A fire at Niger’s justice ministry has destroyed files on anti-corruption cases against a number of judges. The fire in the capital, Niamey, broke out early Tuesday, seriously damaging the justice ministry building and many paper archives inside. Authorities say the documents included evidence collected to prosecute allegedly corrupt magistrates. Some of the information had […]
Afghan Taliban ‘Ready’ for Overseas Office
Posted January 3rd, 2012 at 3:10 pm (UTC-5)
The Afghan Taliban says it is ready to open an overseas political office in the Gulf state of Qatar, in a move that could help facilitate peace talks to end the war in Afghanistan. The announcement came Tuesday in an e-mailed statement from Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid. He said the office would help his group […]
Despite Iran Warning, US Vows to Keep Ships in Persian Gulf
Posted January 3rd, 2012 at 3:05 pm (UTC-5)
The U.S. military says the United States will continue to deploy warships in the Persian Gulf, after Iran warned a U.S. aircraft carrier not to return to the region. “The deployment of U.S. military assets in the Persian Gulf region will continue as it has for decades,” Pentagon spokesman George Little said in a statement. […]
Turkey Offers Compensation for Victims of Airstrikes
Posted January 3rd, 2012 at 2:50 pm (UTC-5)
Turkey says it will compensate the families of 35 civilians mistakenly killed in an airstrike meant for Kurdish rebels. The army said it was targeting Kurdish rebels along the country’s border with Iraq in last week’s airstrikes, but instead hit a group of local smugglers and villagers. The government has promised to conduct a full […]
Republican Candidates Ready for Vote in Iowa
Posted January 3rd, 2012 at 2:35 pm (UTC-5)
Hours before the Iowa presidential caucuses, some Republican presidential candidates appealed to young voters for their support. At a high school outside the state capital, Des Moines, Texas Congressman Ron Paul promoted his anti-war stance. “There is no reason in the world that we cannot be strict constitutionalists, strong national defense and say that we […]
Arab League to Hold Review Session on Syria Observers’ Work
Posted January 3rd, 2012 at 2:35 pm (UTC-5)
Arab League ministers plan to meet Saturday to review an observer team’s assessment of whether the Syrian government is keeping its pledge to end a crackdown on a 10-month pro-democracy uprising. Arab officials say the meeting of the League ministerial committee on the Syrian crisis will be held in Cairo. A group of 70 Arab […]
Nigerians Protest Fuel Hike, 1 Death Reported
Posted January 3rd, 2012 at 2:35 pm (UTC-5)
Nigerians demonstrated against soaring fuel prices Tuesday in protests that a top labor union says resulted in at least one death. Protesters blocked access to gasoline stations and clashed with police on Tuesday in cities including Kano in the north, Lagos in the south and Kwara in the west. The Nigeria Labor Congress says police […]
German President Faces Resignation Calls Over Loan Scandal
Posted January 3rd, 2012 at 1:45 pm (UTC-5)
German President Christian Wulff is facing growing calls for his resignation in connection with his alleged attempts to kill a news story on a controversial home loan he received. Mr. Wulff, an ally of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, is reported to have left an angry voicemail message for the editor of the Bild newspaper threatening […]
Greece Warns of Euro Exit If Second Bailout Is Not Finalized
Posted January 3rd, 2012 at 1:40 pm (UTC-5)
Debt-ridden Greece is warning that it could be forced to abandon the common euro currency if it does not secure a second international bailout to avoid defaulting on its loans. Greece won tentative European approval for the $169 billion bailout in October, but now the country is engaged in new negotiations with creditors over terms […]
Afghan Taliban ‘Ready’ for Overseas Office
Posted January 3rd, 2012 at 1:35 pm (UTC-5)
The Afghan Taliban says it is ready to open an overseas political office in the Gulf state of Qatar, in a move that could help facilitate peace talks to end the war in Afghanistan. The announcement came Tuesday in an e-mailed statement from Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid. He said the office would help his group […]
