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. […]
Despite Iran Warning, US Vows to Keep Ships in Persian Gulf
Zimbabwe Blocks Anglican Clergy Retreat
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 […]
Taliban Strikes Preliminary Deal for Qatar Office
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 […]
Israeli, Palestinian Negotiators Meet to Try to Restart Peace Talks
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. […]
Republican Candidates Ready for Vote in Iowa
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 […]
Tajik Police Arrest 3 in Murder of Man Dressed as ‘Santa Claus’
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 […]
Spanish, German Jobless Figures Sharply Diverge
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 […]
FAO: Global Food Prices To Decline Slightly; Remain Volatile
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 […]
Macedonians Mourn Former President Gligorov
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 […]
High Level US Diplomat Begins Asia Tour
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 […]