North Korea’s apparent new leader Kim Jong Un visited Pyongyang’s presidential mausoleum Tuesday to pay his respects to his father, Kim Jong Il, whose death on Saturday sparked an enormous public outpouring of grief in the closed communist nation. The official Korean Central News Agency described the visit by Mr. Kim’s third and youngest son […]
Kim Jong Il’s Son Pays Last Respects at Open Casket
Posted December 20th, 2011 at 10:55 am (UTC-5)
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UN Calls for Justice in Russian Journalist Murder
Posted December 20th, 2011 at 10:50 am (UTC-5)
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has expressed concern in connection with the death of a prominent Russian journalist in Dagestan last week. The United Nations agency warned Russian authorities Tuesday that the killing of Khadzhimurad Kamalov will send a “chilling message” to journalists, in particular those seeking to cover human rights […]
South Sudan Rebel Chief Killed
Posted December 20th, 2011 at 10:40 am (UTC-5)
A renegade general who vowed to fight against the newly formed government in South Sudan is dead. South Sudan Vice President Rick Machar confirmed the death of George Athor Deng Tuesday. Machar said he was killed Monday during a clash with government troops, saying Athor had been the most dangerous rebel leader in the country. […]
Iraqi VP Denies Terrorism Charges
Posted December 20th, 2011 at 10:05 am (UTC-5)
Iraq’s Sunni Muslim vice president, Tariq al-Hashemi, has denied charges that he was behind a plot to kill government officials. He says charges brought against him by Iraq’s Shi’ite-led government are politically motivated. Hashemi says he is “ready to face trial,” but only if the case is transferred to Iraq’s northern Kurdistan region. He spoke […]
Turkish Police Arrest 35 for Suspected Kurdish Rebel Links
Posted December 20th, 2011 at 10:00 am (UTC-5)
Turkish police have arrested at least 35 people, including some journalists, for their alleged involvement with the Kurdistan Communities Union , which is believed to have links to the Kurdish rebel group, the PKK. Police officials said Tuesday that simultaneous raids were conducted in Istanbul and six other cities across the country. Those arrested were […]
NEWSMAKER: JOSEPH KABILA
Posted December 20th, 2011 at 9:55 am (UTC-5)
Congolese President Joseph Kabila originally rose to power a decade ago, at the age of 29, after the assassination of his father, Laurent. Laurent Kabila had become president after helping to oust dictator Mobutu Sese Seko. He appointed Joseph, the eldest of his 10 children, as chief of the country’s armed forces. After the elder […]
DRC President Inaugurated Amid Dispute
Posted December 20th, 2011 at 9:30 am (UTC-5)
Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila has been sworn in for a new term, as opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi continues to assert he is the country’s rightful leader. Mr. Kabila took the oath Tuesday in Kinshasa, following an election last month that international observers say had many irregularities during the voting and counting process. […]
Thai PM Holds Talks with Burmese Democracy Leader
Posted December 20th, 2011 at 9:20 am (UTC-5)
Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra met Tuesday with Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, in a visit described in Thai media as a show of support for political stability and “strong, sustainable democracy” in Burma. Thai television quotes a spokesman for Ms. Yingluck as saying the prime minister praised Aung San Suu Kyi’s “strong […]
PNG Governor-General Reverses Course, Backs O’Neill
Posted December 20th, 2011 at 8:55 am (UTC-5)
Papua New Guinea’s governor-general says he was wrong to reinstate ousted leader Michael Somare as prime minister, signaling a possible breakthrough in the country’s tense political stalemate. Governor-General Michael Ogio swore in the government of Mr. Somare last week after the country’s Supreme Court ruled that he was illegally removed from power while in Singapore […]
Syria Sets Death Penalty for Terrorist Arms Smugglers
Posted December 20th, 2011 at 8:05 am (UTC-5)
Syria’s state-run news agency says President Bashar al-Assad has issued a new law allowing for a death sentence for anyone found to be distributing arms to terrorists. Tuesday’s announcement comes a day after Syria agreed to allow observers to monitor whether the government is following a peace plan designed to stop a crackdown on anti-government […]
