An American supporter of al-Qaida who sought terrorist training abroad and hoped to carry out a plot to kill U.S. soldiers in Iraq has been sentenced to 17 and one-half years in prison. The 29-year-old prisoner, Tarek Mehanna, was found guilty in December of seven criminal charges related to terrorism and lying about his activities. […]
U.S. Man Sentenced to 17 Years for Aiding al-Qaida
Posted April 12th, 2012 at 2:50 pm (UTC-5)
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Neighborhood Watch Volunteer Appears in Court Over Shooting of Black Teen
Posted April 12th, 2012 at 2:50 pm (UTC-5)
The neighborhood watch volunteer charged with second-degree murder in the February 26 shooting death of an African-American teenager has made his first appearance in a Florida courtroom. Thursday’s appearance was brief, with George Zimmerman only saying “yes sir” when asked basic questions about the charge against him for the death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. The […]
International Pressure Intensifies to Hold Syria Cease-fire
Posted April 12th, 2012 at 2:35 pm (UTC-5)
International pressure was intensifying Thursday on Syria to maintain a fragile truce with its opponents, as Russia and China said they will support deploying an observer mission to Syria to monitor the cease-fire that went into effect early Thursday. From the United Nations, VOA’s Margaret Besheer reports the truce was holding, despite scattered violence. Russian […]
U.N. Diplomats, World Powers, Urge Syrian Restraint
Posted April 12th, 2012 at 2:10 pm (UTC-5)
U.N.-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan says he is “encouraged” by reports that a shaky cease-fire between government troops and rebels in Syria seems to be holding, despite scattered violence. In a briefing on Syria to the United Nations Security Council Thursday, Mr. Annan urged the Syrian government to take further steps by removing troops and […]
Zimmerman Charged with Murder in Florida Shooting of Black Teen
Posted April 12th, 2012 at 11:55 am (UTC-5)
The man charged in the shooting death of an African-American teenager is expected to make his first appearance in a Florida courtroom Thursday. The lawyer representing George Zimmerman says his client will plead not guilty to second-degree murder at a bond hearing. Attorney Mark O’Mara says he needs his client out of jail so Zimmerman […]
Jury Selection to Begin in John Edwards Fraud Trial
Posted April 12th, 2012 at 11:35 am (UTC-5)
Jury selection will soon begin in the fraud trial of former U.S. presidential candidate John Edwards. Edwards is charged with obtaining nearly $1 million in illegal contributions to help hide his pregnant mistress during his failed bid for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination. He was indicted on six counts of fraud and faces up to […]
G8 Talks Focus on Syria, Iran, N. Korea
Posted April 12th, 2012 at 11:30 am (UTC-5)
Foreign ministers from the Group of Eight leading industrialized nations are meeting for a second day in Washington for discussions that include the continuing violence in Syria, nuclear talks with Iran and North Korea’s missile launch plans. The two days of talks are aimed at setting the agenda for next month’s G8 summit at the […]
UN Chief Repeats Warning to North Korea on Rocket Launch
Posted April 12th, 2012 at 11:25 am (UTC-5)
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is urging North Korea to heed the call of the international community by canceling an upcoming rocket launch. Mr. Ban spoke Thursday in Geneva, as North Korean engineers prepared to launch a rocket that Pyongyang says will carry a weather satellite into space. Western nations and regional neighbors accuse the […]
Syrian Cease-Fire Holds Despite Scattered Violence
Posted April 12th, 2012 at 11:20 am (UTC-5)
U.N.-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan says he is “encouraged” by reports that a shaky cease-fire between government troops and rebels in Syria seems to be holding, despite scattered violence. In a briefing on Syria to the U.N. Security Council Thursday, Mr. Annan urged the Syrian government to take further steps by removing troops and heavy […]
South Sudan Says No Withdrawal from Disputed Town
Posted April 12th, 2012 at 11:20 am (UTC-5)
South Sudan’s president has refused to pull back troops who seized a disputed border town from Sudan this week. Addressing parliament Thursday, Salva Kiir said he will not order the withdrawal of southern forces from the town of Heglig, despite a direct appeal from U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to do so. “He gave me an […]
