U.S. President Barack Obama has refused to confirm whether a blind Chinese dissident, who recently escaped from house arrest in Beijing, is under U.S. protection. In response to a reporter’s question Monday, President Obama said he would not make a statement on the situation of Chen Guangchen. U.S. officials have expressed concern about Chen’s fate, […]
Obama Refuses Comment on Chinese Dissident
Posted April 30th, 2012 at 4:30 pm (UTC-5)
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US, Japanese Leaders to Push for Stronger Alliance
Posted April 30th, 2012 at 3:15 pm (UTC-5)
U.S. President Barack Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda have announced a new joint vision designed to both strengthen their countries’ alliance that has weakened in recent years and help shape the Asia Pacific region. Speaking alongside Mr. Noda Monday, President Obama said the alliance will remain the foundation of security and prosperity for […]
Ferry Carrying 350 Capsizes in Northeast India; 68 Dead
Posted April 30th, 2012 at 2:00 pm (UTC-5)
Authorities say at least 68 people are dead and 130 others are missing, after a ferry capsized in northeastern India. Police say the double-decker ferry carrying about 350 passengers broke into two pieces and sank Monday in the Brahmaputra River in Assam state. Some 150 people were rescued or managed to swim to safety in […]
Ukraine Calls Boycotts of Euro Football Tournament ‘Cold War Tactic’
Posted April 30th, 2012 at 1:25 pm (UTC-5)
((new info grafs 2 and 11) Ukraine has characterized as “Cold War tactics” a move by top European Union officials to boycott events in Ukraine in protest of the imprisonment and treatment of former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko. Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleh Voloshin says he hopes reports that German Chancellor Angela Merkel will skip […]
Taiwanese Lawmakers Visit Contested Spratlys
Posted April 30th, 2012 at 1:15 pm (UTC-5)
A group of Taiwanese lawmakers has visited a disputed island chain in the South China Sea to renew Taiwan’s claim to the area. The three ruling party legislators landed Monday on Taiping — the largest land parcel in the Spratly Islands chain. The Spratlys and surrounding waters are believed to be rich in oil and […]
US, Japanese Leaders to Push for Stronger Alliance
Posted April 30th, 2012 at 12:30 pm (UTC-5)
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and U.S. President Barack Obama are meeting at the White House for talks that are expected to reaffirm a strong bilateral alliance that has weakened in recent years. The two leaders are expected to discuss a range of issues during Monday’s meeting, including last week’s relocation announcement of about 9,000 […]
South Sudan Accuses North of Attacks
Posted April 30th, 2012 at 12:20 pm (UTC-5)
South Sudan’s army says Sudan has launched attacks along the two countries’ border. SPLA commander General James Gatluak tells VOA that the Sudan Armed Forces, using artillery and helicopter gunships, attacked troops Sunday in Panakuach, Unity state, injuring four people. He says South Sudan is willing to return to negotiations, but will be in a […]
Ferry Carrying 350 Capsizes in Northeast India
Posted April 30th, 2012 at 12:05 pm (UTC-5)
Authorities say at least 40 people are dead and 160 others are missing, after a ferry capsized in northeastern India. Police say the double-decker ferry carrying about 350 passengers sank Monday in the Brahmaputra River in Assam state. Roughly 150 people were rescued or managed to swim to safety in the Dhubri district, 300 kilometers […]
French President to Sue Website for Defamation
Posted April 30th, 2012 at 11:50 am (UTC-5)
French President Nicolas Sarkozy says he will bring charges against a news website for claiming that late Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi had offered to give him $50 million to help finance his first presidential bid. French website Mediapart reported Saturday that it had obtained a 2006 Libyan document signed by Libya’s then-intelligence chief, Moussa Koussa, […]
US Consumer Spending Grows at a Slower Pace
Posted April 30th, 2012 at 11:45 am (UTC-5)
U.S. consumer spending — the biggest part of the world’s largest economy — continued to grow in March, but at a slower pace than earlier in the year. Consumer spending drives 70 percent of the American economy, so analysts examine its pace to assess the overall health of the country’s economic fortunes. The U.S. government’s […]
