June 26, 2013
Nelson Mandela’s condition ‘unchanged’
The South African government says former President Nelson Mandela's medical condition remains unchanged. Mr Mandela, 94, has been in a Pretoria hospital since 8 June being treated for a recurring lung infection, and his condition became critical on…
June 26, 2013
Australia-Japan whaling case in international court
Australia and Japan take their fight over whaling to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague later, as public hearings get under way. Australia is to argue that Tokyo's scientific research programme - under which it kills whales - is…
June 26, 2013
Central African Republic Mourns Mine Collapse Deaths
The Central African Republic is observing three days of national mourning after nearly 40 people were killed in a gold mine collapse. The accident occurred Sunday, at a mine in Ndassima in the middle of the country, after very heavy rains. In a…
June 19, 2013
US House Republicans pass abortion-limits bill
The Republican-controlled US House of Representatives has passed a bill that would introduce strict abortion limits. The plan to restrict terminations to the first 20 weeks after conception was approved by 228 votes to 196, largely along party…
June 19, 2013
US Military to Put Women in Key Combat Roles
The U.S. military says that within three years, it will put women in key combat positions from which they once were excluded. Officials from all four branches of the U.S. military gathered at the Pentagon Tuesday to announce a timeline for changes…
June 19, 2013
Mali Gov’t, Tuareg Rebels Sign Accord
Mali's government has signed a deal with Tuareg rebels that will allow the army to return to a key rebel-held city ahead of next month's elections. The deal was signed Tuesday in Burkina Faso's capital, Ouagadougou, in the presence of Burkinabe…
June 19, 2013
NSA Chief: Surveillance Programs Prevented 50+ Attacks
U.S. National Security Agency Director General Keith Alexander says NSA surveillance programs have helped prevent more than 50 terrorist attacks since 9/11. He said two recently disclosed surveillance programs that gather U.S. phone records and…
June 19, 2013
Chad Arrests Leader of Elephant Poaching Gang
Authorities in Chad have arrested the suspected leader of a poaching gang that is accused of slaughtering nearly 200 elephants. Idriss Hassan was arrested last week while transporting 124 elephant tusks. Environment Minister Mahamat Halikimi says…
June 19, 2013
Swiss Balk at Bank Disclosures to US Authorities
Swiss lawmakers are balking at ending the country's long-time bank secrecy tradition so the financial institutions can tell U.S. authorities about suspected American tax evaders. The lower house of the Swiss parliament voted overwhelmingly Tuesday…
June 13, 2013
Assad Used Chemical Weapons in Syria
The White House says it now has conclusive evidence that Syrian troops have used chemical weapons against rebels -- a move President Barack Obama has said would cross a "red line." Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes told reporters…