Italian officials say at least three people were killed and several injured when a luxury cruise ship ran aground off the coast of Tuscany on Friday. That is fewer dead than first reported. Authorities say more than 4,000 passengers and crew members were aboard the Costa Concordia when it ran into trouble near the Tuscan […]
3 Dead After Ship Runs Aground in Italy
Posted January 14th, 2012 at 4:45 am (UTC-5)
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France, Austria Lose Their Top Credit Ratings, Italy Sinks Lower
Posted January 13th, 2012 at 5:05 pm (UTC-5)
France and Austria lost their top-rated credit standings, while Italy sank lower Friday in the latest fallout from Europe’s two-year governmental debt crisis. France and Austria had been among six that use the common euro currency that maintained a top AAA rating. But late Friday they both reported that Standard & Poor’s, one of the […]
Thousands Rally in Syria as Arab League Chief Warns of Civil War
Posted January 13th, 2012 at 2:40 pm (UTC-5)
The chief of the Arab League warned Friday that Syria may be heading towards a civil war as thousands of Syrians took to the streets in support of an armed rebel group. Arab League head Nabil Elaraby commented in interviews with The Associated Press and an Egyptian television station while anti-government protesters voiced support for […]
Prominent Dissidents Freed from Burmese Jails in Wide-Ranging Amnesty
Posted January 13th, 2012 at 10:50 am (UTC-5)
Hundreds of Burmese political prisoners walked free Friday, part of a mass amnesty that could signal more political reforms are on the way. Officials and democratic activists said the 651 prisoners had been locked away under the rule of the country’s military junta. But Burma’s new military-backed government has been reaching out to the West […]
Pakistan PM Looks to Bolster Democracy Amid Tensions
Posted January 13th, 2012 at 10:00 am (UTC-5)
Pakistan’s prime minister has told lawmakers they must choose between democracy or a dictatorship, amid growing tensions between the country’s civilian government and the military. Yousuf Raza Gilani addressed the National Assembly Friday. He told lawmakers democracy must survive, regardless of the outcome of an investigation concerning a controversial unsigned memo that sought U.S. help […]
IAEA to Talk to Iran About Alleged Secret Nuclear Weapons Program
Posted January 12th, 2012 at 6:25 pm (UTC-5)
Diplomats with the United Nations nuclear agency say they will hold talks in Tehranlater this month on allegations that Iran is secretly building a nuclear weapon. Iran has always denied the charge, insisting its nuclear program is strictly peaceful. It has refused to directly talk about the issue with Western negotiators. The European Union is […]
Burma Signs Cease-Fire with Karen Rebel Group
Posted January 12th, 2012 at 3:05 pm (UTC-5)
The Burmese government has signed a cease-fire with the ethnic Karen rebel group, in an apparent move toward ending one of the world’s longest-running insurgencies and meeting a key condition for improved ties with the West. In a separate development, Burmese state media reported the governement will release 651 prisoners under a presidential pardon, beginning […]
US Officials Condemn Marines’ Alleged Abuse of Taliban Corpses
Posted January 12th, 2012 at 1:00 pm (UTC-5)
The United States has condemned a video that appears to show U.S. Marines urinating on the bodies of dead Taliban fighters. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Thursday he has seen the video, calling it “utterly deplorable.” He vowed those responsible will be held fully accountable. Panetta ordered the U.S. Marine Corps and the head of […]
Nigeria Oil Union Threatens Strike in Fuel Subsidy Showdown
Posted January 12th, 2012 at 11:55 am (UTC-5)
A major oil union in Nigeria says it will go on strike beginning Sunday if the continent’s top oil-producing country does not restore a popular consumer fuel subsidy. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association said Thursday it would be forced to take “the bitter option” of shutting down oil and gas production if […]
More Arab League Observers Reportedly Leaving Syria
Posted January 12th, 2012 at 11:40 am (UTC-5)
A Syrian rights group says more Arab League observers are leaving the country to protest the Syrian government’s deadly crackdown on a 10-month opposition uprising. Mousab Azzawi of the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights told VOA 11 observers are expected to soon depart from Syria. He said the group of seven Iraqis, two Kuwaitis […]
