The practice of self-immolation is controversial in the Buddhist community, but it is a topic that has come to the forefront after more than 50 Tibetans have set themselves on fire to protest Chinese policies in their homeland. Any kind of suicide is rare in Buddhist communities, where people believe in rebirth after death. A […]
EU Imposes Tougher Sanctions on Iranian Industries
Posted October 15th, 2012 at 2:30 pm (UTC-5)
EU foreign ministers have agreed to impose tough new sanctions on Iranian industries to try to pressure Tehran into negotiating an end to its sensitive nuclear activities. After meeting in Luxembourg on Monday, the top diplomats of the 27-nation bloc released a statement saying the tougher sanctions are in response to what they call Iran’s […]
2 Americans Win Nobel Economics Prize
Posted October 15th, 2012 at 2:00 pm (UTC-5)
Two American economists have won this year’s Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics for their work in designing market institutions that match different parties within the market as efficiently as possible. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in Stockholm said Monday it awarded the prize to Alvin Roth, an economics professor at Harvard University, and Lloyd […]
British, Scottish Leaders Sign Deal on Independence Vote
Posted October 15th, 2012 at 1:05 pm (UTC-5)
British and Scottish leaders have signed a deal on a referendum that could lead to Scotland’s independence. British Prime Minister David Cameron and Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond signed an agreement Monday in Edinburgh that finalizes details for a vote in late 2014 on whether Scotland should become an independent country or stay within the […]
Greek Austerity Talks Remain Stalemated
Posted October 15th, 2012 at 11:40 am (UTC-5)
Greece says negotiations with its international lenders over the country’s latest austerity plan are unlikely to be concluded before this week’s European Union summit. Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras said Monday Greek officials are still talking with representatives of the International Monetary Fund, the European Central Bank and the EU. But he said he did not […]
No African Leader Wins Ibrahim Prize
Posted October 15th, 2012 at 10:35 am (UTC-5)
For the third time in four years, the Mo Ibrahim Foundation has declined to give out its award for excellence in African leadership. The foundation announced in London Monday that it would not present the $5 million award. It said none of the leaders it considered for the prize this year met the criteria. The […]
Russian Elections Preserve Putin’s Dominance
Posted October 15th, 2012 at 9:15 am (UTC-5)
Russia’s ruling party appears to have won Sunday’s local elections, but opponents are alleging widespread voting violations that will preserve President Vladimir Putin’s dominance. The Central Elections Commission said Monday early results showed United Russia heading for victory in all five provincial elections for governor. The ruling party had nearly 5,000 candidates running for office […]
EU Hits Iran With Stronger Sanctions
Posted October 15th, 2012 at 9:05 am (UTC-5)
The European Union on Monday slapped Iran with increased sanctions over its controversial nuclear program. The package of sanctions adopted by EU foreign ministers centers on finance and trade, curbing EU business with Iran’s banks and companies dealings with oil and gas imports. The EU is expected to release a list of blacklisted companies on […]
2 Americans Win Nobel Economics Prize
Posted October 15th, 2012 at 8:35 am (UTC-5)
Two American economists have won this year’s Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics for their work in designing market institutions that match different parties within the market as efficiently as possible. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in Stockholm said Monday it has awarded the prize to Alvin Roth, an economics professor at Harvard University, and […]
Dlamini-Zuma Becomes First Female AU Commission Chair
Posted October 15th, 2012 at 8:30 am (UTC-5)
The African Union executive committee has a female chairperson for the first time. South African Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma took the helm of the AU Commission at a handover ceremony Monday at AU headquarters in Addis Ababa. She replaces Jean Ping, whom she defeated in a July vote that took four rounds to produce […]
