Chinese writer and democracy activist Li Tie has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after writing a series of essays urging citizens to defend their rights. A relative of the activist says Li was found guilty of “subversion of state power” earlier this week by a court in central China. The relative says Li […]
China Jails Activist Writer, Another to Seek US Asylum
Posted January 19th, 2012 at 10:55 am (UTC-5)
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Thousands in Turkey Mark Killing of Armenian Journalist
Posted January 19th, 2012 at 10:45 am (UTC-5)
Tens of thousands of people gathered Thursday in Istanbul, Turkey to mark the fifth anniversary of the killing of an ethnic-Armenian journalist. The crowd protested a court ruling that the murder of Hrant Dink was not part of a wider conspiracy. Demonstrators also denounced what they called fascism in Turkey. On Tuesday, a Turkish court […]
Pakistan: Ties With US Still on Hold
Posted January 19th, 2012 at 10:40 am (UTC-5)
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 with the U.S. until it finishes re-evaluating bilateral ties. The comments come just days after Pakistan […]
Reports Say Perry Ends Race; Santorum Gets Iowa Boost
Posted January 19th, 2012 at 10:35 am (UTC-5)
The race for the Republican presidential nomination was shaken up Thursday, with news reports that Texas governor Rick Perry is ending his campaign two days ahead of the South Carolina primary election. Thursday’s news reports cite unnamed sources as saying Perry is ending his bid following a poor showing in the first nominating contests in […]
Former British Official: Britain Attempted Spy Plot in Russia
Posted January 19th, 2012 at 10:35 am (UTC-5)
A former top British official has admitted for the first time that Britain spied on Russia using electronic equipment inside a phony rock. Jonathan Powell told the BBC that British spies were clearly responsible for the espionage attempt in Moscow six years ago. He said Russia had known about the spy plot for some time […]
US Jobless Benefit Claims Drop Sharply
Posted January 19th, 2012 at 10:25 am (UTC-5)
The U.S. says the number of unemployed workers making initial jobless benefit claims dropped sharply last week to nearly a four-year low, a sign that the country’s weak labor market may be improving. The government said weekly applications for unemployment compensation fell by 50,000 to 352,000, the lowest total since April 2008. It was the […]
Bangladesh Foils Attempt to Overthrow Government
Posted January 19th, 2012 at 10:25 am (UTC-5)
Military officials in Bangladesh say they have uncovered a plot by religious extremists to overthrow the government. Brigadier General Muhammad Masud Razzaq shared details of the attempted coup with reporters Thursday, calling it a “heinous conspiracy” to topple Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Razzaq said the coup had been planned abroad and that two retired military […]
US Spy Agency Confirms 1980s Link to Charles Taylor
Posted January 19th, 2012 at 10:05 am (UTC-5)
A U.S. intelligence agency has confirmed it worked with former Liberian leader Charles Taylor, who is now on trial for war crimes at The Hague, during his rise to power. The Boston Globe newspaper reported the finding this week after receiving confirmation through a Freedom of Information Act request. The paper reports that the U.S. […]
Texas Governor Perry Reportedly Ending Presidential Campaign
Posted January 19th, 2012 at 9:50 am (UTC-5)
U.S. news outlets say the governor of the southern state of Texas, Rick Perry, is dropping out of the race for the Republican presidential nomination. His withdrawal comes just two days before the South Carolina primary election. Thursday’s reports cite unnamed sources as saying Perry is ending his bid following a poor showing in the […]
Japanese Engineers Use Camera to Probe Damaged Reactor
Posted January 19th, 2012 at 9:50 am (UTC-5)
Engineers at Japan’s tsunami-battered Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear power plant have reported seeing no serious damage to its inner walls and pipes during a camera inspection Thursday. Plant operator Tokyo Electric Power Company is trying to determine the state of nuclear fuel inside three crippled reactors, after fuel melted through the walls of their core units and […]
