The nominally civilian Burmese government is demanding that democracy icon and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi stop referring to the Southeast Asian nation as “Burma” – the colonial name still used by dissidents and many foreign governments. In a terse statement Friday published by state-controlled media, the Union Election Commission called on the Nobel […]
Militants Storm Eastern Afghan District
Posted June 29th, 2012 at 11:45 am (UTC-5)
Officials in eastern Afghanistan say militants, including suicide bombers, stormed a remote district early Friday sparking a gunbattle that killed 10 people. The attack took place in the Kamdesh district of Nuristan province. Provincial officials say at least 17 militants attacked a compound that housed government offices and residences. The dead included four civilians and […]
US Ambassador to Kenya Resigns
Posted June 29th, 2012 at 11:00 am (UTC-5)
The U.S. ambassador to Kenya has unexpectedly resigned, citing tension with superiors in Washington. Scott Gration released a statement Friday announcing he had submitted his resignation to the Obama administration, to be effective July 28th. In the statement, Gration said his decision stemmed from “differences with Washington regarding my leadership style and certain priorities.” He […]
Top US Diplomat to Pressure Russia on Syrian Crisis
Posted June 29th, 2012 at 11:00 am (UTC-5)
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton holds talks with her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov Friday, ahead of an international conference on the Syrian crisis. Clinton and Lavrov were to meet in St. Petersburg in an effort to resolve differences over a transition plan for Syria. World and regional powers plan to gather in Geneva for […]
EU Leaders Agree on Debt Plan to Help Italy, Spain
Posted June 29th, 2012 at 10:25 am (UTC-5)
European leaders have agreed to use the euro currency bloc’s bailout fund to directly boost the continent’s struggling banks — a move that immediately eased surging borrowing costs for debt-ridden Italy and Spain. Stock markets in Asia, Europe and the U.S. jumped sharply Friday after European Union summit leaders decided that they could send loans […]
One Killed, Four Kidnapped at Kenyan Refugee Camp
Posted June 29th, 2012 at 10:15 am (UTC-5)
Kenyan police say one person was killed and four foreign aid workers were kidnapped Friday in the sprawling Dadaab refugee complex, near the border with Somalia. Dadaab District Commissioner Albert Kimathi tells VOA the incident happened in the Ifo 2 camp, in the compound of an aid group, the Norwegian Refugee Council. “In total there […]
Egypt’s Morsi to Address Tahrir Square Supporters
Posted June 29th, 2012 at 10:05 am (UTC-5)
said the president wants to show unity with the people during Egypt’s transition in leadership. Mr. Morsi will be sworn in Saturday. He is to appear before Egypt’s Constitutional Court to take his oath of office, apparently conceding to the wishes of the ruling military council on details of the transfer of power. Mr. Morsi […]
Indian Forces Kill 20 Maoist Rebels
Posted June 29th, 2012 at 9:15 am (UTC-5)
Police say at least 20 Maoist rebels have been killed in clashes with security forces in central India. The gunbattle took place overnight in Chhattisgarh state after paramilitary and police forces launched an operation there late Thursday. Police say six paramilitary soldiers were wounded in the encounter, including two with critical injuries. They were airlifted […]
EU Leaders Agree on Bank Rescue Fund, Bond Support for Italy and Spain
Posted June 29th, 2012 at 8:30 am (UTC-5)
Leaders of the European Union have reached an agreement to use its rescue fund to directly boost struggling banks across the continent, and to seek a tighter long-term budgetary and political union. The decision was reached early Friday after hours of discussions at the EU summit in Brussels. The agreement establishes a joint banking supervisory […]
UN Urges Sudan Against ‘Heavy-Handed’ Suppression
Posted June 29th, 2012 at 7:05 am (UTC-5)
The U.N. human rights chief has called on authorities in Sudan not to use violence and mass arrests against anti-government protests planned for Friday in the capital, Khartoum. Navi Pillay, the U.N. high commissioner for human rights, says dozens of journalists, activists, and others have been arrested since student protests against government austerity measures began […]
