Connect to share and comment

Irish PM received letters in blood over proposed abortion law

June 12, 2013 13:38
By Padraic Halpin DUBLIN (Reuters) - Ireland's prime minister said he has been sent letters written in blood and branded a murderer by opponents of his government's plans to allow limited access to abortion, an issue that has polarized the country for decades. Enda Kenny's government agreed draft legislation in April to allow for limited access to abortion where a woman's life is in danger, including the threat of suicide, following months of protests from both sides of the debate.

Ecuador replaces London envoy ahead of talks on Assange

Agence France-PresseJune 12, 2013 12:31
Ecuador Wednesday announced the appointment of a new ambassador in London where Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has been holed up in its embassy for nearly a year to avoid extradition to Sweden. Ana Alban, who was ambassador when Assange took refuge at the Ecuadoran embassy June 19, 2012, is being replaced by former bank superintendent Juan Falconi Puig, Vice Foreign Minister Marco Albuha said.

Britain's Supreme Court says oil tycoon must hand over properties in costly divorce case

The Canadian PressJune 12, 2013 10:35
LONDON - Britain's top court on Wednesday handed an oil tycoon a costly setback in a divorce case, ruling he must give his ex-wife assets held by companies he owns. In a case with significant implications for wealthy divorcing couples, the Supreme Court ruled that Nigeria-born Michael Prest should surrender seven properties to his English former wife, Yasmin.

China high court talks tough on worker safety

Agence France-PresseJune 12, 2013 11:36
China's Supreme Court Wednesday ordered that people who neglect workplace safety should be "severely" punished, state media said, after the country's deadliest blaze in over a decade killed 120 people at a factory. Last week's fire at the Baoyuanfeng poultry plant in the northeastern province of Jilin renewed concern over workplace safety. Local reports said only one door remained unlocked, impeding employees' escape.

Football: Spain down Ireland 2-0

Agence France-PresseJune 12, 2013 03:30
World Cup and European champions Spain defeated Ireland 2-0 on Tuesday in a friendly football match at Yankee Stadium that served as Spain's last tune-up for the Confederations Cup. Roberto Soldado in the 69th minute and Juan Mata in the 88th scored for Spain, while goalkeeper Iker Casillas contributed two stellar saves in the second half. Although Spain controlled the contest, played before 39,368 at the home of Major League Baseball's New York Yankees, they had nothing to show for it until the 69th minute.

Sentence goes on for foreign detainees in Bagram

Agence France-PresseJune 12, 2013 05:32
The US handed over control of Afghanistan's Bagram jail to the Kabul government three months ago. But nothing has changed for dozens of foreign inmates still locked up inside "the Afghan Guantanamo". In what has been described as a "prison within a prison", the US continues to operate within Bagram's walls. After years of imprisonment, some 60 non-Afghan detainees -- mostly Pakistanis but also Saudis and Kuwaitis -- are still denied face-to-face access to lawyers and have not been charged with any crime.

Professor adds voice to proposed harassment suit by women against the RCMP

The Canadian PressJune 11, 2013 21:35
VANCOUVER - A University of Toronto professor is bolstering a proposed class-action lawsuit against the RCMP, saying women who experience gender-based discrimination and harassment can witness their personal and professional well-being spiral downwards. Jennifer Berdahl, an associate professor of organizational behaviour at the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management, filed an affidavit Monday in British Columbia Supreme Court as part of a larger court action launched in March 2012 by Janet Merlo, a former member of the RCMP.

Bill to protect matrimonial rights on reserves passes despite opposition

The Canadian PressJune 11, 2013 22:47
OTTAWA - A controversial bill meant to protect matrimonial rights on reserves has passed despite opposition from critics who say it reflects what they call Ottawa's paternalistic approach to First Nations issues. The Conservative bill passed third reading in the House of Commons today and has already been approved by the Senate, meaning it only needs royal assent to become law. The legislation aims to allow spouses living both on and off reserves the same rights to claim a share of the family's assets in the event of a marriage breakdown.

Shine wearing off Kerry's Mideast peace bid

Agence France-PresseJune 11, 2013 22:44
Hopes the new and indefatigable Secretary of State John Kerry could charm Israel and the Palestinians back into talks are fading at the edges as months pass with no sign of a breakthrough, analysts say. True, the top US diplomat has visited the region four times since coming to office in February, and he has also been warmly received and on the whole spared the usual insidious whispering campaigns in the local media.

Guard who watched women have sex in jail cell gets conditional discharge

The Canadian PressJune 11, 2013 21:35
KAMLOOPS, B.C. - A jail guard who pleaded guilty to breach of trust after watching two female inmates have sex in a Kamloops, B.C., cell has been handed a conditional discharge. Forty-nine-year-old David Tompkins will also be on probation for a year and must perform 60 hours of community service. His lawyer Julian Vanderwalle had argued for an absolute discharge, but B.C. Supreme Court Justice David Masuhara said Tompkins displayed insensitivity toward the women he was responsible for when he watched them have sex via video link in August 2010.
Syndicate content