The wife of renowned Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, whose arrest earlier this year sparked international outrage, is urging Chinese lawmakers to reject legislation that would allow police to hold dissidents in secret locations without informing their families. Lu Qing said the draft legislation, if enacted, will, in her words, “slow the progress of our civilization.” […]
Artist’s Wife Asks China to Reject Secret Arrests
Posted September 28th, 2011 at 10:55 am (UTC-5)
Leave a comment
Yemeni Tribesmen Shoot Down Government Warplane
Posted September 28th, 2011 at 10:40 am (UTC-5)
Anti-government tribesmen in Yemen have shot down a government warplane north of the capital, Sana’a, while tens of thousands of protesters demonstrated later Wednesday against President Ali Abdullah Saleh. The jet went down about 40 kilometers from Sana’a in an area where tribesmen have been battling forces loyal to the president. Tribal sources said their […]
Amid Violence, Guinea Holds “Day of National Reconciliation”
Posted September 28th, 2011 at 10:25 am (UTC-5)
The United States is calling for peace and calm in Guinea, where witnesses report a second day of street violence on what is supposed to be a “day of national reconciliation.” In a statement Wednesday, the U.S. State Department encouraged Guineans to settle their differences responsibly and urged Guinean security forces not to use excessive […]
At Least 6 Killed in Fighting in Kashmir
Posted September 28th, 2011 at 10:15 am (UTC-5)
Officials in Indian-controlled Kashmir say at least six people have died in fighting between militants and government forces in recent days. The fighting began Monday when police and soldiers raided a militant hideout in Kashmir’s Kupwara district, which borders the Pakistani-administered part of the state. Officials say the victims included at least three militants, and […]
US Stocks Advance in Early Wednesday Trading
Posted September 28th, 2011 at 10:15 am (UTC-5)
U.S. stock indexes opened higher on Wednesday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is up one percent and the broader S&P 500 is up by seven-tenths of a percent. The NASDAQ is ahead eight-tenths of one percent. European stock prices are mixed in afternoon trading. London’s Financial Times index is down eight-tenths of one percent, with […]
Red Cross Races to Reach 1 Million Starving Somalis
Posted September 28th, 2011 at 10:00 am (UTC-5)
The International Committee of the Red Cross says it hopes to deliver aid to one-million starving Somalis in the hardest-hit famine regions by the end of the year. Spokeswoman Nicole Engelbrecht told VOA on Wednesday that people in southern and central Somalia desperately need food, water, health care and other emergency aid just to stay […]
China: US Arms Sale to Taiwan will Disrupt Military Exchanges
Posted September 28th, 2011 at 9:51 am (UTC-5)
China says military cooperation with the United States — including high level visits and joint maneuvers — will suffer in the aftermath of Washington’s $5.85 billion move to upgrade Taiwan’s Air Force. Beijing has repeatedly condemned the U.S. deal announced last week to modernize Taiwan’s fleet of F-16 fighter jets, and Wednesday the Chinese Defense […]
U.S. Warns Chinese Banks About Ties to Iran
Posted September 28th, 2011 at 9:46 am (UTC-5)
The U.S. has advised China that it could be penalized if its banks do business with Iranian financial institutions with ties to Iran’s nuclear program. U.S. Treasury envoy David Cohen said Wednesday that China’s four biggest state banks could be restricted from some foreign financial systems under United Nations sanctions imposed on Iran for its […]
EU Calling for More Unity in Debt Crisis
Posted September 28th, 2011 at 9:46 am (UTC-5)
The European Union is calling for more unity to deal with the continent’s debt crisis, even as economic power Germany heads to a key vote on how much to help financially troubled countries. European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said Wednesday the debt crisis is a test of Europe’s ability to respond to a challenge. […]
UN Security Council To Discuss Future Sanctions Against Syria
Posted September 28th, 2011 at 9:10 am (UTC-5)
The United Nations Security Council is expected to meet Wednesday to discuss a new draft resolution that threatens future sanctions if Syrian security forces do not halt military operations against civilians. Diplomats say they hope to bring the resolution to a vote by the end of the week. Britain, France, Germany and Portugal unveiled the […]
