The sluggish U.S. economy produced mixed signals Thursday about how fast it is advancing. The U.S. government reported that orders for durable goods — those designed to last at least three years — surged 3 percent in December, suggesting that manufacturing is a strong segment of the national economy. Orders for cars, commercial airplanes, machinery, […]
Divers Continue Search on Italian Ship
Posted January 26th, 2012 at 9:50 am (UTC-5)
Divers have resumed search efforts to find those missing onboard the Costa Concordia cruise ship that wrecked off the northwestern coast of Italy earlier this month. German and Italian authorities on Wednesday identified the remains of three German passengers recovered from the disaster. Sixteen deaths have been confirmed, while 17 others are still missing from […]
Iranian President Says Iran Not Opposed to Nuclear Talks With West
Posted January 26th, 2012 at 9:50 am (UTC-5)
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says his government does not oppose negotiating with Western powers about its nuclear program but also wants them to change what he calls their “foul” behavior toward Iran. Speaking Thursday on a visit to the southern province of Kerman, Mr. Ahmadinejad accused the West of creating obstacles to negotiations. Iran and […]
Tibetan Leader Asks World to Condemn Chinese Crackdown
Posted January 26th, 2012 at 9:40 am (UTC-5)
The elected leader of the Tibet’s exile community is calling for a global vigil next month to condemn the killings of Tibetan protesters by security forces in China’s southwestern Sichuan province. Lobsang Sangay called the killings this week of at least six protesters “gruesome” and “unacceptable.” In a statement issued Thursday from his headquarters in […]
Somali Government Backs US Hostage Rescue
Posted January 26th, 2012 at 9:35 am (UTC-5)
The Somali government says it supports the U.S. military operation that freed two Western aid workers who had been held hostage in the war-ravaged country. In a statement released Thursday, Somalia’s transitional government said the rescue of Jessica Buchanan, an American, and Poul Thisted, a Dane, was a “great joy” to “right-thinking people everywhere.” Buchanan […]
Two Top Kenyan Officials Resign Over ICC Charges
Posted January 26th, 2012 at 9:25 am (UTC-5)
Two top Kenyan officials have resigned their posts, after the International Criminal Court said they must stand trial for crimes against humanity. Francis Muthaura is stepping down as civil service chief, while Uhuru Kenyatta is resigning as finance minister. Kenyatta will retain his post as deputy prime minister. Kenyatta, Muthaura, former education minister William Ruto […]
Fund to Battle AIDS, Malaria, TB Gets $750 Million
Posted January 26th, 2012 at 9:15 am (UTC-5)
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis, which is credited with saving millions of lives, is slated to get $750 million to continue its work. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation renewed its commitment to the fund on Thursday during an annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The global […]
Papua New Guinea PM Says Military Mutiny Over
Posted January 26th, 2012 at 9:00 am (UTC-5)
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O’Neill says that a mutiny led by a retired military commander is over and that the government has regained control of its defense headquarters. Yaura Sasa and a group of around 30 armed rebel soldiers placed the country’s top commander under house arrest in a bloodless, pre-dawn mutiny early […]
India Celebrates 63rd Republic Day
Posted January 26th, 2012 at 8:30 am (UTC-5)
India celebrated its 63rd Republic Day Thursday with a parade showcasing its military and air power, and its rich and diverse cultural heritage. In New Delhi, India displayed missiles that can carry nuclear warheads, while fighter jets, long-range aircraft and helicopters flew overhead. India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and military officials laid wreaths at a […]
Suicide Bomber Attacks Reconstruction Team in Afghanistan
Posted January 26th, 2012 at 8:20 am (UTC-5)
Afghan officials say a suicide car bomber has killed four civilians in an attack on a NATO-affiliated provincial reconstruction team in southern Afghanistan. A spokesman for the governor of Helmand province said Thursday’s attack took place in the provincial capital, Lashkar Gah. Officials say the bomber hit a convoy of armored vehicles passing near the […]
