French Prime Minister Francois Fillon has rejected accusations that his government could have prevented the killing spree allegedly carried out by a fundamentalist Muslim that left seven people dead. Fillon said on French radio Friday that despite a criminal history, authorities had no specific reason to keep the suspect, 23-year-old Mohamed Merah, under permanent surveillance […]
French PM: ‘No Reason’ to Detain Suspect Before Shooting Spree
Posted March 23rd, 2012 at 9:20 am (UTC-5)
Leave a comment
Obama to Pick Korean-Born College President as World Bank Chief
Posted March 23rd, 2012 at 9:05 am (UTC-5)
U.S. officials are saying that President Barack Obama is set to nominate Jim Yong Kim, the Korean-born president of Dartmouth College, to head the World Bank. The 52-year-old Kim is a surprise nomination by the U.S. to fill the top job at the international financial institution. An American has always held the position, but developing […]
Taureg Rebels Vow Push in Mali After Coup
Posted March 23rd, 2012 at 9:00 am (UTC-5)
Tuareg rebels in northern Mali say they will push to seize more government territory, a day after mutinous soldiers in the south overthrew President Amadou Toumani Toure. A leader of the rebel MNLA has told VOA that the rebels plan to advance toward areas held by the Malian army, including the towns of Kidal, Timbuktu, […]
EU Slaps Sanctions on Syrian First Lady
Posted March 23rd, 2012 at 8:50 am (UTC-5)
The European Union imposed a travel ban and asset freeze on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s British-born wife and several other members of his family and administration Friday. The moves came as the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva toughened its stance on Syria with a sharp condemnation of the “escalating violence.” The council called […]
Dagestan Explosion Kills Muslim Cleric and Bodyguard
Posted March 23rd, 2012 at 6:10 am (UTC-5)
Russian police say an explosion Friday has killed a Muslim cleric and his bodyguard in the southern province of Dagestan, in Russia’s restive Caucasus region. Authorities say the cleric was walking to prayer in the central town of Buinaksk when a remote-controlled explosive device detonated. Islamist extremists are blamed for fueling violence in Dagestan and […]
US Soldier Facing 17 Counts of Murder in Afghan Killings
Posted March 23rd, 2012 at 5:55 am (UTC-5)
U.S. officials say Army Staff Sergeant Robert Bales is expected to be formally charged Friday with 17 counts of murder in the massacre of Afghan civilians during a shooting spree in two villages in southern Kandahar province. Officials say he will also face six charges of attempted murder and six counts of assault in connection […]
Police Resume Probe After Deadly France Shooting
Posted March 23rd, 2012 at 5:45 am (UTC-5)
French police have begun collecting evidence at the apartment building of the suspect in seven murders who was killed after a 32-hour standoff in the city of Toulouse. Police technicians on Friday were spotted loading bags into a van while several people looked on near a makeshift memorial. Prosecutor Francois Molins said special police units […]
EU Imposes Fresh Sanctions on Syria, as Violence Continues
Posted March 23rd, 2012 at 5:30 am (UTC-5)
The European Union has decided to impose new sanctions on the inner circle of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, as fresh clashes broke out across the country. European foreign ministers meeting in Brussels say they will impose a travel ban and asset freeze against several members of the president’s administration and family, including his British-born wife, […]
US Allows Longer Use of Personal Information in Anti-Terrorism
Posted March 23rd, 2012 at 3:50 am (UTC-5)
The Obama administration has crafted new guidelines that will extend the amount of time the U.S. intelligence community can retain personal information about Americans, even if they have no connection with terrorism. The new rules, approved Thursday by U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, allow the National Counterterrorism Center to keep the information gathered by the […]
Commercial Tax Evasion Robs African Economies
Posted March 23rd, 2012 at 3:45 am (UTC-5)
A U.S.-based advocacy group says the amount of money that has left Africa illegally since 1979 is twice the amount that has come in from aid. Global Financial Integrity director Raymond Baker told VOA his group believes most of the illegal funds are the result of tax evasion — not bribes and embezzlement. “Globally we […]
