International Glance
The 50-year-old Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), once considered the best-funded insurgency in the world, is at its smallest and most vulnerable state in decades, due in part to a CIA covert action program that has helped Colombian forces kill at least two dozen rebel leaders, according to interviews with more than 30 former and current U.S. and Colombian officials.
The secret assistance, which also includes substantial eavesdropping help from the National Security Agency, is funded through a multibillion-dollar black budget. It is not a part of the public $9 billion package of mostly U.S. military aid called Plan Colombia, which began in 2000.
Report: CIA helped Colombian forces kill at least two dozen rebel leaders,
Egypt jails key figures of 2011 uprising
Three leading figures of Egypt's 2011 uprising were jailed for three years each on Sunday for their role in recent protests, as the army-backed authorities intensified a crackdown on dissent.
Ahmed Maher, Ahmed Douma and Mohamed Adel are symbols of the protest movement that ignited the revolt against President Hosni Mubarak. Their sentences include prison labor and fines of 50,000 Egyptian pounds ($7,200) each.
Lockerbie bombing: Investigation vow on anniversary
The UK, US and Libyan governments have vowed to work together to reveal "the full facts" of the Lockerbie bombing which claimed 270 lives.
The administrations also expressed their deep condolences to the families of the victims. The announcement came in a joint statement as memorial events were held on the 25th anniversary of the tragedy.
U.S. aircraft hit by gunfire in South Sudan
A U.S. aircraft came under fire on Saturday on a mission to evacuate Americans from spiraling conflict in South Sudan and four U.S. military service members were wounded.
Nearly a week of fighting threatens to drag the world's newest country into an ethnic civil war just two years after it won independence from Sudan with strong support from successive U.S. administrations.
The U.S. aircraft came under fire while approaching the evacuation site, the military's Africa Command said in a statement.
The U.S. government lab behind Beijing’s nuclear power push
Scientists in Shanghai are attempting a breakthrough in nuclear energy: reactors powered by thorium, an alternative to uranium.
The project is run by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, a government body with close military ties that coordinates the country’s science-and-technology strategy. The academy has designated thorium as a priority for China’s top laboratories. The program has a budget of $350 million. And it’s being spearheaded by the influential son of a former Chinese president.
Deutsche Bank to pay $1.9 billion to settle U.S. mortgage case
Deutsche Bank (DBKGn.DE)(DB.N) said on Friday it will pay $1.9 billion to settle claims that it defrauded two U.S. government-controlled companies in the sale of mortgage-backed securities before the 2008 financial crisis.
The sum, equal to 1.4 billion euros, is the second-largest settlement disclosed in litigation brought by the Federal Housing Finance Agency covering allegations that Fannie Mae (FNMA.OB) and Freddie Mac (FMCC.OB) were deceived into buying debt whose risks had been hidden.
Canadian Supreme Court strikes down anti-prostitution laws
Canada's Supreme Court has unanimously struck down anti-prostitution laws that sex workers said inhibited their safety and security.
The court ruled that the laws were overly broad, and gave Parliament one year to craft new legislation if it wishes to do so, CBC reported Friday. Three sex workers, Terry-Jean Bedford, Amy Lebovitch and Valerie Scott, launched the lawsuit in 2009 against the laws, which forbade them from working in a brothel or a private home.
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