The Arab League chief says snipers and gunfire remain a threat in Syrian cities despite the presence of League monitors. Speaking in Cairo Monday, Nabil El Araby called for an immediate cease-fire in Syria. He said Syria’s military has withdrawn from inside cities, but snipers are still killing people and making it difficult to distinguish […]
Arab League: Snipers Still Threaten Syrian Cities
Posted January 2nd, 2012 at 12:30 pm (UTC-5)
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Troubled US Job Market Shows Improvement
Posted January 2nd, 2012 at 12:10 pm (UTC-5)
Unemployment in the United States has improved over the past year, but remains higher than usual and a major political issue ahead of next November’s presidential election. Economists surveyed by the Bloomberg financial news service predict the U.S. unemployment rate for December will be slightly worse than the prior month at 8.7 percent. If that […]
US: Republican Presidential Contenders Facing First Test in Iowa
Posted January 2nd, 2012 at 11:50 am (UTC-5)
U.S. Republican presidential contenders are making last-minute campaign pitches in the central state of Iowa before Tuesday’s first electoral test to pick a nominee for next November’s national election. Voters in Iowa often do not crown the eventual presidential nominees for either Republicans or Democrats. But its first-in-the-nation caucuses can serve as a launchpad for […]
NATO Hopes for Reopening of Pakistani Supply Routes
Posted January 2nd, 2012 at 11:35 am (UTC-5)
NATO hopes to mend relations with Pakistan quickly in order to reopen key supply routes for its forces fighting in neighboring Afghanistan. NATO spokesman Brigadier General Carsten Jacobsen said Monday that the closure of the routes has adversely affected the economies of both Pakistan and Afghanistan. Pakistan blocked the Khyber and Chaman routes to Afghanistan […]
Iran’s Currency Slumps on Sanctions Fears
Posted January 2nd, 2012 at 11:10 am (UTC-5)
Reports from Iran say the nation’s currency has slumped to a record low against the U.S. dollar, two days after U.S. President Barack Obama signed into law new sanctions that could affect Iran’s central bank and financial system. Traders said Monday the exchange rate dipped to around 17,000 rials to the dollar, which is about […]
Gas Shortages Spark Protests in Pakistan
Posted January 2nd, 2012 at 10:50 am (UTC-5)
Pakistani cities were virtually paralyzed Monday as thousands of people across the country demonstrated over severe gas shortages and price hikes. Protesters burned tires and blocked highways as public transportation ground to a halt in most cities. Lines snaked around gas stations as cars stocked up on dwindling gas stocks.
Nigeria Fuel Prices More than Double
Posted January 2nd, 2012 at 10:50 am (UTC-5)
Fuel prices in Nigeria have more than doubled a day after the oil-rich nation ended a popular consumer fuel subsidy. Prices at the pump on Monday soared from about 40 cents to 88 cents per liter. The Nigerian government ended the subsidy program on Sunday. President Goodluck Jonathan has said the money used on the […]
Cameron: Britain Will Get Up to Strength in 2012
Posted January 2nd, 2012 at 10:45 am (UTC-5)
British Prime Minister David Cameron sent an optimistic New Year’s message for Britain, citing London’s Summer Olympics and Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee, celebrating the 60th year of her reign. Mr. Cameron said Monday that while economic times are difficult, these events will focus the eyes of the world on the country, that 2012 “will be […]
Militants Warn Southerners to Leave Northern Nigeria
Posted January 2nd, 2012 at 10:30 am (UTC-5)
A purported spokesman for Nigerian militant group Boko Haram has warned southerners to leave the country’s north, while promising clashes with government soldiers. Abul Qaqa, who has spoken on behalf of the Islamist group in the past, told journalists in a phone conference late Sunday that the group’s fighters will “confront” soldiers sent to parts […]
Burma to Reduce Sentences of Some Prisoners
Posted January 2nd, 2012 at 10:30 am (UTC-5)
Burma’s government says it will reduce the sentences of some prisoners on humanitarian grounds. State television and radio announced Monday that President Thein Sein signed a clemency order to mark the country’s 64th anniversary of independence from British colonial rule on Wednesday. The government said some death sentences will be commuted to life imprisonment. Prison […]
