Showing Archived Posts

Iran Threatens to Block Gulf Oil if Sanctions Applied

Posted December 27th, 2011 at 9:20 pm (UTC-5)
Leave a comment

Iran has threatened to block the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz if Western governments attempt to impose sanctions on its petroleum exports in their dispute over its nuclear ambitions. The official Iranian news agency IRNA quoted Vice President Mohammad Reza Rahimi as saying that if Iranian oil is banned “then not a […]

Tags: Posted in Middle East

Pakistan Warns of Conspiracies on Bhutto’s Killing Anniversary

Posted December 27th, 2011 at 8:05 pm (UTC-5)
Leave a comment

Pakistan’s ruling party on Tuesday warned the country’s fragile democracy is at risk, as the South Asian nation marked the fourth anniversary of the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. Tens of thousands of mourners, including Pakistani leaders, rallied at the marble mausoleum in Gahri Khuda Bakhsh in Sindh province that is Mrs. Bhutto’s […]

Tags: , , , Posted in South Asia

Mass Protests in Homs as Monitors Arrive

Posted December 27th, 2011 at 7:40 pm (UTC-5)
Leave a comment

Syrian security forces fired tear gas to disperse tens of thousands of protesters who rallied in Homs Tuesday, as Arab League observers visited the city to monitor government pledges to withdraw troops, release political prisoners and halt violence. The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said about 70,000 anti-government protesters chanting calls to execute President […]

Tags: , , Posted in Middle East

India Lower House Passes Graft Bill

Posted December 27th, 2011 at 7:05 pm (UTC-5)
Leave a comment

India’s powerful lower house of parliament has passed a landmark anti-corruption bill that seeks to create an independent ombudsman with powers to investigate corruption charges against bureaucrats and politicians. The bill was passed Tuesday following hours of heated debate in parliament and a staunch defense from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare launched […]

Tags: , , , Posted in South Asia

Dozens Arrested Following Coup Attempt in Guinea-Bissau

Posted December 27th, 2011 at 6:20 pm (UTC-5)
Leave a comment

Dozens of military officers have been arrested in the West African nation of Guinea-Bissau, following a suspected coup attempt in the country. Military officials told VOA that several political officials also will be arrested on suspicion of supporting the rebel soldiers. That is in addition to the dozens of high-ranking military officials already detained. The […]

Tags: , , , Posted in Africa

North Korea Prepares For Kim Funeral

Posted December 27th, 2011 at 6:10 pm (UTC-5)
Leave a comment

North Koreans continue to mourn their deceased leader Kim Jong Il, ahead of his funeral which is set for Wednesday. Thousands of people passed under Mr. Kim’s giant photograph at the mourning center outside Pyongyang Tuesday, carrying wreaths and bouquets of white flowers. His son and heir Kim Jong Un made another visit to pay […]

Tags: , , , Posted in East Asia Pacific

Afghanistan to Accept Taliban Office in Qatar

Posted December 27th, 2011 at 6:05 pm (UTC-5)
Leave a comment

The office of Afghan President Hamid Karzai said Tuesday the government would accept the opening of a Taliban liaison office in the Gulf state of Qatar to resume peace talks with the insurgents as long as Afghans lead the negotiations. Afghan officials said earlier that future negotiations with the insurgents ideally should take place at […]

Tags: , , Posted in South Asia

Afghan Girl Imprisoned by In-Laws Rescued

Posted December 27th, 2011 at 5:35 pm (UTC-5)
Leave a comment

A 15-year-old Afghan girl locked away by her in-laws is finally able to see the light of day again. Afghan police say Pari Gul was found Monday locked in a windowless room in the basement of her husband’s house in northeastern Baghlan province. Gul told police her husband and her in-laws beat her and tortured […]

Tags: , , , Posted in South Asia

Afghan Girl Imprisoned by In-Laws Rescued

Posted December 27th, 2011 at 4:45 pm (UTC-5)
Leave a comment

A 15-year-old Afghan girl locked away by her in-laws is finally able to see the light of day again. Afghan police say Pari Gul was found Monday locked in a windowless room in the basement of her husband’s house in northeastern Baghlan province. Officials Tuesday say Gul had been severely beaten on her face and […]

Tags: , Posted in South Asia

US Consumer Confidence Rises

Posted December 27th, 2011 at 4:20 pm (UTC-5)
Leave a comment

A series of reports paint a mixed picture of the U.S. economy Tuesday, as consumer confidence rises, home prices fall, and an iconic retailer shuts a number of stores. U.S. consumer confidence hit its highest level in eight months in December as the job market improved. Tuesday’s data comes from the Conference Board, a private […]

Tags: , , , Posted in Economy