Haiti’s Long Drawn-Out Presidential Election

Sunday’s presidential run-off in Haiti had been billed as the most important in the country’s history. It came 14 months after the earthquake that devastated the capital Port-au-Prince, with international donors hesitating to fund crucial construction projects under the lame duck presidency of Ren Prval.

Share

After Maine, the Battle Lines Over Gay Marriage Harden

When America’s Catholic bishops gather next week in Baltimore for a four-day conference, they will hear an update on the church’s ongoing fight to convince the country that marriage as an institution should never include gay couples, and they’ll get a sneak peek at how that fight will be waged in the coming year.

Share

Why Do Italy’s Disasters Have Such High Death Tolls?

Disasters in Italy have a predictable chronology: after the calamity strikes, rescues are attempted, destiny is lamented and pledges are made to rebuild destroyed towns. And without fail, as the first victims are still being buried, a criminal investigation is opened.

Share

Netanyahu rules out freeze on Israeli settlements, source says

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that a complete halt of Jewish settlements will not happen, according to a parliament source. Netanyahu said at a closed-door Knesset committee meeting that Israel would agree only to a partial reduction of housing construction and for a limited time, not the year the United States would like, said a government official who was not authorized to speak about the meeting and did not want to be identified.

Share

‘Massive’ ancient wall uncovered in Jerusalem

An archaeological dig in Jerusalem has turned up a 3,700-year-old wall that is the largest and oldest of its kind found in the region, experts say. Standing 8 meters (26 feet) high, the wall of huge cut stones is a marvel to archaeologists

Share