The U.N. and media rights groups marking World Press Freedom Day say the Arab Spring has eased the grip of some governments on journalism, but many nations still repress the media. In a joint statement, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and UNESCO leader Irina Bokova said changes in the Arab world have shown the “power for […]
UN, Media Groups Mark World Press Freedom Day
Posted May 3rd, 2012 at 7:10 am (UTC-5)
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Bombs Targeting Anti-Taliban Leaders Kill 5 in NW Pakistan
Posted May 3rd, 2012 at 7:00 am (UTC-5)
Officials in northwestern Pakistan say two bomb blast targeting anti-Taliban tribal leaders have killed at least five people. The attacks happened minutes apart Thursday in Chamarkand, a town in the country’s tribal region near the Afghan border. Officials said the second blast came after security forces responded to the first explosion. No group immediately claimed […]
Russia says NATO Talks on US Missile Defense System Deadlocked
Posted May 3rd, 2012 at 6:40 am (UTC-5)
Russia’s defense minister says talks on the U.S. plan for a NATO missile defense system in Europe are deadlocked. Anatoly Serdyukov said Thursday that Russia, NATO and the U.S. have not been successful in finding a “mutually acceptable solution.” He spoke at the start of talks in Moscow with Russian and U.S. officials on the […]
US Confirms Chinese Dissident’s Wish to Leave China
Posted May 3rd, 2012 at 6:35 am (UTC-5)
U.S. officials say they have confirmed that blind Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng would like to leave China with his family, a day after the dissident left the U.S. embassy where he had sought refuge for nearly a week after fleeing house arrest. State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland said Thursday that U.S. officials are discussing options […]
AU Says Sudan Accepts Peace Roadmap
Posted May 3rd, 2012 at 6:35 am (UTC-5)
The African Union says Sudan has accepted an AU roadmap for halting violence and resolving issues with neighboring South Sudan. A statement late Wednesday said AU Commission Chairman Jean Ping received a letter from Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Ahmed Karti saying Khartoum accepted “in principle” the plan put forth by the AU last week. The […]
Geithner Urges China to Accelerate Economic Reforms
Posted May 3rd, 2012 at 6:10 am (UTC-5)
U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner on Thursday urged China to let the value of its tightly-controlled currency rise, as top diplomats from both countries gathered in Beijing for annual talks on economic and security issues. Geithner’s comments came at the start of the two-day U.S.-China Strategic Dialogue, which has been overshadowed by a political drama […]
Syrian Force Raid College Dorms, 4 Killed
Posted May 3rd, 2012 at 5:25 am (UTC-5)
Syrian activists say government forces have raided college dorms and killed at least four people after an anti-government protest in Aleppo, as U.N. monitors renewed efforts to assess a frayed cease-fire. Rights groups and activists said Thursday that forces used tear gas and live ammunition in the overnight raids at Aleppo University. Activists say forces […]
Nepal PM Plans New Unity Government
Posted May 3rd, 2012 at 4:45 am (UTC-5)
A spokesman says Nepal’s prime minister will dissolve his Cabinet and form a unity government in a bid to break years of deadlock in crafting the country’s new constitution. Ram Rijan Yadav, an aide to Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai, said Thursday final details were still being decided, but that the new government would include the […]
West African Leaders to Discuss Failed Guinea-Bissau Talks
Posted May 3rd, 2012 at 4:00 am (UTC-5)
Days after imposing sanctions on Guinea-Bissau and its military rulers, leaders from the regional bloc ECOWAS are scheduled to discuss failed negotiations aimed at restoring constitutional rule in the country. The meeting Thursday in Dakar, Senegal follows a breakdown in talks over the proposed return of the country’s interim president. A junta spokesman said Tuesday […]
Geithner Urges China to Accelerate Economic Reforms
Posted May 3rd, 2012 at 3:45 am (UTC-5)
U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner on Thursday urged China to let the value of its tightly-controlled currency rise, as top diplomats from both countries gathered in Beijing for annual talks on economic and security issues. Geithner’s comments came at the start of the two-day U.S.-China Strategic Dialogue, which has been overshadowed by a diplomatic dispute […]
