The early returns from Afghanistan’s presidential election had the smell of a decorous massage job. With 10% of districts reporting, the incumbent, Hamid Karzai, and his main challenger, Abdullah Abdullah, the former Foreign Minister, were tied, with about 40% each. But few of those votes came from Karzai’s Pashtun strongholds in the south, where turnout was light — owing to Taliban threats — but heavily managed
Tag Archives: widely-expected
Myanmar junta returns Suu Kyi to house arrest
Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi was found guilty of violating the terms of her house arrest by a military court Tuesday — and sentenced to serve 18 more months in home confinement.
Indonesia preps for second direct presidential ballot
Indonesians head to the polls on Wednesday to elect their next president and vice president — only the second time such a vote has occurred in the young democracy’s history.
Egyptian tycoon, ex-cop face execution
An Egyptian court on Thursday confirmed the death sentences of a business tycoon and a former police officer convicted of killing rising Lebanese pop star Suzanne Tamim. In a case that has captivated Egypt and the region because of the fame of the victim and one of the defendants, a judge sentenced to death real estate mogul Hisham Talaat Moustafa and former officer Muhsen el Sukkari last month. Tamim’s body was found stabbed, with her throat slit, in her apartment in the United Arab Emirates in July 2008.
Iranian-Americans protest in D.C.
Iranian-Americans demonstrated on the streets of Washington on Wednesday evening, marching from Iranian diplomatic offices to the Russian embassy, in protest of both governments’ actions.
Scotland reports first ‘swine flu’ death outside Americas
A person with swine flu died in Scotland on Sunday, the government announced, marking the first known death of a swine flu patient outside of the Americas, according to the latest World Health Organization information. The patient who died in Scotland had “underlying health conditions,” the Scottish government statement said. No information was released about the patient.
Rebels seize 9 foreigners in Yemen
Nine foreigners, including three children, were kidnapped by Shiite rebels in northern Yemen, the state-run news agency reported Sunday. Thousands of demonstrators, shouting “Death to the dictatorship” and “We want freedom,” burned police motorcycles, tossed rocks through store windows and set trash cans on fire on Saturday
Ahmadinejad to hold victory rally amid protests
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad prepared to hold a victory rally Sunday, a day after he was declared the winner of the country’s presidential election, spurring violent street protests from opposition supporters who claimed ballot fraud. Thousands of demonstrators, shouting “Death to the dictatorship” and “We want freedom,” burned police motorcycles, tossed rocks through store windows and set trash cans on fire on Saturday. Riot police charged back, spraying demonstrators with tear gas and clubbing many with batons
Sotomayor’s Diabetes: Will It Be a Handicap?
As President Obama’s first nominee to the Supreme Court, Judge Sonia Sotomayor approaches the bench with a number of firsts.
Egyptian tycoon faces death over singer’s slaying
An Egyptian business tycoon and a former police officer have been found guilty of last July’s slaying of a rising Lebanese pop singer.