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Russian Ship Stopped Over Suspected Arms Shipment to Syria

Posted June 19th, 2012 at 11:00 am (UTC-5)
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A British insurance company has cancelled insurance for a Russian ship it believes is carrying munitions to Syria, effectively halting the vessel unless another insurer agrees to cover it. The Britain-based Standard Club insurer said Tuesday it was made aware of allegations that the Russian cargo ship Alaed was carrying weapons destined for Syria and […]

Tags: , , Posted in Middle East

DRC Rebels Accused of Human Rights Violations

Posted June 19th, 2012 at 10:35 am (UTC-5)
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The U.N.’s top human rights official has singled out five leaders of a mutiny in the Democratic Republic of Congo, saying they may be among the worst perpetrators of human rights abuses in the world. In a Tuesday statement, U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said the five men may be responsible for […]

Tags: , Posted in Africa

EU Set to Ease Greek Bailout Terms

Posted June 19th, 2012 at 10:15 am (UTC-5)
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The European Union says it is set to ease the strict austerity conditions of Greece’s financial bailout, possibly agreeing to changes in the rescue package in the next few months. With Greece on the verge of forming a new coalition government after Sunday’s parliamentary elections, one EU official anonymously said Tuesday that with the country’s […]

Tags: , , Posted in Economy

Militants Attack NATO, Afghan Bases in Southern Afghanistan

Posted June 19th, 2012 at 10:10 am (UTC-5)
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Militants attacked international and Afghan security forces in southern Afghanistan on Tuesday, two days after gunmen in police uniforms opened fire on NATO troops, killing a service member. NATO officials say seven insurgents breached the outer perimeter of the coalition base early Tuesday in Kandahar province, but that no coalition soldiers were killed. Initial reporting […]

Tags: , Posted in South Asia

Pakistan Top Court Disqualifies PM from Office

Posted June 19th, 2012 at 8:20 am (UTC-5)
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Pakistan’s highest court has disqualified Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani from office, in a move likely to throw the country into a fresh round of political turmoil. The Supreme Court announced its decision Tuesday based on its earlier ruling that Mr. Gilani was guilty of contempt for refusing to reopen a corruption investigation of President […]

Tags: , Posted in South Asia

G20 Leaders Turn Focus to Economics as Summit Enters Final Day

Posted June 19th, 2012 at 7:25 am (UTC-5)
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U.S. President Barack Obama will spend the last day of the G20 summit in Mexico Tuesday in further talks with his counterparts about the ongoing eurozone debt crisis. The leaders of the world’s largest economies issued a preliminary statement Monday declaring they were ready to launch a coordinated effort to promote economic growth. The position […]

Tags: , , , Posted in Economy

Charles Taylor to Appeal Sentence

Posted June 19th, 2012 at 7:00 am (UTC-5)
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Former Liberian president Charles Taylor plans to appeal his conviction for war crimes and crimes against humanity. The Special Court for Sierra Leone released a short statement Tuesday saying Taylor’s defense lawyers have filed notice of intention to appeal. The court sentenced Taylor to 50 years in prison last month for aiding rebels in Sierra […]

Tags: , , Posted in Africa

Burma President Promises ‘Second Wave’ of Reforms

Posted June 19th, 2012 at 6:15 am (UTC-5)
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Burmese President Thein Sein has promised what he calls a “second wave of reforms” aimed at developing the impoverished country’s long-stagnant economy. Since taking office last year, the former army general has already presided over several political reforms, including the release of hundreds of political prisoners and allowing opposition groups back into politics. He said […]

Tags: , , Posted in East Asia Pacific

Syria Says Ready to Evacuate Civilians From Bombarded Homs

Posted June 19th, 2012 at 5:45 am (UTC-5)
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Syria says it is ready to act on a U.N. appeal to evacuate civilians from the rebellious central city of Homs, which government forces have bombarded since early June to try to crush a 15-month anti-government uprising. The Syrian foreign ministry said Tuesday it has contacted U.N. observers in the country and local authorities to […]

Tags: Posted in Middle East

Greek Party Leaders Hopeful as Coalition Talks Continue

Posted June 19th, 2012 at 5:40 am (UTC-5)
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Greek party leaders are holding a second day of talks aimed at forming a coalition government. The country’s president has given the head of the conservative New Democracy party, Antonis Samaras, until Wednesday to form an alliance, after his party won the most seats in Sunday’s parliament elections. Samaras met Monday with PASOK leader Evangelos […]

Tags: , , Posted in Europe