The head of the UN Oberservers in Syria is stating that neither side in the country’s civil war is willing to have a peaceful transition and that violence is increasing.
“Violence over the past 10 days has been intensifying,” Major General Robert Mood said at a Friday press conference. “[There is] a push toward advancing military positions.”
General Mood said the UN is focusing on the civilians in the country and trying to make sure their pain and suffering is addressed. Continue reading
Moody’s cut the credit ratings of Belgian and Dutch banks, attributing the cuts to the current euro zone crisis.
“Dutch banks will face difficult operating conditions throughout 2012 and possibly beyond,” Moody’s told the BBC.
Long-term ratings were cut at least one level with most getting cut two levels. Continue reading
The Muslim Brotherhood, recently removed from power as the result of a Supreme Court ruling that overturned the election that placed them in power, is stating that any return of power to those connected to the previous regime will create “dangerous days.”
The threat comes as the Muslim Brotherhood’s candidate faces off in the Presidential election this weekend with former prime minister Ahmed Shafiq. Shafiq was the last prime minister of the Mubarak regime. Continue reading
President Obama wrote “we remember, we rebuild, we come back stronger” on a beam on the 22nd floor of the One World Trade Center Building (formerly the Freedom Tower.) Continue reading
After a photo of a seven month pregnant woman forced to undergo an abortion against her will surfaced on the internet, China has apologized to the woman and taken action against the officials involved in the assault.
Chinese law prohibits abortions beyond six months. Continue reading
A photo showing a seven month pregnant woman forced into an abortion has shocked Chinese web users. Feng Jiamei was forced into the abortion by local government officials after she was unable to pay a fine for having a second child.
This is the latest in a line of forced abortions in China as a result of the country’s one-child policy, according to activist groups like the US based “All Girls Allowed.”
“The one-child policy continues to sanction violence against women every day,” Chai Ling of All Girls Allowed told the BBC. Continue reading
Spain’s economic woes took another hit when credit agency Moody’s cut the country’s bond rating three notches to Baa3. The rating is just one notch above classifying Spanish bonds as “junk bonds.”
The credit dip was attributed directly to the country’s 100 billion euro bailout from fellow euro zone countries that was approved over the weekend. Lenders have been stating concern for Spain’s future in the euro zone as a result of their continuing banking woes. Continue reading
Egypt’s Supreme Constitutional Court has ruled the law dictating rules for the parliamentary elections is invalid, meaning that parliament must be dissolved and a new law put in place.
As a result of the decision, the Supreme Council of Armed Forces announced they have full legislative power and will announce a 100-person assembly. The assembly will write the new constitution for the nation. SCAF has been in control of Egypt since the ouster of Hosni Mubarak. Continue reading
Miami police are dealing with another violent incident related to bath salts as a death related to the synthetic drug is reported in New York.
Police say surveillance video shows Shane Schyler undressing in the middle of a children’s park and threatening a three year old girl. The girl’s mother rushed the child out of the area as people called 911. When confronted by police, the man was sitting in a fountain claiming he was trying to cool off.
The park is located in the back yard of the North Miami Beach Police Department. A search of the man found bath salts similar to the ones used by the attacker in a cannibalism incident two weeks ago. Continue reading
Rumors a radical leftist party which favors a return to the drachma is running neck and neck for the lead in the elections scheduled for Sunday is driving a run on Greek banks. Bankers are reporting that up to 800 million euros, or around $1 billion US dollars, is being pulled from major banks every day.
Retailers are reporting that people are using the money to stock up on pasta and canned goods. Continue reading
