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World/nation briefs

Last update: November 5, 2009 - 8:13 PM

YEMEN

Saudi military strikes across border

Saudi Arabia sent fighter jets and fired artillery across the border into northern Yemen in an apparent attempt to help the Yemeni government control an escalating Shiite rebellion, Arab diplomats and the rebels said. The rebels reported three civilian deaths.

NETHERLANDS

New lawyer and trial delay for Karadzic

The U.N. war crimes tribunal at The Hague ruled that former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic, accused of masterminding atrocities in the 1992-95 Bosnian war, will have a lawyer appointed to represent him whenever he fails to appear in court. He had boycotted the start of his trial, claiming inadequate time to prepare. His trial also postponed until March 1.

NICARAGUA

Hurricane Ida hits Atlantic coast

Hurricane Ida hit Nicaragua's Atlantic coast with 75-mile-per-hour winds, destroying dozens of homes, damaging schools and downing bridges before losing steam and becoming a tropical storm, officials said. No deaths were reported.

SWITZERLAND

U.N.: 50 peacekeepers punished for sex abuse

At least 50 peacekeepers have received punishments ranging from reduction in military rank to eight months imprisonment for committing sexual abuses on U.N. missions since 2007, the United Nations said. The data were released after media organizations asked what measures countries were taking against peacekeepers accused of abuses.

INDIA

Dalai Lama's visit kept under wraps

India effectively barred foreign journalists from covering a rare visit by the Dalai Lama to a Buddhist monastery near Tibet on Sunday in an apparent effort to appease China.

WASHINGTON, D.C.

Clinton sees families of detained hikers

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton had an emotional meeting with the families of three U.S. hikers detained in Iran since late July and renewed appeals to Iranian authorities to release them. Clinton met with the families of Minnesota native Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd and Josh Fattal and said afterward that as a parent herself, she sympathized with them.

Obama: U.S. must do more for Indians

President Obama assured American Indians they have a place in his White House and on his agenda, telling tribal leaders their marginalized community deserves more from its government. Obama opened a conference that drew leaders from 386 tribal nations -- the first meeting of its kind in 15 years.

WASHINGTON

Voters expand rights for gay couples

Washington state voters have approved the state's new "everything but marriage" law, marking a significant expansion of rights for gay couples who are registered as domestic partners. National gay-rights groups say the passage of Referendum 71 marks the first time a state's voters have approved a gay equality measure at the ballot box.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Scientist says Oswald rifle photo real

The infamous photograph of Lee Harvey Oswald holding a rifle and a Marxist newspaper in his back yard would have been nearly impossible to fake, according to a new analysis by a Dartmouth College professor. Oswald, who was shot to death days after being charged with the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy, claimed the photo had been doctored.

NEW YORK

Ex-Police Commissioner Kerik pleads guilty

Former New York City Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik pleaded guilty to lying to the White House and tax crimes in a deal that could send him to prison for about 2 1/2 years. Kerik, who was police commissioner when New York was attacked on Sept. 11, 2001, eventually was nominated for the Homeland Security post in 2004 but withdrew as corruption allegations mounted.

FLORIDA

Baby found alive in box under sitter's bed

Investigators spent five days searching for a missing infant, only to find her lying quietly in a 2-foot by 3-foot cedar box under her baby sitter's bed. Clothing was packed around it to muffle any sounds and baking powder placed inside to mask the smell of dirty diapers. Authorities said the baby's mother, Chrystina Lynn Mercer, gave 7-month-old Shannon Dedrick to baby sitter Susan Elizabeth Baker early Saturday, then reported her missing about 10 hours later. Mercer and Baker were both charged in the case.

NEWS SERVICES

Recent Nation stories

Skull likely belonging to Revolutionary War soldier to be buried in Conn. with military honors - November 5, 2009

Skull likely belonging to Revolutionary War soldier to be buried in Conn. with military honors - A Colonial-era skull believed to belong to a Revolutionary War soldier is set to be reburied in Connecticut with full military honors. More