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Obama Controls Secret al-Qaida ‘Kill List’ – N.Y. Times

Posted May 29th, 2012 at 11:40 am (UTC-5)
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A published report in the United States says President Barack Obama personally oversees a top-secret process for placing al-Qaida suspects on a list of targets to be killed. The New York Times reported Tuesday that dozens of top U.S. officials and former advisers have confirmed the Obama administration maintains a “kill list” of al-Qaida suspects […]

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Sudan, South Sudan Resume Peace Talks

Posted May 29th, 2012 at 11:35 am (UTC-5)
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Sudan and South Sudan have begun their first direct peace talks since cross-border clashes erupted last month. The African Union-led talks started in Addis Ababa on Tuesday. The two countries are locked in bitter disputes stemming from South Sudan’s independence last year, mostly involving borders and oil. Speaking to VOA Tuesday, South Sudan’s chief negotiator, […]

Tags: , , , Posted in Africa

Aung San Suu Kyi Arrives in Bangkok on First International Trip in Over Two Decades

Posted May 29th, 2012 at 11:30 am (UTC-5)
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Burma’s long-time democracy icon and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has arrived in Thailand’s capital, marking her first international trip in 24 years and ending an era of isolation in her home country. The plane carrying the Nobel laureate touched down in Bangkok late Tuesday evening following a brief flight from Rangoon. Aung San […]

Tags: , , , , Posted in East Asia Pacific

160 Girls Poisoned in Northern Afghanistan

Posted May 29th, 2012 at 11:20 am (UTC-5)
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Afghan officials say 160 students from a girl’s school suffered symptoms of poisoning and had to be rushed to a hospital Tuesday, in the second such incident in a week. Authorities in the northern province of Takhar have launched an investigation, saying blood samples from the affected girls and four teachers have been sent to […]

Tags: , , Posted in South Asia

Kenyan Warships Shell on Al-Shabab Stronghold in Somalia

Posted May 29th, 2012 at 11:15 am (UTC-5)
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Kenya’s military says its warships have shelled the port of Kismayo in Somalia, the largest town still held by al-Shabab militants. Witnesses told VOA that two warships began firing at Kismayo overnight Tuesday. The attack continued after sunrise, with one shell hitting a house and wounding a child. Kenyan military spokesman Cyrus Oguna told VOA […]

Tags: , , , Posted in Africa

Somali President Survives Ambush

Posted May 29th, 2012 at 11:05 am (UTC-5)
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Somalia 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 reporter traveling with the convoy says the president was unharmed, but a bodyguard was killed and seven other people were wounded. Somali […]

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Powerful Earthquake in Italy Kills 15

Posted May 29th, 2012 at 11:05 am (UTC-5)
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A powerful earthquake in northern Italy has left at least 15 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 […]

Tags: , , , , Posted in Europe

Annan Urges ‘Bold Steps’ on Syria, West Expels Envoys

Posted May 29th, 2012 at 11:00 am (UTC-5)
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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 […]

Tags: , , Posted in Middle East

Philippines Senators Find Top Judge Guilty of Corruption

Posted May 29th, 2012 at 10:50 am (UTC-5)
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The Philippine senate has voted to fire the country’s top judge for failing to disclose millions of dollars in wealth in what is being seen as a boost for President Benigno Aquino’s anti-corruption campaign. Some 20 out of 23 judges found Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona guilty Tuesday of betraying public trust and violating […]

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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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 […]

Tags: , , , , Posted in East Asia Pacific