A senior United Nations official has concluded a visit to Burma saying he sees a “historic opportunity” for change. Vijay Nambiar, chief of staff to the U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, released a statement Friday relaying to Burmese leaders the encouragement of Mr. Ban on steps taken toward reform. He said Mr. Ban also praises the […]
Tibetan Sets Himself on Fire in Indian Capital
Posted November 4th, 2011 at 10:15 am (UTC-5)
A Tibetan exile set himself on fire outside the Chinese embassy in New Delhi on Friday, the latest in a series of self-immolation protests against China. Police in the Indian capital overpowered 25-year-old Sherab TseDor and extinguished the flames. He was hospitalized with minor burns. Before his protest, TseDor issued a statement calling for an […]
Palestinians Face Setback in U.N. Membership Bid
Posted November 4th, 2011 at 10:10 am (UTC-5)
France says is would abstain from any vote on Palestinian membership in the United Nations because it “has no chance of success.” The French foreign ministry said in a statement Friday that while it regards the Palestinians’ aspiration for statehood as legitimate, their request for full U.N. membership has no chance of being accepted, particularly […]
G20 Agrees to Boost IMF to Help Solve European Debt Woes
Posted November 4th, 2011 at 9:50 am (UTC-5)
The Group of 20 leading economies have agreed to boost the resources of the International Monetary Fund to help curb the European debt crisis. European Union President Herman Van Rompuy said the decision was reached Friday at the G20 summit in the French resort of Cannes. But the shape of the additional aid for the […]
Activists: Israeli Ships Intercept Pro-Palestinian Flotilla
Posted November 4th, 2011 at 9:35 am (UTC-5)
Pro-Palestinian activists say that they have lost contact with their two ships trying to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza, after Israeli navy vessels reportedly intercepted them in international waters. A spokeswoman for the activists told VOA Friday that two Israeli ships approached the boats Friday evening local time. The Israelis then asked the flotilla for […]
Activists: Israeli Ships Intercept Pro-Palestinian Flotilla
Posted November 4th, 2011 at 9:05 am (UTC-5)
Pro-Palestinian activists say that they have lost contact with their two ships trying to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza, after Israeli navy vessels reportedly intercepted them in international waters. A spokeswoman for the activists told VOA Friday that two Israeli ships approached the boats Friday evening local time. The Israelis then asked the flotilla for […]
US Jobless Rate Drops Slightly
Posted November 4th, 2011 at 8:50 am (UTC-5)
The U.S. unemployment rate dropped slightly in October, while the economy had a net gain of 80,000 jobs. Friday’s report from the Labor Department says the unemployment rate declined one-tenth of a percent to 9.0 percent. The jobless rate is the lowest in six months, but still leaves 13.9 million Americans out of work. The […]
Tibetan Sets Himself on Fire in New Delhi
Posted November 4th, 2011 at 8:25 am (UTC-5)
A Tibetan exile set himself on fire outside the Chinese embassy in New Delhi on Friday, the latest in a series of self-immolation protests against China. Police in the Indian capital overpowered 25-year-old Sherab TseDor and extinguished the flames. He was hospitalized with minor burns. Before his protest, TseDor issued a statement calling for an […]
Lawmaker Says Ghana May Add Homosexuality to Penal Code
Posted November 4th, 2011 at 8:25 am (UTC-5)
A lawmaker in Ghana says parliament is set to discuss new laws against homosexuality. On Wednesday, Ghana’s President John Atta Mills said he will never back any effort to make homosexuality legal in the country. He was responding to comments from British Prime Minister David Cameron, who threatened to cut aid to nations with anti-gay […]
A Look at the History of Israel’s Gaza Blockade
Posted November 4th, 2011 at 8:20 am (UTC-5)
JUNE 2007: Hamas takes control of Gaza from the Fatah movement. Israel tightens restrictions on the flow of goods into the territory, citing concerns about Hamas militants gaining access to arms. Egypt seals its border crossing as well. JANUARY 2008: Thousands of Palestinians temporarily stream into Egypt after Hamas militants use explosives to blow up […]
