Posted on Tue, Jul. 15, 2008
Turks charge 86 in overthrow plot
ISTANBUL, Turkey - In an explosive case that reflects political turmoil fueled by the country's religious-secular divide, Turkish prosecutors yesterday brought charges against 86 people for allegedly trying to overthrow the government.
Istanbul's chief prosecutor, Aykut Cengiz Engin, said a group that included retired military officials, academics, lawyers and writers stood accused of forming a shadowy ultranationalist network whose aim was to drive the Islamist-rooted ruling party from power.
The accused, 48 of whom were in custody, face mainly terror-related charges that include membership in an illegal organization, authorities said.
Authorities said the alleged plot was to hinge on triggering a military coup or an armed revolt that would topple the government of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose party last summer won re-election by a resounding margin.
- Los Angeles Times
Pope to speak today in Australia
SYDNEY, Australia - Pilgrims bore a huge wooden cross through the streets of Australia's largest city yesterday, as thousands of faithful crowded around the procession, some lunging for a chance to touch the symbol of the Roman Catholic Church's youth festival.
Pope Benedict XVI rested to overcome jet lag after a 20-hour flight from Rome before today's opening of World Youth Day in Sydney. The six-day Catholic festival draws hundreds of thousands of pilgrims each year.
Benedict has raised expectations that he will apologize to victims of past clergy sexual abuse while in Australia, telling reporters he will do everything possible to achieve "healing and reconciliation with the victims."
- AP
Police exchange fire with suspects
NAIROBI, Kenya - Suspected robbers battled police in a shoot-out outside a Holiday Inn that left five people dead yesterday, including two casino employees caught in the cross fire, authorities said.
The late-morning shooting broke out in a parking lot used by the hotel and the Mayfair Casino. Three of the dead were robbery suspects, a police spokesman said. No hotel guests were injured.
Security officers immediately put up safety gates to prevent anyone from entering. The hotel and casino are near two shopping malls and upscale homes. Violent crime has long been a problem in Kenya's capital and worsened after the disputed December presidential election.
- AP
Elsewhere:
White-capped storm surf thundered against Bermuda's beaches and high winds knocked out power to thousands of its residents yesterday as Tropical Storm Bertha swept over the tourist island. The streets of Hamilton were empty and all ferries and flights were canceled.
Westerners were getting too racy on the beaches of Dubai, the Persian Gulf tourist haven, and a police crackdown on topless sunbathing, nudity, and other indecent behavior has resulted in 79 arrests.
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