For the first time since Kosovo declared its independence in 2008, its citizens are allowed to enter Serbian territory and travel freely. An accord to allow freedom of movement in Serbia to all citizens of Kosovo went into effect Monday. The agreement was reached Thursday during European Union-brokered talks between Belgrade and Pristina. Under the […]
Freedom of Movement Begins Between Kosovo and Serbia
Posted December 26th, 2011 at 4:45 pm (UTC-5)
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Bank of America in Settlement Over Countrywide Loans
Posted December 21st, 2011 at 6:35 pm (UTC-5)
The U.S. Justice Department says Bank of America has agreed to pay $335 million to resolve allegations that its Countrywide Financial unit discriminated against qualified African-American and Hispanic borrowers on home loans. Officials say Countrywide charged over 200,000 African-American and Hispanic borrowers higher fees and interest rates than white borrowers with a similar credit profile. […]
Time Names ‘The Protester’ Person of the Year
Posted December 14th, 2011 at 2:15 pm (UTC-5)
The U.S.-based Time magazine has recognized unprecedented change in the Middle East and elsewhere around the world by naming “the protester” as its Person of the Year. In an article Wednesday, Time said the protest movement is largely populated by disenfranchised young adults who are frustrated with a lack of political power and a flailing […]
Europe Ranks Highest in Quality of Living Survey
Posted November 30th, 2011 at 8:55 am (UTC-5)
A new study by the Mercer Group, a consulting firm that annually ranks the major cities around the globe, has named Vienna, Austria as having the best living standard in the world. The Mercer 2011 Quality of Living Survey is dominated by European cities, with four of the top five located on that continent. Zurich, […]
UN: Conditions Improving in Horn of Africa
Posted November 11th, 2011 at 8:55 am (UTC-5)
The United Nations says drought and famine conditions are easing across the Horn of Africa, though it warns the regional crisis is not over. The U.N. humanitarian affairs office says ongoing rains have improved water supplies in most parts of the Horn, and notes that natural vegetation has “vastly” increased across the drought-stricken parts of […]
Lady Liberty Celebrates 125 Years in New York Harbor
Posted October 28th, 2011 at 4:35 pm (UTC-5)
The U.S. Statue of Liberty, for years a symbol of hope to immigrants to New York City, turned 125 years old Friday with a party that included naturalizing new citizens, reading of a historic poem, and setting evening fireworks. Also, of course, there was a cake: an enormous green replica of the statue itself, a […]
BP Gets Go-Ahead to Drill Again in Gulf
Posted October 26th, 2011 at 3:05 pm (UTC-5)
U.S. regulators are giving British-based oil company BP permission to resume deepwater drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enhancement said Wednesday it has approved BP’s plans to drill in the so-called Kaskida field, about 396 kilometers south of Lafayette, Louisiana. The agency said, in a statement, that BP had […]
UN: Fighting on Somalia-Kenya Border Restricting Famine Relief
Posted October 26th, 2011 at 7:10 am (UTC-5)
The United Nations says recent military activity along the Kenya-Somalia border is restricting famine relief efforts and preventing Somalis from fleeing to refugee camps in Kenya. The U.N. Refugee Agency said Wednesday that only 100 Somali refugees entered Kenya last week, down from 3,400 in the previous week. Last week, Kenya sent troops across the […]
US Pledges $100 Million for Drought-Stricken Horn of Africa
Posted October 24th, 2011 at 11:10 pm (UTC-5)
The United States has pledged another $100 million to help people in drought-affected areas of East Africa. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Monday the aid will be primarily in the form of food assistance to those in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia. The region is struggling with a severe drought that has left nearly 13 […]
Statue of Liberty to Unveil Internet Views
Posted October 24th, 2011 at 11:55 am (UTC-5)
New York’s iconic Statue of Liberty is joining the Internet age as its 125th birthday is celebrated. Five webcams have been placed on Lady Liberty’s torch that will give viewers around the world distinctive views of New York Harbor, the tablet in her hands and the grounds around the statue on Liberty Island. The cameras […]
