International News

Museum: Galileo's fingers, tooth are found  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:52 EST

Florence museum: lost Galileo relics, a tooth and 2 of astronomer's fingers, found again. Two fingers and a tooth removed from Galileo Galilei's corpse in a Florentine basilica in the 18th century and given up for lost have been found again and will soon be put on display, an Italian museum director said Friday.

 

Swine flu may have hit one peak; more to come  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:50 EST

 

6 world powers press Iran on nuclear issue  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:46 EST

Diplomats from 6 world powers urge Iran to accept UN nuclear plan. Representatives of six world powers urged Iran on Friday to accept a U.N. plan aimed at delaying its ability to build a nuclear weapon, as the head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency warned Tehran not to miss the opportunity to resolve the dispute.

 

Swine flu may be peaking in U.S.  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:27 EST

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The pandemic of swine flu may be hitting a peak in the United States, health experts said on Friday.

 

Afghan police are weak link in security force  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:23 EST

Police are weak link in Afghanistan's goal for its forces take lead on security in 5 years. Underpaid, under-equipped and under-trained, Afghanistan's 93,000-member police force is the weak link in an ambitious security strategy to hand over defense of the country to Afghans so American and other foreign troops can go home.

 

Floods devastate UK Lake District, much of Ireland  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:23 EST

Floods batter UK's Lake District, policeman dies, hundreds rescued; Ireland also hard hit. Raging floods engulfed northern England's picturesque Lake District on Friday following the heaviest rainfall ever recorded in Britain, killing a police officer and trapping dozens in their swamped homes.

 

Mexican reporter on organized crime goes missing  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:22 EST

Mexican prosecutors investigate disappearance of journalist who reported on crime, corruption. Authorities in the western Mexican state of Michoacan are investigating the disappearance of a journalist who wrote about organized crime.

 

Researcher: Faint writing seen on Shroud of Turin  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:20 EST

Vatican researcher says faint writing on Shroud of Turin proves its authenticity. A Vatican researcher has rekindled the age-old debate over the Shroud of Turin, saying that faint writing on the linen proves it was the burial cloth of Jesus.

 

Kidnapped Britons say Somali pirates may kill them  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:15 EST

Kidnapped Britons say Somali pirates are losing patience over ransom demand, may kill them. A British couple being held hostage by Somali pirates said in an interview broadcast Friday that they fear they will be killed or handed to a terrorist group if a ransom is not paid soon.

 

US envoy criticizes coverage of Obama China visit  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:14 EST

US ambassador criticizes negative coverage of Obama's China visit by US media. Washington's ambassador to Beijing hit out Friday at negative U.S. media coverage of President Barack Obama's visit to China, saying it failed to take into account important progress on many issues.

 

Colombia says will not be provoked by Venezuela  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:08 EST

BOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombia will not be provoked into armed conflict with Venezuela despite its neighbor's aggressive rhetoric and dynamiting of two border bridges, Colombia's defense minister said on Friday.

 

Protesters demand Albania vote recount  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:58 EST

Thousands of opposition supporters on Friday began a weekend of protests accusing Prime Minister Sali Berisha's government of electoral fraud and demanding a recount of ballots cast in June polls.

 

Mumbai still vulnerable 1 year after attack  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:42 EST

Mumbai Jewish center struggles to rebuild, city still vulnerable 1 year after terror attack. The walls that the rockets blew out have not been repaired, and the plaster is a dense scattershot of bullet holes. Dozens of holes, blasted by grenades, pockmark the linoleum floors.

 

Gates: US to do its part to slow Afghan corruption  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:38 EST

Defense chief says US will examine its own contracts in hopes of reducing Afghan corruption. The United States will do its part to reduce corruption in Afghanistan by examining its own contracts and projects, even as it is demanding the same from the Afghan government, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Friday.

 

Kidnapped Britons say Somali pirates may kill them  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:34 EST

Kidnapped Britons say Somali pirates are losing patience over ransom demand, may kill them. A British couple being held hostage by Somali pirates said in an interview broadcast Friday that they fear they will be killed or handed to a terrorist group if a ransom is not paid soon.

