Mali has sworn in an interim president tasked with organizing new elections and fighting Tuareg rebels and Islamist militants. After his swearing in Thursday in the capital, Bamako, President Dioncounda Traore warned the rebels and al-Qaida-linked group Ansar Dine to retreat or face war. The former parliament speaker added, “We prefer peace, but if war […]
Shaky Syria Cease-Fire Seems to be Holding
Posted April 12th, 2012 at 7:35 pm (UTC-5)
Western nations have proposed a United Nations Security Council resolution on a deployment of an observer mission to Syria to monitor compliance with a shaky U.N.-backed cease-fire that went into effect early Thursday. Under the resolution, Damascus would have to ensure full and unimpeded freedom of movement across Syria for all mission personnel. The draft […]
North Korea Launches Rocket Over Pacific
Posted April 12th, 2012 at 7:20 pm (UTC-5)
News reports say North Korea launched a three-stage rocket into space early Friday, in defiance of United Nations resolutions, and despite warnings from the United States and other nations of repercussions. Pyongyang says the rocket is placing a satellite in orbit. But Washington and its Asia allies South Korea and Japan suspect it is merely […]
Pakistan Approves New Guidelines for Ties with US, NATO
Posted April 12th, 2012 at 6:30 pm (UTC-5)
Pakistan’s parliament on Thursday unanimously approved a list of conditions that the United States must meet, if relations are to be restored and NATO supply routes to Afghanistan reopened. The revised terms of engagement between Pakistan, and the United States and NATO call for an end to U.S. drone strikes on Pakistani territory and an […]
South Sudan Says No Withdrawal from Disputed Town
Posted April 12th, 2012 at 5:35 pm (UTC-5)
The United Nations Security Council has called on Sudan and South Sudan stop border clashes, which it says threaten to lead to full-scale war between the east African neighbors. The 15-nation body issued a statement Thursday ordering Khartoum to stop its airstrikes and Juba to withdraw troops from a vital oil field. The U.S. ambassador […]
Shaky Syria Cease-Fire Seems to be Holding
Posted April 12th, 2012 at 4:45 pm (UTC-5)
U.N.-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan says he is “encouraged” by reports that a shaky cease-fire between government troops and rebels in Syria seems to be holding, despite scattered violence. In a briefing to the United Nations Security Council Thursday, Mr. Annan urged Damascus to take further steps by removing troops and heavy weapons from major […]
Britain’s Burma-Bound PM Hints at Sanction Relief
Posted April 12th, 2012 at 4:30 pm (UTC-5)
British Prime Minister David Cameron says his country could soon ease sanctions on Burma, as he prepares to make a trip to the once-isolated country. Mr. Cameron told the BBC on Thursday that Britain will be quick to “respond in kind” if Burma continues making democratic progress. But he said he wants to witness the […]
Pakistan Approves New Guidelines for Ties with US, NATO
Posted April 12th, 2012 at 4:10 pm (UTC-5)
Pakistan’s parliament on Thursday unanimously approved a list of conditions that the United States must meet, if relations are to be restored and NATO supply routes to Afghanistan reopened. The revised terms of engagement between Pakistan, and the United States and NATO call for an end to U.S. drone strikes on Pakistani territory and an […]
Clinton Warns North Korea of UN Action if Rocket Launched
Posted April 12th, 2012 at 3:20 pm (UTC-5)
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned North Korea Thursday that the United Nations Security Council will take further action if Pyongyang goes ahead with a rocket launch, which many believe is a ballistic missile test. Speaking in Washington after meeting with her counterparts from the Group of Eight leading industrialized nations, Clinton said North […]
Neighborhood Watch Volunteer Appears in Court Over Shooting of Black Teen
Posted April 12th, 2012 at 3:20 pm (UTC-5)
The neighborhood watch volunteer charged with second-degree murder in the February 26 shooting death of an African-American teenager has made his first appearance in a Florida courtroom. Thursday’s appearance was brief, with George Zimmerman only saying “yes sir” when asked basic questions about the charge against him for the death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. The […]
