U.S. President Barack Obama set out Tuesday to clarify private remarks about missile defense to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev inadvertently picked up by a live microphone. At the Seoul nuclear summit, Mr. Obama privately told the Russian president that this year is his last election and that he would have more flexibility after he is […]
Burma Military Chief Defends Army’s Political Role
Posted March 27th, 2012 at 9:35 am (UTC-5)
The commander of Burma’s armed forces has defended the army’s role in national politics and says he will protect the Southeast Asian nation’s pro-military constitution. General Min Aung Hlaing spoke Tuesday to more than 10,000 troops at an annual parade marking Armed Forces Day. He said unelected members of the military, who fill 25 percent […]
Network Decides Against Airing France Attack Video
Posted March 27th, 2012 at 9:10 am (UTC-5)
The Al Jazeera television network says it has decided not to air graphic video of three shooting sprees in southern France that left seven people dead. The Qatar-based network said Tuesday that the video did not meet its “code of ethics.” Earlier Tuesday, French President Nicolas Sarkozy urged television networks not to show graphic images […]
Landmark US Health Care Law Faces Crucial Court Session
Posted March 27th, 2012 at 8:35 am (UTC-5)
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments Tuesday on whether the key provision of President Barack Obama’s historic heath care reform effort, the individual mandate, is permitted under the U.S. Constitution. Under the law, nearly every American will be required to buy a health insurance plan beginning in January 2014, or face a financial penalty. […]
South Sudan, Sudan Clash Along Tense, Disputed Border
Posted March 27th, 2012 at 8:25 am (UTC-5)
South Sudan is accusing Sudan of launching a second day of airstrikes on oil-rich territory along their disputed border, one day after a rare direct military confrontation between the two rivals. South Sudanese Information Minister Gideon Gatpan says the north’s Antonov fighter planes dropped at least two bombs early Tuesday on oil fields in the […]
Officials: Maoist Landmine Kills 15 Police in Central India
Posted March 27th, 2012 at 8:25 am (UTC-5)
Indian officials say a landmine planted by suspected Maoist rebels has killed at least 15 police officers and wounded 13 others in the western state of Maharashtra. The attack occurred Tuesday about 1,000 kilometers east of India’s financial hub, Mumbai. The mine exploded in a densely forested area when police drove by in a vehicle. […]
ECOWAS Meets on Mali Political Crisis
Posted March 27th, 2012 at 8:20 am (UTC-5)
West African leaders are holding an emergency meeting in Ivory Coast to discuss Mali’s political crisis following last week’s military coup there. Officials with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are in Abidjan to consider whether to suspend Mali from the 15-member regional bloc. ECOWAS Vice President Toga Gayewea McIntosh tells VOA his […]
Obama: Pakistan Review of Ties Should Respect US Security Needs
Posted March 27th, 2012 at 7:40 am (UTC-5)
U.S. President Barack Obama says Pakistan’s review of its ties with the United States should not only respect Pakistan’s sovereignty but also U.S. security needs. Mr. Obama spoke to reporters Tuesday moments before private talks with Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday. The two leaders met on the sidelines of an international nuclear […]
6.4-Magnitude Quake Rattles Northeast Japan
Posted March 27th, 2012 at 7:35 am (UTC-5)
A moderately strong earthquake rattled northeast Japan late Tuesday, but there were no reports of injury or damage. Preliminary data from the Japanese Meteorological Agency says the estimated 6.4 magnitude quake was centered off the coast of Iwate Prefecture, an estimated 10 kilometers below sea level. No tsunami alert was issued. Earlier this month, Japan […]
Report: China’s Poorest See Improved Access to Food, Shelter
Posted March 27th, 2012 at 7:10 am (UTC-5)
A new study by the Gallup organization finds far fewer of China’s residents are struggling to meet their basic needs. The study released Tuesday found that only six percent of those in the poorest one-fifth of China’s population did not have enough money to buy food in the past year. That is down from 23 […]
