UN condemns Congo rapes of girls, toddler
UNITED NATIONS – The U.N. is raising the alarm about the recent rape of nine young girls in conflict-ridden eastern Congo, the youngest 18 months old. Two of the girls died, though their ages weren’t released.
Two officials say the girls were admitted to Panzi Hospital in South Kivu province over the past two months with serious internal wounds.
The officials said two suspects have been arrested, but they urged Congolese authorities to follow through with the “prosecution of all perpetrators involved in this despicable practice.”
The U.N. has said various armed groups are behind rapes in eastern Congo, including the Congolese army and M23 rebels.
Egyptian opposition decries Morsi’s speech
CAIRO – Egypt’s main opposition coalition on Thursday rejected the Islamist president’s offer for dialogue about reconciliation and said it insists on holding early elections, ratcheting up pressure on Mohammed Morsi just days ahead of planned mass protests seeking his ouster.
Adding to an already explosive political atmosphere in Egypt, authorities issued a travel ban on a media tycoon and an arrest warrant for a popular TV presenter – a sharp critic of Morsi – in what appears to be an escalation against private media accused by the president of instigating violence and being funded by those loyal to the former regime.
Brazil protesters target Confederations Cup
FORTALEZA, Brazil – About 5,000 anti-government protesters battled police Thursday near a stadium that hosted a semifinal match of the Confederations Cup soccer tournament.
The protesters marched peacefully but clashed with police as they neared the outer limits of a security zone about 1 mile from the stadium in Fortaleza, where Spain beat Italy in penalty time in the warm-up tournament to the 2014 World Cup. In Rio de Janeiro, about 2,000 protesters marched but didn’t clash with police.
They’re the latest in a series of massive, nationwide protests that have hit Brazil since June 17. Demonstrators are angered about corruption and poor public services despite a heavy tax burden. Protests are also denouncing the billions of dollars spent to host the World Cup and the 2016 Olympics in Rio – money they say should be going toward better hospitals, schools, transportation projects and schools.
Authorities fired tear gas and rubber bullets in an effort to scatter the crowd.
Associated Press
