Afghan officials say they are ready to handle security in the country once U.S. troops begin withdrawing in July. U.S. President Barack Obama announced late Wednesday that 10,000 troops will be pulled out by the end of the year, with 23,000 more leaving Afghanistan by September of 2012. In Kabul, Afghan Defense Ministry spokesman General […]
Obama Orders 33,000 Troops Out of Afghanistan
Posted June 22nd, 2011 at 10:15 pm (UTC-5)
U.S. President Barack Obama has announced the beginning of the end of the country’s 10-year war in Afghanistan, ordering the withdrawal of 33,000 American troops by the end of 2012. In a White House address Wednesday, President Obama told the American people “the tide of war is receding.” He said the first 10,000 American troops […]
Belarusian Police Detain Wednesday Protesters
Posted June 22nd, 2011 at 10:15 pm (UTC-5)
Belarusian police detained scores of demonstrators at a protest rally against President Alexander Lukashenko in the capital Minsk Wednesday night. Protesters clapped their hands as cars driving slowly down the main streets, sounded their horns in support of protesters. Special police forces rounded up groups of activists in central Minsk and drove them away in […]
US First Lady To Visit Prison Where Mandela Was Jailed
Posted June 22nd, 2011 at 10:05 pm (UTC-5)
U.S. first lady Michelle Obama will visit Thursday the Robben Island prison where former South African President Nelson Mandela was jailed for 18 years. The first lady met with Mr. Mandela at his home in Johannesburg Tuesday, at the beginning of her two-nation tour of southern Africa. On Wednesday, Mrs. Obama delivered an emotional address […]
EU Agrees to Expand Syria Sanctions
Posted June 22nd, 2011 at 9:35 pm (UTC-5)
European Union diplomats say the 27-nation bloc has agreed to expand sanctions against Syria, adding seven individuals, including three Iranians, linked to a Syrian crackdown on a pro-democracy uprising. The diplomats said Wednesday the seven individuals will be added to a list of 23 people and entities already under an EU asset freeze and travel […]
US Pledges $300 Million to Central America’s Security
Posted June 22nd, 2011 at 9:30 pm (UTC-5)
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has pledged to increase the U.S. investment for improving security efforts in Central America to $300 million. Clinton made the pledge Wednesday at a conference in Guatemala on the growing problem of drug violence and weapons trafficking in the region. It represents a $40 million increase from last year’s […]
Britain to Boost Funding for BBC Arabic Broadcasts
Posted June 22nd, 2011 at 9:15 pm (UTC-5)
The British government says it will provide additional funds for BBC’s Arabic-language broadcasts in recognition of its valuable work during recent uprisings in the Arab world. Foreign Secretary William Hague said Wednesday that the BBC World Service would receive up to $3.5 million more per year to finance its Arabic-language programs. Hague said in a […]
Penguin from Antarctica Found on New Zealand Beach
Posted June 22nd, 2011 at 9:05 pm (UTC-5)
A small lost stranger dressed in black and white has been enchanting New Zealanders — a young wayward Emperor penguin. Wildlife experts say the bird somehow wound up on a beach north of Wellington this week — more than 3,000 kilometers away from its home in Antarctica. It is the first time a Emperor penguin […]
Obama Announces Plans to Withdraw ‘Surge’ Troops from Afghanistan
Posted June 22nd, 2011 at 8:55 pm (UTC-5)
U.S. President Barack Obama has announced the beginning of the end of the country’s 10-year war in Afghanistan, ordering the withdrawal of 33,000 American troops by the end of 2012. In a White House address Wednesday, President Obama told the American people “the tide of war is receding.” He said the first 10,000 American troops […]
Protesters Rally at Spain’s Parliament
Posted June 22nd, 2011 at 8:50 pm (UTC-5)
Anti-government activists who call themselves “the indignant,” demonstrated near the Spanish parliament Wednesday to protest planned economic reforms. The French news agency reports demonstrators camped out in central Madrid as police blocked the entrance to the main square outside the central assembly. Icelandic singer Hordur Torfason, a key organizer of protests that toppled his country’s […]
