Czechs to Americans: We’re not Chechens
PRAGUE – A number of comments by Americans on social media mistaking the Czech Republic for the country of origin of the Boston Marathon bombing suspects – ethnic Chechen brothers – prompted the Czech ambassador to the United States to act.
In a statement posted on the embassy website, Petr Gandalovic said “the Czech Republic and Chechnya are two very different entities – the Czech Republic is a Central European country; Chechnya is a part of the Russian Federation.”
Gandalovic calls it “a most unfortunate misunderstanding,” but some responses on Twitter are less diplomatic.
Mirca Sekerova recommends Americans “open a geography book once in a while ... stop blaming our country for this.”
And Petr Manda commented: “Well done, U.S. education system.”
Indian girl, 5, in serious condition after rape
NEW DELHI – A 5-year-old girl was in serious condition Saturday after being raped and tortured by a man who held her in a locked room in India’s capital for two days, officials said.
The girl went missing Monday and was found Wednesday by neighbors who heard her crying in a room in the same New Delhi building where she lives with her parents, said Delhi police official Deepak Mishra.
A 24-year-old man who lived in the room where the girl was found was arrested Saturday, and a magistrate ordered that he be held in police custody.
Pakistani judge orders Musharraf held
ISLAMABAD – Former military ruler Pervez Musharraf on Saturday was ordered held for two weeks until the next hearing in a case related to his 2007 decision to sack and detain several judges.
After the judge’s order, Islamabad’s administration declared that Musharraf’s lavish country residence could serve as a jail, meaning the ex-president could be held there under house arrest.
The development is the latest act in the drama surrounding Musharraf’s return to Pakistan, which climaxed with his arrest Friday after a speedy escape from another court hearing.
Napolitano re-elected Italy’s president
ROME – Italy’s Parliament on Saturday re-elected Giorgio Napolitano as the nation’s president to an unprecedented second term after party leaders persuaded the aging head of state to serve again in hopes of easing the hostile political climate that has thwarted formation of a new government for the economically stagnant eurozone member.
The 87-year-old Napolitano easily surpassed the simple majority required to be elected Saturday afternoon. He garnered 738 votes, far more than the 504 needed for victory for another seven-year mandate.
Associated Press
