Haiti’s prime minister says the Caribbean nation’s post-earthquake reconstruction needs to move “faster” and “be more effective.” Prime Minister Garry Conille told VOA his trip to Washington was aimed at improving things, to coordinate with donors and partners to “see how we can make a difference much more quickly for the millions of Haitians that […]
US First Lady Celebrates ‘Lets Move’ Anniversary
Posted February 9th, 2012 at 9:30 pm (UTC-5)
U.S. first lady Michelle Obama jumped, jived and waved her ams at a second birthday party for her “Let’s Move” fitness and wellness initiative. At a rally in Des Moines, Iowa, Thursday, the first lady led thousands of school children in a high-energy rendition of “The Interlude,” a dance created by students at the University […]
US Praises Italian PM’s Economic Plan
Posted February 9th, 2012 at 9:00 pm (UTC-5)
U.S. President Barack Obama says Italy has made a “strong start” toward cutting its deficit and restoring fiscal health under new Prime Minister Mario Monti. Speaking after a meeting at the White House Thursday, Mr. Obama said the “very effective measures” Mr. Monti is promoting show the world Italy “has a plan” that takes seriously […]
Rap Star 50 Cent: Visit to Somali Refugee Camp Was Devastating
Posted February 9th, 2012 at 9:00 pm (UTC-5)
American rap star Curtis Jackson, known to fans as 50 Cent, calls the sights he saw in a refugee camp in Somalia “devastating.” The United Nations World Food Program recently hosted Jackson on a tour of Somalia and Kenya so he could see the fight against hunger in the Horn of Africa. Jackson spoke Thursday […]
Rap Star 50 Cent: Visit to Somali Refugee Camp Was Devastating
Posted February 9th, 2012 at 8:35 pm (UTC-5)
American rap star Curtis Jackson, known to fans as 50 Cent, calls the sights he saw in a refugee camp in Somalia “devastating.” The United Nations World Food Program recently hosted Jackson on a tour of Somalia and Kenya so he could see the fight against hunger in the Horn of Africa. Jacobson spoke Thursday […]
Activists: Assad Forces Kill 60 in Syria’s Homs, Hospitals Overwhelmed
Posted February 9th, 2012 at 8:10 pm (UTC-5)
Syrian rights activists say government forces have bombarded the rebellious central city of Homs for a sixth day, killing at least 60 people and leaving makeshift hospitals overwhelmed as divided world powers struggled to end the violence. The activists said Thursday relentless government shelling and rocket strikes on Homs were creating a worsening humanitarian crisis, […]
Perfume Heir On Trial Accused of Racist Remarks
Posted February 9th, 2012 at 8:10 pm (UTC-5)
An heir to the Guerlain perfume empire went on trial Thursday in Paris on charges of making racist insults. If convicted, Jean-Paul Guerlain faces up to six months in prison and close to $30,000 in fines. The 74-year-old arrived in court with crutches. The charges relate to Guerlain’s 2010 comments in a French-2 television interview […]
Italy’s Mount Etna Erupts
Posted February 9th, 2012 at 7:50 pm (UTC-5)
Italy’s Mount Etna put on a spectacular show Thursday, shooting lava and molten rock into the night sky. Authorities on the island of Sicily closed nearby airports as smoke and steam floated across the sky and boiling hot lava flowed down the side of the volcano. No injuries have been reported. Mount Etna is more […]
VOA Interview: HRW Urges the US to Press China on Human Rights
Posted February 9th, 2012 at 7:35 pm (UTC-5)
Human rights groups are pressing the United States to make human rights a “central” piece of upcoming discussions with China’s vice president. In an interview with Voice of America Thursday, Human Rights Watch head Kenneth Roth said he had a “candid and productive” exchange with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden on the topic. Roth and […]
Former Maldives President Awaits Arrest
Posted February 9th, 2012 at 7:10 pm (UTC-5)
The former president of the Indian Ocean archipelago of the Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed, awaited arrest Thursday after a criminal court in the capital, Male, issued a warrant for him. Mr. Nasheed told reporters Thursday he hopes the international community will respond quickly to the situation because he expects to be jailed soon. His wife and […]
