Activists in Bahrain on Wednesday called for fresh demonstrations seeking reforms, as the government lifted the state of emergency imposed during a March crackdown on anti-government protesters. The activists renewed their push for protests via online forums Wednesday. Rights group Amnesty International has urged Bahrain’s authorities to allow the planned protests to go ahead so […]
Bahrainis Call for Protests as King Lifts Emergency Law
US Economic Recovery Struggles to Gain Momentum
The U.S. economic recovery is struggling to gain momentum, with new reports showing slower growth in job creation and the manufacturing sector. Payroll processor ADP said Wednesday private companies added only 38,000 jobs in May. ADP also said fewer private sector jobs had been created in April than previously thought. A separate survey by the […]
Pakistan’s Spy Agency Denies Involvement in Journalist’s Death
Hundreds of people are mourning the death of a Pakistani journalist, as the country’s spy agency denies involvement in his torture and killing. Syed Saleem Shahzad was buried in Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi on Wednesday, as relatives, journalists and local politicians looked on. Shahzad’s body was found about 200 kilometers from Islamabad on […]
Syrian Dissidents Reject Government’s Amnesty Offer
Syrian opposition leaders meeting in Turkey have rejected their government’s offer of a general amnesty and say they will continue to push for a regime change. More than 300 dissidents are attending a conference in the Turkish town of Antalya on Wednesday, a day after President Bashar al-Assad offered the amnesty to government opponents, including […]
India Committed to Building Afghan Forces
India says it is committed to helping build up Afghan forces, who are set to take control of Afghanistan’s security as international troops begin pulling out of the country this year. Indian Defense Minister A.K. Antony also said his country will also continue to support Afghanistan in its reconstruction and development efforts. Antony made the […]
UN Pledges $1.8 Million in Aid to Bangladesh
The United Nations has agreed to provide $1.8 billion in aid to Bangladesh to support the country’s development goals. The U.N. said Wednesday the assistance will come over the next five years as part of the U.N. Development Assistance Framework 2012-2016. The grant will assist in Bangladesh’s development in several areas including democratic governance and […]
Kibaki: Kenyan Government Trying to Cushion Rising Costs
Kenya’s president says the government is taking steps to protect its citizens from the effects of rising food and fuel prices. Speaking in Nairobi Wednesday, President Mwai Kibaki said he is “fully aware” of the hardships Kenyans face because of the price increases. Mr. Kibaki said measures to ease the impact include duty reductions on […]
NATO Mission in Libya Extended
NATO says it is extending its military mission in Libya for 90 days, as Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi refuses to step down despite a popular uprising, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen made the announcement Wednesday. He said the move is meant to send a clear message to the Gadhafi government that the pressure to […]
Turkish PM Pledges More Investment for Kurds, Unrest Continues
Turkey’s prime minister has announced new projects for the country’s biggest Kurdish city, in what is viewed as an attempt to gain Kurdish support ahead of the June 12 parliamentary elections. Speaking in Istanbul Wednesday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced plans for boosting economic and social development in the southeastern city of Diyarbakir. The […]