Burma’s long-time democracy icon and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi left Burma late Tuesday for Bangkok, Thailand, marking the first time in 24 years that she has left her home country. The Burmese opposition leader is to spend several days in Thailand. She is expected to meet with Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra in […]
Aung San Suu Kyi Departs for Bangkok on First International Trip in Over Two Decades
Posted May 29th, 2012 at 10:45 am (UTC-5)
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Iran Says It Can Destroy Sophisticated Data-Stealing Virus
Posted May 29th, 2012 at 10:35 am (UTC-5)
The Iranian government said Tuesday it has produced an antivirus program capable of fighting what computer experts are calling “the most sophisticated cyber weapon yet unleashed.” The data-stealing virus has been infecting computers in Iran and other parts of the Middle East. Iran’s Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Center said Tuesday the antivirus tool can […]
Annan Urges ‘Bold Steps’ on Syria, West Expels Envoys
Posted May 29th, 2012 at 10:20 am (UTC-5)
With deaths mounting and the West expelling Syrian diplomats, international peace envoy Kofi Annan told Syrian President Bashar al-Assad that the U.N.’s six-point peace plan “cannot succeed without bold steps to stop the violence.” According to a U.N. spokesman, Mr. Annan in Damascus conveyed to Mr. Assad the international community’s concern about the bloodshed, including […]
Witnesses: Warships Fire on Al-Shabab Stronghold in Somalia
Posted May 29th, 2012 at 10:05 am (UTC-5)
Witnesses in Somalia say warships have fired on a key port town controlled by the Islamist militant group al-Shabab. The witnesses told VOA the two warships, believed to be Kenyan, began firing at the coastal town of Kismayo early Tuesday. The attack continued after sunrise, with one shell hitting a house and wounding a child. […]
Powerful Earthquake in Italy Kills 12
Posted May 29th, 2012 at 10:05 am (UTC-5)
A powerful earthquake in northern Italy has left at least 12 people dead, striking after another deadly quake hit the same region earlier this month. The U.S. Geological Survey says the 5.8 magnitude quake struck early Tuesday about 40 kilometers north-northwest of Bologna in the Emilia-Romagna region. The quake was felt across much of central […]
Somali President Survives Ambush
Posted May 29th, 2012 at 9:30 am (UTC-5)
Somalia’s President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has survived an assassination attempt by the militant group al-Shabab. Gunmen opened fire on the president’s convoy Tuesday in the Alamada area of southern Somalia. A VOA (Somali Service) reporter traveling with the convoy says the president was unharmed, but five of his bodyguards were wounded, along with one […]
NATO: Airstrike Kills Senior Al-Qaida Leader in Afghanistan
Posted May 29th, 2012 at 8:55 am (UTC-5)
Afghan and coalition forces say an airstrike has killed al-Qaida’s second-highest leader in Afghanistan. In a statement Tuesday, the coalition identified the leader as Sakhr al-Taifi, a Saudi also known as Musthaq and Nasim. NATO said he directed attacks against coalition and Afghan forces, traveling frequently between Afghanistan and Pakistan. The coalition says al-Taifi carried […]
Pakistan Tests Nuclear-Capable Missile
Posted May 29th, 2012 at 8:25 am (UTC-5)
Pakistan’s military said Tuesday it successfully test fired a short-range missile that can carry nuclear warheads. The military said in a statement that the Hatf 9 (Nasr) has a range of 60 kilometers and “addresses the need to deter evolving threats, especially at shorter ranges.” The statement quoted Lieutenant General Khalid Ahmed Kidwai as saying […]
Aung San Suu Kyi Set for First International Trip in Over 2 Decades
Posted May 29th, 2012 at 8:25 am (UTC-5)
Burma’s long-time democracy icon and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi is making her first international trip in 24 years. She is to arrive Tuesday in the Thai capital, Bangkok, where she is expected to meet with Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. The Burmese opposition leader will also address the World Economic Forum on East […]
Annan Meets Syria’s Assad to Urge Compliance with Truce
Posted May 29th, 2012 at 8:00 am (UTC-5)
International peace envoy Kofi Annan has met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus to urge compliance with a cease-fire torn by clashes between government troops and rebels. A U.N. spokeswoman said Mr. Annan would raised two main issues in Tuesday’s meeting: his six-point peace plan for Syria and the killings of at least 108 […]
