Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney has won the Iowa Republican party caucuses, narrowly beating social conservative Rick Santorum in the first nominating contest of the 2012 presidential election. A party official announced early Wednesday that longtime front-runner Romney beat emerging Republican favorite, Santorum, by only eight votes, making it one of the closest races in […]
Senior US Envoy Visits China Following Kim Jong Il’s Death
Posted January 4th, 2012 at 7:35 am (UTC-5)
Senior U.S. diplomat Kurt Campbell held talks with senior Chinese officials Wednesday in Beijing on the stability of North Korea following the death of former leader Kim Jong Il. Campbell, the assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, said after his meeting with foreign ministry officials that the United States and China […]
Japanese Prime Minister Vows Tax Reforms in 2012
Posted January 4th, 2012 at 6:35 am (UTC-5)
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda says reforming the debt and disaster-stricken country’s social security and tax system is the most important item on his 2012 legislative agenda. Speaking at a news conference Wednesday marking the start of the new year, Prime Minister Noda said he will soon submit a proposal to parliament that would double […]
China Orders TV Stations To Cut Entertainment Shows
Posted January 4th, 2012 at 6:25 am (UTC-5)
China is ordering satellite television broadcasters to replace shows featuring “excessive entertainment” with those that promote traditional values. The state-run Xinhua news agency said Wednesday that satellite television stations have cut more than two-thirds of their prime-time entertainment programs – from 126 to 38 shows per week – following a new directive by the State […]
Grenade Attack Kills 2 in Rwanda
Posted January 4th, 2012 at 6:05 am (UTC-5)
Police in Rwanda say a grenade has exploded in the capital, Kigali, killing two people and wounding 18 others. Authorities say the attack happened late Tuesday near a fruit and vegetable market. Police said Wednesday there were no suspects, but that their investigation was continuing. Rwanda has been hit by a series of grenade attacks […]
Turkish Foreign Minister to Visit Iran for Nuclear Talks
Posted January 4th, 2012 at 5:45 am (UTC-5)
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu is set to visit Iran for talks on the country’s nuclear program. Turkey’s foreign ministry says Davutoglu will begin a two-day trip Wednesday that will also include discussion of recent developments in Iraq and Syria. The visit comes amid rising tensions in the region following new economic sanctions imposed by […]
Burma Celebrates Independence Amid Criticism of Clemency Program
Posted January 4th, 2012 at 5:30 am (UTC-5)
Burma is marking the 64th anniversary of its independence from Britain on Wednesday, amid criticism that the government’s recent clemency program is not doing enough for political prisoners. In a statement commemorating independence day, President Thein Sein praised the military’s role in bringing about the recent democratic reforms, saying Burma is “marching towards a democratic […]
Egypt Votes in Final Round of Parliamentary Elections
Posted January 4th, 2012 at 4:45 am (UTC-5)
Egypt’s Islamist Muslim Brotherhood says it intends to form a unity government, as voters in rural areas go to the polls in the third and final phase of elections that have so far been dominated by Islamist parties. Voting continued for a second day Wednesday in nine provinces, including al-Gharbiya, North Sinai and South Sinai, […]
Romney Wins Narrow Victory In Iowa
Posted January 4th, 2012 at 4:35 am (UTC-5)
Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney has won the Iowa Republican party caucuses, narrowly beating social conservative Rick Santorum in the first nominating contest of the 2012 presidential election. A party official announced on Wednesday that longtime front-runner Romney beat recent favorite, Santorum, by only eight votes, making it one of the closest races in Iowa […]
Romney Wins Narrow Victory In Iowa
Posted January 4th, 2012 at 4:00 am (UTC-5)
Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney has won the Iowa caucuses, narrowly beating social conservative Rick Santorum in the first nominating contest of the 2012 presidential election. A Republican party official announced on Wednesday that longtime front-runner Romney beat recent favorite, Santorum, by only eight votes, making it one of the closest races in Iowa caucus […]
