Suspected insurgents have shot and killed four civilians just outside the Afghan capital. A provincial spokesman says the four were kidnapped Tuesday as they were traveling from Kabul to a remote area in Wardak province. He says their bullet-riddled bodies were later found in the Jalrez district. It was the second such incident in the […]
Clinton Urges African Leaders to Embrace Democracy
Posted August 1st, 2012 at 9:50 am (UTC-5)
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is warning African leaders they must respect their people’s rights or be destined to lose power. Clinton spoke Wednesday at a university in Senegal’s capital, Dakar, her first stop on a 11-day African tour that will take her to at least six countries. In prepared remarks, the secretary noted […]
Investors Await US Central Bank Decisions
Posted August 1st, 2012 at 9:30 am (UTC-5)
Investors worldwide are watching U.S. central bank policy makers Wednesday to see whether they take new action to try to boost the sluggish American economy. Officials at the Federal Reserve were set to give their assessment of the world’s largest economy after poring over economic trends at a two-day meeting. But economists surveyed by financial […]
Egypt’s Prime Minister Selects New Cabinet
Posted August 1st, 2012 at 8:45 am (UTC-5)
Egypt’s prime minister has chosen a new Cabinet that includes the outgoing finance and foreign affairs ministers. Prime Minister Hisham Qandil met Wednesday with Foreign Minister Mohammed Kamel Amr and Finance Minister Mumtaz al-said, one day before he is to formally unveil his new government. The new prime minister is the outgoing irrigation minister and […]
US Hearing Blasts Working Conditions in China
Posted August 1st, 2012 at 8:30 am (UTC-5)
Labor activists say worker’s rights and labor conditions in Chinese factories continue to deteriorate. The activists testified Tuesday before the Congressional Executive Commission on China, which was created to monitor human rights and the development of the rule of law in China. Co-chairman, Congressman Chris Smith blamed Chinese leaders for doing little to ensure worker’s […]
Somali Assembly Overwhelmingly Adopts Constitution
Posted August 1st, 2012 at 8:00 am (UTC-5)
Somali leaders have overwhelmingly approved a new constitution that sets the stage for a more powerful and representative government. Ninety-six percent of a special constituent assembly voted in favor of the measure Wednesday, ahead of a U.N. deadline for completing a government transition. Last week, the U.N. Security Council said Somalia’s political transition was at […]
Panetta: US Military Force an Option Against Iran
Posted August 1st, 2012 at 7:55 am (UTC-5)
U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has told Israel that “all options,” including military action, are on the table to stop Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. Speaking in Tel Aviv alongside his Israeli counterpart Ehud Barak, Panetta reiterated U.S. policy. “It is my responsibility as secretary of defense to provide the president with a full […]
Assad: Army Engaged in Fight for Syria’s Fate
Posted August 1st, 2012 at 7:15 am (UTC-5)
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad says his army is engaged in a battle against rebels that will determine the fate of the country. Mr. Assad praised the government forces in a statement Wednesday, as violence continued across Syria. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least one person was killed in fighting between rebels […]
Somali Assembly Adopts Constitution
Posted August 1st, 2012 at 6:25 am (UTC-5)
Somali leaders have approved a new constitution, as the country approaches a U.N. deadline for completing its government transition. An assembly that began working last week in Mogadishu overwhelmingly approved the document Wednesday. The meeting came as a pair of suicide bombers tried to attack the area. Authorities said the bombers were killed, but at […]
Clinton African Tour Seen as Move to Counter China Influence
Posted August 1st, 2012 at 6:20 am (UTC-5)
As U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton starts her tour of Africa with a visit to Senegal, analysts say the multi-nation trip is meant to counter China’s growing influence in the resource-rich continent. Throughout her 10-day trip, the State Department says Clinton will highlight U.S. plans to strengthen democratic institutions, expand development, spur economic growth, […]
