Burundi releases schoolgirls held for scribbling on president’s portrait
Burundi has released three schoolgirls whose detention over accusations of scribbling on President Pierre Nkurunziza’s picture in textbooks had led to an international outcry.
U.S. Supreme Court backs Sudan in USS Cole bombing lawsuit
The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday prevented American sailors injured in the deadly 2000 al Qaeda bombing of the Navy destroyer USS Cole from collecting $314.7 million in damages from the government of Sudan for its alleged role in the attack.
Venezuela blackout leaves streets empty, school and work canceled
Venezuela canceled work and school on Tuesday as the second major blackout this month left streets mostly empty in Caracas and residents of the capital wondering how long power would be out amid a deepening economic and political crisis.
Algerian army chief asks for the presidency to be vacated
Algeria’s army chief Ahmed Gaed Salah asked for the presidency to be vacated, Ennahar TV reported, saying the general considered the people’s demands are valid following a month of mass protests against President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.
Israel-Hamas fighting eases along Gaza border, Israel moves up tanks and troops
Cross-border fighting between Israel and Hamas abated on Tuesday after a day of Palestinian rocket attacks and Israeli air strikes, but Israel said it reserved the right to strike again and kept its troops and tanks massed at the Gaza frontier.
Australia’s One Nation party accused of seeking NRA money to weaken gun laws
Australia’s nationalist One Nation party allegedly sought millions of dollars from the U.S. gun lobby and discussed weakening the country’s strict gun control laws with the U.S. National Rifle Association, Al Jazeera reported.
Intruder at Spanish North Korean embassy contacted FBI: High Court
One of 10 intruders who entered North Korea’s embassy in Madrid by force on Feb. 22 contacted the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation days afterwards, Spain’s High Court said on Tuesday.
U.S. imposes sanctions on network supporting Iran’s Revolutionary Guards
The United States on Tuesday imposed fresh sanctions on a network of companies and people in Iran, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates it said was transferring billions of dollars and euros to Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards.
European leaders press for fairer trade relationship with China
Europe’s top leaders told President Xi Jinping on Tuesday they wanted a fairer trading relationship with China, signaling an openness to engage with Beijing’s “Belt and Road” infrastructure project if it meant more access to the Chinese market.
Two police officers wounded after shooting each other at Turkish airport: NTV
Two police officers were taken to hospital after shooting each other following an argument at an airport in the central Turkish province of Kayseri on Tuesday, broadcaster NTV and other media reported.
