The U.S. economy grew more slowly than first estimated in July, August, and September. Tuesday’s report from the Commerce Department says the gross domestic product expanded at a 2 percent annual rate during the third quarter. That is half a percentage point less than a preliminary estimate. New data showing that companies have been slow […]
US Economy Grows More Slowly Than First Thought
Fighter Jet Strikes Rebel-Held Village in Southern Somalia
Residents in southern Somalia say an unidentified fighter jet has bombed a rebel-held village, killing at least one person. The warplane hit the al-Shabab-controlled village of Yaqle on Tuesday. It is located in Somalia’s Gedo region near the Kenya border. Kenyan forces entered southern Somalia in October to hunt for al-Shabab militants, and since then […]
Protest Swells in Cairo’s Tahrir Square
Thousands of Egyptians are pushing into Cairo’s Tahrir Square for what protest organizers are calling a “million man march.” Demonstrators have been demanding that the country’s military rulers cede power to a civilian authority. As crowds pressed into the square Egyptian Field Marshal Mohamed Tantawi was holding a crisis meeting with political leaders – a […]
Tajikistan Frees Jailed Pilots
A court in Tajikistan has freed two jailed pilots in a move that is expected to help soothe a diplomatic spat with Russia. The two pilots, Vladimir Sadovnichy of Russia and Alexey Rudenko of Estonia, were freed Tuesday after the court reduced their sentences and released them for time already served. Russia detained hundreds of […]
South African Lawmakers Pass State Secrets Bill
(( new headline, new info grafs 1-2, edits below The South African parliament has passed a bill aimed at protecting state secrets that opponents say will stifle the media and those who expose corruption. Lawmakers adopted the bill by a vote of 229 to 107 Tuesday, with much of the support coming from the ruling […]
US Economy Grows More Slowly Than First Thought
The U.S. economy grew more slowly than first estimated in July, August, and September. Tuesday’s report from the Commerce Department says the gross domestic product expanded at a 2 percent annual rate during the third quarter. That is half a percentage point less than a preliminary estimate. New data showing that companies have been slow […]
Mayor: South African Capital Will be Renamed
The official who oversees South Africa’s capital, Pretoria, says the city will have a new name by the end of next year. The mayor of Tshwane municipality, Kgosientso Ramokgopa, says all of Pretoria will be renamed Tshwane by the end of 2012. The ruling African National Congress party has been working for years to rename […]
Tunisia’s New Assembly Holds Historic First Session
Tunisia’s democratically elected constitutional assembly held its opening session Tuesday, 10 months after a popular revolt ended years of dictatorship and sparked similar uprisings across the Arab world. Lawmakers tasked with drafting a new constitution sang the national anthem and were joined by senior officials in the incoming coalition government and ministers in the outgoing […]
Indian Rupee Hits Record Low Against Dollar
The Indian rupee has hit a record low against the dollar, as fears about the global economy and the eurozone have provoked further selling of the currency. The rupee plunged to 52.73 against the dollar on foreign exchange markets Tuesday. The weakening currency is expected to increase domestic inflation because imports priced in dollars, such […]
Malaysia Government Announces New Public Gathering Laws
Malaysia’s government has proposed changes to restrictions on public gatherings, but some opposition groups say the new laws will do little to improve freedom of expression in the country. The legislation proposed by Prime Minister Najib Razak’s National Front party would eliminate a current law requiring demonstrators to acquire a police permit, which is often […]