anna Hazare told followers Friday that they are launching what he called a new “revolution,” as he began a 15-day hunger strike aimed at forcing officials to adopt tougher anti-corruption legislation. Hours earlier, thousands of his supporters had greeted the bespectacled 74-year-old activist clad in white as he was released from jail. As […]
US Stocks Fall in Early Trading Friday
Posted August 19th, 2011 at 10:05 am (UTC-5)
U.S. stock indexes fell in early trading Friday, mirroring more losses on Asian and European markets. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is down nine-tenths of one percent, while the broader S & P 500 index is off eight-tenths of a percent. The NASDAQ is down seven-tenths of a percent. In afternoon trading in Europe, stock […]
Syrian President Continues Crackdown Despite Resignation Calls
Posted August 19th, 2011 at 9:10 am (UTC-5)
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s forces have opened fire on anti-government demonstrators, amid mounting calls for his resignation over Damascus’ crackdown on dissent. Rights activists say at least two people were killed in the southern Dara’a region on Friday after forces fired shots at protesters. The violence comes on the heels of their reports that security […]
Global Stocks Drop Again on Economy Fears
Posted August 19th, 2011 at 9:00 am (UTC-5)
Stock markets continued to fall across the globe on Friday, as investors showed new concern about the struggling U.S. economy and the stability of the European banking system. Asian stock indexes dropped sharply, European exchanges followed suit and a futures index predicted more losses on Wall Street when trading opens in New York. Analysts said […]
Suicide Bombing at Mosque Kills 40 in Pakistan
Posted August 19th, 2011 at 8:45 am (UTC-5)
Officials say a suicide bomber has struck a mosque in northwest Pakistan, killing at least 40 people. The attack occurred as more than 300 people packed into the mosque for Friday prayers in Jamrud, the main town in the Khyber tribal region. Authorities say more than 100 people were wounded in the blast. No one […]
Taliban Attack on British Council in Kabul Kills 9
Posted August 19th, 2011 at 5:55 am (UTC-5)
Afghan officials say at least nine people were killed Friday in twin suicide bombings and a gun battle at a British cultural center in Kabul. Shots were still heard hours after the suicide bombers started the attack. Several more explosions were heard inside the British Council compound. The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack, […]
Blasts Rock Libyan Captial as Rebel Gains Continue
Posted August 18th, 2011 at 10:40 pm (UTC-5)
At least seven loud explosions rocked the Libyan capital, Tripoli, early Friday as bombs fell in the vicinity of leader Moammar Gadhafi’s main compound and several areas in the west of the city. Opposition forces are now closing in on the capital from the west and the south, while NATO controls the seas to the […]
