Yemen’s Shiite rebels criticized for ‘coup’

Yemen’s Shiite rebels criticized for ‘coup’

SANAA, YEMEN

A day after taking power, Shiite rebels in Yemen found themselves increasingly under pressure Saturday as thousands protested against their rule and a group of nearby countries denounced their “coup.”

The leader of the Houthi rebels, Abdel-Malak al-Houthi, gave an impassioned speech defending dissolving Yemen’s parliament Friday as the only response to a power “vacuum” — one his group created by besieging the country’s president, who later resigned.

The ongoing unrest in the Arab world’s poorest country could benefit Yemen’s al-Qaida branch, considered by America as the world’s most-dangerous wing of the terror group.

IS hostage’s family hopeful she’s alive

PRESCOTT, ARIZ.

The parents of a 26-year-old American who Islamic State extremists say was killed in an airstrike in Syria said in a statement addressed to group leaders that the claim of their daughter’s death concerned them but they were still hopeful she was alive.

The Islamic State group said Friday that Kayla Jean Mueller of Prescott, Ariz., died in a Jordanian airstrike, but the government of Jordan dismissed the statement as propaganda. The U.S. said it had not seen any evidence to corroborate the report. Mueller is the only known remaining U.S. hostage held by the Islamic State group.

Nigeria postpones elections to March 28

ABUJA, Nigeria

Nigeria is postponing presidential and legislative elections until March 28 because security forces fighting Boko Haram extremists cannot ensure voters’ safety around the country, the electoral commission announced Saturday in a decision likely to infuriate the opposition.

Officials in President Goodluck Jonathan’s government have been calling for weeks for the postponement, saying the commission is not ready to conduct what promises to be the most tightly contested presidential vote in the history of Africa’s biggest democracy.

Spanking comment alarms Pope’s panel

VATICAN CITY

Members of Pope Francis’ sex-abuse commission have criticized his remarks that it is OK for parents to spank their children, saying there is no place for physical discipline and that the commission would be making recommendations to him about protecting kids from corporal punishment.

The commission met with its full 17 members for the first time last week and announced progress Saturday on drafting policies for holding bishops accountable when they cover up for pedophile priests. Commission members also said they were organizing educational seminars for Vatican officials and newly minted bishops on protecting children from predators.

But they got an unexpected and urgent new task when Francis told his weekly general audience this week that it was OK for parents to spank their children if their dignity was respected. The remarks were criticized by Germany, where corporal punishment for children is illegal, and from leading advocacy groups.

3 shot at Pa. mall

MONROEVILLE, PA.

Three people were shot at a Pittsburgh-area shopping center Saturday night and were taken to a hospital, and the mall and the hospital’s emergency room were placed on lockdown.

It was unclear whether the shooter was captured or had escaped, said Monroeville Mayor Gregory Erosenko, who had only sketchy details shortly after the 7:45 p.m. shooting. He said his police chief was at the scene.

Associated Press