international – Page 26 – 4VF News

Nearly 40 dead, up to 80 wounded in Afghanistan truck bombing

Nearly 40 people were killed and up to 80 wounded Tuesday night when a truck bomb exploded in front of a construction company in Kandahar, Afghanistan, chief police commander Fazel Ahmed said. “I have to tell you that I was both angry and I was repulsed by the reception that a convicted bomber, guilty of a huge terrorist crime, received on his return to Libya,” Brown said. Abdelbeset Ali Mohmed al Megrahi was released from custody last week on compassionate grounds, as officials say he is dying of prostate cancer and has just three months to live.

Semenya given rousing South African reception

New 800 meters world champion Caster Semenya received a rousing welcome after touching down in Johannesburg with her South African team-mates on Tuesday. The 18-year-old, who made global headlines last week after doubts were raised over her gender at the World Championships, was accompanied by the country’s two other medallists from Berlin — men’s 800m champion Mbulaeni Mulaudzi and long-jump silver medallist Khotso Mokoena. Thousands of supporters crammed the OR Tambo International Airport — waving placards, singing, dancing and simply hoping to catch a glimpse of the teenage heroine

Afghan candidates allege widespread vote fraud

Last week’s elections in Afghanistan have been marred "by widespread fraud and intimidation" which could cast doubt on the legitimacy of the vote, six presidential candidates declared Tuesday. The candidates issued a joint statement as Afghanistan’s elections commission prepares to release preliminary voting results from the nation’s contested presidential race later in the day. A cabinet minister in the government of incumbent Afghan president Hamid Karzai claimed Tuesday that preliminary results showed Karzai won the election with 68 percent of the vote.

What’s a planet? Debate over Pluto rages on

For one of the farthest, coldest places in the solar system, Pluto sure stirs a lot of hot emotions right here on Earth. It was three years ago Monday that the International Astronomical Union demoted Pluto from a planet to a dwarf planet, a decision that made jaws drop around the world. An outcry followed, textbooks had to be rewritten, long-held beliefs were shattered, and many people felt our cosmic neighborhood just didn’t seem the same with eight — instead of nine –planets in the solar system

Murdoch closes paper as free news squeeze begins

Rupert Murdoch’s News International, which plans to begin charging for online content, said Thursday it was to close its free London newspaper as part of cost-cutting measures. The Londonpaper, which employs 60 editorial staff, will cease publication within a month, according to a statement. “The strategy at News International over the past 18 months has been to streamline our operations and focus investment on our core titles,” James Murdoch, who heads his father’s Europe and Asia operations said

Israel weighs Iranian threat

Israel makes no secret that it sees Iran is its biggest threat but the scale of the threat is less clear cut.

Afghans vote in second-ever election

Under the menacing threat of violence from the Taliban, Afghans headed to the polls on Thursday in the war-ravaged nation’s second-ever national election. In parts of the capital Kabul, where recent calm was brutally shattered with a series of bloody attacks leading up to election day, the streets were eerily empty early in the day, save extra security checkpoints. The Taliban has vowed to disrupt the voting and the risk factor may have been too high for some Afghans to leave home on election day

Controversy as Semenya wins women’s 800m

South African teenager Caster Semenya won the women’s 800 meters gold medal at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin, just hours after the sport’s governing body asked for the 18-year-old’s gender to be verified. Semenya crushed her rivals by streaking away to secure victory in a time of one minute 55.45 seconds — the best time in the world this year. Defending champion Janeth Jepkosgei of Kenya took the silver with Briton Jennifer Meadows claiming bronze.

IMF: ‘Nascent recovery’ under way

The International Monetary Fund’s chief economist described a "nascent" global recovery on Wednesday, but warned that US policymakers walked a tightrope in timing the end of the fiscal stimulus.

Afghan media blackout call as violence threatens vote

Afghanistan’s government on Wednesday called for a media blackout on reporting violence as fresh attacks threatened disruptions a day ahead of pivotal presidential elections. The media was asked to refrain from covering any attacks on election day in an effort to “ensure the wide participation of the Afghan people.” This week, the Taliban said it plans to disrupt the elections with continued attacks and threatened to kill Afghans who vote.