Yemeni forces backed by hundreds of armed tribesmen have launched an offensive to retake the southern town of Zinjibar, after months of fighting with Islamist fighters. Security officials said Sunday that several militants have been killed in what they described as the fiercest fighting in the provincial capital since late May, when Zinjibar fell to […]
Yemeni Army, Tribes Launch Southern Offensive
Posted July 17th, 2011 at 10:35 pm (UTC-5)
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ADB: Resource-Rich Pacific Economies Thrive While Others Lag
Posted July 17th, 2011 at 10:25 pm (UTC-5)
The Asian Development Bank released a report Monday saying resource-rich Pacific economies will expand strongly this year, while the rest of the region is set to remain subdued. The report projects growth in the Pacific region will reach 6.4 percent in 2011 before moderating to 5.5 percent in 2012. The oil exporting economies of Papua […]
US Group: Vatican’s Excommunication of Chinese Bishop Based on Church Law
Posted July 17th, 2011 at 9:40 pm (UTC-5)
A U.S.-based religious rights group says the Vatican’s decision to excommunicate a Chinese bishop ordained last week without the pope’s approval is based on Church law. Joseph Kung is a spokesman for the Cardinal Kung Foundation that advocates the rights of Roman Catholics in China. He told VOA that the Chinese-ordained bishop has no authority […]
London Police Chief Quits Over Phone Hacking Scandal
Posted July 17th, 2011 at 9:10 pm (UTC-5)
London’s police chief has quit over allegations about police handling of a phone-hacking scandal involving journalists at the now-defunct tabloid News of the World. Paul Stephenson told journalists Sunday that he did not do anything wrong. But he said he did not want criticism of his conduct to detract from the police department being able […]
Syrian Troops Mass Near Border Town as Tensions Mount
Posted July 17th, 2011 at 9:00 pm (UTC-5)
Syrian forces have surrounded a town on the Iraqi border as the country’s opposition took a step closer to forming an alternative government that would challenge President Bashar al-Assad’s grip on power. About 1,000 troops flown in by helicopter and backed by tanks and armored vehicles massed Sunday around the troubled eastern town of al-Boukamal […]
Top Karzai Aide, Lawmaker Killed in Kabul
Posted July 17th, 2011 at 8:50 pm (UTC-5)
Afghan officials say a senior adviser to President Hamid Karzai and a member of parliament have been killed during an attack in the capital, Kabul. The officials said Jan Mohammad Khan, a former governor of southern Uruzgan province and a close adviser to Mr. Karzai, was killed along with Uruzgan lawmaker Mohammad Ashim Watanwal late […]
Merkel Wants European Credit Rating Agency
Posted July 17th, 2011 at 8:30 pm (UTC-5)
German Chancellor Angela Merkel is calling for the creation of a European-wide credit rating agency, after major U.S.-based agencies downgraded some European economies. Ms. Merkel pointed out to German television Sunday that even the Chinese have a ratings agency. She said she would welcome one for Europe. EU leaders have criticized the U.S. rating agencies […]
Indonesia to Enlist Muslim Preachers to Help Fight Forest Destruction
Posted July 17th, 2011 at 8:25 pm (UTC-5)
Indonesia says it will recruit 5,000 Muslim preachers to help its campaign to preserve the country’s forests. The Jakarta Post reported Sunday that the preachers will receive training and a monthly salary of about $240 to speak against illegal logging and forest burning. The newspaper said the program is set to start later this year […]
Harry Potter ‘Conjures Up’ Record Ticket Sales
Posted July 17th, 2011 at 7:45 pm (UTC-5)
Harry Potter has cast his final spell on fans worldwide, shattering box office records for the opening weekend of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 2. The eighth and final film of the J.K. Rowling fantasy 7-book series earned more than $168 million in North America alone, beating the record previously held by […]
Obama Congratulates Nelson Mandela for his 93rd Birthday
Posted July 17th, 2011 at 6:55 pm (UTC-5)
U.S. President Barack Obama has congratulated former South African President Nelson Mandela on the eve of his 93rd birthday. In a statement issued Sunday, the U.S. president called Mr. Mandela “a beacon for the global community, and for all who work for democracy, justice and reconciliation.” Mr. Obama praised him for devoting his life to […]
