Salman Rushdie has canceled plans to attend an Indian literary festival Friday after protests from Muslim clerics and warnings that he could be targeted for assassination. Rushdie said Indian intelligence sources had informed him “paid assassins from the Mumbai Underworld” were on their way to Jaipur to “eliminate” him. Rushdie said it would be “irresponsible” […]
Rushdie Cancels Appearance At Literary Festival
Posted January 20th, 2012 at 7:15 am (UTC-5)
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North Korea Releases 2 Detained Japanese Workers
Posted January 20th, 2012 at 7:10 am (UTC-5)
North Korea has released two Japanese workers who had been detained for almost a year on suspicion of criminal activity. The men were charged with drug smuggling and counterfitting while visiting a North Korean border town last March. Japanese officials said Friday the men were returned by way of China earlier this week, but declined […]
US Military Chief in Israel for Talks
Posted January 20th, 2012 at 6:20 am (UTC-5)
The top U.S. military official is in Israel Friday for a short visit to discuss a disagreement over how to handle Iran’s nuclear program, which both countries fear is being used to develop nuclear weapons. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army General Martin Dempsey, was to meet Friday with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu […]
U.S. Military Head Visits Israel
Posted January 20th, 2012 at 6:10 am (UTC-5)
The United States’ top military official is in Israel for a short visit Friday to discuss a disagreement with Israel over what to do about Iran’s nuclear program. The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army General Martin Dempsey, was scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Shimon Peres, as well […]
ICC to Decide Monday on Trial for Top Kenyan Officials
Posted January 20th, 2012 at 6:05 am (UTC-5)
The International Criminal Court says it will decide on Monday whether six prominent Kenyans will go on trial for crimes against humanity. The Hague-based court said Friday that it will hold a public hearing to announce whether there is enough evidence to try any or all of the men. The six suspects, which include current […]
Indian Court Rules in Favor of Vodafone
Posted January 20th, 2012 at 5:15 am (UTC-5)
India’s Supreme Court has ruled British telecom giant Vodafone is not liable for more than $4 billion in back taxes and penalties for its purchase of an Indian mobile operator. The dispute centered on Vodafone’s $11 billion purchase in 2007 of a majority stake in the Hong Kong-based Hutchison Whampoa’s Indian mobile unit. Vodafone had […]
African Union Troops Advance on al-Shabab Positions in Mogadishu
Posted January 20th, 2012 at 5:10 am (UTC-5)
Heavy fighting broke out Friday in the Somali capital of Mogadishu, as African Union-backed Somali soldiers reportedly made gains against al-Shabab holdouts in the city. Somali officials said soldiers from the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) have taken over several of the insurgent group’s strategic bases, in an attempt to drive the remaining militants […]
U.S. Investigating Online Attacks on FBI, Justice Dept.
Posted January 20th, 2012 at 5:05 am (UTC-5)
The FBI says it is investigating why the websites for the FBI, the Department of Justice, and several entertainment industry sites all went down Thursday after the government shut down one of the world’s largest file-sharing sites. The hackers’ group calling itself “Anonymous” claimed credit for the attacks, which kept the sites offline for several […]
Afghan Soldier Kills 4 Foreign Troops
Posted January 20th, 2012 at 4:30 am (UTC-5)
NATO says an Afghan National Army soldier has killed four coalition service members. Afghan security officials say the dead soldiers are French nationals. The Afghan authorities say at least 16 people were wounded in the asssault Friday in eastern Afghanisan. NATO says the suspected shooter has been apprehended. Meanwhile, a helicopter belonging to international military […]
Burma’s President Says No Turning Back on Reforms
Posted January 20th, 2012 at 4:00 am (UTC-5)
((fixes typo last graf) Burma’s president says there is no turning back on democratic reforms, and is urging the West to lift sanctions on his country. In an interview with The Washington Post newspaper, President Thein Sein said his government has already complied with several Western demands, including freeing most political prisoners, scheduling elections in […]
