Hungary is bowing to European Union demands that it change several of its laws that called into question the independence of its central bank, the judiciary and media. Hungary’s dispute with the EU threatened to derail the eastern European nation’s bid to secure a $25 billion credit line from the EU and the International Monetary […]
Hungary Bows to EU Demands on Disputed Laws
Posted January 20th, 2012 at 12:40 pm (UTC-5)
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Multiple Explosions, Gunfire Heard in Nigerian City
Posted January 20th, 2012 at 12:25 pm (UTC-5)
Witnesses say multiple explosions have rocked the northern Nigerian city of Kano. A local journalist tells VOA that the blasts went off Friday afternoon and damaged at least one police station. Other witnesses report hearing gunfire and seeing smoke rising from different parts of the city. Nigeria is trying to cope with a wave of […]
Turkey Urges French Lawmakers to Reject Genocide Bill
Posted January 20th, 2012 at 11:55 am (UTC-5)
Turkey has urged French lawmakers to reject a bill making it illegal to deny as genocide the mass killings of Armenians during Turkey’s Ottoman era nearly a century ago. Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu called on all French senators Friday to think beyond their political interests. He said passage of the bill would create a […]
UN Blasts China for Dissident Crackdown
Posted January 20th, 2012 at 11:40 am (UTC-5)
The United Nations has criticized China for what it calls “severe suppression of dissent.” The comment came Friday from the U.N.’s Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. It said the crackdown appears to be a deliberate attempt to intimidate human rights defenders. China sentenced writer and democracy activist Li Tie to 10 years […]
US Military Chief in Israel for Talks on Iran Nuclear Program
Posted January 20th, 2012 at 11:25 am (UTC-5)
The top U.S. military official held closed talks Friday with Israeli leaders over how to respond to Iran’s controversial nuclear program, which both countries fear is being used to develop nuclear weapons. The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army General Martin Dempsey, met in Israel with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Shimon […]
Another Military Visit for Kim Jong Un As Book Raises Doubts
Posted January 20th, 2012 at 11:10 am (UTC-5)
North Korea’s state-run media are heralding another visit by the country’s young leader to a military installation – just days after a new book questioned Kim Jong Un’s grip on power. The North Korean Central News Agency said the young Kim inspected an army unit before posing for photos. It said during the inspection, the […]
Activists Launch Balloons Into North Korea
Posted January 20th, 2012 at 11:10 am (UTC-5)
Four North Korean defector groups launched balloons loaded with snacks and other items towards North Korea on Friday. The North Korea Peoples’ Liberation Front says it joined three other organizations in dispatching the balloons from near the port city of Incheon. Defectors say they loaded 20 large balloons with snack cakes, compact discs and informational […]
AU, Government Troops Seize al-Shabab Positions in Mogadishu
Posted January 20th, 2012 at 11:05 am (UTC-5)
Officials say African Union and Somali government troops have seized positions from militant group al-Shabab in the capital, Mogadishu. The AU force, known as AMISOM, said Friday that it had driven al-Shabab fighters from Mogadishu University and the Barakat Cemetery, areas on the city’s northern outskirts. Witnesses in the area reported hearing heavy gunfire around […]
4 Killed in Syria, Pressure Mounts on Arab League
Posted January 20th, 2012 at 11:00 am (UTC-5)
Syrian opposition groups are stepping up calls for the Arab League to seek foreign intervention in Syria, since critics say the League’s observer mission failed to curb violent outbreaks there. Protesters took to the streets in several Syrian cities Friday after prayers, again calling for President Bashar al-Assad to step down. Activists say security forces […]
France Suspends Afghan Military Operations After Troop Deaths
Posted January 20th, 2012 at 10:55 am (UTC-5)
France says it is suspending all training and joint operations in Afghanistan after an Afghan soldier shot and killed four French troops. President Nicolas Sarkozy says he is considering an early withdrawal of French troops from Afghanistan if security conditions “are not clearly established,” following Friday’s attack. Fifteen French troops were wounded in the same […]
