An Indian political leader has begun a three-day fast to promote “communal harmony.” Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi began the fast Saturday in Ahmedabad, the capital of Gujarat, with members of his opposition Bharatiya Janata Party in attendance. Analysts say Modi wants to become India’s prime minister and is conducting a political makeover to put […]
Madagascar Agrees to Democracy Plan
Posted September 17th, 2011 at 4:12 am (UTC-5)
Madagascar’s ousted president has agreed to a plan for restoring democracy to his island nation that leaves the coup leader who toppled him in charge until elections are held within one year. The proposal allows Marc Ravalomanana to return to Madagascar. The plan was signed Saturday in Antananarivo by Madagascar’s military-backed President Andry Rajoelina and […]
Reports: US Will Not Sell Fighter Jets to Taiwan
Posted September 17th, 2011 at 4:08 am (UTC-5)
Published reports say the White House had decided not to sell new F-16 fighter jets to Taiwan. The Washington Post newspaper and other news agencies are reporting that the Obama administration is offering to refurbish Taiwan’s aging fleet of F-16s in an arms package that does not include any new jets for the island. Administration […]
Ethiopian Police Deny Using Terror Law to Silence Opposition
Posted September 17th, 2011 at 3:06 am (UTC-5)
Ethiopian police have rejected charges that recent arrests of government critics are politically motivated. Deputy federal police commissioner Demesash Woldemikael said Friday the detention of journalists and opposition leaders is based on evidence linking them to an outlawed party. He says a new anti-terror law is not being used to silence political dissent. An Ethiopian […]
UN Eases Libyan Sanctions
Posted September 17th, 2011 at 2:03 am (UTC-5)
The United Nations Security Council has lifted some sanctions and eased others on Libya, hours after the country’s seat in the General Assembly was given to the National Transitional Council. The Security Council voted unanimously Friday to lift financial sanctions on some Libyan banks and companies and ease others to help the country’s interim government […]
China State Religious Groups Slam US Freedom Report
Posted September 17th, 2011 at 2:00 am (UTC-5)
Beijing’s state-sanctioned religious groups lashed out at the U.S. after it again listed China as a country “of particular concern” on religious freedom. The U.S. State Department earlier this week released its International Religious Freedom report for the second half of 2010, naming eight countries, including China, as having especially troubling records on the issue. […]
US Official: US Will Target Terrorists in Countries Unable or Unwilling to Act
Posted September 17th, 2011 at 1:56 am (UTC-5)
A top U.S. official says the U.S. will continue to target al-Qaida in countries unable or unwilling to do it themselves. John Brennan, White House senior advisor for counterrorism and homeland security, made the remarks in a speech Friday at the Harvard Law School. He said the U.S. does not view its authority to use […]
UN Extends Peacekeepers Mission In Liberia Another Year
Posted September 17th, 2011 at 1:28 am (UTC-5)
The United Nations Security Council has approved a resolution to keep peacekeepers in Liberia for another year and stressed the supporting role the force will play in next month’s presidential and legislative elections. The Council’s decision means the 9,200 member U.N. peacekeeping mission in Liberia will remain in the west African nation through next September. […]
GM, UAW Agree on New Contract
Posted September 17th, 2011 at 12:25 am (UTC-5)
General Motors Company and the United Auto Workers union reached a tentative agreement on a new four-year contract late Friday in Detroit, Michigan. Details of the settlement are being withheld, pending a review meeting with local union leaders and ratification by rank-and-file workers. The UAW’s old agreement expired Wednesday, but the union was barred from […]
Latvians Vote In Early Elections Saturday
Posted September 17th, 2011 at 12:06 am (UTC-5)
Latvians are voting Saturday in early parliamentary elections that will decide whether the ruling center right party stays in power in the tiny Baltic state. Recent opinion polls show the center left leaning, pro-Russian Harmony Center party ahead of the ruling business backed Unity party and anti-corruption Reform party. However, no party is expected to […]
