Pirates attacked a Japanese cargo ship off the coast of Somalia on Sunday, a Japanese Transportation Ministry official said. A pair of small pirate vessels fired on a ship operated by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines about 4 p.m.
Tag Archives: united-states-
Why Do U.S. Infants Die Too Often?
Following a dramatic fall through the 20th century, the U.S. infant mortality rate — the proportion of babies who die before they reach their first birthday — has leveled off at just under seven deaths per 1,000 live births. That’s a much higher rate than in other parts of the developed world.
CIA chief arrives in Pakistan
Leon Panetta, director of the CIA, arrived in Pakistan on Saturday morning, a Pakistani Interior Ministry official said. Khamenei said a change in rhetoric is not enough, and Washington must practice what it preaches, according to the English-language Press TV channel in Iran. He also promised that Iran will change its policy if the United States does so as well, Press TV reported.
U.S. deports former Nazi guard to Austria
An Austrian man who participated in a Nazi massacre of Jews during World War II and later gained U.S. citizenship has been deported to Austria, U.S. officials said
IMF: Global economy to shrink for first time in 60 years
The global economic slowdown is so severe that the worldwide economy will contract for the first time in 60 years, the International Monetary Fund says. The total of goods and services produced around the world is projected to slump by 1 percent in 2009, compared with a 3.2 percent growth rate the year before. Leading the slump will be the world’s most developed economies, including the United States, Europe and Japan
Obama offers Iran ‘the promise of a new beginning’
President Barack Obama reached out to Iran on Friday — the start of the Iranian New Year — in a video message offering "the promise of a new beginning" that is "grounded in mutual respect." The message is a dramatic shift in tone from that of the Bush administration, which included Iran, along with North Korea and Iraq, in an “axis of evil.” It also echoes Obama’s inaugural speech, in which he said to the Muslim world, “we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect.” In Friday’s video, Obama said: “The United States wants the Islamic Republic of Iran to take its rightful place in the community of nations. You have that right, but it comes with real responsibilities. And that place cannot be reached through terror or arms, but rather through peaceful actions that demonstrate the true greatness of the Iranian people and civilization.” There was no immediate response from Tehran to Obama’s message, but Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said last month that his country would welcome talks with the United States “in a fair atmosphere with mutual respect.” The United States, several European nations and Israel suspect that Tehran has been trying to acquire the capacity to build nuclear weapons, but Iran says its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes.
Mexican drug cartels thrive in suburban Atlanta
Oscar Reynoso owed his bosses $300,000, and he was running out of time. Gunmen snatched Reynoso and locked him in the basement of a home to try to settle the drug debt. He was chained to a wall of the basement by his hands and ankles, gagged and beaten
Ecudaor: Three die from Quito plane crash
A small military plane on a training flight in heavy fog crashed Thursday into a populated area of Quito, the capital city of Ecuador. On Monday, two Russian Ilyushin IL-38 maritime patrol aircraft, known as “Mays,” overflew the U.S. aircraft carrier Stennis while it was in international waters in the Sea of Japan
Lawsuit on alleged Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse can move ahead
A lawsuit alleging that civilian American interrogators subjected Iraqis to torture and severe mistreatment at the notorious Abu Ghraib prison in Baghdad can move forward, a federal judge ruled Thursday. U.S. District Court Judge Gerald Bruce Lee rejected claims by defense contractor CACI that the company was immune from accountability over claims of physical abuse, war crimes and civil conspiracy.
Costa Rica re-establishes ties with Cuba
The president of Costa Rica announced Wednesday that he is re-establishing diplomatic relations with Cuba more than 47 years after one of his predecessors severed them. “The time has arrived for direct and open dialogue, for official and normal relations that should permit us to tackle our agreements and our disagreements, talking with ourselves openly and with sincerity,” President Oscar Arias said in a written statement