Briefs from around the world
Netherlands - Dutch Muslims have criticized a government proposal to ban women from wearing the burqa or veils that cover the face in public places. The Dutch cabinet said burqas - a full body covering that also obscures the face - disturb public order and safety.
The decision comes days ahead of elections, which the ruling centre-right coalition is expected to win. The proposed ban would apply to wearing the burqa in the street, and in trains, schools, buses and law courts.
Sudan - Several African leaders are meeting in Libya to try to find a solution to the conflict in Sudan's Darfur region. The beefing up of an African Union peacekeeping force in Darfur and the possible involvement of the UN is expected to top the agenda. Chad and Central African Republic both accuse Sudan of attacking them from Darfur and this will also be discussed.
Jerusalem - In a landmark ruling, Israel's Supreme Court ordered the government Tuesday to recognize same-sex marriages performed abroad. Efforts by Israel's gay community to win approval for same-sex marriage, a key issue in Canada, the U.S. and Europe, face a major obstacle because Israel's religious authorities have a monopoly over marriage and divorce.
Baghdad - Iraq and Syria agreed to restore full diplomatic relations on Tuesday after a break of a quarter-of-a-century; a move Iraq hopes may help stem what it says is Syrian support for militants. Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem, who made the first visit by a Syrian minister to Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003, signed an accord with Iraqi counterpart Hoshiyar Zebari in which they agreed U.S. troops should stay in Iraq for now.
Afghanistan - Two Canadian soldiers were injured during foot patrol on Tuesday when an anti-personnel landmine detonated in southern Afghanistan. The two soldiers, who are from the Royal Canadian Regiment, based in Petawawa, were building a road in the Panjwaii district west of Kandahar city when the landmine exploded.
The decision comes days ahead of elections, which the ruling centre-right coalition is expected to win. The proposed ban would apply to wearing the burqa in the street, and in trains, schools, buses and law courts.
Sudan - Several African leaders are meeting in Libya to try to find a solution to the conflict in Sudan's Darfur region. The beefing up of an African Union peacekeeping force in Darfur and the possible involvement of the UN is expected to top the agenda. Chad and Central African Republic both accuse Sudan of attacking them from Darfur and this will also be discussed.
Jerusalem - In a landmark ruling, Israel's Supreme Court ordered the government Tuesday to recognize same-sex marriages performed abroad. Efforts by Israel's gay community to win approval for same-sex marriage, a key issue in Canada, the U.S. and Europe, face a major obstacle because Israel's religious authorities have a monopoly over marriage and divorce.
Baghdad - Iraq and Syria agreed to restore full diplomatic relations on Tuesday after a break of a quarter-of-a-century; a move Iraq hopes may help stem what it says is Syrian support for militants. Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem, who made the first visit by a Syrian minister to Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003, signed an accord with Iraqi counterpart Hoshiyar Zebari in which they agreed U.S. troops should stay in Iraq for now.
Afghanistan - Two Canadian soldiers were injured during foot patrol on Tuesday when an anti-personnel landmine detonated in southern Afghanistan. The two soldiers, who are from the Royal Canadian Regiment, based in Petawawa, were building a road in the Panjwaii district west of Kandahar city when the landmine exploded.
