The Hungarian parliament has confirmed Janos Ader, a member of the ruling Fidesz party, as the country’s new president, angering opposition parties that say the move gives the party too much power. Several opposition parties boycotted Wednesday’s vote, while the far-right Jobbik party voted against him. But Fidesz has a two-thirds majority in parliament, so […]
Hungary Confirms Orban Ally Ader as President
Posted May 2nd, 2012 at 10:20 am (UTC-5)
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US Judge Rejects ‘Immunity’ for Former IMF Chief
Posted May 1st, 2012 at 11:45 am (UTC-5)
The former head of the International Monetary Fund will have to appear in court in connection with allegations he tried to rape a hotel maid in New York. A U.S. judge Tuesday rejected a motion by Dominique Strauss-Kahn to have the lawsuit thrown out on the grounds he has diplomatic immunity. Bronx state Supreme Court […]
Fighting Continues as UN Monitoring Chief Heads to Syria
Posted April 28th, 2012 at 6:45 pm (UTC-5)
The Syrian government and opposition activists have traded accusations of violence as U.N. monitors spread out across the country to assess compliance with a fragile cease-fire. One U.N. team visited the city of Homs on Saturday as Norwegian Major General Robert Mood was headed to the capital, Damascus, to take charge of the mission. About […]
Gilani Refuses to Step Down
Posted April 27th, 2012 at 6:25 am (UTC-5)
Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani refused Friday to step down from office, a day after the Supreme Court found him guilty of contempt of court for not reopening corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari. Mr. Gilani told parliament Friday that only its lawmakers could remove him from office. He said his only offense […]
Japan’s ‘Shadow Shogun’ Acquitted in Fund-Raising Scandal
Posted April 26th, 2012 at 2:00 am (UTC-5)
Influential Japanese political figure Ichiro Ozawa was acquitted Thursday on charges of violating fund raising laws, setting up a possible showdown in the country’s ruling party. The Tokyo District Court said there was no evidence that Ozawa knowingly falsified reports to hide a $5 million loan he made to his political fund-raising body to facilitate […]
Son of Disgraced Chinese Politician Defends Himself Against Rumors
Posted April 25th, 2012 at 9:15 am (UTC-5)
The son of disgraced Chinese politician Bo Xilai is defending himself against accusations that his overseas education and reportedly luxurious lifestyle have been funded by family corruption. In a statement published Tuesday in the Harvard Crimson newspaper, Bo Guagua says his tuition and living expenses at Harvard and the University of Oxford have been funded […]
North Korea Marks Army Day, Renews Threats Against Seoul
Posted April 25th, 2012 at 8:45 am (UTC-5)
A top North Korean military official renewed Pyongyang’s threats of war against South Korea and its allies on Wednesday, even as China warned against further provocation on the tense peninsula. In a speech to mark North Korea’s “Army Day,” Vice Marshal Ri Yong-ho said his country is armed with weapons that are capable of destroying […]
Activist Describes Iran’s Harsh Prison Conditions
Posted April 24th, 2012 at 4:25 pm (UTC-5)
A Kurdish human rights activist serving a three-and-a-half-year jail sentence in Iran has provided a rare glimpse into what he says are harsh conditions inside the country’s detention facilities. Reza Sharifi Boukani was arrested in 2010 after publicly supporting the pro-democracy “Green Movement.” He was later sentenced on charges that include spreading “propaganda” against the […]
Lawyer: Former Ukrainian PM on Hunger Strike
Posted April 24th, 2012 at 1:50 pm (UTC-5)
A lawyer for Ukraine’s jailed former prime minister, Yulia Tymoshenko, says she has been on a hunger strike since allegedly being beaten up by prison guards last week. Serhiy Vlasenko said Tuesday the guards beat up Ms. Tymoshenko while while moving her to a hospital on Friday. He said her arms and stomach are still […]
Burmese Democracy Party Skips Parliament Opening
Posted April 23rd, 2012 at 8:40 am (UTC-5)
Burma’s parliament reopened Monday with newly elected democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and 42 others in her National League for Democracy party refusing to take their seats in a dispute over the oath of office. Also Monday, the European Union suspended long-standing trade and economic sanctions against Burma for one year in response to […]
