Afghan forces have taken security control of a provincial capital in eastern Afghanistan from NATO troops, the latest step in the transition process as international forces begin leaving the country. During a ceremony in Laghman province Tuesday, U.S. forces handed control of the relatively-peaceful city of Mehterlam to Afghan troops. The provincial capital is one […]
Afghan Forces Take Security Control of Provincial Capital
Posted July 19th, 2011 at 10:50 am (UTC-5)
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“Eco-Terrorists” Go On Trial in Switzerland
Posted July 19th, 2011 at 10:40 am (UTC-5)
Three accused eco-terrorists went on trial in Switzerland’s highest criminal court Tuesday for their involvement in an alleged plot to blow up an IBM research center near Zurich. The trial for Costantino Alfonso Ragusa, his wife Silvia Ragusa Guerini and their Swiss friend Luca “Billy” Cristos Bernasconi opened one hour late due to the security […]
UN Accuses Sudan of Possible War Crimes in S. Kordofan
Posted July 19th, 2011 at 10:20 am (UTC-5)
A leaked United Nations report accuses Sudan’s army and police of possible war crimes in the state of Southern Kordofan, where fighting has raged since early June. The report, obtained by VOA, accuses the Sudan Armed Forces of targeting people who supported the southern Sudanese army during its long fight with the Khartoum government. It […]
Demand Kick-Starts Hope at Iconic Motorcycle Maker
Posted July 19th, 2011 at 10:10 am (UTC-5)
One of the best-known brands in motorcycles is turning around its fortunes. U.S.-based Harley-Davidson reported increased sales Tuesday for the first time in five years, citing higher demand both in the U.S. and around the world. The iconic American motorcycle company is famous for creating a unique, tough-guy subculture that spawned legions of fans, but […]
Eight Aid Workers Kidnapped in Pakistan
Posted July 19th, 2011 at 10:05 am (UTC-5)
Officials in southwestern Pakistan say gunmen have kidnapped eight Pakistani employees of a U.S.-based aid organization. Authorities said Tuesday the aid workers from the American Refugee Committee were kidnapped late Monday in Baluchistan province after distributing food to Afghan refugees. Baluchistan has faced an Islamist militancy, a local insurgency, and sectarian violence between majority Sunnis […]
US Stocks Push Higher at Open
Posted July 19th, 2011 at 10:05 am (UTC-5)
The major U.S. stock market indexes jumped higher in early trading Tuesday after several prominent companies announced profits for the April through June period and a government report showed home construction increased last month. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 index both advanced nine-tenths of a percent, while the NASDAQ gained 1.5 […]
Murdochs Apologize to British Parliament for Phone-hacking
Posted July 19th, 2011 at 10:00 am (UTC-5)
Media baron Rupert Murdoch and his son James have started to testify before the British Parliament, apologizing for the growing phone-hacking scandal engulfing the operations at their newspapers. The younger Murdoch told a legislative panel that he and his father had “great regret” about the phone-hacking and said the conduct did not “live up to […]
UN Seeks Security Assurances to Help Starving Somalis
Posted July 19th, 2011 at 9:55 am (UTC-5)
The United Nations refugee agency says it needs security guarantees from insurgents in Somalia before it can provide the level of aid needed in the drought-stricken country. Spokesman Adrian Edwards told VOA Tuesday that the agency must have a “reasonable degree of safety” before increasing its efforts in Somalia. Edwards said that currently, the agency […]
Thailand Calls for Talks with Cambodia on Temple Dispute
Posted July 19th, 2011 at 9:40 am (UTC-5)
Departing Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is calling for dialogue with Cambodia to ease military tensions near the border site of a disputed temple, following a ruling from the United Nation’s highest court that orders both sides to withdraw troops from the area. Mr. Abhisit said Tuesday the talks are needed because, in his words, […]
Iran Warns India on Crude Supplies in Payment Dispute
Posted July 19th, 2011 at 9:40 am (UTC-5)
Iran’s foreign ministry says Tehran may stop its oil exports to India if the South Asian nation does not make timely payments for the crude. Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said Tuesday India’s inability to pay for Iranian oil will “negatively impact” the two nations’ annual trade, which amounts to $12 billion. Iran’s central bank […]
