Germany’s top court has ruled that a special parliamentary panel created to ensure the country could take quick action on Europe’s debt crisis when it needed to is “in large part” unconstitutional. The Constitutional Court ruled Tuesday that the nine-member group, which meets in secret, cannot approve loans or credit lines for financially troubled countries […]
Top German Court Limits Panel’s European Debt Role
Posted February 28th, 2012 at 3:05 pm (UTC-5)
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World Bank Protest Highlights China Reform Tension
Posted February 28th, 2012 at 3:00 pm (UTC-5)
Dissension over proposed economic reforms in China burst into the open Tuesday when a lone protester disrupted a press conference by World Bank President Robert Zoellick in Beijing. Zoellick, who is in China to explain a new report by the bank calling for structural economic reforms in the country, just started talking when Du Jianguo […]
In Full Campaign Voice, Obama Praises Auto Industry Bailout
Posted February 28th, 2012 at 2:15 pm (UTC-5)
President Barack Obama has given a rousing election-year endorsement of the government’s $80 billion bailout that rescued the once-faltering U.S. auto industry. Mr. Obama saluted a convention of unionized autoworkers in Washington Tuesday. He said they make him proud even as Republican presidential contenders seeking to win their party’s nomination to run against him in […]
UN Rights Chief Urges Cease-Fire as Syria Death Toll Mounts
Posted February 28th, 2012 at 1:50 pm (UTC-5)
The United Nations human rights chief has called for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in Syria, as forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad killed dozens more people in attacks on rebellious areas. Rights groups say government troops killed at least 41 civilians Tuesday throughout Syria, including 20 in an assault on the central protest hub of […]
Gunmen Kill Radio Director in Somalia
Posted February 28th, 2012 at 1:35 pm (UTC-5)
Gunmen in Somalia’s capital have shot and killed the director of a radio station that was shut down by militant group al-Shabab in 2010. Witnesses tell VOA that Abukar Hassan Kadaf was attacked by two men with pistols late Tuesday as he returned to his Mogadishu home. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital. […]
Senegal Observers See Presidential Run-Off
Posted February 28th, 2012 at 8:40 am (UTC-5)
European Union observers say Senegal is heading toward a presidential run-off, as unofficial results suggest no candidate won a first-round majority. Thijs Berman, chief of the EU election observer team in Senegal, said Tuesday that a second round is very likely, and that any other outcome seems statistically impossible. President Abdoulaye Wade said Monday that […]
Gunmen Kill 18 Shi’ites in NW Pakistan
Posted February 28th, 2012 at 8:30 am (UTC-5)
Pakistani officials say gunmen disguised in military uniforms have flagged down a convoy of commuter buses in a northern province and shot dead 18 Shi’ite passengers. Police said the gunmen ambushed the four buses early Tuesday in the mountainous district of Kohistan. The attackers boarded the buses, checked the identity of the passengers, and opened […]
China Laments Oscar Snub of Christian Bale Epic
Posted February 28th, 2012 at 7:50 am (UTC-5)
China’s state media are bemoaning the failure of the nation’s most ambitious movie to make an impact at this year’s Academy Awards. The Communist Party-affiliated Global Times newspaper laments on its website Tuesday that Chinese dreams of taking home a golden statuette have once again “been shattered.” The newspaper notes that Hollywood’s film community failed […]
Aung San Suu Kyi Clears Last Hurdle to Electoral Bid
Posted February 28th, 2012 at 7:10 am (UTC-5)
Burma’s most prominent opposition party says the last obstacle to a run for parliament by party leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been removed. National League for Democracy spokesman Nyan Win told VOA’s Burmese service Rangoon election-commission officials announced the decision Tuesday. He said the decision was posted on an election-commission notice board in accordance […]
Pakistan: Gunmen Kill 18 Shi’ites in Attack on Passenger Bus
Posted February 28th, 2012 at 7:05 am (UTC-5)
Pakistani officials say gunmen disguised in military uniforms have flagged down a convoy of commuter buses in a northern province and shot dead 18 Shi’ite passengers. Police said the gunmen ambushed the four buses early Tuesday in the mountainous district of Kohistan. The attackers boarded the buses, checked the identity of the passengers, and opened […]
