Syrian President Bashar al-Assad says “saboteurs” are trying to exploit legitimate calls for change, and there can be no reform in his country through vandalism. Mr. Assad said during a televised speech to the nation Monday there can be no development in Syria without stability. The speech was his third major address since anti-government protests […]
Syrian President Says “Saboteurs” Exploiting Legitimate Reform
Posted June 20th, 2011 at 6:05 am (UTC-5)
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US Drone Attack Kills 6 in NW Pakistan
Posted June 20th, 2011 at 4:00 am (UTC-5)
Pakistani officials say U.S. drones fired missiles Monday at a vehicle and a house in the northwest tribal district of Kurram near the Afghan border, killing at least six suspected militants. U.S. drone strikes routinely target militants holed up in Pakistan’s tribal belt, but the operations are normally concentrated on insurgent strongholds in Waziristan, rather […]
Abyei Agreement Hits 11th-Hour Snag
Posted June 19th, 2011 at 5:15 pm (UTC-5)
North-South Sudanese talks on the status of the disputed Abyei region have hit a last-minute snag, also threatening a planned humanitarian cease-fire. A week ago Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir and southern leader Salva Kiir agreed in principle to demilitarize the oil-rich Abyei region and allow an Ethiopian peacekeeping force into the territory. The deal […]
Soviet-Era Human Rights Activist Yelena Bonner Dies at 88
Posted June 19th, 2011 at 4:55 pm (UTC-5)
Veteran Soviet-era rights activist Yelena Bonner, widow of Nobel Peace laureate Andrei Sakharov, has died in the United States at the age of 88. Bonner died of heart problems Saturday in Boston, where she lived with her son and daughter. Bonner was a relentless critic of human rights abuses by Soviet-era authorities. She was born […]
Fighting in Libya’s West Kills 9, Wounds 50
Posted June 19th, 2011 at 3:05 pm (UTC-5)
Rebels and medical officials in Libya say fighting near the rebel-held western city of Misrata has killed at least nine people and wounded more than 50 others. The officials said forces loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi used heavy artillery Sunday to pummel Dafniya, just west of Misrata. The latest fighting comes as Libyan officials […]
Greek PM Appeals to Parliament to Support Unpopular Austerity Measures
Posted June 19th, 2011 at 2:35 pm (UTC-5)
Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou has appealed to parliament to support deeply unpopular austerity measures demanded by international lenders, as Greece seeks emergency loans to avoid defaulting on its debt. Mr. Papandreou told lawmakers Sunday Greece is at a “critical” junction, facing bankruptcy next month unless it secures the next installment of a bailout offered […]
Problems Linger for Stranded US Airline Passengers
Posted June 18th, 2011 at 2:40 pm (UTC-5)
Frustrated U.S. travelers faced additional delays Saturday after a computer glitch grounded some flights and delayed others. U.S.-based United Airlines said Saturday a problem with its computer network forced its airport processing and reservation to shut down, starting late Friday. Its website was also affected. The company said it fixed the problem by early Saturday […]
Syria Expands Crackdown on Dissent
Posted June 18th, 2011 at 10:05 am (UTC-5)
Syrian forces have stormed a village near the Turkish border as part of the government’s widening crackdown on dissent. Rights activists and witnesses say troops with tanks and armored personnel carriers swept into Bdama, where they fired machine guns and arrested at least 70 people Saturday. Witnesses say the forces set at least two houses […]
Man in Custody in Pentagon Threat Investigation
Posted June 17th, 2011 at 4:30 pm (UTC-5)
U.S. authorities say a man, detained near the Defense Department headquarters with a backpack of suspicious items, is a member of the Marine Corps Reserve. The man has been identified as Lance Corporal Yonathan Melaku, a 22-year-old U.S. citizen originally from Ethiopia. A U.S. Park Police spokesman told reporters Friday that Mr. Melaku was discovered […]
Rush is On to Save Greece
Posted June 17th, 2011 at 1:40 pm (UTC-5)
Politicians both inside and outside Greece are scrambling to rescue the debt-ridden country, hoping to make sure it does not drag Europe into an even larger economic crisis. France and Germany set aside key differences Friday, promising a new rescue package would be completed as soon as possible. Their agreement came as Greek Prime Minister […]
