New York to allow turbans for MTA employees
The Metropolitan Transport Authority of New York will allow Sikh and Muslim employees to wear religious headgear after a federal court on Wednesday ruled that banning turbans discriminates against workers of these faiths. The only requirement for such headgear will be the MTA's standard blue color. "Sikh and Muslim workers may now wear their religious headdress freely as they were allowed to do so before 9/11 – without fear of segregation or discipline,” the Sikh Coalition announced.
2 killed, 3 wounded in Seattle university district shooting
A gunman opened fire at a Café Racer in Seattle’s University district Wednesday, killing two people and seriously wounding three others. One of the victims is in critical condition.Police are on the hunt for the shooter, described as a 30-something year old man wearing dark clothes. No motive has been established for the attack.
Abducted French journalist freed in Colombia
Abducted French journalist Romeo Langlois has been freed from FARC rebels in southern Colombia. The Red Cross say a convoy made up of its staff, a member of the French government and three representatives from a local human rights group set off to pick him up on Wednesday. Langlois was captured by FARC rebels on April 28 during an attack on troops, who he was accompanying to film a drug eradication operation. On Monday, the rebels released a video showing the journalist in good health.
Syrian rebels give Assad ultimatum, threaten consequences
Syrian rebels have given president Bashar Assad 48 hours to implement UN envoy Kofi Annan`s peace plan, saying the president will face consequences if he fails to do so. The announcement comes days after a massacre in Houla that saw more than 100 civilians killed. The West condemned the attack and recalled their envoys from Damascus. Syrian authorities have denied any involvement in the attack.
Ahmadinejad expects no "miracles" at Moscow nuclear talks
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Wednesday it is unlikely that Moscow talks with six world powers over Iran's nuclear powers will yield any major breakthroughs. "We are not expecting miracles," he told interview 24 television.
N. Korea declares itself ‘nuclear power’
North Korea has amended its constitution spelling out for the first time that the country is a nuclear power, reports the Japanese broadcaster NHK. The fully revised text of the document was published on a North Korean website on Wednesday. The preamble praises the country’s late leader, Kim Jong Il, for transforming the homeland into a never-defeated political and ideological power, an invincible military power and a nuclear power. The amendment was made back in April as the Supreme People's Assembly honored Kim Jong Il’s legacy.
IAEA suspects nuclear ‘activities’ at Iran site
The UN nuclear watchdog suspects that Iran may be cleaning a site after atomic bomb tests. The suspicious data comes from new UN satellite imagery showing major "ground scraping activities" at the Parchin military site. One building appears to have been removed from the site. Iran has dismissed the charges.
Moscow won’t “get used to” McFaul’s behavior – diplomatic source
Moscow is not going to “get used to” imprudent remarks of US Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul, calling his unprofessionalism dangerous, a source from Russia’s Foreign Ministry told RIA Novosti. Last week, speaking to students of one of Moscow’s universities, McFaul allowed himself a number of indiscreet remarks, including an accusation that Moscow bribed Kyrgyzstan to shut a US air base there. Russia’s Foreign Ministry qualified the actions of the ambassador as “unprofessional.” To this, the US Department of State responded advising Moscow to “get used to” McFaul’s straightforward behavior.
Minister's daughter detained over deadly Qatar fire
The daughter of the Qatari culture minister has been detained following a shopping mall fire that killed 19 people, including 13 children. The blaze took place in the mall’s nursery, which was owned by the woman. The space had no emergency fire exit and was connected to the mall by a small passage. Dense smoke and extreme heat created a "death trap" in the corridor.
Pope calls reports on Vatileaks scandal ‘exaggerated’
Pope Benedict XVI broke his silence on Wednesday over the leaked documents scandal. At the end of his weekly general audience he lashed out at some of the media reports and stressed that “exaggerated” rumors had offered a false image of the Holy See. The events of recent days about the Curia “have brought sadness in my heart,” Benedict said, as cited by AP. “I want to renew my trust in and encouragement of my closest collaborators and all those who every day… help me fulfill my ministry.” The pope's butler, Paolo Gabriele, was arrested last week after papal documents were discovered in his Vatican City apartment. He remains in detention and has pledged to cooperate with the investigation.
