Showing Archived Posts

Despite Iran Warning, US Vows to Keep Ships in Persian Gulf

Posted January 3rd, 2012 at 1:00 pm (UTC-5)
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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. […]

Tags: , , Posted in Middle East

Zimbabwe Blocks Anglican Clergy Retreat

Posted January 3rd, 2012 at 12:50 pm (UTC-5)
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Zimbabwe police have stopped Anglican clergy from holding an annual retreat, saying the religious group did not abide by security laws. The Anglican Church said authorities broke up a prayer gathering of about 80 clergy on Tuesday at a private school about 75 kilometers east of the capital. According to Bishop Chad Gandiya of the […]

Tags: , Posted in Africa

Taliban Strikes Preliminary Deal for Qatar Office

Posted January 3rd, 2012 at 12:40 pm (UTC-5)
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The Afghan Taliban said Tuesday it has reached a preliminary agreement to open a 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 in an e-mailed statement from Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid, who also said the group is […]

Tags: , , , Posted in South Asia

Israeli, Palestinian Negotiators Meet to Try to Restart Peace Talks

Posted January 3rd, 2012 at 12:25 pm (UTC-5)
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Israeli and Palestinian peace negotiators have entered their first official meeting in 15 months to try to resume the stalled Mideast peace process. Jordanian officials say Israeli negotiator Yitzhak Molho and his Palestinian counterpart Saeb Erekat met Tuesday in Amman, in the presence of diplomats from Jordan and the Quartet of Middle East peace mediators. […]

Tags: , , , Posted in Middle East

Republican Candidates Ready for Vote in Iowa

Posted January 3rd, 2012 at 12:10 pm (UTC-5)
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The first voting in the race for the U.S. presidency is kicking off Tuesday in the state of Iowa, where Republicans hold party caucuses to choose the candidate they want to challenge President Barack Obama. Residents will brave the winter cold to cast their votes in churches, schools, libraries and other meeting places. They will […]

Tags: , , , Posted in US

Tajik Police Arrest 3 in Murder of Man Dressed as ‘Santa Claus’

Posted January 3rd, 2012 at 12:10 pm (UTC-5)
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Police in Tajikistan have arrested three suspects in the murder of a young man dressed as Father Frost, the Russian equivalent of Santa Claus, who by tradition brings children presents at New Year. The Interior Ministry said Tuesday the three detainees are students at Tajik National University and that religious motives were behind the murder […]

Tags: , Posted in Europe

Spanish, German Jobless Figures Sharply Diverge

Posted January 3rd, 2012 at 11:55 am (UTC-5)
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The contrasting fortunes of national economies in Europe became apparent again Tuesday, with debt-ridden Spain reporting a 15-year high in the number of unemployed workers and robust Germany a two-decade low. Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s new conservative government in Spain has embarked on an austerity plan to trim its deficit spending, but its economy remains […]

Tags: , Posted in Economy, Europe

FAO: Global Food Prices To Decline Slightly; Remain Volatile

Posted January 3rd, 2012 at 11:50 am (UTC-5)
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The new head of the U.N.’s Food and Agriculture Organization says food prices may ease a bit this year as demand falls because of a slowing economy. Jose Graziano da Silva says price declines will not be “drastic,” and says economic turmoil may increase the number of people facing hunger. The FAO says more than […]

Tags: , Posted in Africa, Asia, Economy, Europe

Macedonians Mourn Former President Gligorov

Posted January 3rd, 2012 at 11:35 am (UTC-5)
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Macedonians have held a national day of mourning for the nation’s first democratically elected president, Kiro Gligorov, who died Sunday at the age of 94. Across the country, flags flew at half-staff Tuesday as a private funeral was held at a cemetery in the capital, Skopje. Mr. Gligorov died in his sleep Sunday night, surrounded […]

Tags: , , Posted in Europe

High Level US Diplomat Begins Asia Tour

Posted January 3rd, 2012 at 11:25 am (UTC-5)
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Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell is in Beijing, the first high-level U.S. visit to Northeast Asia since the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il. Campbell arrived in China Tuesday evening for the start of a four-day diplomatic tour that will also take him to Seoul and Tokyo. The State Department says he […]

Tags: , , , , Posted in East Asia Pacific