Thousands crowded the streets of Jerusalem Wednesday for the funeral of one of the world’s top authorities on Jewish law, Israeli Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv. The rabbi died earlier Wednesday of heart failure at age 102. The Lithuanian-born Rabbi Elyashiv came to what is now Israel as a child. After retiring as a judge in […]
Revered Authority on Jewish Law Elyashiv Dies at 102
Posted July 18th, 2012 at 8:20 pm (UTC-5)
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Agriculture Dept. Designates More US Counties Disaster Areas from Drought
Posted July 18th, 2012 at 7:55 pm (UTC-5)
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has designated 39 more counties in eight states as natural disaster areas as the country struggles with its worst drought since 1956. Wednesday’s declaration makes farmers and ranchers eligible for low-interest government loans to cover their losses. Little rain and high temperatures have put 61 percent of the continental United […]
US: Worst Drought in 56 Years
Posted July 18th, 2012 at 6:55 pm (UTC-5)
With weeks of soaring summertime temperatures and little rain, the United States is suffering through its worst drought since 1956. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack briefed President Barack Obama on the spread of the drought Wednesday, telling him 61 percent of the country’s vast lands are now parched, with vital corn and soybean crops severely stunted. […]
Agriculture Dept. Designates More US Counties Disaster Areas from Drought
Posted July 18th, 2012 at 6:15 pm (UTC-5)
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has designated 39 more counties in eight states as natural disaster areas as the country struggles with its worst drought in 25 years. Wednesday’s declaration makes farmers and ranchers eligible for low-interest government loans to cover their losses. Little rain and high temperatures have put 61 percent of the continental […]
Conflicting Reports on Health of Ethiopian PM
Posted July 18th, 2012 at 5:55 pm (UTC-5)
There are conflicting reports about the health of Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, who is reported to be hospitalized in Brussels. European media Wednesday said the long-time prime minister is in critical condition, but the hospital declined to confirm the reports or to acknowledge his presence. Government officials told VOA the 57-year-old Meles is not […]
Rebel Bombing Kills Syrian Defense Minister, 2 Other Top Officials
Posted July 18th, 2012 at 4:55 pm (UTC-5)
Syrian rebels are claiming responsibility for a bomb blast Wednesday that killed the country’s defense minister and two others during a high-level meeting in Damascus. Rebels are threatening more attacks. They say Wednesday’s bombing represents the beginning of the end of President Bashar al-Assad’s government. The blast killed Defense Minister Daoud Rajha and Mr. Assad’s […]
Bus Explosion in Bulgaria Kills 6 Israelis
Posted July 18th, 2012 at 4:30 pm (UTC-5)
An explosion on a bus carrying Israeli tourists in Bulgaria has killed at least six people and wounded about 30 others. Wednesday’s blast occurred in the Black Sea city of Burgas, about 400 kilometers from the capital, Sofia. Police say several other buses at the site were also damaged. Israeli officials have blamed Iran for […]
Panetta: Syria Spinning Out of Control
Posted July 18th, 2012 at 4:05 pm (UTC-5)
U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta says the situation in Syria is spinning out of control. Reacting to the growing violence and the bombing deaths of top Syrian officials, Panetta said the international community has to bring maximum pressure on President Bashar al-Assad to do the right thing and step down. European Union foreign policy chief […]
Syrian Forces, Rebels Clash After Attack on Syrian Officials
Posted July 18th, 2012 at 2:45 pm (UTC-5)
Syrian forces and rebels have clashed in several neighborhoods of Damascus, and helicopters are reported to have fired on targets from the air, after three top government officials died in a bomb attack Wednesday. Syrian state television says a bomb exploded during a high-level meeting at the National Security building in Damascus, killing Defense Minister […]
US Says Its Drought Worst in 25 Years
Posted July 18th, 2012 at 2:35 pm (UTC-5)
With weeks of soaring summertime temperatures and little rain, the United States says it is sustaining its worst drought in 25 years. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack briefed President Barack Obama on the spread of the drought Wednesday, telling him that 61 percent of the county’s vast lands are now parched, with vital corn and soybean […]
