South Korean President Lee Myung-bak arrives in Beijing Monday for an official visit that will focus on the North Korean leadership transition following the death last month of longtime President Kim Jong-Il. During his three-day stay, Mr. Lee is due to meet with his Chinese counterpart, Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabo, and other high-ranking officials. […]
Ahmadinejad Begins Visit to Latin America
Posted January 8th, 2012 at 8:10 pm (UTC-5)
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has started a five-day Latin American tour that U.S. officials have called a sign of desperation for the country heavily sanctioned over its controversial nuclear program. Mr. Ahmadinejad arrived Sunday evening in Venezuela, and was met at the airport by that country’s Vice President Elias Juau. He smiled and waved to […]
Amnesty: Protests, Repression to Continue in Middle East in 2012
Posted January 8th, 2012 at 7:55 pm (UTC-5)
The international human rights group Amnesty International has warned of another year of protests and government repression in the Middle East and North Africa, if the region’s rulers do not ensure democratic and human rights for their people. In a report released in London Monday, the group described how governments across the region were willing […]
Afghan Soldier Kills NATO Colleague
Posted January 8th, 2012 at 6:50 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 […]
Ailing Stephen Hawking Misses 70th Birthday Event
Posted January 8th, 2012 at 6:35 pm (UTC-5)
Renowned physicist Stephen Hawking was too ill to attend a symposium held in honor of his 70th birthday at the University of Cambridge in England Sunday. But, in a recorded message, he repeated his call for humans to explore the universe for future homes. Hawking argued for continued space exploration, saying he didn’t “think we […]
Taiwan’s Opposition Makes Gains Ahead of Presidential Elections
Posted January 8th, 2012 at 5:30 pm (UTC-5)
Latest opinion polls in Taiwan show that President Ma Ying-jeou has lost a once comfortable lead over opposition candidate Tsai Ing-wen from the Democratic Progressive Party ahead of presidential elections scheduled for January 14. President Ma leads by less than one percentage point in some polls and lags Tsai in a few, down from leads […]
Nigeria Braces for Nationwide Strikes
Posted January 8th, 2012 at 5:25 pm (UTC-5)
Long lines snaked through Nigerian markets and fueling stations Sunday as residents stocked up on supplies ahead of a planned national strike. The country’s major labor unions have announced a strike set to begin Monday over their discontent at a government decision to end the country’s fuel subsidy. During an emergency session Sunday, lawmakers from […]
Israel to Boost Defense Budget
Posted January 8th, 2012 at 5:00 pm (UTC-5)
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 […]
