Chinese officials say the death toll from heavy rains in central and southern provinces has risen to at least 94 and that 78 people are missing. The state flood control and drought relief agency said Sunday that torrential rains in the past week have triggered floods and landslides in 13 provinces, affecting more than 8 […]
Turkish PM Wins 3rd Term
Posted June 12th, 2011 at 6:05 pm (UTC-5)
Turkey’s ruling party won a landslide victory in Sunday’s parliamentary elections, but fell short of the two-thirds majority needed to amend the constitution. With nearly all the ballots counted, state-run television is giving Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party 50 percent of the vote. The main opposition Republican People’s Party has 26 […]
Taliban Denies Involvement in Pakistan Bombings
Posted June 12th, 2011 at 6:05 pm (UTC-5)
The Taliban on Sunday denied responsibility for twin bombings at a crowded market in the Pakistani city of Peshawar that killed at least 35 people and wounded more than 100 others. A Taliban spokesman said “We do not target civilians and mosques. Our targets are security forces fighting with the United States.” The attack, one […]
China Flood Death Toll Rises to 24
Posted June 12th, 2011 at 6:00 pm (UTC-5)
Chinese officials say the death toll from heavy rains in central and southern provinces has risen to at least 94 and that 78 people are missing. The state flood control and drought relief agency said Sunday that torrential rains in the past week have triggered floods and landslides in 13 provinces, affecting more than 8 […]
North, South Sudan Close on Peace Talks
Posted June 12th, 2011 at 5:45 pm (UTC-5)
The presidents of northern and southern Sudan are close to reaching an agreement on pulling troops out of the disputed Abyei border region before the south secedes on July 9. VOA correspondent Peter Heinlein reports that northern leader Omar al-Bashir and southern leader Salva Kiir began talks Sunday in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa. He says […]
Egypt, Indonesia, UAE Back Lagarde’s Bid for IMF Job
Posted June 12th, 2011 at 5:00 pm (UTC-5)
French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde’s bid to head the International Monetary Fund received a big boost Sunday when Egypt, Indonesia, and the United Arab Emirates publicly endorsed her over two other candidates. The backing from those three countries came as Lagarde visited Egypt to shore up support for her candidacy. Lagarde said the visit left […]
Vietnamese Stage Anti-China Protest
Posted June 12th, 2011 at 4:40 pm (UTC-5)
Vietnamese authorities have permitted a new protest against China in Hanoi as a maritime dispute between the two countries escalates. About 100 people gathered Sunday in Hanoi, waving Vietnamese flags and shouting anti-China slogans. The protesters were surrounded by riot police and security personnel and dispersed peacefully after about half an hour. The demonstrators were […]
North, South Sudanese Presidents Begin Critical Talks
Posted June 12th, 2011 at 4:25 pm (UTC-5)
The presidents of northern and southern Sudan have met in an effort to resolve issues that have sparked fighting along the north-south border. VOA correspondent Peter Heinlein reports that northern leader Omar al-Bashir and southern leader Salva Kiir began talks Sunday in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa. He says they met with a high-level African Union […]
Jordan’s King Pledges Parliamentary Reform, Elected Cabinets
Posted June 12th, 2011 at 4:25 pm (UTC-5)
Jordan’s king says he is pursuing reforms that will allow future governments to be formed based on an elected parliamentary majority. The measure is a key demand of pro-democracy protesters calling for greater political representation. In a nationally televised address Sunday, King Abdullah II promised further changes. He said a royal commission is now exploring […]
Syrian Troops Seize Control of Northern Town
Posted June 12th, 2011 at 3:55 pm (UTC-5)
Syria says its troops have seized control of a northern city near the Turkish border, as nations across the globe condemn the government’s brutal crackdown on protesters. Western media report that troops and Syrian television say the army overtook Jisr al-Shughour late Sunday. Rights activists in Syria say troops backed by tanks and helicopter gunships […]
