Serbian nationalists are accusing the ruling Democratic Party of fraud in Sunday’s presidential election. Tomislav Nikolic, who heads the opposition Progressive Party, alleged Thursday that the Democrats printed extra ballots for ballot stuffing, discarded ballots and tampered with voting lists. Mr. Nikolic faces incumbent Boris Tadic in a runoff election on May 20. Mr. Tadic […]
Serbian Nationalists Accuse Government of Election Fraud
UN Chief Calls for Immediate Return of Guinea-Bissau Gov’t
The United Nations secretary-general has called on Guinea-Bissau’s junta to hand over power to civilians immediately. Speaking to the U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the world body seeks an “immediate return to constitutional order.” Mr. Ban also expressed concern about reports of human rights abuses by the military junta. “Let me […]
Guinea Police Fire Tear Gas At Protesters
Police in Guinea have fired teargas to disperse protesters demanding the government hold long-delayed legislative elections. A VOA reporter says police used the teargas Thursday as demonstrators tried to gather for a march to a stadium in the capital, Conakry. The reporter says the protesters were also attacked by youths who support President Alpha Conde. […]
Low Interest Plagues Algerian Vote
Algeria is holding its first elections since the Arab Spring, but distrust of promised government reforms is leading to low voter turnout. Voters are casting ballots Thursday for the 462-member parliament. About half of the 44 political parties competing were legalized this year. The vote follows a series of constitutional reforms announced by Algerian President […]
Russian Authorities Question Anti-Putin Activists
Russian investigators are questioning two top protest leaders about their roles in anti-government demonstrations that led to clashes with police. Popular opposition blogger Alexei Navalny and coordinator of the Left-Wing Front movement Sergei Udaltsov were arrested late Tuesday with dozens of other activists participating in a protest near the Kremlin. The Russian Investigations Committee says […]
Sarkozy Government Resigns Ahead of Hollande Handover
Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy’s conservative government has officially resigned, paving the way for the inauguration of president-elect Francois Hollande next week. Prime Minister Francois Fillon notified Mr. Sarkozy by letter Thursday that he and his ministers were resigning, although the Cabinet will continue to handle daily affairs until Mr. Hollande’s May 15 inauguration. Hours […]
US Trade Gap Widened in March
The U.S. trade gap widened in March as the country’s import of oil and Chinese goods outpaced the country’s increasing exports. The government said Thursday that the world’s largest economy imported nearly $52 billion more in foreign products than it exported — a 14 percent jump over February. The U.S. said the trade gap widened […]
US Family: Attempts to Taliban-Held Soldier Not Enough
The parents of the only United States soldier captured in Afghanistan are breaking thrir silence, urging Washington to do more to secure his release. Bob and Jamie Bergdahl spoke this week with their local newspaper, the Idaho Mountain Express, saying they are “frustrated with how slowly the process has evolved.” Bob Bergdahl said he is […]
Greece Begins Third Attempt to Form a Government
Greek Socialist leader Evangelos Venizelos has begun a third and final attempt at forming a new government, after Radical Left leader Alexis Tsipras and the conservative New Democracy party failed to do so this week. Venizelos, whose PASOK party came in a distant third in Sunday’s elections, is thought unlikely to succeed, which would force […]
Russia Says it Foiled Winter Olympics Attack Plot
Russia says its security service has foiled a plot by militants to stage an attack during the 2014 Winter Olympic games in the Black Sea resort city of Sochi. Russia’s National Anti-Terror Committee said Thursday that Federal Security Service agents uncovered a cache of portable surface-to-air missiles, grenade launchers and explosives during recent raids in […]