A controversial Islamist-dominated panel writing Egypt’s new constitution has convened to begin voting on the document’s final draft, a move likely to stoke a widening political crisis over decrees giving President Mohamed Morsi near absolute powers. Egyptian television said it would broadcast Thursday’s vote live in the assembly – a body that has been boycotted […]
Egypt Panel Convenes to Vote on Constitution
Posted November 29th, 2012 at 9:50 am (UTC-5)
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Group Says China Fueling Global Illegal Timber Trade
Posted November 29th, 2012 at 8:55 am (UTC-5)
A top environmental group says China is fueling the global illegal timber trade as it tries to power its rapidly growing economy. A report by the London-based Environmental Investigation Agency said China’s “insatiable appetite for raw material” is also “effectively exporting deforestation around the world.” It said China, the world’s second largest economy, is the […]
China Border Patrols to Search, Expel ‘Illegal’ Foreign Ships
Posted November 29th, 2012 at 6:40 am (UTC-5)
China will soon allow border police to board and search foreign ships that enter what Beijing considers its territorial waters in the disputed South China Sea. In a move likely to raise regional tensions, state media say police in the southern island province of Hainan will soon be authorized to “land on, check, seize, and […]
Egypt President To Address Nation, Panel Set to Vote on Constitution
Posted November 29th, 2012 at 2:15 am (UTC-5)
Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi plans to address the nation Thursday, as a divisive panel boycotted by Christians and liberals was set to vote on a draft constitution. Mr. Morsi extended the deadline to write the constitution from December to February, but the assembly’s speaker said the extra time was unnecessary. Critics say the Islamist-dominated panel’s […]
British Police: Exiled Russian Tied to Magnitsky Case Died Mysteriously
Posted November 28th, 2012 at 3:15 pm (UTC-5)
British authorities say a Russian businessman linked to a high-profile Russian corruption scandal has died under mysterious circumstances. Local police tell VOA that they are treating the death of Alexander Perepilichnaya as unexplained. They are awaiting results of toxicology tests and a second autopsy. The 44-year-old Perepilichnaya collapsed and died outside his mansion south of […]
Top Egyptian Courts Suspend Work as Protests Continue
Posted November 28th, 2012 at 12:50 pm (UTC-5)
Hundreds of Egyptians continued their demonstrations against President Mohamed Morsi for a sixth day as at least three of Egypt’s highest courts said they would suspend work in protest of his sweeping decrees. In a move that could help resolve the political crisis, the assembly drafting a new constitution said it would complete work on […]
EU Rescues Four Spanish Banks
Posted November 28th, 2012 at 12:10 pm (UTC-5)
The European Union is sending a $48 billion rescue package to four debt-ridden Spanish banks, but only after ordering them to sharply cut their loans and investments, slash their workforces and impose heavy losses on their investors. European Commission Vice President Joaquin Almunia said Wednesday the bailout aid would be sent to lenders Bankia, NCG […]
Top Egyptian Courts Suspend Work as Protests Continue
Posted November 28th, 2012 at 9:45 am (UTC-5)
Hundreds of Egyptians continued their demonstrations against President Mohamed Morsi for a sixth straight day as two of Egypt’s highest courts said they will suspend work in protest of his decrees. Egypt’s Cassation and Appeals courts said Wednesday they would go on strike until the Supreme Constitutional Court rules on the president’s order granting himself […]
Police Arrest Bangladesh Factory Officials
Posted November 28th, 2012 at 9:15 am (UTC-5)
Authorities in Bangladesh have arrested three factory officials in connection with a fire Saturday that killed at least 110 people. The police chief in the capital, Dhaka, said the officials were arrested Wednesday amid allegations that managers told employees to return to work after fire alarms rang, and that locked doors trapped workers inside. Hundreds […]
Explosions in Damascus Kill 34
Posted November 28th, 2012 at 7:10 am (UTC-5)
Twin car bombs have ripped through a suburb in the Syrian capital, Damascus, killing at least 34 people. Activists say the blasts Wednesday targeted the Jermana suburb, which is mostly populated by Christians and Druse. Television footage shows firemen hosing down the remains of charred vehicles. Debris from the blasts was scattered about the street. […]
