December 13, 2013
Tunisia’s Ennahda and opposition ‘agree on caretaker PM’
Tunisia's governing Islamist Ennahda party and the opposition have agreed in principle on a new prime minister to lead a caretaker government. The deal will reportedly be presented to other political parties at national talks later, aimed at ending…
December 12, 2013
North Korean leader’s uncle ‘executed over corruption’
The once-powerful uncle of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has been executed after being purged for corruption, state news agency KCNA reports. Chang Song-thaek was dramatically removed from a Communist Party session by armed guards earlier this…
December 12, 2013
S Africa investigates ‘fake signer’ security checks
South Africa's deputy disability minister says the government is investigating how a man who faked sign language at the Mandela memorial was given security clearance. Thamsanqa Jantjie, who stood alongside world leaders at the event, has denied…
December 12, 2013
Opposition Leader Hanged for War Crimes in Bangladesh
Bangladesh on Thursday executed an opposition leader convicted of war crimes hours after the Supreme Court rejected his last-minute appeal. Bangladeshi officials confirmed that Abdul Qader Mollah was hanged to death at 10:01 p.m. local time. A VOA…
December 12, 2013
Yemen wedding hit by deadly air strike
At least 13 people have been killed by an air strike on a wedding convoy in southern Yemen, say officials. The attack happened near the town of Radda in al-Bayda province, a known stronghold of al-Qaeda. It was unclear what aircraft carried out the…
December 12, 2013
Somali President Taps Economist for PM
Somalia's president has nominated a Somali-Canadian economist, Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed, to be the country's next prime minister. In a statement Thursday, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said Ahmed is the man "best equipped" to lead Somalia through…
December 11, 2013
Pope Francis named Time Magazine’s Person of the Year
Pope Francis has been named Person of the Year by Time magazine. During his nine months in office, the Pope had pulled "the papacy out of the palace and into the streets", managing editor Nancy Gibbs said. "Rarely has a new player on the world…
December 11, 2013
Obama-Castro Handshake Draws Attention at Mandela Tribute
Tuesday's memorial service for Nelson Mandela generated some informal diplomacy and political controversy, alongside the praise for the late South African president. In a moment caught by television cameras, U.S. President Barack Obama shook hands…
December 11, 2013
Japan to Beef Up Military in Response to China: Panel
Japan will set up a new amphibious military unit and deploy surveillance drones as part of its new defense plan in response to China's growing military power. The proposals were included in drafts of new security strategy and defense guidelines…
December 11, 2013
Burma Frees 44 Political Prisoners
Burma has released 44 political prisoners, in the latest step towards fulfilling President Thein Sein's promise to free all political detainees by the end of the year. Even after the amnesty Wednesday, activists say at least 40 political prisoners…