Obama at G-8: Full recovery ‘still a ways off’

President Obama said Friday that leaders of the industrialized nations have agreed to continue fueling economic growth while strengthening regulatory measures but they also realize that full recovery is "still a ways off." Obama listed some of the achievements of the Group of Eight summit this week in Italy as the conference neared the end, and he stressed the need for collective action. In addition, the G8 nations agreed to stop the spread of nuclear weapons, set goals for reducing carbon monoxide emissions and invest $20 billion in food security

Share

G-8 leaders focus on global warming

Leaders of the world’s leading industrialized nations are huddling with representatives of up-and-coming powerhouses to tackle global warming at an economic summit Thursday in Italy. U.S. President Barack Obama will lead the Major Economies Forum at the Group of Eight meetings in L’Aquila.

Share

Uganda seeks to ban female circumcision

In many cases it’s a woman that grips the blade — maybe clean, maybe dirty — that cuts a girl’s path to womanhood. The cutter, who works for a fee, can pursue any number of surgical options for the young girl’s rite of passage. She can remove the girl’s clitoris entirely, narrow her vagina with stitches, or make other excisions of the girl’s genitalia.

Share

Italy crash out after heavy defeat to Brazil

Brazil thrashed Italy 3-0 to send the world champions home from the Confederations Cup as the United States also reached the semifinals after beating Egypt 3-0 in the other Group B match on Sunday. The 2006 World Cup winners trailed 3-0 at halftime in Pretoria to a Kaka-inspired Brazil as a Luis Fabiano double and an Andrea Dossena own goal dealt them a hammer blow. Brazil could afford to take the foot off the pedal after the break, but Italy could not score the goal which would have put them through.

Share

Jacob Zuma: South Africa’s Next President

Observers have quipped that the greatest mystery surrounding South Africa’s presidential elections this week was not the identity of the victor — Jacob Zuma had the job sewn up when he seized control of the country’s ruling party in 2007 — but rather his first lady. Zuma, who will almost certainly be confirmed in the coming days, is an unabashed polygamist. That’s just one of the personal quirks causing some foreigners to shudder at the prospect of Zuma assuming control of one of Africa’s most successful democracies

Share

Spain win again to extend unbeaten streak

Spain have drawn level with Brazil’s record by going 35 matches unbeaten, after second-half goals from David Villa and Fernando Llorente gave them a 2-0 Confederations Cup victory over host nation South Africa in Bloemfontein. The result ensures the European champions comfortably reach the semifinals of the competition as group winners, while South Africa also progress to the last four after New Zealand and Iraq draw 0-0 in Saturday’s other Group A match in Johannesburg. Vicente Del Bosque’s side were last beaten in November 2006 and they will better Brazil’s unbeaten streak, achieved between 1993 and 1996, if they win Wednesday’s semifinal

Share