MANILA, Philippines – Police say a concrete wall at a warehouse being built in the Philippines has collapsed, killing at least 10 workers. They say five other workers were seriously injured in the collapse Monday in Guiguinto town in Bulacan province just north of Manila. A police report said the …
Read More »International prosecutor calls for renewed push to arrest Kony after commander arrives at ICC
THE HAGUE, Netherlands – The prosecutor for the International Criminal Court urged renewed efforts Wednesday to arrest notorious militia leader Joseph Kony, after one of his top commanders was taken into custody to face charges of leading a reign of terror in central Africa. Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said in a …
Read More »Congo lawmakers approve revised electoral law after scrapping provision that sparked protests
KINSHASA, Congo – Lawmakers in Congo have approved a new version of the country’s electoral law after scrapping a provision that opposition leaders said was intended to prolong the president’s time in power. Both the Senate and the National Assembly passed the law on Sunday. It now heads to President …
Read More »Sri Lanka's new gov't to return private lands in civil war-ravaged north, release detainees
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – A Sri Lankan minister says the country’s new government plans to give back military-held private land in the country’s war-ravaged north and release detainees in apparent moves at post-civil war reconciliation with ethnic minority Tamils. Cabinet Spokesman Rajitha Senaratne told reporters late Wednesday that his government …
Read More »Tips For President Bush on Meeting With the French
So President Bush and Jacques Chirac are going to meet face to face. The big trip. The big powwow. The big moment. Frankly, I don’t even think he should be hobnobbing with Chirac, but if he must… some free tips from me: Tip 1: Shake Chirac’s hand, but make it …
Read More »French, German leaders heading to Ukraine with new peace initiaitive
PARIS – French President Francois Hollande says he and German Chancellor Angela Merkel are heading to Ukraine with a new peace initiative. Speaking at a news conference in Paris and describing the Ukrainian conflict as a war, Hollande said the two will go to Kiev on Thursday and then head …
Read More »China president plans to make 1st state visit to US
BEIJING – A top Chinese diplomat has said President Xi Jinping plans to make his first state visit to the U.S. later this year, Chinese state media reported Monday. The official China Daily newspaper quoted China’s ambassador to the U.S. Ciu Tiankai as saying Chinese and U.S. officials are discussing …
Read More »IMF to offer $17.6 billion to promote economic reform in Ukraine
BRUSSELS – The International Monetary Fund has agreed to provide Ukraine with 15.5 billion euros ($17.6 billion) to help support economic reforms. IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde said Thursday that “this new program offers an important opportunity for Ukraine to move its economy forward at a critical moment in the …
Read More »It's mud madness: Brazilian Carnival party dispenses with costumes, revels in slime
PARATY, Brazil – Mud madness has taken over at a Brazilian Carnival street party where a mineral-rich black slime is a substitute for more traditional costumes. Thousands of revelers from throughout Brazil and beyond converged Saturday at a beach near the colonial city of Paraty for the “Bloco da Lama,” …
Read More »Bosnian police arrests suspected Islamic State fighters and their financiers
SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina – Bosnian police have arrested six men suspected of supporting the Islamic State group, including two who allegedly were preparing to go to Syria to fight and were arrested at Sarajevo airport. Police say others were suspected of financing terrorist groups and recruiting fighters. A police statement on …
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