Syrian rebels have freed 48 Iranians in exchange for the Syrian government releasing more than 2,000 prisoners. Turkish aid group IHH says it helped coordinate the swap, and that the prisoners released by Syria include nationals from Turkey and other countries. Rebels kidnapped the Iranians in August in Damascus, alleging they were part of Iran’s […]
Syrian Rebels Free Iranians in Prisoner Exchange
Posted January 9th, 2013 at 6:50 am (UTC-5)
Leave a comment
Washington National Cathedral to Perform Same-Sex Marriages
Posted January 9th, 2013 at 6:35 am (UTC-5)
One of the most prominent churches in the United States will begin hosting same-sex marriages. Leaders of the Washington National Cathedral are expected to officially announce the new policy on Wednesday. The majestic cathedral is the seat of the Episcopal Church’s Washington, D.C. diocese, which includes areas of the neighboring state of Maryland. Maryland voters […]
Syrian Rebels Free Iranians in Prisoner Exchange
Posted January 9th, 2013 at 6:25 am (UTC-5)
Syrian rebels have freed 48 Iranians in exchange for the Syrian government releasing more than 2,000 prisoners. Turkish aid group IHH says it helped coordinate the swap, and that the prisoners released by Syria include nationals from Turkey and other countries. Rebels kidnapped the Iranians in August in Damascus, alleging they were part of Iran’s […]
Vietnam Jails 13 Activists on Subversion Charges
Posted January 9th, 2013 at 6:15 am (UTC-5)
A Vietnamese court has given lengthy jail sentences to 14 rights activists convicted of plotting to overthrow the communist government. Following a brief two-day trial, the defendants received sentences Wednesday ranging from three to 13 years in prison. Another defendant was given three years of house arrest. The court in the northern Vietnamese province of […]
India Urges Pakistan to Probe Cross-Border Clash
Posted January 9th, 2013 at 5:40 am (UTC-5)
India has lodged a formal complaint with Pakistan over the alleged killing of two Indian soldiers by Pakistani troops in disputed Kashmir and called on Islamabad to immediately investigate the incident. Indian officials summoned the Pakistani high commissioner (Salman Bashir) in New Delhi on Wednesday about that clash they said violated “all norms of international […]
Richardson Urging N.Korea to Stop Weapons Tests, Expand Internet
Posted January 9th, 2013 at 2:35 am (UTC-5)
A private delegation of Google executives and other U.S. leaders touring North Korea says it is urging Pyongyang to halt its weapons program and allow for expanded use of the Internet and cell phones. Former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, who is leading the delegation, told the Associated Press on Wednesday the group has also […]
India Summons Pakistani Ambassador Over Alleged Shooting
Posted January 9th, 2013 at 2:30 am (UTC-5)
India has summoned Pakistan’s ambassador to New Delhi to register a protest over the alleged grisly killing of two Indian soldiers by Pakistani troops in the disputed border region of Kashmir. A spokesman for India’s foreign ministry announced the move Wednesday, just hours after Indian Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid called the incident “ghastly” and promised […]
UN Seeks Surveillance Drones for Eastern Congo
Posted January 9th, 2013 at 2:10 am (UTC-5)
United Nations peacekeepers are asking the Security Council to support the use of surveillance drones in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. U.N. peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous appealed to the council in a closed-door session Tuesday, seeking the drones to help the more than 17,000 peacekeepers in the country. Rebels briefly took control of the […]
India Calls Alleged Pakistani Attack “Ghastly;” Promises Response
Posted January 9th, 2013 at 1:05 am (UTC-5)
India’s foreign affairs minister has called an alleged attack on Indian soldiers by Pakistani troops “ghastly” and says officials will decide on a response later on Wednesday. Speaking on Indian television, Salman Khurshid promised late Tuesday that Indian government and military officials would work together to decide on a course of action. He said the […]
China Moving Ahead with Bo Xilai Case
Posted January 8th, 2013 at 11:25 pm (UTC-5)
China is moving ahead with the long-awaited case against disgraced senior politician Bo Xilai, whose alleged involvement in a murder and corruption scandal has upset Chinese leadership. In a short article Wednesday, the official Xinhua news agency says the “serious law violation case” involving Bo “has been transferred to judicial organs.” It did not say […]
