Scotland’s first minister is pushing for a clear referendum on independence from Britain, while advocating that 16- and 17-year-olds be allowed to take part. Scottish leader Alex Salmond shared his proposal for the potential vote with lawmakers in Edinburgh Wednesday, during an event commemorating Scottish poet Robert Burns. He said the question on the ballot […]
Scottish Leader Details Possible Independence Referendum
Posted January 25th, 2012 at 1:45 pm (UTC-5)
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Russia Billionaire to Contest Presidential Race
Posted January 25th, 2012 at 1:10 pm (UTC-5)
Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov has been officially registered as a candidate in the country’s upcoming presidential elections. Wednesday’s decision by the Central Election Commission will make him the fifth candidate to run in the March race. He joins three veteran politicians and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who is seeking to return to the post he […]
Thousands of AIDS Victims Face Death in Congo
Posted January 25th, 2012 at 1:05 pm (UTC-5)
A medical aid group has warned that up to 15,000 AIDS victims in Democratic Republic of Congo could die in the next three years because of difficulty getting life-saving drugs. The warning comes from Doctors Without Borders, which says access to health care for HIV and AIDS patients in Congo is “horrific.” It says 85 […]
UN Hopeful Despite ‘Limited Progress’ on Cyprus
Posted January 25th, 2012 at 12:55 pm (UTC-5)
Efforts to reunify the divided island of Cyprus are moving into the final phase despite “limited progress” during talks this week in New York. United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon spoke about the situation to reporters in New York Wednesday, following two days of discussions with Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader […]
Nigeria President Replaces Police Chief After Attacks
Posted January 25th, 2012 at 12:50 pm (UTC-5)
Nigeria President Goodluck Jonathan, who has been under pressure to rein in escalating violence by a radical Islamic sect, has replaced the country’s police chief. Mr. Jonathan’s office announced Wednesday that Inspector-General Hariz Ringim has been placed on “terminal leave” until his retirement in coming months. The president also approved the retirement of all Ringim’s […]
American, Dane Safe After U.S. Rescue Operation in Somalia
Posted January 25th, 2012 at 12:45 pm (UTC-5)
U.S. military officials say two Westerners — an American and a Danish national — are safe after being rescued from gunmen in Somalia by U.S. special operations troops. The Pentagon said Wednesday that the American, Jessica Buchanan, is being cared for at a military hospital, reportedly in Djibouti. She suffers from an undisclosed medical ailment. […]
US Defense Department Expected to Unveil Budget Cuts
Posted January 25th, 2012 at 12:35 pm (UTC-5)
The U.S. Department of Defense is expected to kick off this year’s annual budget debate this week by announcing its plans for spending cuts in 2013 and through the next decade. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is expected to unveil the basic outlines of the budget request on Thursday. The White House is expected to send […]
Wounded US Congresswoman Resigns
Posted January 25th, 2012 at 12:35 pm (UTC-5)
Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who was seriously wounded in a shooting incident in her home state of Arizona last year, received an emotional farewell from Congress on Wednesday as she resigned. In her resignation speech, read by a colleague, the 41-year-old Democratic congresswoman said she is stepping down to focus on her recovery, but vowed she […]
Wounded US Congresswoman Resigns
Posted January 25th, 2012 at 12:20 pm (UTC-5)
Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who was seriously wounded in a shooting incident in her home state of Arizona last year, received an emotional farewell from Congress on Wednesday as she resigned. In her resignation speech, read by a colleague, the 41-year-old Democratic congresswoman said she is stepping down to focus on her recovery, but vowed she […]
India, Pakistan Near Deal on Gas Pipeline
Posted January 25th, 2012 at 12:15 pm (UTC-5)
Indian and Pakistani officials say they have come closer to an agreement on a pipeline that would transport natural gas from Turkmenistan through Afghanistan. Indian Oil Minister S. Jaipal Reddy said Wednesday that both sides have agreed to settle the issue of a transit fee for the gas as soon as possible. He made the […]
