Thousands of Romanians rallied Thursday to demand the resignation of their government for imposing spending cuts and other austerity measures. Police say about 7,000 people attended the rally in Bucharest, which was organized by opposition parties to call for the resignation of the government and President Traian Basescu. Demonstrators voiced their displeasure with losses in […]
Romanians Rally Against Austerity Measures
Posted January 19th, 2012 at 1:35 pm (UTC-5)
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Turkey Wants Iran, World Powers to Resume Nuclear Talks
Posted January 19th, 2012 at 1:10 pm (UTC-5)
Turkey has called for the resumption of talks between Iran and six major world powers over Tehran’s controversial nuclear program. Ankara says this could help defuse regional tensions that have intensified this month. The talks with Iran — which involve the five permanent U.N. Security Council members and Germany — have been stalled for a […]
Pakistan: Ties With US Still on Hold
Posted January 19th, 2012 at 12:45 pm (UTC-5)
(updates with more quotes from Khar in grafs 7, 10, State Dept. comment in last graf)) Pakistan’s foreign minister says relations with the United States remain on hold following November’s NATO attack that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers along the Afghan border. Hina Rabbani Khar told Reuters news agency Thursday that Pakistan cannot begin to re-engage […]
Pakistani Prime Minister Faces Supreme Court
Posted January 19th, 2012 at 12:40 pm (UTC-5)
A long-running political firestorm that threatens to unravel Pakistan’s civilian government may be coming to a head. The country’s Supreme Court is giving Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani until early next month to satisfactorily explain why he has not re-opened a corruption case against President Asif Ali Zardari. If Mr. Gilani fails to convince the […]
Explosion Hits Somali Refugee Camp After Media Visit
Posted January 19th, 2012 at 12:20 pm (UTC-5)
A bomb exploded in a Somali displaced persons’ camp Thursday, shortly after a group of international journalists were in the area. Camp officials told VOA that two Somalis were killed and five others were wounded in the blast, set off by a homemade explosive device planted in an food distribution office. The journalists had just […]
US Politics: Perry Ends Race; Santorum Gets Iowa Boost
Posted January 19th, 2012 at 11:55 am (UTC-5)
The race for the Republican presidential nomination in the U.S. was shaken up Thursday, with Texas governor Rick Perry ending his campaign two days ahead of the South Carolina primary election. He strongly endorsed one of the remaining contenders, former House of Representatives Speaker Newt Gingrich. Pre-election surveys showed Perry trailing among five contenders in […]
US Billionaire Gives $7.5 Million to Fix Washington Monument
Posted January 19th, 2012 at 11:35 am (UTC-5)
An American billionaire is donating $7.5 million needed for repairs to the Washington Monument, which was damaged in an earthquake last year. The gift from businessman David Rubenstein matches federal funds Congress approved in December. A statement from the U.S. Department of the Interior quotes Rubenstein as saying reopening the 169-meter-tall monument will help ensure […]
Death Toll From Afghan Avalanches Hits 28
Posted January 19th, 2012 at 11:30 am (UTC-5)
The death toll from avalanches in northeastern Afghanistan has hit at least 28. Officials in Badakhshan province said Thursday that more than 40 other people have been injured since heavy snowfall triggered avalanches earlier this week. Rescuers were still struggling to reach parts of the mountainous region that remain cut off by snow measuring up […]
Texas Governor Perry Sought Smaller Government
Posted January 19th, 2012 at 11:20 am (UTC-5)
Rick Perry who has abandoned his campaign for the presidency, will be returning to Texas, where he has been governor since George W. Bush left the post in 2000 to assume the U.S. presidency. Perry, 61, had campaigned for the Republican Party’s presidential nomination on a pledge to reduce the size of the federal government. […]
Ethiopia Convicts Journalists, Politicians on Terror Charges
Posted January 19th, 2012 at 10:55 am (UTC-5)
An Ethiopian court has convicted five people, including three journalists, of terrorism-related charges, a verdict that drew immediate criticism from rights groups. The court Thursday convicted the journalists, an opposition politician and a fifth person on charges that include conspiracy to commit terrorist acts and participating in a terrorist organization. Sentencing is set for January […]
