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US Lawmaker, 2 Diplomats to Visit Burma

Posted January 6th, 2012 at 10:00 pm (UTC-5)
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Two senior U.S. diplomats and a lawmaker will make separate trips to Burma next week to encourage its new government on its path to reform. U.S. Congressman Joe Crowley will travel for a two-day visit to Burma on January 12 for talks with government officials, ethnic minority leaders and the main opposition leader Aung San […]

Tags: , Posted in East Asia Pacific

China Expresses Concern Over US Defense Blueprint

Posted January 6th, 2012 at 9:05 pm (UTC-5)
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Chinese state media are expressing concern over the latest U.S. defense plan, warning that it could damage U.S.-Chinese relations. The Communist Party-affiliated Global Times newspaper quoted a Chinese defense expert Friday saying the U.S. blueprint announced a day earlier is clearly targeted at China. The newspaper quoted Renmin University analyst Jin Canrong saying the United […]

Tags: , , , Posted in East Asia Pacific

Nigerian Court Order Seeks to Bar Protests

Posted January 6th, 2012 at 8:55 pm (UTC-5)
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A Nigerian court has issued an order seeking to prevent a general strike against rising fuel prices. Labor unions said indefinite strikes will start nationwide Monday despite the order, which they say is invalid. Angry protesters marched in the capital Abuja Friday chanting anti-government messages while police blocked their progress. A number of demonstrators carried […]

Tags: , , Posted in Africa

Orthodox Christians Celebrate Christmas

Posted January 6th, 2012 at 7:40 pm (UTC-5)
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Orthodox Christmas services got under way Friday as worshippers across the world prepared to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. Many Orthodox Christians, including Russians, Greeks, Serbs and Montenegrins, celebrate Christmas on January 7, according to an older calendar. Political leaders join citizens in religious services, including in former communist countries, such as Russia. Tradition […]

Tags: , , Posted in Europe

Turkey Ex-Military Chief Arrested Over Alleged Anti-Government Plot

Posted January 6th, 2012 at 7:30 pm (UTC-5)
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Turkey’s former army chief was arrested on Friday over an alleged plot to topple the government of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Ilkay Sezer, the lawyer for General Ilker Basbug, said authorities have jailed Basbug, who is accused of leading a terrorist organization. “Turkey’s 26th chief of the military has unfortunately been arrested on charges […]

Tags: , , , , Posted in Europe

At Least 25 Killed in Suicide Blast in Syria

Posted January 6th, 2012 at 5:45 pm (UTC-5)
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A suicide blast went off at a busy intersection in the Syrian capital Friday, killing 25 people and wounding at least 46 others. Syrian state media say an attacker blew himself up near a school and police station in the central district of Midan in Damascus. A bus carrying policemen appeared to be the target […]

Tags: , , Posted in Middle East

Gunmen Kill 20 In Northeastern Nigeria

Posted January 6th, 2012 at 5:45 pm (UTC-5)
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Gunmen have killed at least 20 people in northeastern Nigeria, the latest in a series of deadly attacks in the region. The attacks on Christians Friday happened in the Mubi district of Adamawa state, near the border with Cameroon. A local journalist told VOA that unidentified gunmen opened fire at three locations in the district. […]

Tags: , , , Posted in Africa

Turkey’s Ex-Military Chief Arrested Over Alleged Anti-Government Plot

Posted January 6th, 2012 at 5:20 pm (UTC-5)
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Turkey’s former army chief was arrested on Friday over an alleged plot to topple the government of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The lawyer for General Ilker Basbug said authorities have jailed Basbug, who is accused of leading a terrorist organization. A Turkish prosecutor called for Basbug to be taken into custody on Thursday after […]

Tags: , , , Posted in Europe

Balloon Crash in New Zealand Kills 11

Posted January 6th, 2012 at 5:00 pm (UTC-5)
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A hot air balloon has crashed in New Zealand, killing all 11 people on board. Police say the balloon crashed early Saturday near the rural town of Carterton, about 80 kilometers north of Wellington. Police confirmed “multiple deaths,” but a local health board spokesperson said none of the 11 people in the balloon survived. Eyewitnesses […]

Tags: , , Posted in Europe

White House: South Sudan Eligible to Receive US Defense Assistance

Posted January 6th, 2012 at 4:35 pm (UTC-5)
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The White House has declared the government of South Sudan eligible to receive weapons and defense assistance from the United States. President Barack Obama Friday issued a memorandum saying that the ability to provide defense materials and services to the government of South Sudan is in the national interest of the United States and could […]

Tags: , , , , Posted in Africa