US set for Senate vote on healthcare reform
December 24, 2009
US senators are preparing to vote on the final Senate version of a historic healthcare reform bill.
The legislation aims to cover 31 million uninsured Americans and could lead to the biggest change in US healthcare in decades.
American Airlines plane overshoots runway in Jamaica
December 23, 2009
An American Airlines plane has overshot the runway on landing in the Jamaican capital Kingston, injuring more than 40 people, officials say.
Flight AA 331 from Miami, with about 150 people on board, is reported to have broken apart after the incident at Norman Manley International Airport.
Kidnapped Colombian governor found with throat slit
December 23, 2009
The governor of the southern Colombian province of Caqueta has been found dead less than a day after he was kidnapped by suspected rebels, authorities say.
President Alvaro Uribe said the kidnappers had cut Luis Francisco Cuellar’s throat as they were being chased by security forces.
Mexican forces kill drug lord Arturo Beltran Leyva
December 17, 2009
One of Mexico’s most-wanted drug lords has been killed in a shoot-out with state security forces, officials say.
Arturo Beltran Leyva and four alleged members of his cartel died in a raid by troops on a flat in Cuernavaca, just south of Mexico City.
The Beltran Leyva cartel, based on the Pacific coast, is one of Mexico’s most powerful and violent drug gangs.
Mexican forces kill drug lord Arturo Beltran Leyva
December 17, 2009
One of Mexico’s most-wanted drug lords has been killed in a shoot-out with state security forces, officials say.
Arturo Beltran Leyva and four alleged members of his cartel died in a raid by troops on a flat in Cuernavaca, just south of Mexico City.
The Beltran Leyva cartel, based on the Pacific coast, is one of Mexico’s most powerful and violent drug gangs.
US healthcare bill passes first Senate hurdle in vote
November 22, 2009
The US Senate has narrowly voted to hold a full debate on a landmark bill designed to overhaul the country’s healthcare.
All 58 Democrats, plus two independent senators, approved it. All but one of 40 Republican senators voted against.
Somali woman stoned for adultery
November 18, 2009
A 20-year-old woman divorcee accused of committing adultery in Somalia has been stoned to death by Islamists in front of a crowd of about 200 people.
A judge working for the militant group al-Shabab said she had had an affair with an unmarried 29-year-old man.
Poor women ‘bear climate burden’
November 18, 2009
Women in developing countries will be the most vulnerable to climate change, a report from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has warned.
The agency said there was a disproportionate burden on those women and called for greater equality.
Obama ‘close’ to Afghan decision
November 18, 2009
President Barack Obama says he is “very close” to deciding whether to send more troops to Afghanistan and will announce his decision within “several weeks”.
Mr Obama also told CNN in China his new strategy would emphasise an “endgame”.
Obama affirms commitment to Asia
November 14, 2009
US President Barack Obama has welcomed a bigger role for China on the world stage and pledged to pursue greater co-operation with Asian countries.
Speaking in Tokyo, he said the US would not be “cowed” by North Korea’s nuclear threats and that his commitment to the security of Asia was “unshakeable”.