A high-ranking Chinese official in the Vatican has called on Beijing to release nine arrested Catholic bishops and priests, saying their continued detention damages China’s international image. Archbishop Savio Hon Tai-fai, secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, made his remarks in an interview published Tuesday by the Rome-based AsiaNews agency. Hon urged […]
Vatican’s Chinese Archbishop Appeals for Release of Catholic Priests in China
Posted January 17th, 2012 at 3:00 pm (UTC-5)
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Accused White House Shooter Indicted
Posted January 17th, 2012 at 2:55 pm (UTC-5)
A federal grand jury in Washington has formally indicted an Idaho man on charges he tried to assassinate President Barack Obama by opening fire on the White House in November. Oscar Ramiro Ortega-Hernandez is named in the 17-count indictment that includes charges of damaging the White House and assault with a dangerous weapon. The U.S. […]
Report: Captain Refused Orders to Return to Italian Cruise Ship
Posted January 17th, 2012 at 2:35 pm (UTC-5)
An audio recording of an exchange between the Italian Coast Guard and the captain of a capsized Italian cruise ship reveals the captain refused orders to get back on the ship. A leading Italian newspaper, Corriere della Sera, published a transcript Tuesday of the dramatic exchange. In the conversation, Coast Guard Captain Gregory De Falco […]
Romania to Reinstate Health Official After Protests
Posted January 17th, 2012 at 2:25 pm (UTC-5)
Romania’s prime minister says he will reinstate a health official whose resignation last week sparked violent anti-government protests across the country. Prime Minister Emil Boc says Raed Arafat will return to his post at the Health Ministry and will be part of a team that is drafting a new health care law. The move is […]
US Warns of Famine in Parts of Sudan
Posted January 17th, 2012 at 2:05 pm (UTC-5)
The United States is warning of a severe food crisis in two parts of Sudan — talk almost immediately dismissed by the Sudanese government. The U.S. warning is contained in a letter, obtained by VOA, being circulated to members of the U.N. Security Council. The letter accuses Sudan of preventing aid groups from accessing the […]
Two US Banks Earned Billions in 2011
Posted January 17th, 2012 at 1:35 pm (UTC-5)
Two of the biggest banks in the U.S. say they earned billions of dollars in profits in 2011. Citigroup, the country’s third largest bank by assets, said Tuesday that it earned more than $11 billion last year, up more than 6 percent from 2010. But the New York-based international banking conglomerate reported that its profits […]
US Warns of Famine in Parts of Sudan
Posted January 17th, 2012 at 1:10 pm (UTC-5)
The United States says famine conditions are “likely” in two parts of Sudan unless the government allows aid groups to access the areas. The warning is contained in a letter, obtained by VOA Tuesday, that the U.S. is circulating to members of the U.N. Security Council. The letter accuses Sudan of preventing aid groups from […]
Turkish Court Sentences Man to Life Term for Role in Journalist Killing
Posted January 17th, 2012 at 1:05 pm (UTC-5)
A Turkish court has sentenced a man to life in prison for masterminding the killing of an ethnic Armenian journalist five years ago. In Tuesday’s ruling, the Istanbul court gave Yasin Hayal a life term for instigating the shooting of Hrant Dink outside his office in January 2007. The court also acquitted 19 defendants of […]
Iran Says UN Nuclear Team to Visit This Month for Talks
Posted January 17th, 2012 at 1:05 pm (UTC-5)
Iran says senior U.N. nuclear officials will travel to the country later this month to discuss their concerns about the Iranian nuclear program. Iran’s envoy to the International Atomic Energy Agency Ali Asghar Soltanieh said Tuesday the U.N. delegation will visit Tehran from January 29 to 31 for talks on topics “of interest” to the […]
US, Japan, South Korea Discuss Restarting Six-Party Talks
Posted January 17th, 2012 at 12:30 pm (UTC-5)
Top officials from the United States, South Korea and Japan met Tuesday in Washington for talks focusing on restarting stalled six-party negotiations on North Korea’s nuclear program. Assistant U.S. Secretary of State Kurt Campbell and special North Korea envoy Glyn Davies hosted Lim Sung Nam, South Korea’s top negotiator to the talks, and his Japanese […]
