Egypt’s Vice President Mahmoud Mekky has announced his resignation, after playing a key role in national unity talks called for by President Mohamed Morsi. In a statement Saturday, Mekky said he is stepping down because political work does not suit his professional background as a judge. Mekky said he first submitted his resignation letter on […]
February Elections Seen for Italy
Posted December 22nd, 2012 at 12:55 pm (UTC-5)
Italian President Giorgio Napolitano dissolved the country’s parliament Saturday, clearing the way for general elections expected in February. Prime Minister Mario Monti resigned Friday after parliament approved his controversial budget. Mr. Monti will lead an interim government until the elections. He is expected to announce on Sunday whether he will lead a centrist coalition that […]
Death Toll Rises in Kenya Tribal Attacks
Posted December 22nd, 2012 at 12:15 pm (UTC-5)
Authorities in Kenya say the death toll in tribal clashes in the southeastern Tana River region has risen to 45. A local police official says the clashes started when a group of ethnic Pokomo, armed with spears and firearms, raided a village belonging to the Orma people before dawn on Friday. The Kenya Red Cross […]
Kenyan PM Odinga Declares Bid for Presidency
Posted December 22nd, 2012 at 12:05 pm (UTC-5)
Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga has declared he will run for the presidency next March. Mr. Odinga will represent the Coalition for Reform and Democracy, or CORD. Mr.Odinga ran against now-incumbent president Mwai Kibaki in 2007, in an election that resulted in a wave of unrest that left more than a thousand people dead. Fellow […]
North Korean Leader Calls for More Powerful Rockets
Posted December 22nd, 2012 at 11:50 am (UTC-5)
North Korea’s leader has called for the development of more powerful rockets, following last week’s successful launch of a long-range rocket. Kim Jong Un made the call for the advancement of North Korean rockets while speaking at a banquet for rocket scientists Friday in Pyongyang. “You should develop and launch a variety of working satellites, […]
Final Voting in Egypt on New Constitution
Posted December 22nd, 2012 at 11:20 am (UTC-5)
Egyptians are voting Saturday in the second and final round of a referendum on an Islamist-backed constitution that has sparked weeks of violence and protests. About 25 million Egyptians are eligible to cast ballots. Election officials extended the voting to 11 p.m. local time, as they did in the first round of the referendum last […]
South Africa’s Zuma Urges Countrymen to Pray for Ailing Mandela
Posted December 22nd, 2012 at 8:45 am (UTC-5)
South African President Jacob Zuma has visited former president and civil rights icon Nelson Mandela in the hospital and urged his countrymen to keep praying for the 94-year-old Nobel laureate. A presidential spokesman said Mr. Zuma assured Mr. Mandela of the love and support of all South Africans, young and old — and supporters the […]
Russia Calls for Punishment for U.N. Helicopter Accident
Posted December 22nd, 2012 at 8:10 am (UTC-5)
Russia has called on South Sudan to punish those responsible for shooting down a United Nations helicopter, killing all four Russian crew members. In a Foreign Ministry statement Saturday, Moscow urged South Sudanese officials to take steps to make sure such incidents do not happen again. The statement said the “tragic occurrence” underscored the need […]
“Gangnam Style” Makes YouTube History
Posted December 22nd, 2012 at 7:15 am (UTC-5)
South Korean pop artist Psy and his “Gangnam Style” video marked a historic milestone Friday. “Gangnam Style” is the first YouTube video to receive one billion views. The video was posted on the site in July. Psy raps in Korean in the video while dancing as if he is riding an invisible horse. Psy, who […]
North Korean Leader Calls for More Powerful Rockets
Posted December 22nd, 2012 at 6:00 am (UTC-5)
North Korea’s leader has called for the development of more powerful rockets, following last week’s successful launch of a long-range rocket. The official state media reported Saturday Kim Jong Un made the call for the advancement of North Korean rockets at a banquet Friday in Pyongyang. The U.S., South Korea, Japan and various other governments […]
