Nigerian political and religious leaders prayed for peace Monday in the northern city of Kano, following coordinated blasts that killed an estimated 170 people. The Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero, prayed softly in a local mosque where he was joined by Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso. But the mosque was half empty, with many Nigerians apparently too […]
Nigerians in Kano Pray for Peace After Deadly Blasts
Posted January 23rd, 2012 at 9:00 am (UTC-5)
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Syria Rejects Arab League Call for Power Transfer
Posted January 23rd, 2012 at 5:45 am (UTC-5)
The Syrian government has rejected an Arab League plan for President Bashar al-Assad to transfer powers to his deputy, accusing the league of trying to interfere in Syria’s internal affairs. Syrian state television quoted government officials Monday as rejecting the proposed initiative, calling it “a flagrant interference.” A day earlier, Arab League foreign ministers called […]
UN Nuclear Agency Helping Japan Assess Plant Safety
Posted January 23rd, 2012 at 2:35 am (UTC-5)
A team of experts from the U.N.’s nuclear agency has begun a week-long visit to Japan at the request of the government to help assess the safety of the country’s nuclear power plants. The 10-member team from the International Atomic Energy Agency arrived Monday in Tokyo, for meetings with Japanese officials. The experts are also […]
Syria Rejects Arab League Call for Power Transfer
Posted January 23rd, 2012 at 12:40 am (UTC-5)
The Syrian government has rejected an Arab League plan for President Bashar al-Assad to hand over powers to his deputy, accusing the League of trying to interfere in Syria’s internal affairs. Syrian state television quoted government officials Monday as roundly rejecting the proposed initiative as over-the-top interference. A day earlier, Arab League foreign ministers called […]
Croatians Vote to Join European Union
Posted January 22nd, 2012 at 5:55 pm (UTC-5)
Croatia has made a giant step toward joining the European Union after voters approved membership in a referendum Sunday. With almost all the votes counted, officials say 66 percent supported membership. Voter turnout was less than half of eligible voters. Supporters of EU membership say Croatia’s floundering economy can benefit by entering into a union […]
US Envoy: Taliban Must Renounce Terrorism to Participate in Talks
Posted January 22nd, 2012 at 5:35 pm (UTC-5)
A top U.S. diplomat visiting Afghanistan said Sunday the Taliban must renounce international terrorism and endorse peace initiatives if it wants to participate in negotiations to end the 10-year war. Marc Grossman, the special U.S. envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, made the comment after talks with Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Jawed Ludin. “I am looking […]
Buffett Croons in Chinese New Year Gala
Posted January 22nd, 2012 at 4:15 pm (UTC-5)
U.S. billionaire and philanthropist Warren Buffett has appeared singing and playing the ukulele on Chinese state television. Buffett appeared on a hugely popular Chinese Lunar New Year variety show, singing the folk song I’ve Been Working On The Railroad, in the video posted on state broadcaster CCTV’s “Spring Festival Gala” website Sunday. Buffett also wished […]
US Urges Burma to Ensure Free By-Elections
Posted January 22nd, 2012 at 3:35 pm (UTC-5)
A key U.S. senator says the United States is pleased with recent progress toward democratic reforms in Burma, but says the country’s new, nominally civilian government must ensure “free and fair” by-elections in April. John McCain, the senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, spoke Sunday in Rangoon, after meeting with President Thein Sein […]
Croatians Vote to Join European Union
Posted January 22nd, 2012 at 3:35 pm (UTC-5)
Croatia has made a giant step toward joining the European Union after voters approved membership in a referendum Sunday. With the vote counting still under way late in the day, officials said 67 percent supported membership. Voter turnout is expected to be less than half. Supporters of EU membership say Croatia’s floundering economy can benefit […]
US Envoy: Taliban Must Renounce Terrorism to Participate in Talks
Posted January 22nd, 2012 at 3:15 pm (UTC-5)
A top U.S. diplomat visiting Afghanistan said Sunday the Taliban must renounce international terrorism and endorse peace initiatives if it wants to participate in negotiations to end the 10-year war. Marc Grossman, the special U.S. envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, made the comment after talks with Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Jawed Ludin. “I am looking […]