Oil pipeline hit in bomb attack in eastern Syria – reports
Terrorist groups carried out a bomb attack on an oil pipeline in the eastern province of Deir al-Zor on Wednesday, according to Syria's state news agency SANA. The blast reportedly set part of the pipeline on fire, and pumping was halted to the line, Reuters said. Repairs may take several days. Last month another attack on the pipeline was reported in the same region.
Spain heads critical list of economies
The European Commission has placed Spain at the head of a list of 12 eurozone economies that are in a critical state. “Spain faces major adjustment challenges following the bursting of the housing and credit bubble,” the Commission said, as cited by AFP. There is a need to implement the ongoing reforms fully, it added. Spain is supposed to slash its deficit from last year’s 8.9 per cent to 3.0 per cent of economic output in 2013. Cyprus was also listed as being in “very serious” trouble.
Israel should consider ‘unilateral action’ in West Bank - Barak
Israel’s Defense Minister Ehud Barak proposed on Wednesday that Israel consider "unilateral action" if peace talks with the Palestinians do not resume. “Israel cannot afford to tread water,” AP quoted him as saying. If a deal “proves to be impossible, we have to consider a provisional arrangement or even unilateral action,” Barak said without further comment. In the 2005 Gaza pullout, all 8,500 settlers and thousands of soldiers left the territory, ending a 38-year occupation.
Mubarak's sons charged with insider trading
Egypt's top prosecutor has charged Hosni Mubarak's two sons with insider trading and referred them to trial before a criminal court. The charges were announced Wednesday by the prosecutor-general's office, AP said. Mubarak and his two sons, Gamal and Alaa, are in prison and on trial on charges of corruption. A verdict is expected on June 2.
Pakistan doctor who helped find Bin Laden jailed ‘for militant link’
A Pakistani doctor who helped the US find Osama bin Laden was imprisoned for aiding militants and not for links to the CIA, according to a court document released on Wednesday. Shakil Afridi was sentenced last week to 33 years in jail. Pakistani officials argued the decision was based on treason charges for aiding the CIA in its hunt for Bin Laden. However, the judgment document states Afridi was jailed because of his ties to the banned militant group Lashkar-e-Islam, Reuters reports. The document stated there was evidence that Afridi “has been shown acting with other foreign intelligence agencies.”
Russia says expulsion of Syrian ambassadors counterproductive
Russia finds the expulsion of Syrian ambassadors from leading Western countries counterproductive, spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry Aleksandr Lukashevich said on Wednesday. From the point of view of efforts to promote a peaceful settlement of the Syrian crisis “we find the expulsion of the ambassadors as a counterproductive step,” he said, as cited by Itar-Tass. The most important channels to exert influence on the Syrian government “turned out to be sealed off,” he said. “They do not want to listen to Damascus, and… this is harmful for the issue in the current situation.”
Syrian government not involved in Houla massacre - ambassador
The massacre in Houla late last week was committed by armed terrorist groups, Syrian Ambassador to Russia Riyad Haddad has said. “The state denies any involvement in the Houla events,” Interfax quoted him as saying on Wednesday. “I can confirm that the Syrian army did not use artillery,” the envoy said. Haddad said that some 200 armed militants arrived in vehicles with weapons installed on them on the day of the tragedy. According to the diplomat, the armed men first opened fire on combat infantry vehicles, killing 31 servicemen, and then went into the villages of Shumaria and Houla.
UN observer mission finds 13 bodies in eastern Syria
The UN observer mission to Syria has said that 13 bodies have been discovered in eastern Syria with their hands tied. There were signs that some had been shot in the head at close range, the mission’s statement said. The bodies were found in Assukar, about 80 km from the eastern city of Deir Ezzor, on Wednesday. Major-General Robert Mood, who heads the mission, said he was “deeply disturbed by this appalling and inexcusable act.” He urged all parties of the conflict “to exercise restraint.”
No comments:
Post a Comment