European leaders have started their first 2012 summit in Brussels, aiming to set new spending controls over individual governments, but also facing reminders of the continent’s economic difficulties. In a driving snowstorm, Belgian workers Monday staged the country’s first general strike since 2005 to protest the austerity measures imposed in their country. Some flights were […]
EU Leaders Trying to Control Spending, Cope with Greek Debt
Posted January 30th, 2012 at 11:55 am (UTC-5)
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Syrian Troops Retake Control of Some Damascus Suburbs
Posted January 30th, 2012 at 11:45 am (UTC-5)
Syrian opposition activists say government troops have re-taken control of several Damascus suburbs in heavy fighting with rebels leading a 10-month long uprising against President Bashar al-Assad’s 11-year autocratic rule. The activists said Monday pro-Assad forces drove the Free Syrian Army forces out of some eastern districts closest to central Damascus before moving into neighboring […]
Somali Militants Ban Red Cross From Territory
Posted January 30th, 2012 at 11:25 am (UTC-5)
Somali militant group al-Shabab has banned the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) from operating in the territory it controls. In a statement Monday, al-Shabab said the Red Cross had “betrayed the trust” of local officials and falsely accused the group’s fighters of “hindering food distribution.” There was no immediate response from the ICRC. […]
Senegal Opposition Plans Mass Protests Against Wade
Posted January 30th, 2012 at 11:10 am (UTC-5)
A Senegalese opposition movement has called for nationwide protests against President Abdoulaye Wade’s controversial bid for a third term. A group of opposition and civic organizations, known as M23, says it will stage the peaceful rallies on Tuesday to pressure Mr. Wade to withdraw from the February 26 presidential polls. Late Sunday, Senegal’s constitutional court […]
Norway Convicts 2 of Terrorist Plot
Posted January 30th, 2012 at 10:55 am (UTC-5)
A Norwegian court has convicted and sentenced two men for planning to bomb a Danish newspaper that published cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad. The court in Oslo sentenced Norwegian citizen Mikael Davud, a member of China’s Uighur minority and considered the leader of the plot, to seven years in prison. The court also sentenced Shawan […]
Italian Island Residents Concerned After Shipwreck Disaster
Posted January 30th, 2012 at 10:50 am (UTC-5)
Residents of the Italian island of Giglio say they are concerned about possible environmental damage from the wrecked cruise ship Costa Concordia. Residents Monday called for an island-wide meeting to discuss how to protect their interests ahead of the upcoming tourist season after being told Sunday that it may take until the end of the […]
Violence Against Afghan Women Raises Concerns
Posted January 30th, 2012 at 10:45 am (UTC-5)
Afghan police are searching for a man they say killed his wife for giving birth to a third daughter, rather than a son he had hoped for. Police in the northern Kunduz province have arrested the victim’s mother-in-law in connection with the murder but the husband fled the scene. Violence and abuse continues to be […]
Starbucks to Open in India This Year
Posted January 30th, 2012 at 10:40 am (UTC-5)
Starbucks will open its first stores in India this year, as part of a 50-50 joint venture with India’s Tata Global Beverages. Company officials said Monday the first stores will open in the Indian cities of Mumbai and New Delhi, with at least 50 stores to be opened across the country by year’s end. The […]
China Protests Japan’s Naming of Disputed Islets
Posted January 30th, 2012 at 10:40 am (UTC-5)
China says it has filed a formal protest with Japan over Tokyo’s plans to name uninhabited Pacific islands claimed by both countries. In a statement Monday, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman (Liu Weiman) insisted China has “indisputable sovereignty” over the East China Sea islands, known as Diaoyu in China and Senkaku in Japan. The Japanese […]
Washington DC Protesters Face Eviction From Parks
Posted January 30th, 2012 at 10:30 am (UTC-5)
Anti-Wall Street protesters are facing a deadline to stop camping at two public parks in Washington D.C. or risk arrest. The National Park Service warned demonstrators they could be arrested and have their property seized if they fail to adhere to the rules after Noon, Monday. Protesters have been sleeping in the two parks a […]
