The bombing of a Syrian convoy that included U.N. monitors is drawing condemnation from the United Nations, as well as the United States. A statement from the office of U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the blast, and other violence throughout Syria, “call into question the commitment of the parties to the cessation of violence.” None […]
South Sudan Accuses Sudan of More Airstrikes
Posted May 9th, 2012 at 11:45 am (UTC-5)
South Sudan says Sudan has carried out cross-border airstrikes in violation of a United Nations-backed cease-fire. Military spokesman Kella Dual Kueth on Wednesday accused Sudan of bombing and shelling sites in four northern states — Unity, Upper Nile, Western Bahr el Ghazal and Northern Bahr el Ghazal. A commissioner in Western Bahr e Ghazal, Riziq […]
UN Official: Plight of Displaced Afghans “Appalling”
Posted May 9th, 2012 at 11:35 am (UTC-5)
A senior United Nations official says the plight of internally-displaced Afghans is “appalling.” U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Valerie Amos met with some 80 families living in a settlement in Kabul Wednesday. She said she was appalled by the unacceptable conditions families, particularly women and children, are forced to endure in the heart of the […]
At Least 17 Killed in Somalia Fighting
Posted May 9th, 2012 at 11:30 am (UTC-5)
A Somali lawmaker says at least 17 fighters with militant group al-Shabab have been killed in fighting with Ethiopian and Somali government troops. Parliament member Mohamed Mashru tells VOA the troops attacked an al-Shabab base Wednesday at Agab-Bedey village, near the Somali town of Hudur. Mashru says he saw the bodies of the al-Shabab fighters […]
Indonesian Authorities Search for Missing Russian Plane
Posted May 9th, 2012 at 11:15 am (UTC-5)
Indonesia has deployed search and rescue teams to a mountainous area near Jakarta, in search of a Russian jetliner that disappeared from radar Wednesday with at least 44 people on board. The Jakarta Post quotes authorities as saying ground teams, including military units, were headed from the capital to remote Mount Salak, after search helicopters […]
Britain’s Elizabeth Gives Annual ‘Queen’s Speech’ to Parliament
Posted May 9th, 2012 at 11:00 am (UTC-5)
Queen Elizabeth has given her annual “Queen’s Speech” to Britain’s parliament, setting out the country’s legislative agenda for the next year. Hundreds of people lined the streets outside parliament Wednesday to see the queen’s horse-drawn carriage parade from Buckingham Palace in a lavish ceremony including gleaming coaches, sparkling diamonds and cannon fire. From a throne […]
Greek Political Turmoil Raises Concerns of Eurozone Exit
Posted May 9th, 2012 at 10:40 am (UTC-5)
The political turmoil in Greece over the creation of a coalition government is raising concerns anew that the country could become the first to exit the 17-nation euro currency bloc. The Athens government avoided a eurozone exit twice in the last two years as it negotiated billions of dollars in bailouts from its European neighbors […]
Ukraine’s Tymoshenko Ends Hunger Strike
Posted May 9th, 2012 at 10:25 am (UTC-5)
Ukraine’s jailed former prime minister, Yulia Tymoshenko, has ended her nearly three-week hunger strike after being moved from prison to a local hospital. A German doctor treating Ms. Tymoshenko said Wednesday she halted the hunger strike and that medical experts are preparing her for a normal eating routine. Ukrainian police escorted Ms. Tymoshenko Wednesday to […]
Indonesian Authorities Search for Missing Russian Plane
Posted May 9th, 2012 at 10:00 am (UTC-5)
Indonesia has deployed search and rescue teams to a mountainous area near Jakarta, in search of a Russian jetliner that disappeared from radar Wednesday with 46 people on board. The Jakarta Post quotes authorities as saying ground teams, including military units, were headed from the capital to remote Mount Salak, after search helicopters encountered bad […]
Blast Erupts Near Syria Monitors’ Convoy
Posted May 9th, 2012 at 9:15 am (UTC-5)
A roadside bomb has exploded in Syria near a convoy that included United Nations monitors. The blast wounded at least six Syrian soldiers riding in an escort vehicle. Wednesday’s bombing took place in the southern flashpoint city of Dara’a, just moments after the U.N. observers passed by. The observer mission head, Norwegian Major General Robert […]
