Hungary is bowing to European Union demands that it change several of its laws that called into question the independence of its central bank, the judiciary and media. Hungary’s dispute with the EU threatened to derail the eastern European nation’s bid to secure a $25 billion credit line from the EU and the International Monetary […]
Hungary Bows to EU Demands on Disputed Laws
Posted January 20th, 2012 at 10:40 am (UTC-5)
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UN: Fighting Displaces More Than 100,000 in Congo
Posted January 20th, 2012 at 10:35 am (UTC-5)
The U.N. refugee agency says renewed fighting in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has forced more than 100,000 civilians to flee their homes in the past two months. The UNHCR said Friday it is “very concerned” about the effects the clashes involving government troops, rebel forces and rival militias are having on civilians. An […]
South Sudan Threatens to Shut Down Oil Production
Posted January 20th, 2012 at 10:30 am (UTC-5)
South Sudan says it may shut down oil production because neighboring Sudan is seizing southern oil flowing through its pipelines. A South Sudan government spokesman told reporters Friday that the minister of petroleum and mining has begun a process to halt production within the next two weeks. VOA has learned that South Sudan’s President Salva […]
German President Marks 70th Anniversary of Plan to Exterminate Jews
Posted January 20th, 2012 at 9:45 am (UTC-5)
German President Christian Wulff has marked the 70th anniversary of a conference where a plan was unveiled to exterminate the Jewish people. Mr. Wulff addressed an event to mark the Wannsee Conference near Berlin where Nazi officials adopted the “final solution” in January 1942. The president said it is important to never forget the “unbelievable […]
France Suspends Afghan Military Operations After Troop Deaths
Posted January 20th, 2012 at 8:20 am (UTC-5)
France says it is suspending all training and joint operations in Afghanistan after an Afghan soldier shot dead four French troops. President Nicolas Sarkozy also says he is considering an early withdrawal of French troops from Afghanistan if security conditions “are not clearly established,” following Friday’s attack. Afghan security officials said at least 16 other […]
US Urges Romanians to Avoid Violence in Austerity Protests
Posted January 20th, 2012 at 8:15 am (UTC-5)
The United States has urged Romanians to avoid violence fueled by anger over government spending cuts and other austerity measures. A State Department spokeswoman says the U.S. supports the right of people to protest and express their views “peacefully.” But she called on authorities and protesters to refrain from violence. Romanians have been holding mass […]
UN: Record Number Cross from Horn to Yemen in 2011
Posted January 20th, 2012 at 8:15 am (UTC-5)
The U.N. refugee agency says a record number of people — 103,000 — crossed from the Horn of Africa to Yemen last year, fleeing violence, poverty, and the regional drought. The number of crossings nearly doubled from 2010, and is 25,000 higher than any other year in the agency’s records. UNHCR spokesman Adrian Edwards said […]
Malaysian Prosecutors Appeal Anwar Sodomy Acquittal
Posted January 20th, 2012 at 7:55 am (UTC-5)
– Malaysian prosecutors are appealing the acquittal of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim on sodomy charges. After a polarizing two-year trial, the country’s High Court cleared Anwar of the charges earlier this month, saying the prosecution’s DNA evidence was unreliable. But officials said Friday that the attorney general had decided to challenge the decision in the […]
Cargo Ship Runs Aground Off Dutch Coast
Posted January 20th, 2012 at 7:50 am (UTC-5)
Authorities say a Philippine-registered cargo ship has become stranded after running aground during a storm in the Netherlands early Friday. A Dutch Coast Guard spokesman was quoted as saying there have been no fuel spills, but they are monitoring the Aztec Maiden near Amsterdam. There are no reports of injuries among the ship’s 21-member crew. […]
Syrian Opposition Calls Friday Protests
Posted January 20th, 2012 at 7:35 am (UTC-5)
The Syrian opposition has called for more anti-government protests Friday, ahead of a meeting Sunday in which Arab leaders will decide whether their observer mission should stay in the country. The protesters are calling on the government to honor the terms of an Arab League agreement to end 10 months of violent suppression of the […]
