Israel will increase its defense budget by more than $700 million in the face of deepening regional instability. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that given the recent dramatic changes in the Middle East, including Arab Spring, government changes in Israel’s former ally Egypt and growing fears over Iran’s nuclear program, “it would be […]
Nigeria Braces for Nationwide Strikes
Posted January 8th, 2012 at 4:10 pm (UTC-5)
Nigerian lawmakers are urging the government to reverse its decision to end fuel subsidies, a move that has doubled the price of fuel and led to nationwide strikes over the past week. During an emergency session Sunday, lawmakers from the House of Representatives voted for a resolution calling on the government to restore the subsidies, […]
Georgian Sailors Freed After 16 Months with Somali Pirates
Posted January 8th, 2012 at 4:10 pm (UTC-5)
Georgian officials say Somalia pirates have freed 15 crew members of a cargo ship seized more than a year ago. The officials gave no details of the release and did not say if a ransom was paid. They say the freed hostages are in satisfactory condition. The Somali pirates hijacked the Maltese-flagged ship in the […]
Chavez Renounces World Bank Tribunal
Posted January 8th, 2012 at 3:55 pm (UTC-5)
Venezuela’s president says his country will not recognize any rulings by the World Bank’s arbitration panel, which is set to hear arguments this year in a multi-billion-dollar dispute between the Latin American country and U.S. oil giant ExxonMobil. Hugo Chavez made the remarks in a televised address Sunday, a week after a separate tribunal ordered […]
Another Tibetan Monk Dies After Setting Himself on Fire
Posted January 8th, 2012 at 3:50 pm (UTC-5)
Reports from Tibet say another Tibetan monk died Sunday after setting himself on fire in Dari county of Amdo region. The reports say that before 42-year-old Lama Sopa Tulku set himself ablaze, he said he was doing so to commemorate all the Tibetans who have died since 2009 for Tibet’s freedom and the return of […]
Ahmadinejad Begins Visit to Latin America
Posted January 8th, 2012 at 3:40 pm (UTC-5)
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad left Sunday on a five-day Latin American tour, which U.S. officials have dubbed as a sign of desperation for the country heavily sanctioned over its controversial nuclear program. Mr. Ahmadinejad will first visit Venezuela, followed by stops in Nicaragua, Cuba and Ecuador. Iranian state media quote the president as praising the […]
Yemeni Government Approves Immunity for President
Posted January 8th, 2012 at 3:15 pm (UTC-5)
Yemen’s interim government has agreed to grant immunity to President Ali Abdullah Saleh and his administration, clearing the way for his departure in line with a Gulf-brokered agreement. The government on Sunday approved the law that grants Mr. Saleh immunity from “legal and judicial prosecution” for any alleged crimes committed during his 33-year rule. Yemen’s […]
Republican Presidential Hopefuls Debate ahead of First Primary Election
Posted January 8th, 2012 at 2:55 pm (UTC-5)
Two days before the first primary election in the United States, the six Republicans vying for their party’s presidential nomination gathered Sunday for the second debate in as many days. All the candidates have been seeking to brandish their conservative credentials against the more liberal President Barack Obama. And during Sunday’s debate in the northeastern […]
Nigeria Braces for Nationwide Strikes
Posted January 8th, 2012 at 2:50 pm (UTC-5)
Nigerian lawmakers are urging the government to reverse its decision to end fuel subsidies, a move that has doubled the price of fuel and led to nationwide strikes over the past week. During an emergency session Sunday, lawmakers from the House of Representatives voted for a resolution calling for the government to restore the subsidies […]
Afghan Soldier Kills NATO Colleague
Posted January 8th, 2012 at 2:05 pm (UTC-5)
NATO says one of its service members was killed Sunday, apparently by an Afghan army soldier. The NATO statement said the incident took place in southern Afghanistan. It contained no information about the victim’s nationality. The incident appears to be the latest in a string of attacks by members of the Afghan security forces against […]