 

Egyptian soccer fans riot against Algeria  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:31 EST

Egyptian soccer fans riot against Algeria in escalating row over World Cup rivalry. Egyptian soccer fans burned Algerian flags and rioted outside the Algerian Embassy in Cairo, smashing cars and shop windows, in an escalating row between the two countries over a bitter World Cup rivalry.

 

Swedish Soprano Elisabeth Soderstrom dies at 82  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:28 EST

Former Metropolitan soprano Elisabeth Soderstrom dies in native Sweden, aged 82. Swedish soprano Elisabeth Soderstrom, an international opera star, has died, her husband Sverker Olow says.

 

EU leaders face flak as new president keeps low profile  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:17 EST

Incoming EU president Herman Van Rompuy kept a low profile Friday as the 27-nation bloc's leaders faced flak for picking him and a little-known British peer to lead a revamped Europe on the world stage.

 

UN committee targets Iran's rights violations  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:15 EST

UN committee targets Iran's human rights violations and crackdown on election opponents. A key U.N. committee approved a resolution Friday urging Iran to halt the persecution of political opponents following the country's disputed presidential election.

 

Guinea's opposition rejects mediator's proposals  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:01 EST

Efforts to end Guinea's political deadlock following a massacre at a political rally stalled on Friday with the opposition's rejection of an international mediator's proposals.

 

35 Egyptian police hurt as football violence simmers  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:59 EST

Protesters injured dozens of police near the Algerian embassy in Egypt's capital on Friday, fanning the flames of a diplomatic spat that erupted after Algeria won a football World Cup qualifier.

 

FIFA ban Iraq from international football  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:58 EST

World football's governing body FIFA on Friday announced its decision to suspend the Iraqi Football Association (IFA) until further notice "because of government interference".

 

Football: FIFA ban Iraq from international football  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:57 EST

World football's governing body FIFA on Friday announced its decision to suspend the Iraqi Football Association (IFA) until further notice "because of government interference".

 

Brazil's Lula calls for Israel settlement freeze  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:53 EST

Israeli settlement expansion on Palestinian territory must stop immediately, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Friday as he seeks to position Brazil as a player in the Middle East.

 

Obama's Senate allies eye key health care victory  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:48 EST

President Barack Obama's Democratic allies in the Senate strove Friday to lock down support to prevail in a landmark first test vote on his top domestic priority, remaking the US health care system.

 

Moderate Democrat boosts Senate healthcare bill  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:44 EST

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - One of three wavering U.S. Senate Democrats said on Friday he would vote to start the chamber's healthcare debate, bolstering the chances for a broad overhaul one day before its first crucial test.

 

WHO investigating Norway swine flu mutations  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:26 EST

The World Health Organization said Friday it is investigating samples of variant swine flu linked to two deaths and one severe case in Norway, but that so far the significance of the mutation is unclear.

 

WHO investigating Norway swine flu mutations  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:26 EST

WHO investigating swine flu mutations from Norway deaths, says significance still unclear. The World Health Organization said Friday it is investigating samples of variant swine flu linked to two deaths and one severe case in Norway, but that so far the significance of the mutation is unclear.

 

Yemen: Somali pirates hijack Panamanian cargo ship  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:25 EST

Yemeni coast guard says Somali pirates have hijacked Panamanian cargo ship in Gulf of Aden. Yemen's coast guard says Somali pirates have hijacked a Panamanian cargo ship in the treacherous Gulf of Aden between the Arabian peninsula and the Horn of Africa.

 

Paris sells off Yves Saint Laurent's belongings  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:14 EST

A four-day auction of late French designer Yves Saint Laurent's ravishing artwork and the everyday objects that packed his residences reaped euro8.99 million, Christie's auction house said Friday .

 

Lesbian US war deserter wins stay of deportation  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:09 EST

Canadian court orders refugee board to reconsider case of lesbian deserter from US army. Canada's Federal Court says the country's refugee board must reconsider the case of a lesbian who deserted the U.S. Army and fled to Canada.

 

UN blasts Iran's human rights violations  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:08 EST

A UN panel on Friday blasted Iran for "serious, ongoing and recurring" human rights violations, including violence against protesters after the disputed June presidential elections.

 

1.25 million bought Pacquiao-Cotto pay per view  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:06 EST

Manny Pacquiao's 12th-round TKO of Miguel Cotto was the top-drawing pay-per-view bout of 2009 with 1.25 million purchases worth 70 million dollars in revenue, Home Box Office Sports said Friday.

