The European Union opened membership talks with Turkey early today, a historic first step that would transform the bloc by taking in a predominantly Muslim nation and expanding its borders to Asia and the Middle East. The 25-nation bloc also opened membership talks with Croatia today.
Vatican: Cardinal backs celibacy
A senior cardinal on Monday reaffirmed the celibacy rule for priests and that divorced people who remarry without getting an annulment cannot receive Communion. The comments by Cardinal Angelo Scola came in an introductory speech, on the first day of the Synod of Bishops during which about 250 bishops from 118 countries will discuss issues surrounding the Mass and make recommendations to Pope Benedict XVI.
Germany: Schroeder backs down
Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder suggested Monday he might be willing to surrender his claim to stay on as Germany’s leader, declaring he did not want to block the formation of a new government. His comments followed a vote Sunday in the eastern city of Dresden that gave challenger Angela Merkel’s conservatives another parliamentary seat. Both candidates have staked claims to be chancellor.
Spain: Immigrants rip border fence
Hundreds of Africans tore down sections of a high-security fence on the border between Morocco and the Spanish enclave of Melilla, cutting themselves on razor wire and fighting with police as they poured across the frontier Monday in the biggest wave of immigrants seeking a foothold in Europe. Officials said an estimated 650 people tried to cross, and about 350 succeeded, in the frenzied rush into Melilla.
Afghanistan: Militants killed
Government forces battled suspected Taliban rebels in heavy fighting near the Pakistan border, leaving 31 militants dead, the Defense Ministry said Monday. Meanwhile, provisional results from the Sept. 18 elections are expected in days, with the final tally due Oct. 22. In all, eight candidates have been killed during the campaign and its aftermath.
El Salvador: Landslides kill 31
Heavy rains triggered landslides that killed at least 31 people on Monday, while rising rivers forced the evacuation of dozens of people there and in neighboring Guatemala. Both countries put their Pacific coasts on alert as a tropical weather front swept over Central America, unleashing downpours and causing principal rivers to overflow.
India: Missile test agreement
India and Pakistan signed a deal Monday requiring them to notify each other of plans for ballistic missile tests, a key step in the peace process between the two nuclear-armed rivals. India warned, however, that militant attacks in Kashmir could derail the thaw in relations.
From Herald news services
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