Syrian rebels stepped up an offensive against government troops Thursday, using a captured tank to bomb a military air base in the commercial capital Aleppo as regime forces in the capital, Damascus, unleased new raids against them. President Bashar al-Assad’s troops retaliated in Aleppo by pounding the strategic Salaheddine district with tank and artillery fire […]
US House Approves Extension of All Bush-Era Tax Cuts
Posted August 2nd, 2012 at 6:20 am (UTC-5)
The Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives has approved legislation that will maintain tax cuts for all Americans regardless of income, setting up an election-year standoff with President Barack Obama and Senate Democrats. The measure approved Wednesday by a vote of 256-to-171 would extend the breaks passed during tenure of former President George W. Bush. The […]
UN: Tens of Thousands Without Drinking Water in N.Korea
Posted August 2nd, 2012 at 6:05 am (UTC-5)
The United Nations says a series of devastating floods has left tens of thousands of North Korean families without clean water and at risk of a disease outbreak. In a report Thursday, the U.N. and several aid agencies said two weeks of torrential rains have caused floods that have contaminated drinking water wells and washed […]
Egypt to Swear In New Cabinet
Posted August 2nd, 2012 at 5:20 am (UTC-5)
Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi is set to swear in the country’s new Cabinet on Thursday, forming Egypt’s first government since he succeeded ousted leader Hosni Mubarak. The Cabinet chosen by new Prime Minister Hisham Qandil includes the outgoing finance and foreign affairs ministers. Mr. Qandil himself served as irrigation minister in the outgoing military-backed government. […]
Clinton to Discuss Regional Security in Uganda
Posted August 2nd, 2012 at 4:55 am (UTC-5)
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is traveling to Uganda for talks with President Yoweri Museveni, as she continues a multi-nation tour of Africa. Clinton will use the talks on Friday to discuss Uganda’s role as a key U.S. partner in regional security, as well as to encourage stronger democratic institutions and human rights. On […]
Fighting Rages in Syria’s Largest City
Posted August 2nd, 2012 at 4:50 am (UTC-5)
Fighting in Syria’s largest city, Aleppo, rages on after two weeks of clashes, with activists reporting that rebels used a tank to fire on a military airport. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says government forces shelled an Aleppo neighborhood Thursday, killing seven civilians. Activists also say security forces launched a raid Wednesday in […]
Typhoon Saola Batters Taiwan, Takes Aim at China
Posted August 2nd, 2012 at 4:40 am (UTC-5)
Typhoon Saola is moving slowly across Taiwan, dumping torrential rains, triggering landslides, and forcing nearly the entire island to shut down. Government officials warned residents to stay in their homes Thursday because of the powerful storm, which has already been blamed for four deaths in Taiwan. Dozens of flights have been cancelled and major financial […]
US Commander in Afghanistan Visiting Pakistan
Posted August 2nd, 2012 at 4:00 am (UTC-5)
The commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan is holding talks in Islamabad Thursday for the first time since Pakistan ended its seven-month blockade of NATO supplies. Pakistan’s military says General John Allen will meet with Pakistani army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. The military says the discussions will include ways to improve coordination […]
Fighting Rages in Syria’s Largest City
Posted August 2nd, 2012 at 3:35 am (UTC-5)
Fighting in Syria’s largest city, Aleppo, rages on after two weeks of clashes, with activists reporting rebels using a tank to fire on a military airport. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also says government forces shelled an Aleppo neighborhood Thursday, killing seven civilians. Another opposition activist group, the Local Coordination Committees, said fighting […]
Afghan Forces Thwart Attack on Kabul
Posted August 2nd, 2012 at 1:15 am (UTC-5)
Afghan officials say security forces have thwarted an attack on the capital, Kabul, after killing at least six insurgents in an early morning gunbattle. The officials said Afghan forces raided a compound in eastern Kabul early Thursday where the insurgents gathered to prepare for an attack. A gunbattle broke out, lasting for several hours until […]
