The retired U.S. space shuttle Discovery has landed at the Dulles International Airport in northern Virginia on the way to its new home in a Washington-area aviation museum. The 28-year-old orbiter departed the Kennedy Space Center in Florida Tuesday, hitching a ride on the back of one of the U.S. space agency NASA’s specially outfitted […]
Retired Space Shuttle Makes Final Voyage to Washington-Area Museum
Posted April 17th, 2012 at 11:15 am (UTC-5)
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Indonesia’s Aceh Elects Ex-Rebel Governor
Posted April 17th, 2012 at 11:15 am (UTC-5)
Officials in Indonesia say a former rebel won this month’s governor’s election in Aceh province — the only province in the country ruled by Islamic law. Former rebel leader Zaini Abdullah, who once lived in exile, won nearly 56 percent of the vote in the April 9 poll. He defeated incumbent Governor Irwandi Yusuf. Coastal […]
Guinea-Bissau Junta Seeks New “Constitutional Arrangements”
Posted April 17th, 2012 at 11:15 am (UTC-5)
Guinea-Bissau’s military junta says it wants to work out a new “constitutional arrangement” for the country, defying international demands for the current constitution to be restored. A spokesman for the junta, Lieutenant Colonel Dahba Na Walma spoke by phone to VOA on Tuesday. He said junta leaders are in consultation with opposition parties, trying to […]
Obama Calling for ‘Crackdown’ on Oil Market Trading
Posted April 17th, 2012 at 10:25 am (UTC-5)
With American motorists facing high gas prices, U.S. President Barack Obama is set to call for a government “crackdown” on manipulation of oil markets. Mr. Obama is planning to ask Congress Tuesday to approve a $52 million request to regulate oil trading. The White House said it is “critically important” to make sure that “illegal […]
Retired Space Shuttle Takes Final Flight to Washington-Area Museum
Posted April 17th, 2012 at 9:55 am (UTC-5)
The retired U.S. space shuttle Discovery is on its final voyage to a Washington-area aviation museum. The 28-year-old orbiter departed the Kennedy Space Center in Florida Tuesday, hitching a ride on the back of one of the U.S. space agency NASA’s specially outfitted Boeing 747 jumbo jets. The shuttle is being flown over a variety […]
Afghanistan’s Karzai Wants $2 Billion a Year From US
Posted April 17th, 2012 at 9:55 am (UTC-5)
Afghan President Hamid Karzai says he wants the United States to provide $2 billion a year to fund Afghan security forces once international combat troops leave the country in 2014. President Karzai said Tuesday a U.S.-Afghan strategic partnership agreement that is being negotiated should include a written guarantee that Washington will provide at least $2 […]
Mali Soldiers Arrest Key Government Figures
Posted April 17th, 2012 at 9:50 am (UTC-5)
Officials in Mali say soldiers have arrested at least seven prominent political figures, raising questions about a promise by coup leaders to return power to civilians. Witnesses and political aides say the arrests happened in the capital Bamako late Monday and early Tuesday. A source close to those arrested tells VOA that former prime minister […]
IMF: Global Economic Growth 3.5% This Year
Posted April 17th, 2012 at 9:40 am (UTC-5)
The International Monetary Fund is a little more optimistic about global economic growth as European nations have taken action to cope with their debt crisis, and the U.S. economy grew a little faster. Speaking about IMF’s “World Economic Outlook” on Tuesday, research director Oliver Blanchard said the global economy has been on a “roller coaster” […]
Malaysian Lawmakers Pass Law Curbing Arrest Abuses
Posted April 17th, 2012 at 9:40 am (UTC-5)
A law aimed at preventing police from detaining suspects indefinitely or arresting them for their political beliefs has been approved by Malaysia’s parliament. The legislation, passed Tuesday by the lower house of parliament, replaces the notorious 1960 Internal Security Act, a draconian law long used to detain opposition leaders and other government critics without trial. […]
New Footage Depicts Self-Immolation in Tibet
Posted April 17th, 2012 at 9:40 am (UTC-5)
A pro-Tibetan advocacy group says it has obtained video of one of the dozens of Tibetans who have set themselves on fire this year to protest against China’s repressive rule. The International Campaign for Tibet says the video shows the self-immolation of Losang Jamyang on the streets of the western Chinese city of Aba back […]