 

Guatemala reopening international adoptions  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:58 EST

Guatemala ends 2-year adoption suspension, establishes reforms to stop theft, sale of babies. Guatemalan officials on Friday announced the resumption of international adoptions after a nearly two-year suspension prompted by the discovery that some babies were being sold.

 

FIFA ban Iraq from international football  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:56 EST

World football's governing body FIFA on Friday announced its decision to suspend the Iraqi Football Association (IFA) until further notice "because of government interference".

 

Brazil's Lula calls for Israel settlement freeze  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:56 EST

Israeli settlement expansion on Palestinian territory must stop immediately, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Friday as he seeks to position Brazil as a player in the Middle East.

 

New German foreign minister on first Moscow visit  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:51 EST

Germany's new Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle emphasised strong relations with Russia during his first visit to Moscow Friday, but remained discreet on human rights issues.

 

Italian prosecutor: Knox hated murder victim  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:50 EST

Italian prosecutor: US student 'harbored hatred' for Briton; killed her in sex game. An American student accused of fatally stabbing her British roommate in Italy had a growing hatred for the victim and killed her in retaliation during a drug-fueled sex game, a prosecutor contended Friday in closing arguments at her murder trial.

 

The new EU chiefs: Rompuy-pumpy and Cathy Who?  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:41 EST

'Rompuy-pumpy' and Cathy Who?: Critics underwhelmed by EU's choice for new top jobs. Catherine Ashton: International woman of mystery.

 

Fourteen to contest Ivory Coast presidential election  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:41 EST

President Laurent Gbagbo, ex-president Henri Konan Bedie, ex-premier Alassane Ouattara and 11 others, including comic Adama Dahico, will contest Ivory Coast's long-awaited presidential election, officials said Friday.

 

EU signs deal with Nigeria to support peace  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:38 EST

The European Commission has signed a 677 million euro (one billion dollar) deal to help Nigeria tackle challenges in its restive oil-producing region, promoting peace, good governance and trade, the EU said Friday.

 

Kosovo PM's party drops threat of quit coalition  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:34 EST

Kosovo's main ruling party withdrew on Friday its threat to split from its junior coalition partner in the first such rift since Pristina proclaimed independence in 2008.

 

New EU president raises fears in aspirant Turkey  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:31 EST

ANKARA (Reuters) - Herman Van Rompuy's appointment as the first European Union president provoked fears in Turkey that he might hinder Ankara's hopes of joining the bloc, with some media declaring outright that he is anti-Turkish.

 

Guinea's opposition rejects mediator's proposals  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:29 EST

Guinea's opposition on Friday rejected proposals to end political deadlock made by the mediator, President Blaise Compaore of Burkina Faso, on the grounds that they ignored the will of Guinea's people.

 

West African bloc bans arms transfer by member states  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:25 EST

West African regional bloc ECOWAS Friday banned the transfer of arms by the 15 member states except for legitimate defence, security and peacekeeping operations, a senior official said.

 

35 Egyptian police hurt as football violence simmers  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:22 EST

Violent protestors injured dozens of police near the Algerian embassy in Cairo on Friday, fanning the flames of a diplomatic row that erupted over a football World Cup qualifier won by bitter rivals Algeria.

 

Pakistan demands US share Afghan blueprint  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:20 EST

Pakistan demands US share Afghan blueprint; suspected US missile strike kills 8 militants. Pakistan expressed fear Friday that a large increase in foreign troops in Afghanistan could push militants across the border into its territory and called on the U.S. to factor in that concern as part of its new war strategy.

 

Honduras regime seeks to disarm citizens ahead of polls  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:15 EST

The Honduran de facto regime on Friday ordered citizens to turn in their weapons in a bid to avert violence around disputed presidential elections to be held at the end of the month.

 

Somalia to join child rights pact, only U.S. outside  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:14 EST

GENEVA (Reuters) - Somalia has announced it plans to ratify a global treaty aimed at protecting children, leaving the United States as the only country outside the pact, UNICEF said Friday.

 

Policeman dies as floods trigger evacuation  Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:11 EST

A policeman died after being swept away by "biblical" floods in the scenic Lake District, officials said Friday as helicopters helped evacuate hundreds of stranded residents.