Police in Tajikistan have arrested three suspects in the murder of a young man dressed as Father Frost, the Russian equivalent of Santa Claus, who by tradition brings children presents at New Year. The Interior Ministry said Tuesday the three detainees are students at Tajik National University and that religious motives were behind the murder […]
Tajik Police Arrest 3 in Murder of Man Dressed as ‘Santa Claus’
Posted January 3rd, 2012 at 12:10 pm (UTC-5)
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Spanish, German Jobless Figures Sharply Diverge
Posted January 3rd, 2012 at 11:55 am (UTC-5)
The contrasting fortunes of national economies in Europe became apparent again Tuesday, with debt-ridden Spain reporting a 15-year high in the number of unemployed workers and robust Germany a two-decade low. Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s new conservative government in Spain has embarked on an austerity plan to trim its deficit spending, but its economy remains […]
FAO: Global Food Prices To Decline Slightly; Remain Volatile
Posted January 3rd, 2012 at 11:50 am (UTC-5)
The new head of the U.N.’s Food and Agriculture Organization says food prices may ease a bit this year as demand falls because of a slowing economy. Jose Graziano da Silva says price declines will not be “drastic,” and says economic turmoil may increase the number of people facing hunger. The FAO says more than […]
Macedonians Mourn Former President Gligorov
Posted January 3rd, 2012 at 11:35 am (UTC-5)
Macedonians have held a national day of mourning for the nation’s first democratically elected president, Kiro Gligorov, who died Sunday at the age of 94. Across the country, flags flew at half-staff Tuesday as a private funeral was held at a cemetery in the capital, Skopje. Mr. Gligorov died in his sleep Sunday night, surrounded […]
High Level US Diplomat Begins Asia Tour
Posted January 3rd, 2012 at 11:25 am (UTC-5)
Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell is in Beijing, the first high-level U.S. visit to Northeast Asia since the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il. Campbell arrived in China Tuesday evening for the start of a four-day diplomatic tour that will also take him to Seoul and Tokyo. The State Department says he […]
North Korea Rebukes Japan, Says Relations Hurt
Posted January 3rd, 2012 at 11:05 am (UTC-5)
Pyongyang is lashing out at Japan’s leadership, criticizing its behavior following the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il. The state-run Korean Central News Agency criticized Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda by name Tuesday for not offering condolences. It also criticized Japan for raising a security alert following Kim’s death. The KCNA commentary said […]
Egypt Begins Final Round of Lower House Vote
Posted January 3rd, 2012 at 11:05 am (UTC-5)
With Islamist parties dominating the process, Egyptians in rural areas started voting Tuesday in the third and final round of elections to choose lower house of parliament members. Voting began Tuesday in nine provinces, including al-Gharbiya, North Sinai and South Sinai, the last areas to hold polls in a series of voting that began in […]
Arab League to Hold Review Session on Syria Observers’ Work
Posted January 3rd, 2012 at 10:55 am (UTC-5)
Arab League ministers will meet Saturday to review an observer team’s assessment of whether the Syrian government is keeping its pledge to end a crackdown on dissent. Arab officials say the meeting of the League ministerial committee on the Syrian crisis will be held in Cairo. A group of 70 Arab League observers led by […]
Nigerians Protest End to Fuel Subsidy
Posted January 3rd, 2012 at 10:55 am (UTC-5)
Protesters in Nigeria have marched against a government decision to end a popular consumer fuel subsidy, which has sent prices soaring in the oil-rich nation. Demonstrators in Lagos Tuesday chanted as they carried banners and signs critical of President Goodluck Jonathan. Some protesters went to gas stations to disrupt business. But Nigerian officials are touting […]
China Protests Japanese Visit to Disputed Islands
Posted January 3rd, 2012 at 9:25 am (UTC-5)
Four Japanese politicians made a short visit on Tuesday to a group of disputed islands in the East China Sea, prompting an official protest from Beijing. Japanese officials say four municipal politicians from Okinawa visited the rocky, uninhabited chain of islands, known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China. The strategic and energy-rich islands […]
