Pentagon chief asks Egypt to lift U.S. citizen travel ban
January 31, 2012 11:17 am· Comments Off
WASHINGTON, Jan. 31 — U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta asked Chief of Egypt's Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) Hussein Tantawi to help in lifting a travel ban on U.S. citizens, a Pentagon spokesman said Monday.
Mexican ambassador freed in Venezuela after abduction
January 31, 2012 11:17 am· Comments Off
CARACAS, Jan. 31 — Mexico's ambassador to Venezuela Carlos Pujalte and his wife were freed early Monday, hours after they had been kidnapped in Caracas, a spokesman of the Mexican embassy said.
Syrian forces fight 'terrorists' near Damascus, killing many gunmen: ministry
January 31, 2012 11:17 am· Comments Off
DAMASCUS, Jan. 31 — Syria's specialized authorities have conducted "qualitative" operations in eastern suburbs of the capital Damascus, killing many "terrorists" and confiscating large quantities of weapons and ammunition, Syria's Ministry of Interior said Monday. "Over the past three days the specialized authorities carried out qualitative operations in eastern suburbs of Damascus, including Douma, Harasta, Saqba, and Hamoriah," said the ministry in a statement carried out by the state media.
AU vows to boost infrastructure development in Africa
January 31, 2012 11:17 am· Comments Off
ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 31 — Africa will accelerate its infrastructure development and put in place related policies and laws to boost the integration process, said a document from the African Union (AU) at the end of its 18th summit here on Tuesday.
NGO workers take refuge at American embassy in Cairo: U.S. official
January 31, 2012 11:17 am· Comments Off
WASHINGTON, Jan. 31 — Several Americans who worked for the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and were banned from departing Egypt have taken refuge at the American embassy in Cairo, a U.S. official confirmed on Monday.
'Unusual event' at U.S. nuclear plant not threat to public: official
January 31, 2012 11:17 am· Comments Off
CHICAGO, Jan. 31 — U.S. officials said Monday that there is no threat to the public as an "unusual event" occurred at the Exelon nuclear power plant in Byron, Illinois when the facility lost outside power, though diesel generators continue to supply the plant with backup energy.
S. Korea, Kyrgyzstan mark 20th anniversary of ties
January 31, 2012 11:17 am· Comments Off
SEOUL, Jan. 31 — South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and his Kyrgyz counterpart Almazbek Atambaev exchanged messages Tuesday in celebration of the 20th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
China's top political advisor says to enhance cooperation with UAE
January 31, 2012 11:17 am· Comments Off
DUBAI, Jan. 31 — China's top political advisor Jia Qinglin said here on Monday that China hopes to strengthen its cooperation with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in such fields as energy and project contracting.
EU urges UN Security Council to react swiftly on Syria
January 31, 2012 11:17 am· Comments Off
BRUSSELS, Jan. 31 — "A swift reaction by the United Nations Security Council is urgently needed" over situation in Syria, said Herman Van Rompuy, the President of the European Council on Monday.
Oil falls on European debt concerns
January 31, 2012 11:17 am· Comments Off
NEW YORK, Jan. 31 — Oil price fell on Monday as worries about the European debt crisis raised concerns about the region's oil demand.