The North Korean government has allowed a South Korean official to personally monitor aid distribution in its country for the first time since a conservative government took power in Seoul in 2008. The South’s Unification Ministry official and four aid workers will inspect three facilities, including a children’s day-care center, to ensure that 300 tons […]
North Korea Allows South Korean Official to Monitor Aid
Posted November 25th, 2011 at 12:10 pm (UTC-5)
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India Seeks to Reassure Critics of New Retail Policy
Posted November 25th, 2011 at 11:50 am (UTC-5)
Indian officials say opening up the country’s retail sector to foreign chians will not hurt smaller businesses, but instead create some 10 million jobs over three years. India’s Commerce Minister Anand Sharma said Friday the government has built in safeguards to protect farmers and small shopkeepers while allowing foreign retailers like Wal-Mart and Tesco into […]
At Least 14 Reported Killed in Syria, Arab League
Posted November 25th, 2011 at 11:25 am (UTC-5)
Security forces have renewed shelling in Syria, where an Arab League deadline to accept international monitors or face additional penalties passed with no formal response from Damascus. Activists say security forces conducted raids in the central Homs region on Friday. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights tells VOA that security forces have killed at least […]
Previous Trips to Mars
Posted November 25th, 2011 at 11:20 am (UTC-5)
The United States’ Mariner 4 probe was launched in 1964 and took the first ever close-up images of the Mars’ surface. A few years later the then Soviet Union launched a series of modules that orbited Mars. In 1975, the United States launched the Viking probes, which both landed on Mars’ surface and transmitted color […]
Shoppers Crowd Stores on ‘Black Friday’
Posted November 25th, 2011 at 11:00 am (UTC-5)
The U.S. holiday shopping season has officially begun, with shoppers crowding stores for post-Thanksgiving sales in a yearly event nicknamed “Black Friday.” The competition for the best deals took an aggressive turn Thursday night, when a woman at a Walmart in Los Angeles used pepper spray on other customers to gain an advantage. Black Friday […]
UN Blasts Belarus Over Torture, Abuse
Posted November 25th, 2011 at 10:50 am (UTC-5)
The United Nations has slammed Belarus over its record of torture and abuse of detainees by members of its security forces. The U.N. Committee Against Torture said Friday said it was concerned over numerous and consistent allegations of abuse, and Belarus’ failure to investigate the claims. The committee also expressed worry over the secrecy of […]
Early Results: Gambian President Headed to Re-Election
Posted November 25th, 2011 at 10:45 am (UTC-5)
Preliminary results show Gambian President Yahya Jammeh is headed to re-election in a poll that has been condemned by the region’s main economic bloc. Election officials said Friday that Mr. Jammeh had won 75 percent of the vote with about half of the votes counted. Main opposition leader Ousainu Darboe had about 15 percent and […]
A Look At Egypt’s New Prime Minister
Posted November 25th, 2011 at 10:45 am (UTC-5)
Egypt’s ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces announced Friday its selection of Kamal el-Ganzouri as prime minister. -Mr. Ganzouri previously served as prime minister between 1996 and 1999, under former President Hosni Mubarak. -Mr. Ganzouri, who is in his late 70’s, succeeds Essam Sharaf as prime minister. Mr. Sharaf’s civilian cabinet resigned earlier this […]
New Fears on Europe, Italy’s Borrowing Costs Jump Again
Posted November 25th, 2011 at 10:25 am (UTC-5)
Italy had to pay nearly double the interest rates to borrow money in a six-month bond auction Friday, reflecting new fears about economic problems in the countries that use the common European currency. The euro currency and world stock markets also fell in value Friday. The office of Italy’s new Prime Minister Mario Monti issued […]
Protests Swell in Egypt Despite Government Concessions
Posted November 25th, 2011 at 10:10 am (UTC-5)
Thousands of protesters pushed into Cairo’s Tahrir Square and renewed calls for the departure of the ruling military council, despite new concessions from Egypt’s government. Protesters waved banners and shouted “freedom, freedom” on Friday, just hours after the military council announced its selection of Kamal Ganzouri as prime minister. He previously held the post under […]
