Monday, November 25, 2013
Karzai delays signing US deal
KABUL
President Hamid Karzai cast fresh doubt on the future presence of thousands of American and allied forces Sunday by rejecting a recommendation by an Afghan assembly of dignitaries to quickly sign a long-delayed security pact with the United States.
Although the mercurial leader did not fully spell out his reasons for deferring its signature until after the April 5 elections, the move was a slap in the face to U.S. officials who repeatedly had asked for a deal by the end of the year.
The U.S. administration has insisted the deal be finalized by the end of next month, warning that planning for a post-2014 military presence may be jeopardized if it is not approved.
Newtown report to be released
NEWTOWN, Conn.
A summary of the investigation into the shooting at the Sandy Hook Elementary School will be released today, Connecticut prosecutors said.
The report by the prosecutor who has led the investigation, State’s Attorney Stephen Sedensky III, will not include the entire state police evidence file, which runs hundreds of pages, according to spokesman Mark Dupuis.
The report initially was expected over the summer, and the projected release date was pushed back several times. Sedensky has come under pressure from authorities including Gov. Dannel P. Malloy to release more information as the anniversary of the Dec. 14 massacre approaches.
Journal apologizes for Jews, Jesus essay
BOSTON
A Christian journal run by Harvard University students has apologized for publishing and republishing an essay by an anonymous writer who wrote that Jews deserve to be punished by God for killing Jesus.
The essay was posted on the Harvard Ichthus website Wednesday, removed, edited, reposted Friday morning and removed again, The Boston Globe reported.
Ichthus editor-in-chief Aaron Gyde posted an apology on the journal’s website Saturday on behalf of the journal’s editorial board.
Egypt’s president restricts gatherings
CAIRO
Egypt’s interim president Sunday banned public gatherings of more than 10 people without prior government approval, imposing hefty fines and prison terms for violators in a bid to stifle the near-constant protests roiling the country.
The new law is more restrictive than regulations used under the rule of autocrat Hosni Mubarak, overthrown in Egypt’s 2011 uprising that marked the start of unrest in the country. Rights groups and activists immediately denounced it, saying it aims to stifle opposition, allow repressive police practices and keep security officials largely unaccountable for possible abuses.
Family sets record for Christmas lights
CANBERRA, Australia
An Australian family has reclaimed their Guinness World Record by stringing up more than half a million Christmas lights around their suburban home.
Guinness World Records official Chris Sheedy confirmed today that the Richards family of Canberra set the record for Christmas lights on a residential property with 502,165 bulbs.
The family first entered the famous record book in 2001 with 331,038 multi-colored lights. But they were trumped last year by a family in LaGrangeville, N.Y., who illuminated their home with 346,283 lights.
The Richards home with its lights on more than 31 miles of wire in suburban Forrest will be open to the public from the weekend to raise money for charity.
Associated Press